Blog, News & Resources
from Nichols & Phipps and the Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical industry.
The Honest Guide to Making the Right Call The HVAC repair or replace decision is one of the most common questions we hear at Nichols & Phipps, and it's a fair one. A new system is a significant investment. So is pouring money into one that keeps breaking down. The honest answer is that there's…
Every time you turn on your tap in Northern Virginia, your water has been treated to keep it safe. That means disinfectants, and depending on the time of year, that is either chlorine or chloramines. Both are doing an important job. And both affect your plumbing. How chlorine affects home plumbing is a question we…
And What Northern Virginia Homeowners Can Do About It We've been hearing “Why is plumbing so expensive?” quite a bit here lately. If you've gotten a plumbing quote recently and done a double-take, you know what we mean. We're seeing more calls than usual across the board, from water heater issues to gate valve failures…
Most Northern Virginia homeowners who worry about lead think about paint. It's on every real estate disclosure, every renovation permit, every older home inspection. But lead in home plumbing is a quieter risk that's been flying under the radar for years, and it's not your walls you need to worry about. It's your pipes, your…
Why Northern Virginia Homeowners Choose PlumbGuard If you've never thought about signing up for an annual plumbing inspection membership, you're not alone. Most homeowners don't think about their plumbing at all until something goes wrong. But when it does go wrong, it usually goes wrong fast, and the cost of fixing it after the fact…
A Complete Approach to Water Quality When most homeowners think about improving their water, they jump straight to filtration systems. But here's what many don't realize: water treatment solutions go far beyond just filtering out chlorine taste. If you have well water, or if you've noticed blue stains around your sink drains or rusty water…
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…