October 7, 2022

Is Your House Haunted or Just in Need of Repair?

Most people’s first thoughts upon hearing strange noises or smelling foul scents in their home may be that the house is haunted, especially at this time of year. A more logical explanation is that your house is due for some repair.

Plumbing, heating and electrical can turn monstrous when things go wrong. Luckily Applewood is here to exorcise the common home maintenance issues our Colorado neighbors experience. Here are a few that might sneak up on you.

Common Home Repair Problems that Can Haunt You

Here are some common faux “haunted” items to be aware of before they wreak costly damage.

Water Heater Making a Popping Noise

A popping sound coming from your water heater can be a sign of mineral build up in the water tank. Minerals, naturally found in our drinking water can accumulate at the bottom of the tank. Over time, those deposits become large enough to trap air bubbles beneath them. That popping noise is the air escaping upward and not a ghost trying to get your attention.

If the sediment isn’t cleared, eventually it can build up around the heating element. This, in turn, can cause it to struggle to heat water, thereby working harder, using more energy and eventually overheating. A way to avoid this problem is to flush your water heater tank regularly.

Bathroom Sink Smells

There are a wide variety of reasons why your bathroom sink may produce a bad odor, a vengeful spirit trying to drive you out probably isn’t one of them. Most of the time sink odor is the result of an accumulation of bacteria in the drain. Toothpaste, shaving cream and other assortments of products, combined with a dark warm place like a bathroom drain, can create a microbial gunk called biofilm. To clear out the biofilm, administer a chemical drain cleaner according to its instructions.

For a more natural method, use baking soda and add one cup of vinegar. When the sink begins to bubble, plug the drain for several minutes. Afterward, flush the drain with four cups of boiling water.

If the smell persists, or spreads to other drains, it could be a sign of a sewage back up or possibly something worse. That’s when its time to call a professional. Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric has trained technicians to assist and assess deeper issues.  

Furnace Whistling

This time of year, whistling could be ghosts attempting to lure you to the basement or your rarely heard from furnace. If your furnace is making a whistling noise, it’s likely the air filter crying for help and not a ghost. As the filter collects dust and dirt, the airflow can constrict, creating a whistling sound.

If you change air filter and the whistling continues or gets worse, it could be the fan motor malfunctioning or that the vents themselves are dirty. If that’s the case, it’s best to have a professional address the situation.

Home Maintenance Doesn’t Have to Be Scary

Applewood’s team of experienced home repair technicians take the fear out of home maintenance. If you encounter specters in your plumbing, heating or electrical, call our team today. We’re happy to make things pleasant again.