It’s fun to visit a haunted house, but no one wants to hear scary sounds coming from inside their own home. When unusual noises start to emerge, it can signal potential issues with your heating, plumbing, or electrical systems.

Here’s a guide to some common concerning noises and what you should do about them.

Heating Noises

1. Banging or Clanging

What it is: Often a sign of expanding and contracting ductwork or loose components. In more severe cases, it could indicate a problem with the furnace.

What it isn’t: A chain-laden ghost trapped in your walls.

What to do: Inspect the ductwork for loose parts and check your furnace. If the noise persists, call a professional technician.

2. Hissing

What it is: This could indicate a gas leak or a problem with the pressure in your heating system.

What it isn’t: A paranormal being trying to communicate

What to do: If you suspect a gas leak, turn off the gas supply immediately and get everyone out of the house. Contact your gas company or a heating professional right away.

3. Rumbling

What it is: This sound may indicate sediment buildup or other issues in your heating system.

What it isn’t: The sound of a hungry goblin about to raid your fridge.

What to do: Schedule a maintenance check of the furnace for an issue with your burner and address any underlying problems.

Plumbing Noises

1. Gurgling Sounds

What it is: Common in drains and toilets, gurgling usually signals a blockage or venting issue.

What it isn’t: A witch with mouthwash working on her hygiene.

What to do: Check for clogs in drains and use an auger or plumber to remove them. If you can’t identify the problem, consider calling a plumber to investigate further.

2. Banging Pipes

What it is: This occurs when water flow is abruptly stopped, causing pipes to shake. It could also indicate loose fittings.

What it isn’t: A monster itching to get out of the basement.

What to do: A fix might require a plumber’s skills to secure loose pipes or install water hammer arrestors to absorb shock.

3. Dripping

What it is: A persistent drip from a faucet or toilet.

What it isn’t: Blood from a scary Jason mask.

What to do: Look at your toilet for potential cracks in the tank or worn components. Examine your faucet for a worn washer or seals.

Electrical Noises

1. Buzzing

What it is: Buzzing sounds from outlets, switches, or appliances can indicate loose wiring or overloaded circuits.

What it isn’t: A swarm of killer bees building a hive in your home.

What to do: Turn off the circuit breaker connected to the source of that outlet. Contact an electrician to make the repair.

2. Popping or Crackling

What it is: These sounds often indicate arcing or a short circuit, which can be dangerous.

What it isn’t: The sound of a witch laughing at a joke.

What to do: There is no room to DIY if you aren’t a trained electrician. Turn off the affected circuit and consult an electrician.

3. Clicking from the Breaker Box

What it is: This may indicate that a circuit breaker is tripping due to overload or a short.

What it isn’t: The opening and closing of a coffin lock.

What to do: A frequently tripping breaker box could mean there is too much load on the circuit. Consider reducing the load or upgrading your main electrical panel.

Choose Larry & Sons for Home Services in MD, PA & WV

While some noises in your home might seem minor, they can be early warning signs of more significant issues. When in doubt call the professionals at Larry & Sons. We have the know-how to fix your heating, plumbing and electrical issues quickly.

Contact us online now to schedule HVAC, plumbing, or electrical services.

Your home’s utility systems are called into action much differently in fall than in summer. The transition from summer to fall demands can create some unexpected heating, plumbing and emergencies. Here are a few emergencies you might experience with your heating, plumbing and electrical systems this fall.

Fall Heating Emergencies

Your heating system has been on summer break, and your system cooling system has taken center stage over the summer. As temperatures drop, your heating system is on deck.

Here are some unexpected heating issues your system might experience:

• Thermostat issues: A faulty thermostat creates problems within your HVAC system including inconsistent heating and wasted energy.
• Clogged air filters: While not an emergency, dirty air filters can put unnecessary pressure on the performance of your system and cause components to fail early.
• Your heat won’t turn on: After not being used for months, your heat system could fail to ignite. That could mean there is an issue with your pilot light in older units or a problem with the electronic ignition system in newer units.
• Your system is making unusual sounds: You often hear a click when your system turns on, but unusual noises like screeching, rattling or grinding mean something needs to be addressed with your system.

