Frequently Asked Questions
HVAC FAQ's
There are a few reasons your AC might not be blowing cool air. Call (540) 402-9359 today to have a cooling Southern Trust Home Services cooling technician diagnose and repair your Air Conditioning unit promptly.
Common repairs that A/C units require are related to the compressor or coolant leaking. No matter the problem though, Southern Trust Home Services technicians have the capability and know-how to fix whatever the issue with your unit is!
If your air conditioner is not too old or the repair isn’t more expensive than a replacement, then yes it is generally worth it to conduct a repair. If your A/C is older than 10 years old it is likely to continue to need repairs. Regardless of the problem, once it is diagnosed the cooling experts from Southern Trust Home Services can help you decide what cooling solution is best for your home!
The ultimate cost of installing an air conditioning unit depends on factors such as the size of your home. Southern Trust Home Services expert technicians can give you a quote if you call today!
In most homes you cannot install your own air conditioning solution. Southern Trust Home Services can provide you with an affordable installation that will effectively cool your home.
How long AC installation takes to complete varies greatly from project-to-project, depending on the size of the home and the type of unit being installed, among other factors. Southern Trust Home Services can give you a quote and time estimate if you call today!
A/C maintenance usually entails calibrating your thermostat, inspection of vital functions, cleaning of condenser coils, among other tasks. Contact Southern Trust Home Services today to schedule your A/C maintenance appointment!
Generally, it is a good idea to contact the experts from Southern Trust Home Services to conduct an annual maintenance inspection. Some warranties require this and it is generally a good idea to make sure your cooling solution is in working condition for the hot summer months.
Air conditioning units and systems can be highly technical devices and as such are difficult to service or maintain yourself. Expert cooling technicians, like those from Southern Trust Home Services know best how to service your home air conditioning unit.
Yes, mini splits can be repaired in most instances. Sometimes broken components can compromise the entire system and a replacement is required, but that is normally not the case. To schedule a repair for your home’s mini split A/C system, call Southern Trust Home Services today.
Troubleshooting any heating and cooling device like a mini-split can be difficult. Call us today to schedule a Southern Trust Home Services technician to come out to your home and inspect your mini-split A/C system to determine what is causing the error.
There are a variety of reasons your mini-split A/C system might stop working. It often has to do with an issue with the outdoor unit, whether it is ice accumulating on the coils or some other type of obstruction. If your mini-split A/C system has stopped working, call Southern Trust Home Services today to schedule a repair.
The ultimate cost to install a home mini-split A/C system largely depends on the scope of the project and size of the home. Generally a mini-split installation will cost homeowners thousands of dollars but can vary widely. Call Southern Trust Home Services today to receive a quote from an expert technician.
Installing a mini split air conditioner yourself can be tricky, and is not recommended. While it may be possible to install a mini-split air conditioner system in a DIY fashion, you are more likely to encounter problems with the system if you do. In this case, it is likely best to leave it to the professionals.
Each homeowner’s personal calculus will be different when determining if a mini-split A/C system is worth it for them. Mini-split systems provide additional comfort and energy savings that traditional HVAC systems do not. However, mini-split systems are more expensive to initially install.
HVAC service calls generally cost a few hundred dollars. However, that can vary depending on what actually needs to be repaired. To schedule an appointment for a Southern Trust Home Services expert HVAC technician to inspect your system and provide an exact quote, call today!
Common HVAC problems include thermostat malfunctions, clogged filters, and mechanical issues. No matter the problem you are encountering with your Roanoke, VA General Heating Repair Services You Can Trust From Southern Trust Home Services home’s HVAC system, a Southern Trust Home Services technician will be able to diagnose and repair the problem.
With most HVAC systems, homeowners should have annual maintenance performed. Your HVAC system is unlikely to require costly repairs and should have a longer lifespan if a homeowner keeps up with the system’s annual maintenance schedule. Call Southern Trust Home Services today to schedule annual maintenance to be performed on your HVAC system.
