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What You Need To Know About Sewer Video Inspection Services

Understanding What Sewer Camera Inspection Is All About

Every homeowner, renter, resident, or occupant of a home has, at least at one point in their lives, had to deal with a clog - whether it was a major or minor one, in the sink, toilet, or tub - a drain clog is just practically a part of living. However, This doesn’t mean that one should treat it as a minor inconvenience that will eventually go away.

While some clogs resolve easily, recurring ones might signal a bigger issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Thankfully, there are many ways to diagnose a plumbing problem, including for more severe clogs and backups - a situation that may require the expertise of a plumber and a procedure called sewer camera inspection.

What It Is

Because pipelines are not easily accessible and are often hidden behind walls, under floors, and even underground, it is not always easy to tell what is causing a problem in the plumbing system. Thankfully, advances in modern technology have made it possible to look into the pipes and see with certainty what is creating a problem in the plumbing.

This is done through video camera inspection, wherein plumbers use a small camera mounted to a flexible cable inserted into the pipes to visually confirm potential issues, such as a clogged sewer line, sewage leak, or tree root infiltration. These cameras transmit images and location so that any problems found in the plumbing can be located precisely.

Some Signs That a Sewer Video Inspection Is Necessary

While sewer video inspection is a precise method for determining a potential sewer line repair, it is not always necessary and should be reserved for problems that have the following indications:

Backed-up water - water backing up and refusing to drain is a sign of a serious clog
Foul odors - an unpleasant stench coming from a drain in the house could be a sign of a sewer line clog or sewage backing up
Slow draining - drains that are taking forever to clear are a sign of blockage
Mold - the presence of mold could indicate that sewage is backing up and creating damp spots where mold thrives
Insect infestation - a sewage backup could be creating the perfect habitat for insects like cockroaches and flies, which are attracted to foul odors and unsanitary conditions

Benefits of Sewer Camera Inspection

After determining that a sewer video inspection is needed to resolve a plumbing problem, it’s good to know that this procedure has many benefits. Not only does it help plumbers assess the extent and nature of the plumbing problem, but it also helps catch problems early - problems that may already be present in the pipelines but of which no symptoms have presented at home to provide clues for the homeowner.

Catching problems early is important so that repairs can be made at lower costs than the expense incurred if a complete sewer line replacement were necessary. Video inspection also benefits everyone involved because it helps resolve problems with minimal disruption to daily life and minimal property damage.

About Bedell Home Services

Bedell Home Services has provided expert plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services to Carmel, IN, since 1988. This family-owned and operated company is licensed, bonded, and insured, employing highly trained and trustworthy professionals who can get any job done right the first time. They also offer competitive pricing and easy financing options for their customers. Call them today in Carmel, IN, for sewer inspection service.

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Everything Buyers Need to Know About Heat Pumps

Understanding Heat Pumps

Buying and installing a new heating and cooling system in the home is a big choice. New equipment and its installation are expensive, and owners will have to live with the new system for decades. Often, this locks owners into a particular utility that they use to heat their home, and with fluctuating energy prices and constantly increasing environmental regulations, burning fossil fuels for heat is continually getting more expensive.

To combat rising fuel prices, new technology is constantly being developed and improved. One of the most exciting advancements in heating and cooling has been the development of the heat pump. Here is a quick article on heat pumps to explain what they are and why they may be the perfect choice for homeowners upgrading their heating and cooling systems.

What are Heat Pumps?

A heat pump is a revolutionary new way to heat and cool the home. While the technology has existed for a while, the system wasn't practical until recently. With new developments, heat pumps have been improved, so many people are starting to switch. But what exactly is a heat pump?

To understand a heat pump, think about feeling the heat coming off an air conditioner's outdoor unit during the summer. This heat is from the inside of the home. Now, imagine if the process was reversed. Could the heat being dumped inside the home be reversed to heat the home instead? This is how a heat pump allows for efficient summer cooling and heating in winter.

Benefits of Heat Pump Installation

Heat pumps have become the fastest-growing heating and cooling system type worldwide for several reasons. First, they are the simplest type of HVAC system. Unlike a furnace, a heat pump uses the same blower and ductwork as an outdoor unit. This means there are fewer moving parts, so they generally last longer.

Probably the biggest selling point for a heat pump is the cost reduction compared to resistance heating and fossil fuels. Heat pumps require only electricity, so most homeowners do away with their gas bills. As gas prices fluctuate and steadily rise, it can be easy to see how fast the savings can add up.

Signs That Heat Pump Repairs are Needed

Heat pumps are generally more reliable than other heating and cooling systems because the machinery works all year. Central furnaces are cycled off during the warm months, allowing them to develop problems. Running a heat pump year-round keeps it in good operating condition. However, they still are subject to repairs. Some of the signs that heat pump repairs are needed can be:

Long cycles
High electricity bills
Inadequate heating or cooling
Poor indoor air quality
Unusual sounds or noisy operation

Luckily, the signs that heat pumps are struggling are familiar to any homeowner who has owned an air conditioner. If something seems wrong, it probably is. Call a professional before things get worse!

