Though you’d love to blame the family pet, that constant smell leaking from your kitchen or bathroom is probably one that shouldn’t be ignored. Depending on the location and smell, it could be a quick and easy fix.

So, if you’ve been noticing a particularly odd odor coming from your drains, here’s what could be the source: 

Dry P-Trap

Does the smell kind have a sewer stench? It could be a dry p-trap. One of the easiest problems to solve, the p-trap is the curve section of the drainpipe underneath your sink. Its purpose is to catch and seal water to prevent sewer gases from coming up the pipe. If your smell is coming from an area that has not been used in a while, you can run water down the drain to try and regain the plug.

Pipe Blockage

If you notice that your smell is also coming with some slowly draining water, a clog is probably the cause. To ensure this is the case run the water and wait to see if it begins to pool up. If it does along with a smell, it’s often a sewer pipe blockage.

Normal Clogs

Our pipes see a ton of abuse and wear and tear. From grease, fats, foods, and hair, they see some pretty unpleasant stuff. Because of this neglect, clogs occur, and as the clog builds up, bacteria forms and with that comes an odor. You’ll want to rectify the clog and begin taking preventable measures to ensure it doesn’t occur again.

Have a major plumbing issue or need to schedule a drain cleaning? Contact the experts Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air. You call today, we come today! 

Sometimes, no matter how much you try, finding an even temp in your home seems like it’s never going to happen. Luckily, one affordable options can make this wish a reality. One of those being with the purchase of a ductless mini-split AC. These systems can easily be installed, without added ductwork and can help cool a small room with ease. But precisely where should you place them?

 Here are 3 of the best places you might want to consider adding a mini split.

Sunrooms

Often an add on, adding ductwork to your sunroom can be pricey and because it’s a new structure, they are often too hot or too cold. A mini-split can be added to your already existing AC and help get you the perfect temperature in that room.

Constructed Garage 

One of the best ways to get more space in your home is by converting a garage into a living area. Because it was built with the intention for other things, such as storing your car or tools, insulation can vary making it harder to keep warm or cool. Because of this, adding a ductless until could be all you need to get ideal room temperature.

Outdoor Workshop

A work shed might be your perfect place to get away and get some me time, but on a hot summer day, that me-time can be limited. Financially speaking, the best way to ensure you are comfortably enjoying your shed time, is with the addition of a ductless AC. It can allow you to use it on a need by basis, allowing you to make a dent in your energy usage, too barely.

Today is the day where we all start thinking a little more eco-friendly. We often become a bit more energy conscious and more aware of how we are treating the environment, but why not do it every day? Starting today, we challenge you to these eco-friendly home tips, so you can stop wasting energy and water, and begin conserving, today and every day!

Invest In Home Zoning

Have a large home? Find one room is always colder than the next? Are you constantly turning up the AC or heat so that the top floor is comfortable, meanwhile the first floor is either sweating or freezing; this is where home zoning comes in.

When you invest in a home zoning system, your air ducts are paired in groups so you can control the temperature in different areas. This leads to more efficient heating and better home comfort, too.

Consider A Tankless Water Heater

A water heater is vital in your home, but it can take some energy to keep that tank of water warm unless you go tankless. By upgrading to a tankless water heater, you can still get hot water, but now you’ll get it on demand when you need it. Since going tankless uses less energy, it also lets out less greenhouse gas emissions, and last longer, meaning a potential for less repair and replacement costs, too. 

Bonus: it also takes up less space, and can even be installed on the wall — what a win-win!

Schedule Your HVAC Tune-Up

When you ignore your HVAC systems tune-up, you run the risk of little problems not getting fixed. Because of that, your system has to work harder to provide the air you need. This wastes energy and put wear and tear on your machine, leading to early breakdowns, and a shorter lifespan. Regular tune-ups can save you big in the long run while keeping your system working safe and sound.

From HVAC tune-ups to water heater installations, Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air is the intelligent choice in the Salt Lake City area. Contact us today!

When is the best time to call in a professional for your HVAC? It can be a tough call, especially if you are tight on cash or only use your system sparingly throughout the year. Whether you rely on your heating and air conditioner all the time or just for a few months, you should service your HVAC at least once a year. 

The Importance Of Seasonal HVAC Tune-Ups

The shift from summer to winter and vice-versa requires proper servicing to prevent problems, breakdowns and, most importantly, save money. Your air filter needs replaced every 90 days, and if you aren’t doing this solo, then your HVAC is most likely consuming far more energy than it needs to in addition to pumping unfiltered air into your home. 

Getting your HVAC serviced before the temperature rises or plunges can spot any potential hazards or risks and ensure that your system is running as efficiently as possible. Older models also tend to require more repairs and maintenance than newer ones. 