Generally, installing an entire HVAC system costs homeowners anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000. The exact cost will of course depend on the size and configuration of your home. To receive a quote, call Southern Trust Home Services today!
Yes, you should always have your HVAC system professionally serviced by an expert at Southern Trust Home Services at least once a year to ensure everything is working properly and to prevent any potential issues from worsening. Having your whole-home heating and cooling system serviced every year will also improve air quality, lower utility bills, ensure your manufacturer’s warranties, extend your system’s lifespan, and lastly, increase comfort. It has been reported that 85% of service calls could have been prevented with proper maintenance.
Yes, it is generally worth it to replace your HVAC system. Not only will a new system heat or cool your home better, but it will also do so more efficiently, saving you money on your monthly energy bill.
On average, an HVAC system normally lasts ten-to-fifteen years. Once your HVAC system reaches ten years of age or when you begin to notice declines in functionality, it is time to consider a replacement system.
Generally, HVAC maintenance includes an inspection of the system’s components and functions, a cleaning of certain components, and testing of safety controls, among other tasks. To schedule your home HVAC system’s maintenance from an expert technician, call Southern Trust Home Services today!
Most HVAC systems should be serviced annually. This will ensure that your HVAC system operates at optimal capacity and potentially at the same time ensure that the warranty on your HVAC system won’t be voided.
Yes, annual HVAC maintenance is necessary for many reasons. Annual HVAC maintenance will prolong the lifespan of the system, reduce energy consumption, ensure high air quality, and potentially avoid costly repairs down the road. Call us today to schedule an appointment with a Southern Trust Home Services HVAC technician to perform maintenance on your HVAC system.
Electrical FAQ's
Normally, electrical maintenance includes services such as inspecting a home to ensure that all of its electrical functions are working properly. If any issues are encountered, a Southern Trust Home Services electrician will conduct a repair with the homeowner’s permission.
At Southern Trust Home Services, our electricians are expertly trained and professionally licensed. That means they can conduct repairs safely and efficiently in your home as they encounter them in the course of providing general electrical services. Call us if you are encountering any signs that you are in need of general electrical repair.
Electrical installation and maintenance usually refers to services offered by Southern Trust Home Services to either install, maintain or repair components of a home’s electrical system such as wiring, appliances, outlets, lighting, etc. Contact Southern Trust Home Services today to schedule your appointment for a general electrical repair!
Some older homes with outdated electrical panels have electrical panels that are outdated and not particularly safe for the overload of today’s modern electrical appliances. If your home’s electrical panel is less than 200 amps, it could be unsafe. If you are unsure how many amps your electrical panel is or have an electrical panel with less than 200 amps, have a professional electrician from Southern Trust Home Services inspect it for you.
There could be a few reasons why your light switch doesn’t work for your lighting fixture. More times than not, the issue is as simple as a tripped circuit, which affects the flow of power from your switch to your lighting. Other common issues are damaged wiring, burned-out or corroded contacts, or a problem with the wiring or light sockets in your light fixture. If you’re struggling to make your light switch work with your lighting fixture, call Southern Trust Home Services to have a licensed electrician come take a look.
A GFCI outlet protects you from electrical shock if moisture is present. GFCI outlets are usually found in areas where there is a lot of water around such as your kitchen or bathroom. You can identify a GFCI outlet by the “test” and “reset” buttons on them. The “reset” button turns your outlet back on after it has tripped. If you’ve tried pressing the “reset” button multiple times to no avail, you will need to have a professional electrician from Southern Trust Home Services diagnose the issue.
During the course of an electrical safety inspection, a Southern Trust Home Services electrician will inspect all of the wiring not only in your home, but the wiring outside the home feeding into the electrical panel. To schedule a home electrical safety inspection, call us today!
