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If you’re reading this, chances are you are in need of a plumber, You’ve got a faucet that’s leaking, a drain that’s clogged, or any number of common plumbing problems. You have a lot of options: you could try to fix it yourself, call a handyman, or call a certified plumber, like the ones at City Plumbing. In this post, we’ll examine those options, specifically for those needing commercial plumbing.

THE RIGHT EXPERIENCE

Depending on what you’re needing, you need to make sure your plumber has experience specific to the job. This is especially true if you need a plumber for your business. Plumbers used to dealing with commercial codes will be a better fit, and won’t make mistakes that could lead to fines.

EFFICIENCY

Speed is always of the essence when you need a plumbing job done, but imagine if you were actually losing money while waiting on the repairs. Business owners need a reliable and fast plumber to diagnose and repair any emergencies so they can get back to serving customers, and making money!

EXPANSION

Some plumbers are experts at repairs – but how are they with installations? If you’re ready to expand your business, or, say, add another bathroom, you need someone who understands installations and the complicated work that goes with them.

INSURED

All plumbers should be properly bonded and insured. This protects the plumber as well as the home or business owner, just in case something goes wrong.

REVIEW

This seems like a no-brainer in the information age, but going with a reputable plumber gives you an opportunity to check customer reviews online. Many online platforms (including Google, Facebook, and many more) offer space for reviews. Check out the reviews and the ratings – and if you have experience with a plumber, leave a review!

PRICE

Everyone loves a good deal, but as with anything, you tend to get what you pay for. Lucky for you, City Plumbing offers competitive prices on all our services, without cutting corners.

WE’LL COME RUNNING

Have a need that we can fix? City Plumbing has the experience for all your commercial and residential plumbing needs. Make an appointment online, or call us at 432-366-2401.

Some West Texas dust storms are so bad you can even taste the dirt in the air! If that’s what the air quality can be like outside in West Texas, you want to make sure that the air quality inside is as pure as possible so you can at least breathe easy while at home. Have you considered getting an air purifier? In this post, we’ll discuss some of the reasons it might be a good idea.

ALL-THE-TIME ALLERGIES

Seasonal allergies are basically bound to happen for most of us, as is the common cold. But if you find yourself constantly sniffly and sneezing, it may be an issue with your air quality. An air purifier can help rid your home of the dust, pollen, pet dander, and other particles circulating in your air. The RFG Halo-LED Whole Home In-Duct Air Purifier treats every cubic inch of air in your home.

THE WRONG STUFF

So maybe bad allergies aren’t a problem. But your home just doesn’t smell good. A good air purification system could be the cure to getting rid of that old air, and the stuffy smell that comes with it. By constantly pumping clean air through your ducts, the Halo-LED will eliminate the stuffiness and have you breathing easier.

Mighty Mites

Isn’t it frustrating how quickly dust seems to pile up on your furniture? If you notice it on the nightstand, that means dust mites are everywhere, even in places you can’t see. An air purifier can greatly reduce the amount of dust in your home, and reduce the frequency you need to clean.

NOISY SLEEPER

Did you know that impurities in the air are one of the things that can cause snoring? Things like pollen and pet dander can clog up your airways, causing congestion and snoring. An air purification system can clean the air and lead to a better night’s sleep.

RESPIRATORY ISSUES

A lack of quality air in your home can lead to a variety of other health issues. Smoke, mold, and viruses (even those known to spread COVID-19) can all be eliminated or greatly reduced with an air purification system.

WE’LL COME RUNNING

City Plumbing is proud to be a certified dealer of the RFG Halo-LED Whole Home In-Duct Air Purifier. For more information on what it can do for you and your household, call us at 432-366-2401 or make an appointment online. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!

Every home has maintenance needs, and there’s only so much you can do on your own. Eventually, all homeowners will need to get professional help to properly maintain their homes. In this post, we’ll talk about a few of the reasons you should only trust your HVAC needs to a reputable company.

LICENSED TECHNICIANS

When thinking about repairs, homeowners may think that any home handyman is just as effective as hiring certified professionals for the job. But do you really want to leave your family’s comfort (and your budget) in the hands of someone who isn’t fully trained for the job? At City Plumbing, our HVAC technicians are fully trained and licensed to handle all types of HVAC units and issues. Their state-of-the-art techniques will ensure your A/C will enjoy reliable performance, long life, and reduced energy bills.

EXPERT ADVICE

Every home is different and has different needs when it comes to heating and cooling. City Plumbing can evaluate your home and help you decide on the system that fits your home and budget. Heating, cooling, furnaces, heat pumps, we do it all.

