Weather Related Blog Articles
April Showers Brings… Mold Problems?
As spring brings warmer temperatures and increased humidity, the risk of mold growth in homes rises. Prevention is crucial, and certain measures can help control moisture levels and inhibit mold growth.
Continue ReadingAvoid Energy Breakdowns this Summer with a Generator
Ensure a powered and comfortable home during summer storms with a standby generator. These permanent appliances connect to your home's electric panel, powered by an external fuel source and provide many other benefits.
Continue ReadingAvoid These Common Plumbing Problems this Spring
Heavy rainfall in spring can stress pipes and drainage systems, leading to various problems. Underground pipes may shift, break, or become damaged, while drains may clog and flood basements. Here's how to prevent these issues from arising in the first pla
Continue ReadingAvoid These HVAC Winter Issues
Some of the most common HVAC issues we see in the winter include: dirty air filters, frozen pipes, heat cycling usage and carbon monoxide leaks. Stay safe and warm all winter long by contacting us when your HVAC needs repairs.
Continue ReadingAvoid a Plumbing Disaster this Summer
As the summer heat rises, plumbing issues can escalate. Here are a few common problems and solutions our plumbers see during the summer.
Continue ReadingAvoid these Electrical Issues this Winter
Tired of electrical problems disrupting your daily activities? Here's how you can avoid power outages, tripping circuit breakers and other electrical problems this winter.
Continue ReadingBefore You Turn on the AC, Take These 5 Steps
Prepare your air conditioner for summer by cleaning or replacing filters, clearing vents, maintaining the outdoor condenser and more. Call Bradley Mechanical for expert HVAC service and ensure a cool and comfortable home all summer long.
Continue ReadingBenefits of Air Duct Repairs
Air duct repair, particularly sealing leaks in ducts, is a simple yet effective way to enhance a home's heating and cooling performance, leading to improved energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Continue ReadingBenefits of Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats can make temperature adjustments for you, making your house more comfortable when you are home and helping to decrease your monthly heating and cooling bills over time.
Continue ReadingCommon Air Conditioner Mistakes to Avoid
To keep your AC unit in great condition this summer, avoid these common AC mistakes: leaving your unit on all day, setting the temperatures too low, keeping all vents open, and forgetting to change out your air filters.
Continue ReadingDifferent Ways Humidity Enters Your Home
Summer humidity can damage homes, leading to mold and indoor air quality issues. Faulty ductwork is a major culprit, allowing moisture to infiltrate. Proper ductwork maintenance is crucial to prevent respiratory issues, structural damage, and costly repai
Continue ReadingDiscover the Benefits of a Standby Home Generator
A standby home generator provides reliable power during outages, offering peace of mind & allowing homeowners to run appliances with high power capacities. Beyond convenience, these generators increase home value, enhance safety by utilizing automatic tr
Continue ReadingDon't Let Your Pipes Freeze this Winter
Avoid frozen pipes this winter by addressing plumbing issues before the first snow hits. Here are a few of our top tips to prevent frozen pipes and the headaches that come with them.
Continue ReadingDon't Let Your Rainy Day Turn Into a Plumbing Disaster
Broken pipes, pipe blockages, septic flooding... Avoid plumbing disasters after heavy rainfall by taking preventative actions and giving us a call when an emergency happens.
Continue ReadingDon't Mix Water & Electricity
Dealing with a water leak? Even minor leaks can eventually grow into major disasters, especially if electricity is nearby. Get your electrical system and plumbing checked by our professionals today.
Continue ReadingDrink Cleaner Water with a Water Filtration System
Install a water filtration system to ensure you always have access to clean drinking water. Bradley Mechanical provides expert testing and various filtration solutions for a healthier water supply.
Continue ReadingHere's How Dry Air Impacts Your Home During the Winter
Low humidity is common during the winter months, but it can negatively affect your health, cause woodwork issues, and create colder, uncomfortable living environment. Whole-house humidifiers, including steam, fan-powered, and bypass types, offer solutions
Continue ReadingHere's How to Turn Your HVAC Back On After a Power Outage
Power outages, whether due to summer storms or winter conditions, can impact your HVAC system. To restart your air conditioner after a power outage, follow our step-by-step guide and give us a call if you have any further troubles.
