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Troubleshooting a Garbage Disposal
Disposal Not Working? Here’s What to Check Before Calling a Plumber!
Our symptoms: the air switch was clicking but the unit wouldn’t turn on.
Before assuming the worst, here’s the step-by-step we followed to understand the issue:
- Check your circuit breaker to make sure it hasn’t tripped
- Test the GFCI outlet in your kitchen and reset it if needed
- Inspect the air switch and make sure the air pipe is fully seated
- Hit the reset button on the disposal unit itself (usually on the side or bottom)
- Check that the grinder plate spins freely: if it does, there’s no debris jam
In our case, everything checked out and the power was good, water was draining fine, and the plate moved freely. However the unit still wouldn’t run. That pointed to a burnt-out motor.
PRO TIP: Please check your warranty before buying a replacement! Our unit was a Mountain Plumbing Pro Select Five, which carries a 5-year warranty, and as the home was only 3 years old; so it’s likely going to be covered.
Always check your paperwork and reach out to the manufacturer first! As always, Chatham Auto and Home is ready to assist.
Flushing Out a tankless water heater
Annual Descaling of Tankless Water Heater:
Your tankless water heater works hard every day: please make sure it’s working efficiently. Annual flushing removes mineral scale buildup that silently strips your system of efficiency, drives up energy bills, and triggers costly error codes. Skipping maintenance doesn’t just void your manufacturer’s warranty, it can permanently damage the heat exchanger, turning a simple $150–$200 service call into a $1,500–$3,500 replacement. With Chatham County’s hard water, yearly descaling isn’t optional, it’s the difference between a system that lasts multiple years and one that fails much sooner. One annual flush. One text/phone call.
Protect your investment before it costs you more than you bargained for.
Testing an HVAC Capacitor
HVAC Capacitor changes:
Don’t wait for your AC to die on the hottest day/week of the year. Capacitors in HVAC systems that manage multiple zones: like those in most newer Chatham Park homes; work significantly harder than single-zone units, making them far more prone to early failure.
Replacing your capacitor proactively every 3 years costs much less than what you’ll pay for an emergency service call in the middle of a Carolina summer, when demand is high and wait times are long. A small investment in preventative maintenance today protects your compressor, extends the life of your entire system, and keeps your family comfortable when it matters most.
changing an HVAC capacitor
Tips to keep your AC in shape during the summer:
- During a heat wave, set your thermostat to the highest temperature you find comfortable, typically between 75°F and 78°F.
- Keeping your thermostat at a steady setting allows your AC to run more efficiently and reduces energy use and strain on the system.
- Running fans and keeping blinds shut can help cool your home without putting extra demand on your air conditioner.
- Try opening windows overnight. In dry climates this won’t introduce much humidity, but in more humid areas it can let moisture into your home.
- Keeping blinds shut help lower indoor temperatures.
- Invest in your blinds! Certain blinds are made to reflect sunlight, and applying tinted window film is another effective way to block heat.
HVAC Preventive Maintenance Recommendation for Homeowners in Hot/Humid Climates (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas)
The combination of:
An HVAC capacitor is a low-cost component with a disproportionately high operational impact.
Given increasing summer temperatures, higher humidity, longer HVAC runtimes, and seasonal service delays, scheduled capacitor replacement every 3-5 years is a defensible preventive maintenance practice that reduces outage risk, improves system reliability, and avoids premium emergency repair costs.
Preventive Replacement Schedule:
Single system / dual zone (zone dampers) – Change Capacitors Every 3 years
– Single point of failure; one capacitor disables cooling for entire home. High-stress NC climate accelerates degradation.
Two separate systems / two zones – Change Capacitors Every 4–5 years (stagger by 1 year)
Redundancy reduces urgency slightly as there is a fall back system; staggering avoids simultaneous replacement costs.
Replacing an LED Light
Kichler LED Ceiling Light Issues & Warranty Process (commonly used in Chatham Park, Mosaic, Encore, and other new communities in Chatham County)
Attention homeowners – these lights are hardwired directly into your home’s electrical system. They are NOT plug-in fixtures.
Before touching, removing, or inspecting any LED Ceiling light fixture:
• Turn off the circuit breaker that controls the room. Do not rely on the wall switch alone.
• Use a non-contact voltage tester to confirm the power is off before handling any wiring.
• Do not attempt to remove or replace these fixtures yourself unless you are comfortable working with hardwired electrical connections.
• Risk of electrocution is real: exposed wiring in ceiling fixtures carries line voltage (120V) which can cause serious injury or death.
• When in doubt, please call a licensed electrician or a qualified home service provider. Chatham Auto and Home is ready to assist!
AUTO
Resetting Maintenance Lights on a 2019-2024 Subaru Forester
Changing Headlights of a Toyota Prius
INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY
The videos and content on this page are provided for informational and educational purposes only. They are intended to help viewers understand how HVAC and home service systems work. This content does not constitute professional HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical advice, and viewing it does not create any professional or advisory relationship between you and Chatham Auto and Home LLC.
ELECTRICAL HAZARD — 220V / 240V SYSTEMS
HVAC systems operate on high-voltage electrical circuits, typically 220–240 volts AC. Contact with energized components – including capacitors, contactors, wiring terminals, and disconnect switches – can cause severe electric shock, cardiac arrest, serious burns, or death. Capacitors store a dangerous electrical charge even after power has been disconnected at the breaker and may remain energized for an extended period. They must be properly discharged by a trained technician before any component is touched.
Do not assume a capacitor is safe because the system is powered off.
PLUMBING AND WATER DAMAGE RISK
Procedures involving refrigerant lines, condensate drain systems, water heaters, or any plumbing connections carry a significant risk of water damage if performed incorrectly. Improperly disconnected or reconnected lines, over-pressurized fittings, and missed connections can result in flooding, structural water damage, mold growth, and costly remediation that may not be covered by homeowners’ insurance if the damage results from unpermitted or unlicensed work.
FOR TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ONLY
The procedures shown in these videos involve real risks of electric shock, equipment failure, property damage, and personal injury. They should only be performed by trained, licensed, and qualified HVAC technicians, electricians, or plumbers, as applicable. Untrained individuals who attempt these procedures risk serious injury to themselves or others, major equipment damage, voiding of equipment warranties, and violation of local building codes and permit requirements.
NO LIABILITY – ASSUMPTION OF RISK
Chatham Auto and Home LLC and its owners, employees, contractors, and affiliates expressly disclaim all liability for any injury, death, property damage, equipment damage, financial loss, or other harm arising from or related to the use of, or reliance upon, any information contained in these videos. By viewing this content, you acknowledge that you do so entirely at your own risk. Some video segments may omit personal protective equipment or safety barriers for visual clarity which this does not mean such precautions are unnecessary.
INDEMNIFICATION
By accessing or viewing this content, you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Chatham Auto and Home LLC, its owners, officers, employees, and agents from any and all claims, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) arising from your use of this information or your performance of any task depicted or described herein.
PLEASE CONSULT A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL
If you have any doubt about whether a task is safe or appropriate for you to perform, do not proceed. Contact a licensed technician, electrician, or plumber. Chatham Auto and Home LLC is available to schedule a professional service visit , call us at 919-533-9699 or email us at chathamautoandhome@