Summer in Michiana means warmer temperatures, summer storms, and a whole lot more time spent trying to stay cool.
It also means our phones get busy.
At Legacy Heating & Air, there are a few service calls our team sees repeatedly during the summer months.
Summer can put extra stress on the systems you rely on every day. The good news? A little preventative care can go a long way.
Here are some of the most common summer house calls we make and a few simple ways you may be able to avoid them…
1. “My AC Is Running, But the House Isn’t Cooling Down”
This is one of the most common calls we receive when temperatures climb.
Your air conditioner works harder during hot, humid days. If your system is running constantly but your home still feels warm, several things could be happening.
- A dirty air filter may be restricting airflow
- Your outdoor unit could be blocked by debris
- Your system may need professional service
How to help avoid it:
Check your air filter regularly and replace it when it’s dirty. During high-use summer months, it’s a good idea to check your filter more frequently than you might during milder seasons.
You should also keep the area around your outdoor AC unit clear. Grass clippings, weeds, leaves, and other debris can affect airflow and make it harder for your system to do its job.
And don’t wait until the hottest day of the year to think about AC maintenance. Routine service can help identify small issues before they become an emergency.
2. “My AC Stopped Working Completely”
Few things get your attention faster than no air conditioning on a 90-degree day.
Sometimes the issue is related to the AC system itself. Other times, the problem may be electrical. A tripped breaker, faulty component, or another electrical issue can interrupt power to your cooling system.
How to help avoid it:
Pay attention to the warning signs your AC gives you. Strange noises, unusual smells, short cycling, weak airflow, or rising energy bills can all be signs that something isn’t working as it should.
If your system is repeatedly tripping a breaker, don’t continue resetting it and hoping for the best. A breaker that keeps tripping may be warning you of a larger electrical problem that should be inspected by a professional.
Catching the issue early may help you avoid a complete system shutdown later.
3. “The Drain Is Clogged After We Had Everyone Over”
Summer is the season of cookouts, family visits, graduation parties, and kids being home from school.
All of that extra activity can be hard on your plumbing.
Kitchen sinks and garbage disposals often see more food waste during summer gatherings, while toilets and showers get more use when guests are in the house. Grease, food scraps, and other items that shouldn’t go down the drain can quickly lead to a clog.
How to help avoid it:
Be mindful of what goes down your kitchen sink. Grease, cooking oils, coffee grounds, and large amounts of food waste belong in the trash, not your drain.
Even if you have a garbage disposal, scrape plates before rinsing them in the sink and run plenty of cold water while using the disposal.
Hosting a crowd? A quick reminder that only toilet paper should be flushed can save you from an unwanted plumbing emergency in the middle of the party.
4. “My Sump Pump Couldn’t Keep Up”
Summer storms in the Midwest can bring a lot of rain in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t think about their sump pump until water is already becoming a problem.
A sump pump that hasn’t been tested, has a blocked discharge line, or simply can’t keep up with heavy rainfall may leave your basement vulnerable to water damage.
How to help avoid it:
Check your sump pump before the next round of heavy rain.
Make sure the pit is free of debris and check that the discharge line is clear. You can also carefully pour water into the sump pit to confirm the pump activates and removes the water properly.
If your sump pump is older, making unusual noises, or struggling to keep up, have it inspected before the next storm.
5. “The Power Flickered During a Storm, and Now Something Isn’t Working”
Thunderstorms, power surges, and summer electrical demand can expose problems homeowners may not have noticed before.
You may discover an outlet isn’t working, a breaker keeps tripping, or an appliance or home system isn’t operating normally after a storm.
How to help avoid it:
Never ignore frequent electrical problems.
Flickering lights, warm outlets, burning smells, buzzing sounds, and breakers that repeatedly trip should be inspected. These aren’t problems to troubleshoot with a quick internet search or a DIY electrical project.
It’s also worth thinking about surge protection for your home. Whole-home surge protection can help protect appliances and electronics from sudden voltage spikes.
A Little Prevention Can Save Your Summer
We know home maintenance probably isn’t at the top of your summer bucket list. But, checking an air filter, paying attention to a struggling AC, being careful with your drains, and testing your sump pump can help you avoid some of the most common summer service calls we see.
And when something does go wrong, you don’t have to figure out who to call for each problem. For HVAC, plumbing, and electrical service, the Legacy team is here to help keep your home safe and comfortable all summer long.
After more than 70 years of serving Michiana, that’s our local Legacy.