Electrical safety inspections are first and foremost important to ensure that your home is safe. A home safety inspection can catch any safety hazards that currently present a problem to your home or those hazards that eventually might. In addition to safety, other reasons that a homeowner may contact Southern Trust Home Services for an electrical safety inspection include an increase in their electrical bills without explanation, they are renovating your home, or they are buying/selling a home.
There could be a few reasons why your light switch doesn’t work for your lighting fixture. More times than not, the issue is as simple as a tripped circuit, which affects the flow of power from your switch to your lighting. Other common issues are damaged wiring, burned-out or corroded contacts, or a problem with the wiring or light sockets in your light fixture. If you’re struggling to make your light switch work with your lighting fixture, call Southern Trust Home Services to have a licensed electrician come take a look.
All Southern Trust Home Services electricians are expertly trained and professionally licensed to install any new circuit breakers in Roanoke, VA homes. No matter if it’s a replacement or new installation, our experts can get the job done in a safe and quick manner, if you call us today.
No, you should not install a circuit breaker yourself. Installing a circuit breaker is complicated electrical work, that if done incorrectly could result in injury for yourself, or others in your home. Circuit breaker installation should only be done by a professional electrician. Call Southern Trust Home Services today to schedule one of their expert electricians for an installation!
The ultimate cost to install a circuit breaker can vary depending on a multitude of factors in your Roanoke, VA home. To receive a quote, call Southern Trust Home Services today!
Generally, no. In some cases homeowners may be safe installing their own light switches for the simplest project. However, it is generally best to have a licensed electrician from Southern Trust Home Services conduct the installation. That way, you can ensure that your light switches are up to code and safe for your family.
The cost to install electrical outlet(s) in a home can vary depending on many factors. Contact Southern Trust Home Services today to receive a quote!
Southern Trust Home Services can repair your electrical outlets if you are experiencing problems. Additionally, electrical outlets are simple to replace if they are not worth repairing.
Yes, home surge protectors can be repaired! Since they protect your home’s most important appliances, any repair needs to be done with care by a professional electrician. Southern Trust Home Services has professionally licensed technicians that can repair your home surge protector if you call today!
When a surge protector stops working, it is best to contact an expertly trained technician like those from Southern Trust Home Services. We can conduct a repair while still protecting your home appliances if you call us To schedule a repair.
Yes, whole-house surge protectors do occasionally need to be replaced. You should replace them every few years or when they stop working. If you think you may need a replacement, call Southern Trust Home Services today to schedule a time for a professionally certified electrician to inspect your whole-house surge protector.
Surge protectors are not very large additions at all and provide a very important extra layer of security. The main panel surge protector is only about the size of two decks of cards.
Cable surge protection works in the same way as a typical whole-home surge protector, but instead is installed inside your cable box which is typically on the outside of your house. Cable boxes and/or internet routers contain a lot of electricity that lightning is strongly drawn to. If you have a cable television or internet service, you should absolutely have a cable surge protector because if lightning hits your cable box, it will travel through any other device connected to it and destroy it. If you’re thinking about adding surge protection to your cable box, but aren’t sure whether or not to install it, have a Southern Trust Home Services electrical expert consult with you and provide you with more information.
The ultimate cost to install a whole house home generator depends on the features of the generator, its power source, and the size of your home. Call Southern Trust Home Services today to schedule an appointment to have a professional electrician survey your home and provide a quote!
The home generator installation experts from Southern Trust Home Services are professionally certified and expertly trained. They can install standby or backup generators at a competitive price. Call us today for a quote to install your preferred home generator solution today!
Usually installing a home generator is not a project a homeowner should undertake on their own. It may be possible to do a DIY project with a portable generator, but installing a standby home generator almost certainly requires the skills of a professional electrician from Southern Trust Home Services to ensure your home’s safety.
