Before Connecticut puts you through another winter, is your boiler up to the task? You may have had occasion to wonder about the pipes in your walls as of late. Or perhaps a heating bill has been on the rise, or there are odd noises coming from the basement and cold areas in the house to be found.
These are questions one should be asking in the fall, and we at Tony Marzano Plumbing & Heating can put them to rest. We are a family business in every sense of the word; since 1978 we have been in the habit of making sure Hartford homes run well and stay warm. In our 48 years here that is what we do. For any of the below, pick up the phone at (860) 467-1891.
A Hartford winter will not wait for you. When the cold comes, it has a way of turning a minor issue into a major one in short order. A bit of forethought is the best way to avoid a freezing emergency down the road.
Why make preparations in the fall
There is not much time between the last of the warmth and the first hard freeze in this part of the state. An inspection of your plumbing and boiler in the fall has the advantage of having everything in order when you need it. It also means you are not vying with all the other homeowners who put off service until their heat gave out on the year’s coldest night.
You would be surprised what a boiler that has been idle over the summer can put on you once you put it to work. What was fine with your pipes in September may see a January freeze. Better to put an end to those concerns early on.
Colder months call for some boiler care
Be it a gas model or one hung on the wall, your boiler is what keeps your Hartford home heated and it deserves some attention before the long winter ahead. As fall sets in we suggest:
- See if the pressure gauge is where it should be
- Put an ear to the boiler while it is running; banging or gurgling is usually air or buildup
- Inspect the unit and its pipes for rust, moisture or leaks
- If radiators are cold above and warm below, bleed them
- Note how quickly the system brings up the temperature, a slow one can be telling
- Clear away any clutter from around the boiler
For those still using oil and mulling over a conversion to gas, the fall is as good a time as any. Being a more involved project it is wise to plan, and we have financing available for such work.
Plumbing advice for the homeowner
Hartford residents know that a burst pipe is an expensive proposition and cold weather does not make it any easier on your plumbing. There are ways to stave off trouble:
- Before the first freeze comes, drain and put away the outdoor hoses
- Put insulation on any exposed piping in the basement or along an outside wall
- Make sure you can find the main shutoff valve in an emergency
- Do not let a slow drain go unheeded, clogs will only worsen
- Give the sump pump a test run prior to the snow melt and heavy rains
- Let the faucets run a trickle in the event of an extreme cold spell
A small leak in the fall can become water damage by mid-winter. Should you have reason to think there is a hidden one, our people will detect it and get to the source.
Leave the pros to it
You can do some of the maintenance yourself but for repiping, your gas lines or the boiler you are better off with a licensed and insured contractor. Our team is proud of the way we do things, as is Tony Marzano who is hands on with day to day matters.
We are members in good standing with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association and carry HVAC License #0409703-S3 and Plumbing License #0288091-P1. Over 700 Google reviews have given us a 4.9 and for decades we have been the choice of homeowners in West Hartford, Glastonbury, Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Newington, Cromwell, Farmington, Avon and the rest of Greater Hartford.
Our hours are not dictated by the clock when it comes to a heating problem, so we are on hand 24/7 even on a holiday. The phone is answered if your boiler decides to quit. We extend a senior discount to those eligible as well.
Make this fall count
Rather than let the first freeze tell you something is amiss, give your home some attention and it will be warm and dry come winter. Contact Tony Marzano Plumbing & Heating at (860) 467-1891 to set up a time for your fall service and face the season without worry.