Usage also plays another factor. If you run your system most of the year, even when you’re not at home, you’ll likely need routine servicing more frequently than someone who only uses their HVAC three or four months out of the year. 

When To Schedule General Maintenance

Even if your HVAC runs smoothly and you aren’t overpaying, it’s a good idea to schedule annual or biannual tune-ups. These will ensure that your ventilation is working properly and there are no blockages or other potential hazards that could lead to a breakdown later. 

To schedule your next HVAC tuneup, contact the Salt Lake City HVAC experts at Scott Hale today!

We like to think of our homes as never needing help or repair. The truth is, we live in them all the time and occasionally they need our help to keep providing us with shelter and protection.

One of the home systems that needs routine maintenance and repair is the plumbing system; in particular the drainage system.

The drainage and sewer systems are the workhorses of our homes. We need them to work perfectly all the time. When they don’t, we need them repaired immediately.

How To Use The Lawn To Spot Sewer Problems

All the drains in our homes run into a common pipe called the lateral connection. That connection leads to the city sewer system. Sometimes due to age or earth tremors, that lateral connections cracks and sewage can leak into our yard.

When that happens, we can tell in a couple of ways. We might see spots of green grass growing much better than everywhere else. The yard has sunken wet spots or smells like sewage.

None of those are good things.

Occasionally, a drain carrying waste to the sewer backs up and that water it is supposed to be carrying goes out into the yard. In that case, we might notice the same symptoms again: wet spots, bright green grass, and bad smells.

How To Use The Lawn To Spot Water Leaks

Occasionally water pipes break or spring leaks. If the yard has sudden unexplained wet spots or pools of water, there might be a leak in the main service line or irrigation system.

We Can Help

These are serious issues and we can take care of them. We have years of experience and professional staff. If you notice any of these problems in your yard, ScottHale.com can help. We’ll have your home back to normal as quickly as possible.

Today is the day to fool, not be the fooler! And with Spring officially here, and summer coming right around the corner, we wanted to remind you of all the silly and somewhat foolish HVAC mistakes we’ve seen far too often. So to not spend the spring making a ton of foolish mistakes, here’s what to avoid:

1. Keeping An Outdated HVAC System

A common yet foolish mistake that many homeowners make is the lack of getting an upgraded HVAC system. Unfortunately, your system has a lifespan and when you exceed that, you’ll be left with a noisy, inefficient and costly HVAC. Rule of thumb, if your system is over ten years, it might be time for an update.

2. Shutting Air Vents

If a room isn’t be utilized, it might seem like the best thing to do would be to shut the air supply to it, to save energy, but this does more harm than good. By shutting your vents, you are not fooling your system, and you’ll still be running the same amount of air than if they were open. Saving you nothing and increase pressure in the air duct, possibly leading to damage. Instead, consider investing in home zoning.

3. Avoiding Tune-Ups

Another appointment, another additional cleaning, we get it — it seems like a lot, and if your system is running, why bother with tune-ups? Well, for HVAC Maintenance there are far more benefits than man realize.

For starters, regular tune-ups can help you spot any minor little issues, before they become major, saving you money in the long run. Regular visits will prevent you from a breakdown, improve your cooling costs and ensure you have better air quality. If you have an HVAC system, you should always get regular maintenance on it.

Mistakes happen, and if you find yourself making any foolish heating or plumbing mistakes, that now needs a repair, Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air is the intelligent choice in the Salt Lake City area. Contact us today!

Winter poses plenty of problems for business and homeowners alike, and heating is often at the top of everyone’s priorities. While you want to stay toasty and warm, no one wants to face the extra dollars tacked on to the utility bill each month.

Central heating is a wonderful convenience, but using it too much can add up. So what can be done to heat your home without raising your bills?

Stay warm this winter with these DIY alternative heating tips. 

Invest In Room-Darkening Blinds And Curtains

Blackout shades and curtains offer additional insulation, and you can even go a step further and buy thermal curtains that are specifically designed to retain heat. When you’re out during the day, keep your blinds and curtains drawn to isolate heat in the home.

Bolster Your Insulation

Invest in some inexpensive weatherstripping kits to winterize your home. Door seals and window strips can help block drafts and keep warm air inside where it belongs. You can also invest in some window film insulation. If you have one particular room that’s extra cold during the winter, extra insulation could be all you need to improve the temperature. 

Rearrange Your Furniture

Make sure that your vents are all open and unobstructed. Tie back curtains that hang over vents or radiators, and move your sofa away from your central heat source. Greater space allows heat to circulate more freely, giving you maximum warmth for your money. 