PRODUCTS THAT LAST

City Plumbing is proud to be a certified dealer for both Bryant and Mitsubishi Electric HVAC products. Not only are these high-quality, reliable products, but regular servicing by our professionals will make sure they last for years to come.

SAFETY FIRST

Hiring a certified professional also provides peace of mind. That’s because our attention to detail and diagnosis of every system will help us fix any issues that could cause discomfort or put you or your home at risk.

24/7 SERVICE

How many handymen are available after hours? City Plumbing has technicians on standby 24 hours a day and 7 days a week that will respond when you call.

WE’LL COME RUNNING

The experts at City Plumbing are committed to fast, friendly service at a fair price. It’s no surprise we hold an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. With the hot summer just around the corner, now’s a perfect time to get your air conditioning primed and ready to keep you cool. Make an appointment at 432-366-2401 or online. Just give us a call, and we’ll come running!

As the temperature continues to heat up, you’ll want to make sure your A/C is ready to cool you down. But have you ever noticed that some rooms always seem warmer (or cooler) than others? If so, you may have some problems with your ducts. Ducts are the air tubes or pipes that channel air from your central a/c unit (or furnace in the winter) throughout your home and deliver it to every room in your house. In this post, we’ll take a look at some common causes for ducts to lose efficiency.

LIFE SPAN

Properly installed ductwork should last up to 25 years. While this may seem like a long time, it isn’t forever. If you have an older home, it’s possible that your ducts need replacement.

PESTS

Common animals that may make a home in your attic, such as mice, squirrels, or even bats can cause damage to your ducts. Ants or other insects can cause problems too. If you know of or suspect any pests living in your attic rent-free, it’s a good idea to get the ductwork checked out.

MOISTURE

If moisture from the air conditioning unit (or even a leaky roof) gets into the air ducts, this can spell major problems. The wetness will weaken the metal, which will eventually mean a hole in the duct. That means lost air and lost money!

DIRT

Dirt, dust, and other particles can build up in the ductwork. This reduces airflow, which reduces air quality and means your unit has to work harder to keep you cool. It can also be a problem if you or anyone in your household suffers from allergies.

WE’LL COME RUNNING

Like anything plumbing or HVAC-related, the real secret to comfort and efficiency is practical routine maintenance. Ductwork should typically be checked out by a professional every three to five years. A Spring Clean and Check could be a great time to also have your ductwork inspected. Give City Plumbing a call today to make an appointment. You can reach us at 432-366-2401 or online. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!

 

In February 2021, Texas experienced what was likely its worst winter storm EVER! West Texans know the weather here is usually pretty comfortable, but during the storm, the official temperature at Midland International Air & Space Port stayed below freezing for an unbelievable 221 consecutive hours! During that time, millions across our state lost power, and many suffered greatly.

City Plumbing saw the need to add to our services in order to best serve our customers, and we are answering that call. City Plumbing is now proud to be a certified dealer of Cummins standby generators. Generators are designed to kick on when the power goes out. Not only will they keep you comfortable in the event of a freeze, but they’ll also save you from other significant consequences of power loss.

POWER OUTAGES

We’ve all experienced power outages from time to time, but an ice storm that causes an outage is a real double whammy. The ice and frozen precipitation build up on power lines, making them heavy and potentially causing them to collapse. That’s why ice storms cause far more widespread power outages than other types of extreme weather. But ice also means the temperature is below freezing. And as we discovered in February, no power and freezing temperatures can be a deadly combination.

INVEST NOW

As we enter the spring months, we won’t need to worry about ice storms. But springtime can bring strong winds, thunderstorms, and the occasional tornado to our area. These all have the potential to cause a power outage as well.

Power outages can also occur in other weather conditions. Like a blazing West Texas summer, with temperatures consistently hitting triple digits. The average highs last summer in Odessa were over 100 degrees in July and August! High stress on the power grid has the potential to shut down the power as well. Having a backup generator means you won’t have to worry about losing your cool in the summer!

WE’LL COME RUNNING

Of course, we’d like to think that nothing bad will ever happen, and we don’t have to worry about things like losing electricity. The reality is that things do happen. City Plumbing can prepare you and your home for the unexpected by installing a Cummins standby generator. Call us today at 432-366-2401 to make an appointment. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!

Unless you live alone and are completely bald, it’s likely your family accumulates hair on your shower drain. Even if you have a cover on the drain or a drain stopper, some hair will make it through, eventually causing your drain to stop up. In fact, if your shower or tub drains are draining slowly (or not at all), hair is the most likely culprit. In this post, we’ll take a look at some safe and effective ways to clear it out!

DIG IN!