Fall Plumbing Emergencies

Your plumbing system is under a lot of demand over the summer with watering the lawn, washing the car and cold showers to cool down, but in the fall, all eyes are on your home’s ability to deliver hot water to meet the high demands of busy schedules.

Here are some unexpected plumbing issues your system might experience this fall:

• Frozen pipes: Nothing will stop your plumbing system in its tracks like a frozen pipe. As temperatures drop the risk of frozen pipes increases. Pipes exposed to cold air, especially in unheated areas, are most prone to freezing and bursting.
• Clogged gutters: Falling leaves can lead to clogged gutters that can back up water into your drywall or redirect water onto your home’s foundation. Fallen leaves can also clog the exit of the drainage system attached to your sump pump. Check and clean your gutters regularly this fall to avoid this fall home emergency.
• Water heater woes: As your demand for hot water increases over fall and into winter make sure your water heater is up to the task with preventive maintenance. Over time, sediment can build up inside your water heater, forcing your system to work harder to deliver hot water or even causing it to burst. Systems can also experience metal rust corrosion that decays components and can cause leaks.

Fall Electrical Emergencies

Some of the most common electrical emergencies can occur in the fall, such as fallen power lines, tripping breakers and electrical appliance issues. Less daylight during the fall means more time spent inside your home using your electrical appliances to keep you warm and cozy.

Here are some common fall electrical emergencies:

• Overloaded circuits: Overloaded circuits carry a significant risk of causing a fire in your home especially if your home’s wiring is old or faulty. Wires can overheat and start a fire at the source.
• Improper use of portable heaters: Portable heaters used close to combustible materials such as drapes or bedding can also cause fires. Electric space heaters should always be plugged directly into an outlet, never into an extension cord or power strip, and never left on overnight.
• Outdoor electrical issues: Fallen leaves and other debris can damage the home’s outdoor electrical components. Outdoor outlets should be inspected to ensure they are properly rated for outdoor use and in good condition. Leaves and branches can also damage power lines. Check the lines for debris that could cause a power outage.

Choose Larry & Sons for Home Services in Maryland, Pennsylvania & West Virginia

While you can never fully prepare for an emergency, the best way to limit potential problems with your home’s plumbing, heating and electrical systems is to enroll in an annual maintenance program. At Larry & Sons, we’ve got you covered with the expert service you can trust. We are your source for preventative maintenance or emergency repair.

Contact us online now to schedule HVAC, plumbing, or electrical services.

Number two pencils, an 8-pack of markers, and a protractor. Prepping for the first day of school means having the right supplies for the year. Your home’s plumbing system needs to prep for the back-to-school demands too. Take a look at these tips to make sure your plumbing system is ready for the busy back-to-school routines.

Table Talk

While summer offers loose schedules, back-to-school often means back-to-family meals that will have your garbage disposal seeing much more action! Clean your garbage disposal so it gets high marks. Turn off the disposal’s power source, then sprinkle half a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by one cup of white vinegar. Let the solution bubble for a minute, then flush the drain with hot water and restore power.

Take Stock of Bathroom Supplies

While you stock up on school supplies, stock up on toilet paper, and make sure to remove any so-called flushable wipes that can clog your septic system. Remind family members not to flush paper towels, face wipes, or personal care products down the toilet.

Test Time

Back-to-school time means the family will likely put a demand on your home’s plumbing system in the morning and in the evening. Now is a great time to make sure all the toilets are operating efficiently so a failing toilet doesn’t derail your routine. Flush each of the toilets listening for leaks. Add a bit of food coloring into the tank and wait to see if the color seeps into the bowl. If it does you know you have a leak.

Inspect and Clean Drains

Take a look at all the drains in your home, especially those in your showers, and clean out any visible debris like hair or soap scum.

Prepare for Busy Mornings

Early morning starts and after-school activities will increase shower usage when school is back in session. Make sure your water heater is up to the task by scheduling maintenance with a technician who can inspect the unit and flush the tank to remove sediment buildup.