Check Your HVAC System

If you haven’t’ scheduled a routine cleaning, winter is the prime time for a tune-up. A professional can get inside your vents and make sure that everything is properly sized, remove any debris, replace air filters and ensure that your thermostat is properly calibrated to your system. 

One way to ensure your home is always warm and cozy is by keeping oyurHVAC system working at it’s best. Schedule your tune-up with Scott Hale Plumbing, today! 

The cold nights are getting less and less, but the need to care for your pipes is a year-round thing. In order to ensure you are waking up to an unnecessary pipe burst, here are a few things you should keep in mind for the remainder of winter: 

Improve Air Circulation Around Indoor Pipes 

As the temperature drops at night, you’ll want to improve the air circulation around the indoor pipes in your kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room. Be sure to open the cabinet doors underneath your sinks along with opening the larger doors to keep the pipes warm.

Drain Exterior Water Pipes 

Make sure to drain the exterior water pipes outside a home during the autumn. After draining the water from the faucets near a garden or a garage, keep the item warm by placing a formfitting insulating cover over it. In addition, wrap adhesive insulating tape around the exposed areas of the pipe.

Keep Faucets Dripping Inside A Home 

When the winter temperatures drop, leaving water dripping from a faucet can prevent the water from freezing inside the pipes itself. The slow drip can help prevent the pipes from bursting.

Flush Toilets Occasionally 

If a toilet in a bathroom isn’t flushed for several days during the winter, then the underlying pipes can freeze. When there is a bathroom that is seldom used in a building, make sure to flush the toilet once a day to keep the intake or outlet pipes from freezing. 

Make sure to contact Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air in Salt Lake City for service on your home’s drainage system and plumbing.

The cold temperatures that winter brings often leave people with dry, flaky skin. To combat the harsh climate outdoors, many people escape to the hot, steamy reprieve of a shower in hopes of rehydrating their skin. Unfortunately, your home might be making matters worse if you have hard water. 

Heavy concentrations of minerals in your water can damage everything from your clothes and hair to your skin. 

What Is Hard Water

Hard water contains a variety of minerals, most commonly iron, manganese and aluminum. Most of us can rest assured that the water running into our home’s is drinkable, but if your water is hard, many of the minerals and chemicals in its makeup can cause some negative side-effects. 

Some signs that your water is hard include: 

• Reddish brown stains on clothes
• Soap that doesn’t lather
• Filmy soap on skin, showers, sinks and tubs
• Low water pressure
• Dry skin and dull, brittle hair

How Hard Water Affects The Skin

The consistency of hard water makes it difficult to wash away soaps and shampoo from your body, leaving you with buildup. You might notice your hair feels dull and limp and your skin feels dry and flaky, all due to the residue left behind by hard water. 

What To Do

If you are noticing any of the above signs of hard water, you’ll want to consider investing in water conditioning. Our experts can help find the perfect option for you and your home. Not only will your skin and hair thank you, but you’ll be helping your appliances work at top efficency too. 

Scott Hale Plumbing is the astute choice for all your water softening, conditioning and purification needs in Salt Lake City – so for help with repairs or with choosing your new system, contact us today! 

As a homeowner, when it comes to heating or cooling issues, it can be hard to figure out whether the thermostat or the system itself is creating the problem. When it is the thermostat, you might be unsure if you need a repair or if it’s time to upgrade to a newer model. Well, the first step is to identify the problem, and once you do, we can handle the rest. 

So How Can You Troubleshoot Your Thermostat Issues? We Have The Answers Below:

Temperature Check

The first step to see if your having thermostat issues is to check the room’s temperature. Does the temperature it’s reading match the real temperature of the room? Lower or raise the temperature to see if the thermostat does as directed.

If you notice that the room is not reaching the temperature it’s display or that’s set, it’s probably a thermostat issue and a simple replacement might be all you need.

Check The Location

In older homes, it could be a simple poor design plan that is causing your issue. If placed near a door or window, older thermostats might get faulty readings leading to your temperature issues. Though it is rarer now, it still could be something to consider. So where is the best location for your home thermostat? A hallway away from doors and windows.

Check The Wiring Or Batteries

If the sensors seem to be working fine, you’ll want to check the batteries or wiring next. Remove the cover and look to see if there is any corroding of the wiring, make sure that all wiring is tightly connected, and nothing seems astray.

Of course, if you are not sure what you are looking at or are nervous about playing around with wires, you can always call a professional instead. We can help assess the issue and let you know if a quick fix or a replacement will be best. 

When it comes to fixing or updating your thermostat, Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air is the intelligent choice in the Salt Lake City area. Contact us today!