Continue ReadingHere's Why You Should Get Your Water Tested
Does your tap water have hidden and harmful contaminants like lead, chlorine, mercury, PCBs, and DDT? Bradley Mechanical offers comprehensive water testing to safeguard you and your family's health and water filtration systems so you can drink clean, heal
Continue ReadingHere's Your Winter HVAC Maintenance Checklist
Having your HVAC system inspected annually can help to prevent performance issues. Here is our handy checklist to prepare your HVAC unit for winter and suggestions for what to do when issues arise.
Continue ReadingHow Safe is Your Drinking Water?
It's important to test your water for harmful contaminants. We offer professional testing and solutions to provide you and your family with clean drinking water.
Continue ReadingHow to Best Manage Temperature Fluctuations in Your Home
Virginia's fall weather is unpredictable, with temperature swings stressing HVAC systems. Bradley Mechanical suggests 5 ways to maintain HVAC efficiency: seal ducts, inspect indoor/outdoor units, ensure proper insulation, and install a zoning system.
Continue ReadingHow to Better Manage Home Humidity in the Winter
There are a few ways to help maintain the ideal relative humidity in your home this winter. Some you can do yourself (like purchase a humidifier) and others you may want to seek out the help of the professionals at Bradley Mechanical.
Continue ReadingHow to Clear Ice and Snow from Your HVAC
With your HVAC unit left outside to endure the winter weather, snow and ice can quickly buildup and impact the system's efficiency. Keep your HVAC unit clear of snow and ice by learning how to properly clean it this winter.
Continue ReadingHow to Deal with a Sewage Backup After Heavy Rain
Be prepared for sewer backups after heavy rainstorms. Municipal systems can get overwhelmed, causing clogs and flooding. Bradley Mechanical offers emergency plumbing services, swiftly addressing issues to save you time, money and a major headache.
Continue ReadingHow to Extend the Life of Your AC Unit
From choosing the right size and changing out air filters regularly to cleaning the unit every season and scheduling yearly tune-ups, proper AC unit maintenance ensures optimal performance, energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Continue ReadingHow to Insulate Your Home from Top to Bottom
Enhancing your home's energy efficiency and winter warmth involves comprehensive sealing, addressing both the attic and crawl space. Keep your home warm this winter with our attic, crawl space and duct sealing services.
Continue ReadingHow to Keep Excess Moisture Out of Your Air Ducts
As spring brings increased humidity, homeowners may face issues with condensation in their air ducts, leading to various problems such as water damage, air leaks, decreased efficiency, mold, pests, corrosion, and health hazards.
Continue ReadingHow to Keep Your HVAC Condenser Clean
Leaves and debris can hinder airflow, causing your HVAC unit to work harder and increasing energy costs. Regular cleaning, performed at least twice a year, is recommended to avoid these issues and keep your system running at optimal efficiency.
Continue ReadingHow to Prevent and Repair Frozen Pipes
When the temperature drops suddenly, your plumbing pipes are at risk. Be prepared by learning how to prevent frozen pipes from occurring, as well as how to effectively thaw pipes when they do freeze over.
Continue ReadingHow to Restart Your Air Conditioning After a Power Outage
With unpredictable and stormy weather ahead, we'll likely experience power outages. These outages can disrupt your AC and make it harder to turn back on. Follow our step-by-step guide to restarting your AC after an outage.
Continue ReadingHow to Safely Operate a Generator this Winter
When the power goes out, having a generator on hand can make all the difference. However, it's important to understand how to properly operate these devices to ensure you and your family remain safe.
Continue ReadingHurricane Preparedness: Home Readiness Edition
Prepare your home for hurricanes by investing in a standby generator, maintaining your HVAC, checking drainage systems, and securing outdoor items. Don’t forget essentials like evacuation plans, emergency supplies, and staying informed during the storm.
Continue ReadingImprove Your Indoor Air Quality
As we begin to spend more time indoors in the winter, the importance of good indoor air quality rises. Address issues that could impact your IAQ, such as damp crawl spaces, mold and mildew and problems preventing effective ventilation.
Continue ReadingInsulation Can Help You Save Energy & Costs
If you're dealing with drafty rooms, it's essential to address the root causes to save energy and enhance comfort. To identify and rectify these problems, Bradley Mechanical offers comprehensive home performance tests.
Continue ReadingIs Your Generator Ready for Storm Season?
Prepare for fall weather-related power outages with our generator safety tips, including tips on where to place your generator, how to use it during wet weather and more.
Continue ReadingIs Your HVAC System Ready for Spring?
