HVAC & Plumber Needed

[TripleDigitRide]

Some very close friends of mine finally were able to move into their very first home today. What was supposed to be a wonderful day for them has quickly turned into one frustration after another.

HVAC Issue

It didn't take long for them to realize something something may not be quite right with the heating unit. The unit is running just about non-stop, and it doesn't appear to be pushing very much warm air into the upstair of the house.

Being the non-expert I am, I thought I'd take a look to see if I could find any problem. I did notice the unit was forcing pleny of air into the few vents in the basement, but for some reason that air wasn't making it to the upstairs vents, only feet away. There was some air coming out of the upstairs vents, but very, very little.

I decided to close the three downstairs vents, just to see if that would force air to and through the upstairs vents. There was no noticeable difference in the amount of air flow to the upstairs.

Plumbing Issue(s)

There happens to be a handful of plumbing issues, but I'm going to stick the the main issue.

I noticed what appears to be a small water leak in the basement ceiling (smaller issue). While attempting to track down the source of the leak, we noticed a larger problem. The water seems to be backing up in a few of the drains -- mainly the two upstairs bathrooms.

While loooking for the source of the leak -- thought to be the bathroom directly above the wet spot on the basement ceiling -- I turned on the bathroom sink faucets, bathtub faucets, and flushed the toilet. I Immediately noticed the bathtub was draining very, very slowly. I then heard a gurgling/bubbling type noise coming from the toilet. I turned around to see large air bubbles coming up through the toilet as it was filling and nearly overflowing with water. The water appeared to be clean and clear.

She just called me in tears telling me that they have noticed even more issues with the plumbing. When her daughter began to drain the bath water from the bathtub (same tub I was just talking about), the water began to backup into the bathtub in the master bath. The water doesn't appear to be draining very quickly -- if at all -- out of either tubs now.

Anyone have any ideas, or do we have any HVAC or Plumbers in the house?

They live in White House, on the border of White House and Hendersonville. They don't expect anything for free, but they are somewhat limited on funds after just moving into their first home today.

[Paletiger13]

I would be willing to take a look if they would like. I've had about 12 years exp. with both all together. Charles 615-419-7219

[TripleDigitRide]

Ok, I will give them your number. Any idea when you may have time?

[56FordGuy]

On the heating problem, are there two units or just one? Some houses have a unit for the upstairs and a separate unit for the downstairs. Make sure neither one is set to "Emergency Heat" or "Aux. Heat".

Otherwise, I'm not much help. Hope y'all get it figured out!

[Paletiger13]

Oh, and I'm jobless:( but honest.

[Guest mcgyver210]

My wifes cousin owns a plumbing Business working in those areas. I don't think he does HVAC though. Also I think he is supposed to be pretty reasonable although I haven't paid for a plumber in many years since I am pretty Handy.

[TripleDigitRide]

On the heating problem, are there two units or just one? Some houses have a unit for the upstairs and a separate unit for the downstairs. Make sure neither one is set to "Emergency Heat" or "Aux. Heat".

Otherwise, I'm not much help. Hope y'all get it figured out!

There is only 1 unit. I will let them know about the Emergency and Auxiliary.

[Paletiger13]

Anytime tommorrow really. I may have a job starting Monday I hope.

[TripleDigitRide]

Anytime tommorrow really. I may have a job starting Monday I hope.

Ok, I will let them know. They usually go to church on Sunday's, but I can meet you there if needed. What time do you think you'll be up and running in the morning?

[TripleDigitRide]

Based on what she just told me, it sounds like the main drain line is clogged. She went to the main drain line in the basement that leads outside, and she can hear water dripping inside the line. But both tubs are still full of water.

[Paletiger13]

Give me a ring around 9 if ya want. Do you know if their drain lines are metal or PVC? I've got some stuff that is commercial grade that is made for drains. Works pretty good. On the A/C, it hopefully is something simple. We'll see what's going on.

[TripleDigitRide]

The drain I see is PVC. Appears to be 4"-6" dia. (didn't pay close attention, and didn't measure), but that's only what I can see coming out of the ceiling and through the basement wall.

[Paletiger13]

Cool, just hit me up in the morning.

[TripleDigitRide]

Sounds good. Thanks a bunch.

[Paletiger13]

Anything to help someone in need.

[TripleDigitRide]

Thanks again. You should be hearing from one of them or myself about 9:00. Thanks again.

[Guest clownsdd]

FYI, you might tell them to get in touch with the realtor that sold the house. Just to document the problems they are having. Ya never know.

[TripleDigitRide]

FYI, you might tell them to get in touch with the realtor that sold the house. Just to document the problems they are having. Ya never know.

I did find out they do have a home warranty, so I suggested they attempt to get in touch with them this morning. Being a Sunday, I'm not sure they will reach anyone, and going another full day without the use of sinks, toilets, or showers is not making them very happy.

