FAQ

A water filtration system uses a series of filters and/or processes to remove impurities and contaminants from the water supply. This can include potentially harmful substances like sediment, chlorine, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals and other pollutants.

Water filters also can improve the look and taste of water in your home, and also help protect appliances and plumbing fixtures from sediment buildup and mineral deposits.

Water filtration systems work by removing contaminants from a water supply. This can include using a series of filters to physically trap particles, such as sediment, from the water as well as tools such as ultraviolet light to destroy microorganisms in the water.

There are several types of whole-house water filtration systems available to address different needs and preferences. One common type is the activated carbon filter, which uses activated carbon to trap particles and contaminants in the water. Another option is the sediment filter, designed to remove larger particles like sand and silt. Although they don’t physically strain out particles, UV light water filters use ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria and viruses in the water.

The answer to whether you need a water filtration system depends on the quality of the water in your home. If you have concerns about the safety, taste or odor of your water, a water filtration system may be a good investment.

Water filtration systems are a worthwhile investment for many households. In addition to improving the taste and appearance of drinkable water, water filtration systems are particularly beneficial in situations where there are safety concerns with the home water supply.

A sump pump protects a basement from any unexpected flooding. It pumps collected water out of the structure and away from its foundation quickly before it can cause any damage.

Many Massachusetts homeowners know firsthand the importance of a sump pump, but not everyone has one. Sump pumps can be helpful in homes at the bottom of a hill or in low-lying areas. They also are a good idea in areas that experience the heavy rainfall and snowmelt common in Quincy and the surrounding areas.

The pros: Basements sump pumps remove excess moisture and can prevent water damage during heavy rainfall or snow melt. This can perform better than waterproofing in many cases.

The cons: Sump pumps often require electricity (unless you have a water-powered sump pump) and this means you often need to have a sump pump battery backup. They also require a pit for operation.

Despite generating heat, your furnace still produces moisture that needs to be drained away. If the condensation drain is broken or clogged, it can result in a leaking furnace. Because the moisture comes from cooled combustion gases, you can also see a leak if the exhaust/flue pipe isn’t the ideal size for your furnace.

Another possibility is that your whole-home humidification system is malfunctioning. Since your furnace also usually houses your HVAC system’s air handler, humidifiers are installed nearby to ensure efficient airflow.

A more serious concern is if the heat exchanger is cracked or broken. This is an essential component that is difficult to repair. If your furnace is leaking water, the heat exchanger is one of the first places a technician will look.

If your furnace keeps turning on and off, there are several potential reasons why. One of the most common is a lack of airflow, which causes the furnace to overheat. Safety mechanisms then shut the furnace down to try and prevent damage. If airflow is the problem, it could be a clogged air filter, supply vent or blower fan.

Furnaces may also repeatedly shut down if the thermostat isn’t working correctly. Wiring problems and dead batteries can cause this problem. The thermostat can also shut the furnace off prematurely if it’s near a source of heat, like strong direct sunlight or a nearby heat register.

Finally, your furnace may keep turning on and off because the flame sensor is dirty or broken. This safety component detects the flame to know when to keep the gas valve open. A dirty or corroded sensor may not detect the pilot light, and mistakenly shut the furnace off.

If your furnace won’t start, there are a few places you can check first. Take a look at the thermostat and circuit breakers to verify the settings are correct. Next, check the air filter, drainage and pilot light for signs of being clogged. In some cases the cause can even be that your furnace is cut off from its fuel supply.

A faulty thermostat, dirty flame sensor or poor supply of fuel can all lead to your furnace blowing cold air instead of hot air. Clogs in the air filter or drainage system can also force the burners off, leading to cold air. If your furnace is functioning correctly but the heat isn’t making it through your home, it could even be a gap in the ductwork allowing heat to escape.

Short cycling is a particularly annoying problem that increases wear and tear from constant heating cycles. The most common culprit is overheating, which in turn is caused by clogged air filters or an issue with the blower motor.

