Troubleshooting

Heating systems are one of those things in life that we would prefer not to spend a great deal of time thinking about. Let's face it, all that the best systems should  need are basic maintenance and a steady supply of fuel. But like it or not, from time to time, systems fail and it's usually pretty evident when they do fail: you start to hear strange noises from the basement or worse yet your home goes cold and you know the heat isn't working.

 Generally speaking, when you're not getting any heat, call A. W. PETERS, INC. at 603-924-3388 or 603-924-3953 to remedy the problem.

 As a homeowner, the best actions that you can take are preventative. You can:

• schedule a regular cleaning,

• insulate your home,

• make sure that your oil heat tank doesn't run empty, etc.

• use the web to educate yourself, and

• perform some basic tasks.

The key is knowing what makes sense to try to fix yourself and when it's time to call in a professional. We've gathered some basic information to help.

Ice Inside Your Pipes

If your heat's out and there's no water pressure when you turn on faucet, you probably have ice clogging one of your pipes. When water freezes it expands about four percent may cause your pipes to crack. If there's a leak, water will flood your house and basement soon after your heat gets turned on.

Try this quick fix:

• Turn on faucet nearest to the pipe with the suspected ice block.
• Follow the pipe to where it meets an outside wall.
• Find the part of the pipe that is exposed to cold air.
• Use a hairdryer to melt the ice. Move it up and down and about a foot above where you suspect the ice is clogging the pipe.
• Call a plumber to inspect the pipes.