You can most likely pretty easily set up a portable generator yourself, but standby generators will have to be installed by an experienced electrician at Southern Trust Home Services. Your Southern Trust Home Services electrical expert will coordinate any permits and/or state electrical codes, hook up the transfer switch, and ensure that everything is installed properly so that your warranty remains valid. If you are installing a portable generator and struggling to do so properly, you can always have a professional from Southern Trust Home Services get the job done for you.
Never run a portable generator from inside of your house! Portable generators run on gas and oil that emit exhaust which contains dangerous chemicals and carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless poison that can kill an entire household within minutes. There is no such circumstance in which it is safe to run a portable generator from inside of your house – even if it is raining or snowing. This applies to your garage and/or screened-in porch as well. Portable generators must be located at least 15 feet away from your home. If you are going to run a portable generator, you should have carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home, and test them periodically to make sure they are working properly.
Automatic standby generators offer significant advantages over portable generators. Those advantages can be broken down into three main categories: safety, convenience, and cost. The American Red Cross recommends permanently installed standby generators as they are a safer way to provide backup power to a home, eliminating much of the carbon monoxide risk associated with portable generators. Automatic standby generators start running the second your power turns off and then power off again the second power is restored to your home. Portable generators, on the other hand, need to be hauled outside and need to be manually turned both on and off. Lastly, because they run on your home’s Gas or LP supply, which will save you money. If you are looking to have an automatic standby generator installed, call Southern Trust Home Services to have a trusted electrical expert install your generator safely and properly.
The cost to install a charger for your electric vehicle can vary depending on the interior of your home and the type of charger you wish to install. Call Southern Trust Home Services today to have an expert electrician out to your home to give you a competitive quote!
No. It is not a good idea to install your own electric vehicle charger in your own home. You place your home electrical system and your own safety at serious risk if you do not have a professionally licensed electrician install your electric vehicle charger.
Depending on the jurisdiction your home resides in, a permit may be required to install an electric vehicle charger in your home. Thankfully, a trusted Southern Trust Home Services technician can help you through any Greater Roanoke, VA Area regulations to get your electric vehicle charger installed!
Drain FAQ's
The cost to unclog a drain depends on the services utilized to do so, and how difficult it is to unclog. Regardless of the problem, the professionals at Southern Trust Home Services have the technology and expertise to unclog your drain promptly.
Yes, by utilizing a number of different techniques plumbers do have the ability to clear a drain. Thanks to our technology and knowledge, Southern Trust Home Services plumbers have the ability to unclog any drain quickly. Call [Phone#] today to schedule an appointment!
To clear whatever is in your pipe clogging your drain, a plumber will likely seek to access your main line. Then, the plumber will insert a special auger through the pipe to clear the obstruction. Our drain clearing technicians at Southern Trust Home Services have the capability and knowledge to unclog your drain quickly and safely.
The ultimate cost of rooter service generally depends on the extent of the problem. If your pipes have been extensively infiltrated by tree roots and/or other debris the cost is likely to be higher. Contact Southern Trust Home Services today to have them come out to your home to diagnose the problem!
Homeowners often require rooter service when they need drain clearing or pipe repair to address obstructions stemming from tree roots in your home plumbing system. Rooter technicians from Southern Trust Home Services can provide rooter services if you call us today!
A rooter machine is a machine Southern Trust Home Services technicians use for drain cleaning. When the cable from the rooter machine is inserted into a water or sewer line, it has the capability to cut through any roots or debris causing blockages in the line.
The purpose of hydro jetting is to unclog obstructions or debris that has built up in your plumbing system to alleviate blockages. This is done by inserting a highflow of water through your plumbing system. Southern Trust Home Services has the premier hydro jetting experts in the Greater Roanoke, VA area.
In some instances, hydro jetting can damage old pipes. That’s why before any work is done, Southern Trust Home Services plumbers will inspect your plumbing system to ensure that it can withstand hydro jetting. Call (540) 296-2653 today to schedule an appointment!
