The term “maintenance” carries connotations of substantial yet convenient services. Many people consider such tasks worthy of attention but not necessarily priority. Therefore, emergency maintenance services may sound contradictory at first. Yet some common maintenance issues, in certain circumstances, call for immediate attention: a generator breakdown in poor weather, faulty gas lines, broken heating during the winter, and so on. When you need such help, turn to Argent Heating & Cooling.

A professional home services provider serving the Washington, DC, Metro area, Argent has helped homeowners for 40 years. While all homeowners may contact us if their home experiences a breakdown or malfunction, those with an Argent Maintenance Plan will receive Priority Emergency Service. This option is available after our standard hours and on weekends. Better yet, folks can sign up for our HVAC Maintenance Plan as proof against breakdowns. Still, with winter approaching, keep emergency circumstances in mind. To schedule a service call or learn more about Argent, call (703) 281-6300 or visit our website!

Below, we define several scenarios that qualify as maintenance emergencies:

A Broken Gas Line or Leak

First, consider any issues with a gas line as pressing. 177 million Americans use natural gas in their homes for heating, stovetops, and other systems. Yet despite the fuel’s widespread use, gas leaks create several hazards, some lethal.

Common signs of gas leaks include “rotten egg” smells, hissing sounds, dying plants, and high gas bills. Occupants of a home with a gas leak may suffer headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and irregular breathing. If you or a loved one notice these issues in your home, leave the building and call emergency maintenance services immediately.

If you suspect a gas leak exists but want to double-check, contact Argent for an indoor air quality test. As a preventative measure, you can have carbon monoxide detectors installed. Although they cannot pick up gas leaks, they can catch instances where appliances improperly burn gas or kerosene.

No Heat in Freezing Weather

Next, remain vigilant for a loss of heat during winter weather. Although Virginia winters tend to be relatively mild, losing heat in freezing temperatures can disrupt the daily functioning of a household. In addition to the discomfort it causes occupants, a lack of heat may create conditions for indoor pipes to freeze and burst.

Still, should you lose heat during the winter, consider whether you have an emergency on your hands. If the outage occurs during a warm spell, you might be able to wait a few days for maintenance. However, the middle of a cold snap or a blizzard qualifies as an emergency. We recommend you prepare your heating system for winter to avoid such dilemmas.

No AC in Hot Weather

Alternatively, Virginia’s long and hot summers can be catastrophic if a household’s air conditioning drops out. Common AC problems include a lack of cold air, leaks, malfunctioning fans, or non-stop functioning. Again, homeowners must consider outdoor conditions when deciding whether they have an emergency on their property. Still, the region’s climate tends toward heat and humidity.

Generator Breakdown

During stormy springs and falls, generators offer a crucial lifeline for homeowners. They can power a home’s critical electrical systems when its municipal grid goes out due to extreme weather. However, as with all machines, generators can break down.

Some common causes of generator failure include a lack of routine maintenance, wet stacking (when a generator’s output outpaces a building’s needs), and old fuel in the system. Yet no matter the cause, generator failure before or during a storm constitutes a maintenance emergency.

Emergency Maintenance Services Available in the Washington, DC, Metro Area

Despite what the term “maintenance” may suggest, it applies to dire situations and homeowner needs. If such an instance arises for you, reach out to Argent Heating & Cooling for professional emergency maintenance services in the Washington, DC, Metro area. We support homeowners throughout the region with HVAC, radiant heating, generator, and more services. For help with your home technology systems, call us at (703) 281-6300 or visit our website today!