For surface-level clogs or those at the top of the pipes, simply pulling it out by hand can be most effective. Just remove the drain stopper or drain cover and dig in! Caution: the smell could be bad! We recommended wearing rubber gloves to protect your hands from the gunk that’s collected below the surface. You can use tweezers or a screwdriver to reach the areas at the opening of the drain. This will often result in the ability to retrieve large clumps of hair that are stopping up your drain.

COMBO DEAL

You may remember the little science experiment of combining baking soda and vinegar, and the resulting fizz caused by the chemical reaction. The combination of baking soda and vinegar, when used along with boiling water and a good plunger, can solve some clogs that you can’t reach yourself.

Start by putting some baking soda in and around your drain, making sure some of it gets down inside the pipes. Then pour the vinegar on top. Once the fizzing has died down, pour in some boiling water, which will continue to break down the gunk in your pipes and loosen the hair. The final step is to utilize a standard plunger. Following these steps together should result in pulling out a hairball that will really clear out your pipes!

ZIP-IT UP

A Zip-it tool is a long stick with plastic barbs that is specifically designed to clear drains. You can find one at any hardware store. The tool is flexible and easy to put down into your drain and reach through the pipes. When you pull the Zip-it out of the drain, the barbs will catch on hair or other debris that’s causing the slow drain.

BONUS TIP: Twisting the Zip-it as you insert it down the pipe will help it catch even more gunk on the way up!

WE’LL COME RUNNING

If you’ve tried the tips above and still have a slow or clogged drain, a final solution may be to remove the entire drain yourself. Most DIY plumbers may be wary of this, and it is likely better left to the pros. The experts at City Plumbing can help with hair clogs or any of your plumbing problems. Make an appointment today by calling 432-366-2401. Give us a call and we’ll come running!

 

When the weather gets cold outside, it’s more important to stay warm inside! That not only goes for a good heater but a good hot water heater, as well. If it’s not providing hot water, or only providing a limited supply, you’ll want to get it fixed right away. In this post, we’ll take a look at some common problems to look out for.

SPRUNG A LEAK

As with anything plumbing-related, a leak is something you always want to avoid. A leak on a water heater could be the result of a broken valve, rust or corrosion, or too much pressure in the tank. If you notice water around your water heater, get it checked out immediately!

LOST EFFICIENCY

Has your electric bill been going up for no apparent reason? How about a delay in the time it takes for water to heat up? Mineral deposits in hard water can build up inside your tank or pipes and cause them to lose efficiency. Get it fixed before you’re left out in the cold.

SHORT ON HOT WATER

A short-lived shower is one of the worst things about an old or broken water heater. A variety of things can cause this including a broken thermostat, faulty element, loose wiring, or maybe your tank is just too small! If a quick adjustment on your thermostat doesn’t heat things up, it could be time for a new tank. And don’t forget about the tankless option – where you never run out of hot water!

DIRTY WATER

If your water appears dirty, or possibly rusty, this is a sign that sediment has accumulated in your tank. It’s easy to see if the water is discolored when running into your tub or sink. Sometimes this can be solved by flushing out the tank. Replacing the anode rod is another fix that can add life to your tank.

NOISY WATER HEATER

If your water heater is making loud gurgling noises, that’s an indicator that it needs to be drained to help get rid of the sentiment that’s built up inside. The minerals can collect on their way to the tank, then accumulate at the bottom.

CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKS

If you have a gas water heater, you should be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide. It’s colorless, odorless, and can kill you if you breathe it in! Make sure the exhaust pipe is properly maintained. If you ever experience extreme dizziness or are gasping for air, get fresh air immediately! You should also have a CO detector in your home!

WE’LL COME RUNNING

These are just a few of the potential problems that can happen with your water heater. The certified professionals at City Plumbing can help you maintain your current water heater, and help you decide if it’s time for a new one. We are proud to install Noritz Tankless Water Heaters for those who want to ditch the tank and enjoy never-ending hot water. Call us today for an appointment at 432-366-2401. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!

Heaters are supposed to blow heat and air conditioners are supposed to cool, right? But have you ever cranked up the thermostat only to find that when the air turns on it actually feels cold? Even if the temperature eventually does rise, it can leave you uncomfortable in the meantime. In this post, we’ll explain some quick fixes for your heat pump.

HEAT PUMP = COLD AIR?