After a long winter, your HVAC system likely needs some maintenance or repairs. Before you switch from heat to air conditioning, follow our helpful tips to prevent future (expensive) problems.
Continue ReadingIs Your Home Making You Sick?
Unseen areas like ducts, attics, and crawl spaces can harbor moisture, mold, and pollutants affecting your indoor air quality and causing you to feel sick. Bradley Mechanical offers solutions to address these issues, including professional duct cleaning a
Continue ReadingIs Your Water Heater Ready for the Cold Winter Months Ahead?
When was the last time you had your water heater looked at? Before the winter hits, it's a good idea to have your water heater maintained and inspected for issues that could impact your comfort.
Continue ReadingIt's Winter! Go Tankless!
Tankless water heaters provide unlimited hot water, are much more energy efficient than traditional water heaters. Upgrade this winter to enjoy the benefits!
Continue ReadingKeep An Eye Out for these Common Plumbing & Pipe Issues
Protect your home from potential water damage by monitoring your plumbing. Pipes deteriorate over time, leading to leaks and costly repairs. Check exposed pipes annually for signs of corrosion, discoloration, stains, or flaking, especially in older homes.
Continue ReadingKeep Your HVAC Safe During Hailstorms
As spring ushers in unpredictable weather, one often-overlooked threat is hailstorms. Hail damage can impact your HVAC system's overall efficiency and lifespan, so it's best to prepare and prevent damage from occurring in the first place.
Continue ReadingKeep Your Home Cool this Summer
Insulation, like a warm jacket in winter, plays a vital role in preventing cool air from escaping during hot summers. Learn to identify signs of failing insulation, such as drafts, high energy bills, pests, and water leaks.
Continue ReadingKeep Your Home Dry Even During Rainy Days
During the spring, it's especially important to maintain humidity levels to avoid mold and mildew issues. We're here to help homeowners manage humidity levels and maintain a healthy indoor environment.
Continue ReadingKeep Your Warm Air Indoors this Winter
Modern homes, designed with increased airtightness for energy efficiency, necessitate proper ventilation. Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) has emerged as a solution, facilitating fresh air intake while retaining heat and optimal humidity levels in tightly
Continue ReadingKeep an Eye On Your Crawl Space
A neglected crawl space can lead to serious issues, impacting your home's safety and your family's health. Preventive measures, such as improving drainage, encapsulation, and using dehumidifiers, can mitigate these problems.
Continue ReadingLeaky Ductwork Can Cost You Big in the Summer
Improve your home's heating and cooling efficiency by sealing air leaks around windows, doors, and air ducts. Gaps around window frames and damage duct seals force your HVAC systems to work harder, leading to expensive repairs.
Continue ReadingMaintain Your Generator Before the Winter Months
As winter approaches, prepare your standby generators for optimal performance when you need it most. Change the oil, inspect the unit for repairs, replace spark plugs and run the unit every few weeks to keep parts lubricated.
Continue ReadingMaintain Your Water Heater with these Tips
By maintaining your water heater with the help of a professional and certified water heater expert, you can keep your system in great working condition year after year. Give us a call today to find out how we can help.
Continue ReadingOur Top Tips to Keep Humidity Out of Your Home
Managing humidity in Richmond and Central Virginia is crucial to prevent mold, structural damage, and maintain indoor air quality within your home. Discover our top ventilation tips to keep your home dry and safe.
Continue ReadingPrep Your Solar Panels for Winter
As fall arrives, solar panels can be impacted by falling leaves and debris. Make sure to regularly clean off debris and adjust the panel direction to capture sunlight effectively.
Continue ReadingPrepare for Winter with Proper Ventilation
Fall provides an ideal opportunity to ensure your home's ventilation system is ready for colder months. We recommend checking exhaust fans, changing air filters, and considering energy recovery ventilators to maintain healthy indoor air quality and energy
Continue ReadingPrevent Damages to Your Devices with Surge Protection
This spring and summer, protect your electronic devices and appliances in from power surges with whole house surge protection. Discover the benefits and options with Bradley Mechanical.
Continue ReadingPrevent Electrical Fires & Risks this Winter
In the winter, our electricity bills skyrocket due to space heaters, holiday lights and decor, electric blankets and more. Here are a few helpful ways you can avoid a big electricity bill and prevent fires this winter.
Continue ReadingPrevent Excess Moisture Within Your Crawl Space
Crawl space encapsulation adds a barrier, sealing vents, and insulation to prevent the buildup of moisture, mold and structural damage, enhancing air quality and energy efficiency.