Don’t Be Tardy on Maintenance

Make plumbing maintenance part of your regular routine. Schedule seasonal inspections, especially before high-use periods like the busy start of the school year.

Choose Larry & Sons for Plumbing Services in MD, PA & WV

When lazy summer days turn to busy back-to-school schedules, don’t let problems with your home’s plumbing give your home a failing grade. The professionals at Larry & Sons can make sure your system has a passing grade with our same-day and emergency plumbing service, plumbing replacement and installation services, and plumbing maintenance program.

Contact us online now to schedule plumbing services with Larry & Sons.

Your home is likely your biggest investment. It’s important to preserve its value, prevent expensive repairs, and ensure it’s a comfortable haven for you and your family. That’s where an annual home maintenance schedule comes in. Below, we’ll provide a list of home maintenance tasks for each season.

Spring Home Maintenance Tasks

While you enjoy the outdoors and blooming flowers in spring, there are a few spring home maintenance tasks to tackle:

• Clean outdoor spaces: Prepare your outdoor living areas by power washing siding and decks. Give your exterior AC unit the room it needs to do its work by trimming bushes and trees at least three feet away from it to prevent damage and allow adequate airflow. Clean gutters and downspouts, too, so water doesn’t back up into your home’s drywall and damage your home’s foundation.
• Test your sump pump: Your sump pump is your home’s defense mechanism to batter spring storms. You can conduct your own sump pump test or allow a professional to give your sump pump a thorough inspection.  
• Inspect your home’s HVAC system: Schedule your AC tune-up to reduce the risk of your unit failing when you need it the most.

Summer Home Maintenance Tasks

The summer can be full of lazy days but set aside a few days to do the following:

• Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans: Running your ceiling fan in a counterclockwise direction will help augment your air conditioning.
• Inspect plumbing: Now that outdoor watering is in full swing, make sure your sprinkler system, exterior hose bibs, and other water sources are free from leaks and rust.
• Evaluate the humidity levels of your home: High humidity levels can make your home feel too warm and put more pressure on your home’s air conditioning system to cool it down. You can improve your home’s indoor air quality with the installation of a dehumidifier. A professional technician can monitor your home’s humidity levels and help you decide if a dehumidifier is right for your home.

Fall Home Maintenance Tasks

It’s back-to-school time, and when schedules start to fill up, home maintenance often takes a back seat. Earn a passing grade by doing the following home maintenance tasks in the fall:

• Test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms: October is Fire Safety Month. Celebrate by making sure your home’s smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order.
• Inspect your home’s HVAC system: While fall days are some of the best weather of the year, cold days are around the corner. Now is a great time to schedule an HVAC system tune-up to ensure your heating system is ready for action!
• Stop the flow: Now that the growing season is over, it’s time to winterize your exterior pipes and faucets and bleed the lines.

Winter Home Maintenance Tasks

Even if winter starts out mild, it seems Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia will eventually get their share of freezing temperatures. Don’t be left in the cold by following these winter home maintenance tasks:

• Clean air filters: If you change the air filters throughout your home, including the one at the base of the HVAC unit, your HVAC system will work more efficiently, and you will have better indoor air quality.
• Ensure you have hot water with a water heater inspection: Over time, sediment can build up in the unit, and pressure can cause leaks in the pipes. An inspection can flag any issue and a preventative maintenance flush will enable your water heater to deliver when you need it to.
• Insulate pipes exposed to outdoor walls: A burst pipe is not only inconvenient but can also be costly. Open cabinet doors so warm air can reach the plumbing inside. Additional insulation in crawl spaces, basements, and attics can help maintain temperatures in those areas. Set your heat on to at least 55 degrees when you plan to be away.

Choose Larry & Sons for Home Services in MD, PA & WV

Maintaining your home is important. While some tasks are easy to cross off your list, you might consider hiring a professional to help. The professionals at Larry & Sons are ready to help protect your home.

Contact us online now to schedule plumbing, heating, cooling, drain, or electrical services in Maryland, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia.