Could Plumbing Issues Be Making My Home Too Humid?

woman looks at possible leak in kitchen sink or faucetOnce the summer months roll around, most people notice that the air feels more humid. In your home, your air conditioning system can help keep the humidity down. Some homes also require dehumidification to keep home humidity at a manageable level. If you have a dehumidifier and air conditioning but are still noticing that your home is uncomfortably damp, it might be time to look for other issues.

Usually, an AC system coupled with a dehumidifier does the trick in homes that tend to hold in the humid air. If they don’t seem to be working, it’s likely that some of the moisture in your home is coming from something besides the humid outdoor air. It could be that you have a plumbing issue that’s making your home more humid than it should be. In this article, we’ll talk about some plumbing issues that could be a cause for concern. Keep reading to learn more!

5 Plumbing Issues That Might Be Increasing Your Home’s Humidity Level

The major plumbing concern that could be causing your home to be overly damp is, quite simply, leaks. Unfortunately, people may not realize that there can be leaks that aren’t always noticeable. If your home seems overly damp, or you’re noticing a musty odor or mold growth throughout your home, you might want to check for leaks in these areas:

  1. Tub & Shower Drains: Tub and shower drains can leak, especially those that are plastic or fiberglass, as these materials tend to flex when people stand on them. That can result in the seal around the drain breaking. Signs that this could be happening include water stains on a ceiling below the tub, or damp and loose tiles or flooring around the tub.
  2. Toilet Flange: The toilet flange is the space where your toilet is joined to the waste pipe. In the occurrence of a toilet flange leak, water will seep out every time you flush. This is very problematic, as it not only contributes to the dampness in your home, but it eventually destroys your flooring and subflooring, and, if your bathroom is located on a second story, the ceiling below.
  3. Sinks: Leaky pipes underneath your sinks can be sneaky. Sometimes, it’s a small leak that may not be readily noticeable, but over time will cause your sink base and flooring to rot. If you notice that items stored in an under-sink cabinet seem damp, old water stains near the plumbing, or a musty odor, chances are you have a leak.
  4. Water Heaters: Water heater tanks can start slowly, but then eventually burst – leaving you with a disaster on your hands. If you notice any puddling around the tank, it’s time to act. It could be a valve, which usually only requires a repair. But if the tank itself is leaking, you will likely need to replace it right away.
  5. Washers: There are many reasons why your washing machine might be leaking, including drain hose issues, a faulty drain pump, or even a clogged hose. Check for puddles behind or around the washer if you suspect this might be a problem. Leaks around your washer can damage flooring and cause wood rot, so they should be taken care of as soon as possible.

I think I may have a plumbing issue in my home. Who can help me?

When you choose Boelcke Heating and Air Conditioning to help with your leaky pipes, you’re choosing a full-service plumbing contractor who can help you get all the services you need. We’ll help to ensure the plumbing in your home is in tip-top condition. If you live in Stevensville, Coloma, St. Joseph, or the surrounding areas and need help with leaky pipes or appliances in your home, give us a call at (269) 429-9261. We’ll help you find the solution that best suits your needs.

How to Make the Most of Your Air Conditioning This Summer

When Mother Nature cranks up the heat outdoors, having a comfortable, air-conditioned home is always welcome. Stepping out of a scorching day into a cool home is a relief once the heat of summer arrives. Of course, like any other type of equipment, your home’s air conditioning system requires energy to operate – and that can be costly. Fortunately, you can help your air conditioning system operate more efficiently and keep your home more comfortable.

According to the Department of Energy, about two-thirds of homes in the U.S. use some form of air conditioning, and those homeowners spend around $11 billion combined annually on cooling costs. In fact, homeowners use about six percent of their annual energy budget on home cooling. As a result, finding ways to reduce your energy usage when it comes to home cooling is important, for both the planet and your wallet.

Five Ways You Can Maximize Your Home Cooling

Below, we’ll share some helpful tips for keeping your home cooler this summer, all while helping your AC system operate more effectively and efficiently. Keep reading to learn more!

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  1. Turn your home’s ceiling fans counterclockwise. By setting your fans so they turn in the counterclockwise direction, the cool air will be pushed down into your living space as opposed to being drawn up to the ceiling.
  2. Use drapes or blinds during the day. The sunlight can warm up the temperatures in your home, making your AC system have to work harder to keep your home cool. By drawing the drapes or blinds during the day, you’ll help to keep the direct sunlight and heat outside.
  3. Cook outside or use your slow cooker when possible. Your home can heat up quickly when your oven or stovetop is being used. By using an outdoor grill or slow cooker, you won’t be generating that extra heat indoors.
  4. Consider dehumidification if your home is especially humid. Humid air tends to hold heat. Air conditioning systems can help remove some of the humidity from the air, but if your home is especially humid, a dehumidification system can help.
  5. Make sure your air conditioning system has been properly maintained. If you didn’t get maintenance in the spring, it’s not too late. When your AC needs maintenance, it often has to work harder – and that can mean it operates less effectively and efficiently.

Need AC Service? Boelcke Can Help!

If you’re not sure that your home’s air conditioning system is operating as efficiently as it should be, you can count on Boelcke to help. At Boelcke, we’re pleased to provide annual maintenance agreements that help keep your system running smoothly and help you and your family stay comfortable. Or, if you need air conditioning repair, or are interested in learning more about a newer, more efficient system, we can help with that too! Simply give us a call at (269) 429-9261, and we will be more than happy to help you get any air conditioning service you may need for better home comfort and improved energy efficiency.

Nip Spring Allergies in the Bud with Indoor Air Quality Products

Springtime – that wonderful time of year when the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, the trees are blossoming, and… people start sneezing! There’s no doubt that spring is beautiful, but if you’re an allergy sufferer, it can mean a stuffy nose and itchy, watery eyes. And often, the indoors doesn’t provide much of a reprieve for those with allergies, because those tiny allergen particles, like pollen and spores, can make their way inside. And once they start circulating through your home’s HVAC system, they can cause problems. But fortunately, there is help.

Today, there are many indoor air quality products available that can make allergy season less uncomfortable for homeowners, at least while they’re indoors. They work to make your home’s air cleaner and fresher, and can remove a whole host of particulates, like dust, dander, dirt, pollen, mold, and even some viruses and bacteria. In this article, we’ll talk about the different types of indoor air quality products on the market today, and how they work to keep the air in your home cleaner.

What is indoor air quality?

Breathe easier with better indoor air quality.
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First and foremost, indoor air quality, or IAQ as it’s frequently called, is exactly that – the quality of the air in your indoor environment. People with poor indoor air quality often complain about problems like respiratory irritation, skin dryness, and sometimes even headaches. Many of today’s homes are made to be airtight, so once contaminants start circulating around your home through your HVAC system, they’re there to stay. But advancements in indoor air quality technology have made it possible for homeowners to get the equipment they need for improved IAQ.

What types of products are available to help me “clear the air” in my home?

There is a wide range of products available that can help you keep the air in your home cleaner and fresher, but one very easy step you can take to ensure better air quality is making sure that the filter in your home’s HVAC system is cleaned or changed whenever it gets dirty. This is a simple step that is often done when your technician performs annual maintenance but is easy for you as a homeowner to do as well. Not sure where to locate your filter or how to change it? Don’t worry – Boelcke Heating & Air Conditioning will be glad to help.

If you are making sure your filter is clean, but still noticing a problem with your indoor air quality, you could likely benefit from more advanced IAQ products. Below, you’ll learn more about the different products that are available and what they do to help.

Learn more about indoor air quality products for your home.

Air Sterilization: Harmful contaminants such as mold, pollen, and bacteria can cause problems with your home’s air quality. Air cleaners provide the air sterilization you need by eliminating these pathogens from your home’s air. An air cleaner is especially beneficial for homes where there are those suffering from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory concerns.

High-Efficiency Air Filters: These go beyond the filtration offered by the typical filter in your HVAC system. High-efficiency filters are permanent and help people who suffer from asthma, allergies, hay fever, or other breathing concerns, as they are the same type of air filters used in hospitals.

Dehumidifiers: An overly damp home becomes the perfect breeding place for mold, mildew, and bacteria. All of these can cause issues with the structure of your home, as well as your health. Home dehumidification systems help by removing excess moisture from the air in your home, thereby inhibiting the growth of pathogens like bacteria and mold.

Humidifiers: Conversely, if the air in your home is too dry, it can also cause problems. Overly dry air can lead to flaky, itchy skin, as well as dry, irritated mucous membranes. It can cause issues with your wooden fixtures and furniture, and promote static cling. A whole-home humidifier can solve the problem of dry air, and works easily with your HVAC system to deliver moisturized air throughout your home.

UV Lights: Spores, mold, bacteria, and other pathogens are unpleasant. They can cause your home’s air to have a bad odor and can make respiratory conditions worse if present. UV lights can destroy those pathogens, helping your indoor air quality improve greatly. Installed directly in your heating and cooling system, they’ll kill mold and bacteria quickly and effectively.

Can Boelcke Heating & Air Conditioning help me get the IAQ products I need?

We sure can! At Boelcke, we’re all about your home comfort, and that goes beyond just making sure you’re cool in the summer and warm in the winter! When you need indoor air quality solutions from a qualified specialist for your home, you can trust us to help meet all your indoor air quality needs. Simply give us a call at (269) 429-9261, and we will be more than happy to assist you.

Dehumidifiers Near Stevensville, MI

Boelcke Heating and Air Conditioning offers Dehumidifiers near you in Stevensville, and throughout the Southwest Michigan area.

If your home is too damp, it can become a breeding ground for unwanted pathogens. Mold, mildew and bacteria thrive in overly wet environments, and that can lead not only issues in the structure of your home, but health concerns as well. If you’re dealing with a moisture problem in your home, you likely need dehumidification. Boelcke Heating and Air Conditioning can help.

sample dehumidifier from boelcke

You can count on the reliable technicians at Boelcke to provide quality dehumidifiers for your home in Stevensville or Southwest Michigan. Our home dehumidification systems help inhibit the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria, so you and your family can enjoy a healthier home environment. And, you can rely on our skilled technicians to expertly install your dehumidifier professionally, so you’ll enjoy better indoor air quality now and for years to come.

Ready for a consultation or need more info?

Contact Boelcke at (269) 429-9261 or complete the short form below and a representative will reach out to you.








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    Choose Boelcke for your home’s dehumidifier needs and more.

    Boelcke Heating and Air Conditioning is pleased to provide our customers with a number of indoor air quality solutions, including dehumidifiers. We offer a wide range of products to help you stay comfortable, including:

    When you need a dehumidifier from a qualified specialist for your home, you can trust Boelcke Heating and Air Conditioning. We can help meet all your home heating needs, large or small. Simply give us a call at (269) 429-9261, and we will be more than happy to assist you.

    Trust Boelcke for the dehumidifier system you need.