Something just went wrong?
What to do in the first few minutes, what usually causes it, and what a professional will do about it — for the problems homeowners here call about most.
this time of year
Fall
coming up
Winter
Frozen pipes Act now
A faucet that only trickles — or gives nothing — during a hard freeze usually means water has frozen somewhere in the line. The danger is not the ice…
Plumbing →
No heat Act now
When the heat stops in cold weather, a few simple checks solve a surprising share of calls. Some signs, though, mean leave the house first and call f…
Heating & Cooling →
Ice dams
An ice dam is a ridge of ice at the roof edge that traps meltwater behind it. The water backs up under the shingles and shows up as stains on ceiling…
Roofing →
coming up
Spring
Storm-damaged roof Act now
Wind, hail and falling limbs can open a roof in minutes. Protecting the inside of the house and documenting the damage come before any permanent repa…
Roofing →
Water in the basement Act now
Basement water has three broad sources: surface water from rain and snowmelt, groundwater rising under the floor, and plumbing. Working out which one…
Basement Waterproofing →
coming up
Summer
AC not cooling
An air conditioner that runs but does not cool is usually starved of airflow or low on refrigerant. Several causes are things you can check before ca…
Heating & Cooling →
Fallen tree Act now
A tree or large limb down on a house, car or wires is one of the most dangerous situations around a home. Trees under tension move unpredictably when…
Tree Service →
Wasp or hornet nest
Paper wasps, yellowjackets and bald-faced hornets defend their nests aggressively, and nests grow through the summer. Where the nest is decides wheth…
Pest Control →
whenever it happens
Any time of year
Burst pipe Act now
A burst or split supply pipe can release gallons of water a minute. The first minute matters more than anything a plumber does later: stop the water,…
Plumbing →
Roof leak Act now
Water on a ceiling rarely enters directly above the stain. It travels along rafters and sheathing first, which is why leaks are harder to find than t…
Roofing →
Sewer backup Act now
Sewage coming up through a floor drain, tub or toilet means the main line out of the house is blocked. It is a health hazard as well as a plumbing pr…
Plumbing →
Leaking water heater Act now
Water at the base of a water heater may be a loose connection or valve — or the tank itself, which cannot be repaired. Either way, cut the energy and…
Plumbing →
Breaker keeps tripping
A breaker trips to protect the wiring. One that trips repeatedly — or lights that dim and flicker across half the house — is telling you something is…
Electrical →
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