If you are on the north east coast, you may be getting things around your house ready for fall and winter.  Cleaning out the gardens, closing the pool, testing your furnace.  Everything goes smoothly until you try to turn your heat on.  Something is wrong, but you have no idea what.  If you have an issue with your HVAC system, it’s time to call in a professional furnace repair technician in Spring Lake, NJ.

Some common furnace problems:

• Unclean air filter – By not cleaning and replacing your filters often enough, your furnace will be working harder than it needs to. This is a repair that you can do yourself without having to call in a professional.  The filter should be changed every few months so the change of seasons is a good cue to do so.
• High pitched squealing – If when you turn your furnace on for the first time since summer and you hear a high-pitched squealing, it may indicate a problem with your blower belt. Just like the belts in your car, the belts in your furnace should be checked routinely for wear and damage.  If you hear that noise from your furnace, call in a furnace repair team to take a look and fix it for you before more damage is done.
• Grinding Sound – If you hear a scraping or grinding sound when you turn on your furnace, you may have worn out ball bearings. This is certainly something that requires professional service.  Turn off your furnace immediately and place a call.
• Furnace won’t turn on – The first step in attempting to trouble shoot this problem would be to check your circuit breaker. If you flip the breaker off and on and the furnace still doesn’t turn on, you may have a wiring issue.  The other problem could be in the circuit breaker itself.  In either situation, it’s time to call a repair man.  One last thing to check if your furnace won’t turn on is the safety switch on the furnace.  The safety switch prevents the furnace from operating while the access panel is not in place.
• Furnace is not producing heat – The answer to this is going to sound silly, but double check that your thermostat is now set to heat. Many repair calls have been wasted because homeowners have forgotten to change the thermostat from “Cool” to “Heat.”   Not producing heat or the inability to maintain the temperature could also be a clogged filter so checking the air filter is also an item to check.

You can do some maintenance yourself, but for furnace repair in Spring Lake, NJ, call in a professional

There are many steps you can take as a homeowner yourself to help keep your furnace running efficiently and smoothly.  However, there is an equal number of items that need a professional.  Turn on your furnace before you actually need it to heat your home. This can help you can avoid the need for an emergency service call.  Don’t attempt to fix problems beyond your expertise as you could cause more or a larger issue.  If you are in need of furnace repair in Spring Lake, NJ, click here for a trusted technician.

An Update on Furnace Repair in Spring Lake

More on How Dirty Air Filters Affect Spring Lake Furnace Repair

Dirty air filters in furnaces can lead to a multitude of problems. Problems beyond merely causing the furnace to work harder than necessary. When air filters are clogged with dust, pet dander, and other particulates, the airflow through the furnace becomes restricted. This reduction in airflow means the furnace must exert more effort to circulate warm air throughout your home. The increased effort over time can lead to increased wear and tear on its components. This additional strain can result in premature breakdowns and costly repairs, potentially requiring professional intervention.

Furthermore, dirty air filters compromise the air quality in your home. They are less effective at trapping contaminants, allowing dust, allergens, and other pollutants to circulate through your living spaces. This can aggravate respiratory conditions, such as asthma and allergies, and contribute to a less healthy indoor environment.

Regular maintenance, including changing the air filter every few months is crucial for furnace efficiency and longevity. Seasonal changes serve as a helpful reminder to perform this simple yet essential task. By keeping air filters clean, homeowners can ensure their furnace operates efficiently. It also maintains better indoor air quality and helps to avoid unnecessary furnace repair in Spring Lake and its associated expenses.

If you have an asphalt driveway, as a majority of homes do, you may have heard talk of sealcoating your Marlboro NJ driveway.  What is it and do you have to do it?  If you do, how do you go about it?  Sealcoating can be both an easy job and a very labor-intensive job depending on the age, condition, and size of your driveway.  Some general rules of thumb when it comes to sealcoating is to only do it about every 3 years, if your driveway is covered in alligator cracks, it won’t be helpful, don’t apply to concrete, and when in doubt, call in TDM Construction, the professionals of sealcoating in Marlboro NJ!

Asphalt driveways are easily affected by weather, environment, and heavy use.  Oxidation, excessive heat, and oil and other auto liquids can wreak havoc on your driveway resulting in cracks, pits, and a crumbling surface.  If your driveway has major imperfections whether they are from improper installation or just age and natural influences, it is best to contact a company to evaluate the job.  Sealcoating does help protect a well-laid driveway, but will not prove to be much help in a driveway that already has major flaws.

Once you have determined that sealcoating is an appropriate treatment for your driveway, there are certain steps you need to take to prepare your driveway for application.

1. Ensure the driveway is clean. Use a broom, hose, or leaf blower to make sure the surface is clear of any dirt or debris.
2. If your driveway bleeds into other areas, you may want to tape the edges of the driveway so the sealant does not encroach on those surfaces.
3. Make sure the temperature is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 24 hours on either side of the application. Any colder and it can affect the process.  Also, check for rain a day or two before and after putting the sealcoat down.  If there is rain in the forecast, it is best to wait.
4. Be sure that the driveway can be unused for 24 to 48 hours following the product being applied. It needs this much time to cure to make sure the surface is clean and free from any divots or imperfections.
5. Cover any grease or gas marks with an appropriate product and fill in any minor cracks with a filler.

Now that your driveway is ready for its fresh face, you’re ready to apply.  Make sure you get enough product to cover your driveway in one application.  You don’t want to apply it in more than one session as it will result in an uneven surface.  You may want to place the buckets of the product at the approximate area where each bucket will end so that you do not have to walk over the driveway as you go.  When you are ready, mix the product with a paddle mixer (a wooden stir stick will not suffice), open the bucket and pour a six-inch wide strip or an upside-down U onto the driveway starting closest to your home and moving down towards the street.  Using a driveway squeegee, spread out the product strip by strip until you are at the street.  Always maintain a puddle of product in front of the squeegee.  Once done with the first coat, wait 24 hours, then apply the second coat in a perpendicular direction from the first application.

When two full coats of sealant are applied, let it cure for approximately 48 hours before you let anyone drive on it.  If you fail to properly prepare your driveway for the treatment, it will result in failure.  It may crack or flake off.  If you apply too much sealcoat, whether in one application or if you apply sealcoat too often, it will also defeat the purpose.

If you need help sealcoating your Marlboro NJ driveway, contact a professional.

While smaller driveways may be a DIY project, a larger driveway may be too much for a homeowner to handle in an appropriate amount of time.  A qualified company can help you sealcoat your driveway in Marlboro NJ to perfection.