Continue ReadingPrevent Indoor Allergies with an Air Purification System
Achieve better indoor air quality (IAQ) in tightly sealed homes with proper ventilation and air purification systems. Bradley Mechanical offers IAQ services, including HVAC and ventilation system evaluation, air filter replacement, and duct cleaning.
Continue ReadingProtect Your Home from Humidity
Combat summer humidity to preserve indoor air quality. Excess moisture can lead to various issues like mold, musty odors, and compromised comfort. Learn how to recognize the signs of high humidity and give us a call for professional home performance tests
Continue ReadingProtect Your Investments with Surge Protection
As the number of electronics in homes increases, the risk of power surges causing damage also rises. Bradley Mechanical offers various surge protection options to safeguard your devices and prevent costly damages.
Continue ReadingProtect Your Pipes from Freezing
As colder weather approaches, so does the threat of freezing pipes. When temperatures drop and stay below freezing for an extended period of time, water can expand, building pressure inside of pipes until they burst or rupture.
Continue ReadingProtect Your Solar Panels from Hail
Solar panels are durable and designed to withstand Central Virginia's weather, including wind, rain, and thunderstorms. While resistant to most weather conditions, large hail can pose a threat. Find out how to protect them.
Continue ReadingRemember to Maintain Your Generator this Fall
As fall brings the prospect of power outages due to adverse weather, preparing with a portable or whole-home generator is essential for maintaining heat and necessary appliances. Make sure to schedule regular maintenance and repairs to ensure your generat
Continue ReadingSave Energy this Spring and Summer
Prepare for summer energy bills by adopting these energy-saving tips: switching to LED bulbs, utilizing your ceiling fans, sealing attic and crawl spaces to prevent leaks, and joining our HVAC energy-savings agreement program.
Continue ReadingSave Money this Summer with a Generator
Investing in a whole house generator can offer you long-term, money-saving benefits. By powering essentials during outages, lowering your insurance rates, increased property value and safeguarding your other appliances, having a generator can help you sav
Continue ReadingSimple & Easy Ways to Reduce Energy Costs this Winter
There are numerous ways you can prepare your home for the cooler winter months while also avoiding a huge energy bills. Save by upgrading to a smart thermostat, eliminating drafts, using your ceiling fans and giving us a call for a professional home perfo
Continue ReadingStay Safe this Winter with Fire & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
As winter approaches, the risk of home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning rises. Installing interconnected smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors is essential for early warnings and safety during the colder months.
Continue ReadingSurviving Spring Storms & Power Outages
As spring weather brings unpredictable conditions such as lightning, tornadoes, and flooding, it's crucial to prepare for potential power outages. Bradley Mechanical offers top recommendations to safeguard your home.
Continue ReadingThat Strange Smell Might Just be a Sewage Backup
Notice a foul, sewage-like smell? Odds are you have a backup problem. Discover the main causes, ways to prevent future sewage backups and how to properly deal with one.
Continue ReadingThe Benefits of Custom Ductwork
Custom ductwork ensures a perfect fit for your home, optimizing efficiency and comfort. Tailored to your home's specifications, it improves airflow, provides even cooling, reaches additional spaces seamlessly, enhances air quality, and boosts energy effic
Continue ReadingWays Insulation Protects Your Home
Proper insulation, whether in the attic, walls, or basement, reduces energy costs, protects pipes from freezing, controls condensation and improves your HVAC's system lifespan.
Continue ReadingWhat's the Best Type of Heat for Your Home?
From heat pumps to boilers to furnaces, there are numerous ways to heat your home. But which type is best? Find out which heating system will keep your home warm and cozy all winter long.
Continue ReadingWhen Should You Use Emergency Heat?
The emergency heat setting on your thermostat is designed for extreme situations. While it's useful in emergencies, it's energy-intensive and should only be used briefly.
Continue ReadingYour Circuit Breakers Don't Mix Well with Rain
Experiencing circuit breaker trips during heavy rain? It could be due to water making contact with your electrical system. Ensure exterior outlets have covers and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) to prevent outages and damages to your devices.
Continue ReadingYour Home Generator Likely Needs a Maintenance Check
Maintaining your generator is crucial after a season of heavy use. Spring is ideal for maintenance to ensure efficiency and spot potential issues, such as corrosion, low fuel levels, air filter replacements and more.
Continue Reading