Do-It-Yourself Maintenance Tips

With the proper maintenance and care, your heating and cooling equipment will operate dependably for many years. There are a few maintenance operations you can do yourself to help ensure the best performance.

Alert: Failure to comply with all manufacturer’s instructions may result in fire or combustion that can cause property damage, serious injury or death. Before you perform any kind of maintenance, disconnect all electrical power to the unit before removing access panels; and be alert for sharp edges when handling parts or reaching into units. If performing maintenance not included in the list below, check with a Parker and Sons representative to determine if the service will void manufacturer’s warranties and guaranties. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Check Filter - Check the air filter in your furnace or fan coil each month. A dirty filter will cause excessive wear on your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump. Replace your filter when necessary, or clean it if you have the reusable type. (If you have a reusable filter, make sure it’s completely dry before you re-install it.)

Remove Debris - Keep your outdoor condensing unit free of debris. If you keep grass clippings, leaves, shrubbery and debris away from your outdoor unit, it should only require minimal care. Check the base pan (under the unit) occasionally and remove debris to help the unit drain properly.

Brush Exterior - If the exterior of your outdoor coil becomes dirty, use a brush or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to clean the surface. To clean dirt that is deep in the coil, contact a Parker and Sons representative to schedule maintenance.

Check Level - Make sure your outdoor coil stays in a level position. If the support for your outdoor coil shifts or settles and the unit is no longer level, re-level it to make sure moisture drains properly out from under the unit.

Inspect Ventilation - Inspect your furnace’s combustion area and vent system before each heating season. If you find dirt, soot or rust, your system may not operate properly or at its peak efficiency. Call Parker and Sons and do not operate your furnace until it is professionally inspected and/or repaired.

Clean Humidifier - Clean your humidifier at the beginning of every heating season. Review your owner’s manual for the proper procedure to clean the evaporator pad and external components.

Clean Air Cleaner - The pre-filter and collection cells of an electronic air cleaner should be cleaned at least two or three times per year.

Winterize a Vacant Home - Preparing your plumbing for the winter is a wise alternative to frozen pipes.

* Turn off the water to your home using the main shut-off valve or contacting the water company.

* Open all faucets, both indoors and outside, starting with the upstairs.

* After all water has dripped from the taps, drain the main shut-off valve by opening the plug. You may have to contact the water company.

* Turn off the power or gas to the water heater. Open the drain valve.

* Remove the clean out plugs on all sink traps or remove the traps. When empty, replace them and fill with plumbing antifreeze mixed with water following the directions for car in your climate.

* Add a full quart of antifreeze to tubs and showers since you cannot drain them. Do NOT use in a dishwasher or washing machine.

* If your home has a basement floor drain or a main house trap, fill each with undiluted antifreeze.

Preventing Kitchen Drain Clogs – A clogged drain can be so frustrating; and, of course, it happens more often than we care to think about! Usually, kitchen sink drains clog because of a build-up of grease. The grease traps food particles, which eventually clogs the drain. Now, the bathroom drains are a different story. They are usually clogged by hair and soap. So, take some simple precautions to avoid this situation.

• Don't pour grease down the kitchen sink.
• Don't wash coffee grounds down the sink.
• Use chemical cleaners only when necessary. Some chemicals can corrode metal pipes.
• Clean tub and shower drain strainers that are removable.
• Clean pop-up stoppers in the bathroom sink and the tub regularly. Lift out sink pop-ups once a week and rinse them off.
• Every few months, remove the overflow plate on a tub and pull up the pop-up assembly to reach the spring or rocker arm. Remove accumulated hair and rinse thoroughly.
• Keep sewer pipes from the house free of tree roots.
• Flush the drain-waste and vent systems when you’re on the roof cleaning out your gutters. Use your hose to run water into all of the vents.

Showerheads – Weak or changing water pressure usually points to a mineral buildup in the showerhead. Clean the outlet holes with a pin or unscrew the faceplate and soak it overnight in vinegar. Scrub it clean before replacing it on the showerhead.

Scalding Tap Water - Thousands of people are scalded by tap water every year. The Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association recommends that the full-on hot water temperature at the faucet be set between 120° and 125° F.

Garbage Disposal - Use cold water when the disposal is operating. You can clean your disposal by grinding ice cubes. When you disposal needs a little freshening, just grind some lemon peels. Of course, you should read your maintenance manual.

Water Moisture In The Home – Make sure that vents (with a ventilating fan) are installed in your kitchen and baths. These rooms can produce a lot of moisture. Ventilating fans are great but will be of no use if they are not turned on! So make sure that you use them!

Mildew – You can help to avoid mildew problems with these preventative actions. Ventilate basements or run dehumidifiers to dry the air, walls and furnishings. Don’t hang wet clothes in your closets. Keep your showers and tubs clean of soap-scum so that they dry quicker. Air-out your bathroom cabinets and kitchen sink cabinet often.

Pipe Insulation - Insulate those pipes before it gets cold! When temperatures are at or below freezing, running a steady drop of hot and cold water from your faucets may keep your pipes from freezing. If your pipes are not insulated, they can freeze even with a small flow of water. So, insulate those pipes! But beware; insulated pipes can freeze when there is no water movement to keep the pipes warm.

Roots - Roots can be a big problem. They can grow into the joints of the pipes. A little "root-x" flushed down the toilet can reduce the growth of roots in your pipes. It needs to sit in the pipes overnight, so do it before bed.

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