You can even experience short cycling if your furnace isn’t properly sized for your home. Furnaces that are too powerful will quickly generate a lot of heat, tricking the thermostat into thinking the desired temperature has spread evenly through the home.

The time it takes to resolve your furnace repair problem depends on the location and severity. A dirty flame sensor won’t take much time to resolve, but a more severe problem may require several hours for a lasting solution. Some problems, like a cracked heat exchanger, aren’t even worth repairing over replacing the furnace entirely.

The time it takes to resolve your furnace repair problem depends on the location and severity. A dirty flame sensor won’t take much time to resolve, but a more severe problem may require several hours for a lasting solution. Some problems, like a cracked heat exchanger, aren’t even worth repairing over replacing the furnace entirely.

The ideal furnace filter will depend on your specific needs. For example, if someone in your family has asthma, allergies or another respiratory condition, they may benefit from a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. You can determine the filter’s effectiveness by finding its minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating. For homes, a MERV rating between 8-13 should be effective.

Most furnace filters are easy to install. Simply locate the slot for it on your furnace’s air handler and insert the filter based on the direction of the arrow. If you install the air filter in the wrong direction, it may not slide in all the way or function properly.

The frequency you should replace your air filter will depend on the efficiency of the air filter as well as your home’s general indoor air quality. On average, furnace filters should be replaced every 2-3 months to ensure maximum airflow and minimal dust and debris on internal components. Some filters are washable instead of replaceable, but you should still take care of them regularly to enjoy the most benefits.

Furnaces typically last around 15 years, so start thinking about replacement once your furnace is that old. You can also watch for short cycling or a sudden spike in energy bills, as these are signs your furnace is starting to wear down.

With preventive routine maintenance, a high-efficiency furnace can last 20 years or even longer. Ideally, you should replace your furnace when it provides the most cost-effective savings over the lifetime of a new system.

We are looking for an experienced Plumber to efficiently undertake a variety of plumbing tasks ranging from fixing leaks to installing heating systems.

A successful plumber will be well-organized and detail-oriented. You should have good customer service skills, be able and willing to follow instructions and be prepared to travel to clients’ homes to complete your work.

Licensed Plumber Qualifications/Skills:

• New construction experience including underground
• Service experience
• Experience with Navien, Lochinvar, and HTP is a plus
• Hot water Heating systems (service and installation)
• Respond to, diagnose, and resolve plumbing emergencies
• Understanding of basic heating system controls
• Skilled in the use of hand and power tools used in the plumbing trade
• Knowledge of building codes, safety regulations, and safety practices
• Ability to read and follow blueprints and rough drawings
• Familiarity with PVC, CPVC, PEX, cast iron, and copper
• Effective oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to complete projects unsupervised and unassisted
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail and ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously
• Proficiency in basic mathematics and conversion of measurements
• Install, repair, and maintain pipes, valves, fittings, drainage systems, and fixtures in commercial and residential structures.
• Perform routine inspections of plumbing and drainage systems.
• Keep accurate records of time spent working, description of work performed, and materials used.

Licensed Plumber Education:

• High school diploma
• State plumbing license
• 3-5 years’ experience as a journeyman plumber
• Valid driver’s license

Aspinwall is looking for a dedicated apprentice plumber to assist our licensed Plumber while improving their own skills. The responsibilities of an Apprentice Plumber include assembling pipes, handling tools, and cleaning job sites. The Apprentice Plumber can expect to assist in complex jobs and handle smaller jobs on their own.

Successful apprentice plumbers will be well-organized and detail-oriented. You should have good customer service skills, be able and willing to follow instructions and be prepared to travel to clients’ homes to complete your work.

Apprentice Plumber Responsibilities:

• Locating and identifying leaks.
• Repairing or replacing pipes and parts.
• Determining the right tools and equipment necessary to successfully complete a job.
• Helping the Plumber to ensure that all work is in accordance with federal, state, and local plumbing codes.
• Cleaning the job site after the work is completed.
• Following the Plumbers’ orders and instructions.

