Blog, News & Resources
from Nichols & Phipps and the Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical industry.
Picture this: You're enjoying a long-awaited vacation when your phone buzzes with a text from your neighbor. “Hey, noticed water coming from under your garage door. Everything okay?” Your heart sinks as you realize your water heater might have finally given up, and you're 500 miles away with no way to shut off the water.…
Out of sight, out of mind. That's how most Northern Virginia homeowners think about their plumbing pipes until something goes wrong. Your home's pipes are working 24/7 behind your walls, under your floors, and beneath your foundation to deliver clean water and remove waste. Understanding what type of pipes you have, how long they last,…
If you have a basement in Northern Virginia, your sump pump might be the hardest-working piece of equipment you never think about until it stops working. That's when you quickly realize just how much you need this unsung hero protecting your home from flooding. The good news? Understanding how your sump pump works and what…
Clean Water Solutions for Northern Virginia Homes When you turn on your kitchen faucet, you expect clean, safe drinking water. But here's the thing – even though Northern Virginia's municipal water meets federal safety standards, that doesn't mean it's free from chlorine taste, mineral buildup, or trace contaminants that can affect your family's health and…
Everything Northern Virginia Homeowners Need to Know! Your garbage disposal is the unsung hero of your kitchen – grinding away food scraps day after day until it stops working or starts making those concerning sounds. That's when you quickly realize just how much you rely on this hardworking appliance. The good news? Most disposal problems…
Summer is hard on your plumbing system, making effective plumbing maintenance more critical than ever. Higher water usage, vacation stress-tests, and humid conditions can reveal problems that have been building all year. The good news? Smart plumbing maintenance habits can prevent most emergencies and save you serious money. At Nichols & Phipps, we've seen how…
When investing in a new HVAC system, most Northern Virginia homeowners focus on upfront costs and energy efficiency ratings. But there's another factor that will significantly impact your costs over the next 15-20 years: refrigerant technology. At Nichols & Phipps, we've guided hundreds of families through previous refrigerant transitions, including the shift from R22 to…
How a Simple Part Can Cost You Thousands When Sarah heard dripping from her ceiling below the upstairs bathroom, she never imagined toilet wax ring failure could lead to $8,000+ in water damage repairs. Like most homeowners, she'd never heard of a wax ring until it failed, allowing water to slowly leak through her floor…
That tiny drip under your sink might seem harmless, but it could be quietly draining your wallet. At Nichols & Phipps, we've seen how small plumbing problems can lead to surprising expenses when left unchecked. Let's break down the real costs of common plumbing problems – you might be shocked at what you're actually spending.…
The Hidden Plumbing Issue That Could Be Putting Your Home at Risk Understanding the difference between s-trap vs p-trap plumbing is crucial for every homeowner, especially those with older homes. If you've ever peeked under your kitchen or bathroom sink and wondered about those curved pipes, you're looking at one of the most important components…