About Bedell Home Services

Bedell Home Services handles heat pump installations and repairs. They have over 35 years of experience helping owners save money on heating and cooling costs. Call today for HVAC installation and repair in Carmel, IN.

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Fun Facts About the History of Air Conditioning in America

Were You Aware of These Fascinating AC Facts?

Air conditioning is one thing that's easy to take for granted here in the United States. After all, nearly every home in the country uses some form of air conditioner - at this point, it's just a common part of everyday life. But it wasn't always this way. Air conditioning is a relatively new invention, and not too long ago, it was considered an amazing luxury.

But in the heat of summer, it's hard to imagine going without AC for even a day. In many parts of the country, it would be downright unlivable. In celebration of this marvelous technology, here are a few interesting tidbits about air conditioning and its history that most people don't know.

July 17th Is National Air Conditioner Day

National AC Day commemorates the invention of the modern air conditioner by Willis Carrier in 1902. It's certainly an occasion worth celebrating and there are many ways to do it. Many homeowners like to clear any weeds or debris away from their outdoor AC unit and clean the intake vent for the indoor unit (and check the filter while they're at it).

Others like to get their air ducts professionally cleaned to get rid of accumulated dust and dirt. And for those who didn't get their yearly AC maintenance and inspection done in the spring, there's no better day to get caught up than National AC Day!

The First AC Was Created Here In America

When Willis Carrier devised the first-ever AC, he did so right here in New York. Based in Buffalo, Carrier designed an apparatus to remove moisture from the air, intended for use in a printing plant in Brooklyn. The machine used coils filled with chemical refrigerant to condense the air's moisture into liquid, which would collect on the coils and be drained away.

But as the coils pulled moisture from the air, they also absorbed heat energy from the air - and the modern AC was born. Several years after his original design, Carrier and a few of his colleagues formed the Carrier Corporation, which is now one of the world's biggest HVAC manufacturers.

Air Conditioning Gave Rise To the Summer Blockbuster

Air conditioning didn't get widespread use immediately after its invention, of course - it took years to catch on and become accessible to the public. In those days, it wasn't easy to find relief from the summer heat anywhere. But this was about to change.

In the 1920s and '30s, many movie theatre owners recognized that attendance tended to drop off in the summer months. In response, they had their theatres outfitted with air conditioning systems. It didn't take long for people to come rushing to the movies to get a couple of hours of respite from the heat. Ticket sales skyrocketed, ushering in a new era and paving the way for the summer blockbuster - all thanks to AC.

About Bedell Home Services

Bedell Home Services has been handling the plumbing and HVAC needs of Carmel, IN, and the surrounding areas since 1988. As a family-owned and operated business, they take pride in their ability to offer same-day services and competitive pricing. Call for reliable AC repair service!

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Fun Facts About the History of Air Conditioning In America

Were You Aware of These Fascinating AC Facts?

Air conditioning is one thing that’s easy to take for granted here in the United States. After all, nearly every home in the country uses some form of air conditioner - at this point, it’s just a common part of everyday life. But it wasn’t always this way. Air conditioning is actually a relatively new invention, and not too long ago it was considered an amazing luxury.

But in the heat of summer, it’s hard to imagine going without AC for even a day. In many parts of the country, it would be downright unlivable. In celebration of this marvelous technology, here a few interesting tidbits about air conditioning and its history that most people don’t know.

July 17th Is National Air Conditioner Day

National AC Day commemorates the invention of the modern air conditioner by Willis Carrier in 1902. It’s certainly an occasion worth celebrating and there are many ways to do it. Many homeowners like to clear any weeds or debris away from their outdoor AC unit and clean the intake vent for the indoor unit (and check the filter while they’re at it).

Others like to get their air ducts professionally cleaned to get rid of accumulated dust and dirt. And for those who didn’t get their yearly AC maintenance and inspection done in the spring, there’s no better day to get caught up than National AC Day!

The First AC Was Created Here In America

When Willis Carrier devised the first-ever AC, he did so right here in New York. Based in Buffalo, Carrier designed an apparatus to remove moisture from the air, intended for use in a printing plant in Brooklyn. The machine used coils filled with chemical refrigerant to condense the air’s moisture into liquid, which would collect on the coils and be drained away.

Air Conditioning Gave Rise To the Summer Blockbuster

Air conditioning didn’t get widespread use immediately after its invention, of course - it took years to catch on and become accessible to the public. In those days, it was difficult to find relief from the summer heat anywhere. But this was about to change.

In the 1920s and ‘30s, many movie theatre owners recognized that attendance tended to drop off in the summer months. In response, they had their theatres outfitted with air conditioning systems. It didn’t take long for people to come rushing to the movies just to get a couple of hours of respite from the heat. Ticket sales skyrocketed, ushering in a new era and paving the way for the summer blockbuster - all thanks to AC.