Air from a heat pump should be about 90 degrees. If it feels cold, something is obviously wrong! Here’s a list of things to check:

• Thermostat settings: Make sure the thermostat is set to HEAT and that you have your desired temperature set. Make sure the HEAT PUMP setting is selected and that the batteries are properly charged.
• Condenser coils: The coils on your outside unit can get jammed up with dirt, leaves, or other debris. Make sure to keep them clean so the unit can function properly!
• Heat pump freeze: A combination of factors can cause the pump to freeze up, making it impossible to produce warm air. This can include dirty coils, clogged filters, or low refrigerant.
• Reversing valve: The reversing valve switches the pump from cool to heat. If it’s not working, your unit will not produce hot air.
• General maintenance: It’s a good idea to get your whole HVAC system inspected at least once a year. The certified pros at City Plumbing can check and clean everything listed above, as well as take care of other routine things that can cause lost efficiency.

CLEAN AND CHECK

City Plumbing recommends HVAC tune-ups twice a year. The fall and spring are a great time to get it checked out, as you prepare to switch from heat to cool and vice-versa. For $89.99, our experts will check your filters, clean your condenser coil, inspect safety controls, calibrate your thermostat, and much more. To make an appointment, call us today at 432-366-2401. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!

People in most of the country can drink tap water without giving it a second thought. Unfortunately, that’s not the case here in West Texas, where hard water and minerals make it nearly impossible to enjoy water from the tap. That doesn’t necessarily make it unsafe, it just means it tastes horrible! Bottled water is an option that can get expensive and creates a lot of trash. What if there was a way to purify your water so you could drink it straight from the tap? In this post, we’ll explain the Reverse Osmosis process and how an R.O. system could work for you and your household!

WHAT IS OSMOSIS?

To define reverse osmosis, you must first define osmosis. Osmosis is when differing molecules merge together to balance each other. Here’s an example: If you poured a glass of dirty water into a glass of clean water, the two would merge. You would still have a glass of water, but it would be cleaner than the dirty water and dirtier than the clean water. That’s because all of the particles would naturally merge together when they are put together. This process is called osmosis.

WHAT IS REVERSE OSMOSIS?

So if osmosis occurs naturally, reverse osmosis does not occur naturally. To make the water clean again, you have to apply a force. An easier way to explain reverse osmosis is to call it a filter. The filter acts as a selectively permeable membrane, meaning the smaller particles will get through, but the larger ones will be left behind. In the example with water, if you force the dirty water through the filter, it will leave the contaminants behind, only allowing pure water to pass through.

PURIFICATION FILTERS

The water purification filters trap particles like calcium and rust before they get into your drinking water. Many systems use a second carbon filter to catch more chemicals – things like chlorine which come in even smaller particles. Finally, a Reverse Osmosis membrane filter uses an ultraviolet lamp to sterilize any remaining contaminants. Depending on the filter type, the sizes of the membrane pores can vary. The smaller the filter, the cleaner the water.

You are essentially doing the opposite of the merging process that occurs during the natural process of osmosis. Hence, this process is called reverse osmosis. Simple, right?

WE’LL COME RUNNING

City Plumbing has the R.O. solution that’s right for your home. Call us today for an appointment at 432-366-2401. We’ll show you your options and help you enjoy cleaner water in your own home. Give us a call and we’ll come running!

Plumbing is a unique part of your home maintenance schedule. Why? Because oftentimes the root of the problem is behind a wall or underground where you can’t even see it. This is especially true when it comes to leaky pipes. In this post, we’ll explore a few simple ways you can look for leaky pipes and prevent a disaster before it happens.

DRIP, DRIP, DRIP

If you see signs of a water leak, don’t ignore it! What starts as a drip can lead to pipes that need replacing, damaged drywall, or other structural issues with your home. These can all cost a lot more to repair than a simple leak. If you see something, say something!

CAREFUL WITH CHEMICALS

DIY drain cleaners often contain harsh chemicals. While that’s great at fighting clogs, it can also do a number on your pipes. The toxins can break down the inside of the pipe with every use, eventually leading to weaker pipes and the potential for leaks. So go easy on the chemicals and give us a call if you think something’s up.

DON’T DIY

There are many plumbing problems that an experienced homeowner can fix on their own. Locating and repairing a leak shouldn’t be one of them. Breaking through walls or floors is not recommended unless you’re an expert – and can cost you big time in the long run.

EXPIRATION DATE

As with anything, pipes will break down over time. They don’t last forever. As mentioned at the top of this post, we often don’t know when and where this happens, because we can’t see it. That’s why having a professional inspect those leaky pipes could be worth it.

SLAB LEAKS

While we’re on the topic of leaks, we get a lot of calls about slab leaks. This happens when a pipe underneath your home springs a leak causing your entire foundation to move. This can cause costly damage throughout your home and is something you should call us about at the first sign of trouble.

WE’LL COME RUNNING

If any of these issues ring true for you – give us a ring! City Plumbing has experts to solve all your plumbing problems. Call us at 432-366-2401. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!