When a licensed plumber recommends hydro jetting, it should be considered necessary. If a plumber recommends hydro jetting, that often means it is the best option to return your plumbing system to optimal functionality. To find out if hydro jetting is necessary to remove blockages in your home plumbing system, call Southern Trust Home Services today!
You probably need hydro-jetting if you notice your sink, shower, toilet, or other fixtures draining particularly slower than normal. Usually if multiple drains are clogged or backed up, they could benefit from hydro-jetting.
There are various benefits of hydro-jetting. Thanks to the high pressure, hydro-jetting removes clogs quickly and efficiently. Hydro-jetting can also be used to clear clogs and tree roots blocking the flow of your pipes. Lastly, hydro-jetting clears out grease, minerals, hair, and other buildup in your pipes.
On average, hydro-jetting usually takes around an hour to complete. This includes the whole process of thoroughly flushing dirt debris, roots, hair, oil, and other waste, as well as utilizing sewer line camera inspection to assess your pipes.
The cost of a camera inspection can vary depending on the length of the pipe and accessibility. Call Southern Trust Home Services for a quote today!
Is your toilet continually clogging or overflowing? Then you likely need a sewer camera inspection. When a Southern Trust Home Services plumber conducts a camera inspection, they will insert a camera into the sewer line in attempts to determine what is causing the backup.
A drain inspection camera is a camera that is reeled down a drain to go through your plumbing to get a visual of any blockages, obstructions, or leaks that your system might have. Call Southern Trust Home Services today to get a camera inspection scheduled!
Drain FAQ's
Common plumbing problems include clogged drains, hot water issues, and poor water pressure. If you are encountering any of these and need them addressed by a professional, call Southern Trust Home Services today to schedule an appointment.
Not all home plumbing problems necessitate the same repair. In fact, usually different problems require different repairs. No need to fret though, the expert technicians from Southern Trust Home Services have the capability and expertise to conduct a repair, no matter the problem with your home plumbing system.
Signs your plumbing system has a problem include continuous dripping from faucets, discolored water, or an unexplained increase in your monthly water bills. If you notice any of these signs of a problem with your home plumbing system, call Southern Trust Home Services to schedule an appointment with a technician to inspect your plumbing system.
Southern Trust Home Services technicians are the premier area technicians for plumbing inspection services. They will examine your plumbing system using a variety of innovative techniques, to detect any issues and ensure your home’s plumbing system is operating at optimum efficiency.
Generally, your home plumbing system should be inspected once every couple of years. However, it is a good idea to have an inspection performed if you begin to notice any issues with your plumbing or if the home is about to be sold.
A plumbing assessment is a comprehensive examination of a home’s plumbing system’s most vital functions. It is normally performed by a licensed plumber.
It usually costs a few thousand dollars to have a water heater installed. To receive a quote to have a water heater installed, call Southern Trust Home Services today.
Water heaters can be expensive to install relative to other major appliances for a couple of reasons. First, water heaters are heavy, difficult to maneuver appliances and as such are especially labor intensive to install. Second, water heaters require gas and water lines to be installed.
Installing a water heater is not normally considered a do-it-yourself project. Water heater installations are intense and complex projects and as such should only be undertaken by professionals.
In most cases, it is worth it to repair a hot water heater! Signs you need to replace your water heater include old age or if frequent repairs have been needed. Otherwise, as long as the repair isn’t too expensive, it is generally worth it to repair a hot water heater.
Some of the most common problems with water heaters are leaks, discolored water, and corrosion. If you encounter any of these problems with your home’s water heater, call Southern Trust Home Services today to schedule a repair.
Yes, hot water heaters can be repaired. Southern Trust Home Services has the premier hot water heater repair experts in the Greater Roanoke, VA area. Call us today if you need to schedule your home’s water heater repair.
There are a number of tasks a Southern Trust Home Services technician might complete when servicing your home’s water heater. Southern Trust Home Services technicians are the premier source in the Roanoke, VA for water heater maintenance. Call us to schedule an appointment!
