Is Your Building Making You Sick?

Like most of America, residents of Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach spend up to 90% of their time indoors. For asthma sufferers that means indoor air quality plays a significant role in their overall health. As a Virginia home or building owner, calling Maximum Heating & Cooling to schedule an indoor air quality inspection, and addressing any found issues, can have a significant impact on the health and well being of the asthma sufferers who are sharing your space. Asthma triggers are different for each person, but some of the most common are:

• Dust and dust mites
• Mold
• Pet dander from indoor pets
• Cockroaches
• Nitrogen Dioxide – a gas emitted by gas appliances, fireplaces

In many cases, Maximum Heating and Air can inspect indoor air filters and provide a good cleaning to remove mold, dust mites, and other asthma triggers. However, in some cases, the age of the unit or the cost of the repair necessitate a replacement. In that case, Maximum Heating and Air is pleased to partner with Trane , Carrier , and Honeywell to meet your HVAC needs. Maximum Air heating and cooling trucks are currently Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach offering commercial and residential HVAC owners an indoor air quality inspection.

Maximum Air is the first choice for Newport News HVAC repair.

After the Hurricane - Checking for Home Repair Possiblities

Nature happens. If you live in an area that is highly susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms, chances are you know the drill - you have your evacuation route planned, an emergency pantry in place, and plenty of strong tape and boards for windows and doors. After the storm hits, however, you should know to put a new plan into action and quickly assess any damage done. This means being watchful of possible repairs to make to walls and plumbing.


What To Look For After The Storm

Once the wind and rain has subsided, you need to inspect your home to ensure minor problems now don't become more troublesome issues later. Broken windows and felled trees are easy to spot, but leaks in your pipes and malfunctioning HVAC systems can be more difficult to spot - even if those problems existed before the big storm, you must contact a contractor or repairman to handle replacements before the weather gets cold. Some things to look for in the aftermath of bad weather include:

1) Bugs: Heavy winds and standing water left after a storm can introduce all sorts of unwanted critters in your home. This is a good time to inspect the weatherstripping around the house and make sure the darker corners of your basement and attic are free of pests.

2) Pipe Leaks: If by chance a tree in your yard uprooted, you might experience problems with your pipe system as well. Watch the way water flows in your toilets and faucets, and look out for slow drains. A call to the plumber could be in order.

3) Mold: The chance that mold will grow inside your walls rises after a storm, especially if the foundation and structure were faulty to begin with. If you think you might have a problem, check it now before it effects your health.

Home repairs, while a seeming headache, won't appear as bad if you tackle the problems quickly and efficiently. If your home weathers a hurricane, do your best to make sure it stands well in any season.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Newport News HVAC repair.

Are You Ready for Hurricane Season?

The beginning of June not only signals the coming of summer, but a time to think about hurricane preparation. If you have lived in an area that is highly susceptible to tropical storms, you may already know how to gather materials for an evacuation and first aid kit, and you know how to board up windows and bring in outdoor furniture so it doesn't blow away and cause damage. Probably the last thing on your mind is your home's HVAC system - something like that can take care of itself in bad weather, right?

While it's true that outdoor systems are likely to withstand high winds, you want to be certain to take care of everything within the home in the event you have to leave for safety's sake. Where your air conditioning and heating is concerned, it is necessary to turn off your A/C unit and, if you have any window units, unplug them entirely. Should you lose power during the storm, you minimize the risk of electrical damage if everything is not functioning.

If you know a hurricane is imminent, invest in a cover for your outdoor unit to protect it from the onslaught of rain and debris. Covers may run from about twenty dollars to more for sturdier material, and make for a good buy if you wish to prevent damage to your HVAC.

After the hurricane has passed, you do not want to immediately turn your air back on. First assess the overall condition of your home and the electricity. If you remain without power, the A/C will not work anyway, and if you suspect your HVAC system did not withstand the storm as you hoped, consider making an appointment with a heating and cooling company to inspect your equipment.

Don't let the late summer storms keep you from staying cool this season. Know how to take care of your HVAC unit in inclement weather, and be mindful of dings and damage in the aftermath so problems can be fixed in a timely manner.

-- Kathryn Lively

Choose the Right Home Warranty For Your Needs

Buy a home recently? Congratulations! You've made an important step toward building a secure future for your family. The purchase of a home not only gives you the right to paint a wall the color you like, but you become eligible for various tax breaks and equity. That's why it's important, once the papers are signed and you have the keys in hand, to look into a solid home warranty plan to protect your home.

What is a Home Warranty?

When you buy electronics or a new car, you often receive or sign up for a warranty that guarantees some degree of assistance should something go wrong. Maybe a part is replaced, or the entire object depending on what you own.

A home warranty works along the same lines, only more items are covered. With such a plan, you get service protection that covers repairs on various household items, like your refrigerator and dishwasher, home air conditioning and heating, and plumbing. You might think at first home insurance is sufficient, but bear in mind that policies will cover property in the event of fire, flood, and other disasters, but won't take care of repair fees.

How a Home Warranty Works

Let's say your HVAC goes on the fritz. You call a technician to come out and fix it. If you don't have a warranty plan set, you'll have to cover the cost of parts and service. With a plan, however, you file a request with the company from which you bought your warranty and they handle the rest.

When you are ready to purchase a home warranty to protect your household appliances, do some Internet research. You'll find several handy websites with reviews of the best plans suited for your needs, whether you live in a two-story house or a high-rise condo. These plans are designed to bring you peace of mind as a homeowner and make living much easier.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Newport News HVAC repair, Virginia Beach home remodeling, Virginia Beach auto repair, and Virginia Beach plumbing.