[Guest Tusculum]

Sounds like the previous owners didnt do much maintance on the house. On the low air flow, Go to the return air ducts and check the filter, Or filters. If they are blocked that will restrict the air flow and eventualy smother the unit to death. Go to the basement where the unit is located and you will see an access panel that covers the cooling coil and squirrel cage blower assembly. Remove the cover and more than likely the round blower vents will be filled with trash. Dirt,lint,ect. If those cupped fins are stopped up the cage cant pick the air up and send it on. If you have access to air pressure, Blow them out but more than likely youll have to get a shop vac and suck the trash out of the fins. Oh, By the way, Turn the unit off before removing the access panel. You can leave it on to change the filters but you dont want the blower kicking on when your cleaning the cage! Kill the power at the breaker box.It should be marked on the door which one is for heat and air. Id go outside at the pump and pull that fuse or trip that breaker too. If none of these are your problem you have a restriction in the vent ass.........That could be a problem you dont want to fool with.

Your plumbing problems I hope will be taken care of by the previous poster but you can be almost sure every drain trap in that house will need to be cleaned out. The tubs and sinks are full of hair in the "S" shaped traps under the sinks. The tubs will probably have to be plunged on down or a small "Snake" run down them and pull the hair out.

Im not a plumber, Nor a HVAC man but Ive been a homeowner for 35 years and have been through all this crap before! Good Luck, Jack

[TripleDigitRide]

Sounds like the previous owners didnt do much maintance on the house. On the low air flow, Go to the return air ducts and check the filter, Or filters. If they are blocked that will restrict the air flow and eventualy smother the unit to death.

The return air duct/filter are in the upstairs hallway. The filter is new, and it appears to be "sucking". If you move the filter a few inches away and let go, the suction pulls it back in place.

Go to the basement where the unit is located and you will see an access panel that covers the cooling coil and squirrel cage blower assembly. Remove the cover and more than likely the round blower vents will be filled with trash. Dirt,lint,ect. If those cupped fins are stopped up the cage cant pick the air up and send it on. If you have access to air pressure, Blow them out but more than likely youll have to get a shop vac and suck the trash out of the fins. Oh, By the way, Turn the unit off before removing the access panel. You can leave it on to change the filters but you dont want the blower kicking on when your cleaning the cage! Kill the power at the breaker box.It should be marked on the door which one is for heat and air. Id go outside at the pump and pull that fuse or trip that breaker too. If none of these are your problem you have a restriction in the vent ass.........That could be a problem you dont want to fool with.

I don't recall seeing a unit in the house. I think it's an all-in-one unit that's outside. I know the home was inspected before they closed on the house, but I'm not sure how well he inspected the unit.

Your plumbing problems I hope will be taken care of by the previous poster but you can be almost sure every drain trap in that house will need to be cleaned out. The tubs and sinks are full of hair in the "S" shaped traps under the sinks. The tubs will probably have to be plunged on down or a small "Snake" run down them and pull the hair out.

Im not a plumber, Nor a HVAC man but Ive been a homeowner for 35 years and have been through all this crap before! Good Luck, Jack

Thanks for the helpful info. I'll pass it on.

[TripleDigitRide]

As of this morning, the water has finally drained from both tubs.

[ftncityfatboy]

check the plumbing vent stack(s) as well. If that's clogged with something air cannot assist in the proper draining. If this house was properly plumbed, there should be a cleanout at every main attachment of the 4" line, which if that's the case you should be able to remove the cap and snake it if needed (this would be under the house). My guess is there's a clog somewhere in the main line or the vent stack is clogged. Is this system on septic or sewer? If its septic, the tank might be full. Pop the lid on the tank and you will know immediately. BTW, I'm not a licensed plumber but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[dralarms]

Yep sounds like a clogged septic tank. If it is a tank and it's bubbling up from one point to another then get someoen to pump that tank quick. In the mean time open the top of the tank, use a shovel and poke around and see if you can find the pipe coming from the house, if so use the shovel to "chop" up some of the stuff close to the pipe, it will give you 3 or 4 days of use before backing up again.

Been there done that. once it gets that far nothing will fix it except pumping.

Once you get it pumped get a gallon of buttermilk and dump down your drain, and then do it once a month.

[ftncityfatboy]

Yep sounds like a clogged septic tank. If it is a tank and it's bubbling up from one point to another then get someoen to pump that tank quick. In the mean time open the top of the tank, use a shovel and poke around and see if you can find the pipe coming from the house, if so use the shovel to "chop" up some of the stuff close to the pipe, it will give you 3 or 4 days of use before backing up again.

Been there done that. once it gets that far nothing will fix it except pumping.

Once you get it pumped get a gallon of buttermilk and dump down your drain, and then do it once a month.

for those of you needing translation, the "stuff" referred to here is poo. And dumping buttermilk down the drain means: not your drain but the pipe to the house. the buttermilk does not need to be processed prior to dumping...again, i'm not a professional plumber but i have played one before.

[titan14]

for those of you needing translation, the "stuff" referred to here is poo. And dumping buttermilk down the drain means: not your drain but the pipe to the house. the buttermilk does not need to be processed prior to dumping...again, i'm not a professional plumber but i have played one before.