Plumbing & HVAC FAQ

Plumbing Questions Answered by Mike Williams Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Sewer

We’ve been serving homes and small businesses in Central Illinois since 1976, and over nearly five decades, we’ve heard just about every question a homeowner can have before, during, or after a service call. If something’s on your mind before you book, the answers below should help.

Still have questions? Call us at (217) 673-0758 and we’ll answer them directly. Same-day service is available.

Scheduling & Service Visits

We work to make scheduling straightforward, and we’re prepared to handle both routine visits and urgent problems. If you’re wondering how quickly we can get there, what happens when we arrive, or whether a project qualifies for a free estimate, this is the right place to start.

Do You Offer Same-Day Service?

Yes. Our goal is to dispatch a technician the same day you contact us. We offer same-day service for heating, cooling, and plumbing issues, including burst pipe repairs and sewer and drain cleaning. 

What Happens When a Technician Arrives?

Our technicians wear shoe covers, walk you through what your system needs before any work begins, and treat your home the way they’d want theirs treated. Our trucks are fully stocked, so most jobs are completed on the first visit. You won’t be left scheduling a return trip for a part that should have been on the truck.

Do You Offer Free Estimates?

We offer free, no-obligation estimates on replacements of furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and sewer lines, as well as spot repairs on main water or sewer lines. For installation work in Springfield, it’s worth knowing that the City requires permits for most furnace, air conditioning, heat pump, and water heater installations. A reputable contractor handles that permitting process for you so nothing gets missed.

Our Guarantees

If you’re wondering what happens when something doesn’t go as planned, we’ve put the answer in writing. Every service we perform is covered by a suite of twelve named guarantees. Here’s what that means in practice:

• 100% Satisfaction Guarantee — If you’re not satisfied for any reason during the first year, we’ll redo the job or refund your money.
• Comfort Guarantee — If a newly installed system doesn’t heat or cool your home to the promised range, we’ll replace it at no charge.
• No Surprises Guarantee — The price won’t change after work begins. All foreseeable costs are disclosed upfront.
• Property Protection Guarantee — Lawns, carpeting, walls, and furniture are protected. Anything damaged gets repaired or replaced.
• Apples to Apples Best Price Guarantee — Find the same service for less elsewhere and we’ll match the price and send you a $100 finder’s fee.
• $500 No Frustration Guarantee — If a newly installed system fails within the first year and leaves your home without heating or cooling for more than a day, you receive $500.
• No Lemon Guarantee — Any fixture, equipment, or part that fails within 10 months of installation is repaired or replaced at no charge.
• $500 Installation Date Guarantee — If your new system isn’t operating by the promised date, you receive $500.
• Home Safety Guarantee — If a technician smokes, swears, fails to wear carpet protectors, or leaves without cleaning up, the repair is free.
• Root-Free Guarantee — New piping is covered for root infiltration for 25 years, and if root infiltration occurs during that period, we’ll repair it at no charge.
• Utility Savings Guarantee — We work to help reduce heating and cooling utility usage, and if your installed system includes this guarantee, coverage details are provided in writing.
• Stop-Free Guarantee — Your mainline is covered to remain stoppage-free for the specified number of years, and if a stoppage occurs during that period, we’ll re-clean it for free.

Priority Maintenance Club

Our maintenance club is designed to make upkeep easier, lower costs where we can, and help protect your equipment and warranties. Below are the details people usually want first: what’s included, how to pay, and whether other discounts are available.

What Does the Priority Maintenance Club Include?

Members receive priority same-day scheduling, a 10% discount on all services, and three free safety inspections each year: two HVAC and one plumbing. Routine maintenance also helps keep your manufacturer warranty valid. Most HVAC manufacturers require documented annual service to honor their equipment warranties, and skipping that visit can void your coverage.

How Can I Pay for Membership?

You can pay monthly by auto-deduction or choose a yearly plan. The monthly option saves an average of $40 per year by avoiding paper renewal processing. Either way, membership can pay for itself quickly between the discount and the free inspections.

Are There Other Discounts Available?

Yes, we also offer military and senior discounts. And through our rebate program, we send every customer 2.5% of what they spent back every six months, usable toward any future work. Priority Maintenance Club members receive double that: 5% back on their rebate.

Common HVAC Questions

Home comfort issues can show up in a lot of different ways, from airflow concerns to aging refrigerant to uneven temperatures between floors. These answers cover some of the most common HVAC topics homeowners ask us about.

How Often Should I Change My Air Filter?

Every four months is our standard recommendation. If you have pets in the home or anyone with allergies, change it more frequently. A clogged filter forces your system to work harder, shortens equipment life, and can drive up your energy bill before you notice anything wrong.

What Is Happening with R-22 Refrigerant?

The EPA banned the production and import of new R-22 refrigerant as of January 1, 2020. Supply is limited and costs continue to climb, which makes recharging an older R-22 system increasingly expensive over time. For most homeowners with aging R-22 equipment, replacing the system is often more economical than repeated recharges. We can walk you through the options and give you an honest comparison.

Why Is One Floor of My Home Always Hotter or Colder?

Uneven temperatures between floors typically point to a lack of zone controls rather than an undersized system. Separate thermostats for each level let your equipment respond to actual conditions rather than averaging them. Sizing also matters: an oversized AC unit short-cycles, may not run long enough to dehumidify properly, and can create a clammy feeling even when the thermostat reads correctly. Proper sizing uses Manual J heat-load calculations that account for insulation, window area, home orientation, and local climate, not just square footage.

Do You Offer Financing for HVAC Replacements?

Yes. We offer financing through Wells Fargo for monthly payment options, and in-house financing is also available for customers who need an alternative arrangement. Contact us to discuss what works for your situation.

Common Plumbing Questions

Plumbing problems often start small but can become urgent quickly, especially when water is involved. If you’re trying to figure out whether a symptom is a minor nuisance or a problem that needs professional attention, these questions should help.

Why Is My Toilet Running?

A running toilet is usually a flapper that isn’t sealing properly. Jiggling the handle might stop the sound temporarily, but a worn flapper needs to be replaced. Left unaddressed, it can add significantly to your water bill without any visible sign that anything is wrong.

Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe to Use?

We don’t recommend them. Chemical drain cleaners are toxic, can degrade pipes from the inside out over repeated use, and are a hazard in homes with children or pets. Enzyme and friendly-bacteria products are safer alternatives for routine drain maintenance. It’s also worth knowing that a drain that keeps clogging after you clear it often signals a deeper issue: a partial blockage, pipe damage, or root intrusion. That pattern warrants a professional look rather than another bottle of cleaner.

What Should I Avoid Putting in My Garbage Disposal?

Coffee grounds, pasta, celery strings, and similar fibrous or starchy foods can all damage the unit or tangle in the grinding mechanism. Large bones put down regularly can also cause wear or clogs over time. Always run cold water while the disposal is in use, and let the water run for a few seconds after you shut it off.

What Backup Sump Pump Option Is Most Reliable?

A water-powered backup sump pump requires no electricity and no battery, which makes it a dependable option during storm-related power outages, as long as municipal water pressure remains available. Those outages tend to arrive at exactly the moment groundwater problems spike, so a backup that doesn’t depend on power is a meaningful advantage.

Ready to Schedule? We’re Here When You Need Us

Every service we perform is backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: if you’re not happy for any reason during the first year, we can make it right. Same-day appointments are available, and our line is open for all of your heating, cooling, and plumbing needs.

Call Mike Williams Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Sewer at (217) 673-0758 to schedule service or get answers to any questions that aren’t covered here. We’re ready when you need us.