Maintenance should be performed at least once annually, if not twice annually. Your water heater tank should be flushed once per year. Call Southern Trust Home Services to schedule your water heater’s professional maintenance.
Failure to have your water heater flushed will result in scaling and your water heater will corrode. If you don’t flush your water heater, it will shorten the lifespan of your water heater and will also result in declining functionality for your unit.
While installing a tankless water heater is not a do-it-yourself project, generally a homeowner can have a tankless water heater installed in their home. The professional technicians at Southern Trust Home Services are the premier tankless water heater installation experts in the Greater Roanoke, VA Area.
The installation cost for a tankless hot water heater will run homeowners thousands of dollars. The exact cost depends on the size of the home and location where the homeowner would like the unit to be installed.
The primary downside of a tankless water heater is the installation cost. Usually a tankless water heater installation is at least twice the cost that other water heater models are. However, tankless water heaters normally have a much longer lifespan than other models do.
How a Southern Trust Home Services plumbing technician repairs an issue with your bathroom’s plumbing depends on the issue that needs to be repaired. Common issues we address include clogged drains, leaky pipes, and dripping faucets.
In most instances, yes, a plumber can install bathroom sinks! Sometimes there are other parts of a sink install that a separate contractor like a carpenter may have to undertake. Call Southern Trust Home Services today to schedule your kitchen or bathroom plumbing installation.
Yes, the expert plumbers at Southern Trust Home Services can repair issues you might be having with a sink in your Roanoke, VA home. To schedule an appointment with a technician, call us today!
It will generally cost a homeowner thousands of dollars to repipe a home. The exact price is largely decided by the size and complexity of a home’s plumbing system. To receive a quote to repipe your home’s plumbing system, call Southern Trust Home Services today!
A whole home repiping is usually not a single day project. Normally, a whole house repiping will take a few days, but can take more than a week. If you think your home needs repiping services, the experts at Southern Trust Home Services have you covered
It is usually worth it to repipe your home’s plumbing system. Not only can repiping increase the value of your home, but it can increase the efficiency of your plumbing system, driving down your monthly water bill.
Installing a water softener can be a do-it-yourself project, but it is normally recommended that an expert install any water softeners. That way you know you can rely on the water softener to function properly and efficiently when you need it most.
The cost to install a whole house water softener is usually just around a few thousand dollars. The exact price depends on the existing plumbing infrastructure that is already in the home. To receive a quote to install a water softener in your Roanoke, VA home, call Southern Trust Home Services today!
In most cases, yes, installing a water softener is worth it. It is especially worth it if you notice signs of hard water in your home. Installing a water softener can prolong the lifespan of some of your home’s most important appliances. Call us today to schedule an installation with a Southern Trust Home Services technician.
The labor cost to install a sump pump can vary from project-to-project depending on how long the installation takes in addition to the associated plumbing work and possible permits required for the installation. Call Southern Trust Home Services today to receive a quote.
If you are a professional plumber you can likely install a sump pump on your own. Otherwise you should leave it to the professionals from Southern Trust Home Services to install your sump pump. Call us today to schedule your sump pump installation.
Generally, a sump pump installation will cost homeowners a few hundred dollars. The exact cost depends on the location of the installation and the type of sump pump the homeowner would like installed. Call Southern Trust Home Services to receive a quote.
No, your sump pump will most likely not work if the power is out in your home. Most sump pumps require electrical power to operate. You can however, install certain devices like a battery backup unit which will operate a secondary pump using battery power.
Yes, you will periodically need to clean your sump pump. While sump pumps don’t have filters, you will still need to clean their openings or screens from time to time – at least every few months. Additionally, if necessary, you may need to oil the pump’s parts. It’s important to have an expert at Southern Trust Home Services perform yearly maintenance on your sump pump as well. At this time, they will be happy to help clean your sump pump, as well.