Apprentice Plumber Requirements:

• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• Vocational training may be advantageous.
• Willingness to learn on the job, go through training, and earn a qualification as a Plumber.
• Adept at using the basic tools of the trade.
• Good math skills for accurate measurements.
• Excellent manual dexterity.
  Strong active listening skills.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Aspinwall has an opportunity for highly motivated individuals that want to expand their knowledge with a growing company, a company that is willing to train them on-site, while getting paid.The current open position is an entry level position, that involves delivering materials to jobs, cleaning up after work has been done, cleaning and organizing the shop and being available for help on jobs when needed. They will report directly to managers on a daily basis, regarding tasks for the day. Once the applicant has a proven track record of success, they will be given more room to grow, and advance their careers within other divsions in our company.

Applicant must be motivated, willing to show up to work, and not afraid to make mistakes. We want to train this individual to become an advanced technician in our company – but they will have to want to take these steps and learn how to use their skills.

HVAC Service Technician Responsibilities:

• Perform Service of HVAC related equipment following company policies and manufacturer’s specifications
• Maintain truck stock properly and inventory to meet demands of service calls
• Interact with customers, collect payments onsite
• Perform routine maintenance on HVAC related equipment
• Understand refrigeration cycles
• Knowing how to interrupt various technical data, such as pressure & temperature
• Provide necessary support to other team members to be able to complete tasks on time as instructed by management
• Create and maintain cordial and collaborative working relationships with both superiors and co-workers
• Ensure all paperwork needed for each job is accurately filled out
• Ensure assigned company vehicle is kept clean
• Perform any other duty that may be directed by management.

HVAC Service Technician Requirements:

• Valid MA drivers License
• Possession of 3-5 years HVAC Service experience
• Possession of High School Diploma; EPA certification a plus
• Possess effective verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent problem-solving and customer service skills
• Must have an honest and dependable personality
• Strong mechanical aptitude
• Strong ability to distinguish between various HVAC equipment
• Self-motivated individual with strong ability to follow instructions and work alone, as well as work effectively within a team
• Ability to display professional company image
• Ability to lift items weighing up to 100lbs safely
• Strong ability to operate under severe temperature condition of 120 or more for long periods of time
• Ability to work on weekends, at night, and to work overtime
• Ability to climb, stoop, balance, crouch, crawl, or/and kneel continually.

HVAC Installer Responsibilities:

• Perform installation of HVAC related equipment following company policies and manufacturer’s specifications
• Carry out wiring of both low and line voltage to cooling and heating equipment
• Perform installation of copper refrigerant lines to air conditioning units, including brazing and soldering
• Perform installation of flex and sheet metal duct systems in light commercial and residential buildings
• Ensure connection of gas lines to heating equipment is properly done
• Determine the right material needed for installation work by pre-measuring jobs
• Receive all materials and equipment required for each job, confirm and load them into company vehicle
• Provide necessary support to other team members to be able to complete tasks on time as instructed by management
• Create and maintain cordial and collaborative working relationships with both superiors and co-workers
• Ensure all paperwork needed for each job is accurately filled out
• Ensure assigned company vehicle is kept clean
• Perform any other duty that may be directed by management.

HVAC Installer Requirements:

• Valid MA driver's License
• Possession of 3-5 years of HVAC installation experience
• Possession of High School Diploma; EPA certification a plus
• Possess effective verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent problem-solving and customer service skills
• Must have an honest and dependable personality
• Strong mechanical aptitude
• Strong ability to distinguish between various HVAC equipment
• Self-motivated individual with a strong ability to follow instructions and work alone, as well as work effectively within a team
• Ability to display professional company image
• Ability to lift items weighing up to 100lbs safely
• Strong ability to operate under severe temperature conditions of 120 or more for long periods of time
• Ability to work on weekends, at night, and to work overtime
• Ability to climb, stoop, balance, crouch, crawl, or/and kneel continually.