L&L Mechanical Services urges East Texas homeowners to inspect furnaces and water heaters before winter

L&L Mechanical Services is warning Tyler-area homeowners and property managers to check gas furnaces and gas water heaters before the coldest weeks of winter. The contractor says early inspections can catch combustion, venting and safety issues before East Texas cold snaps drive emergency service calls.

Why it matters: - Gas furnaces and gas water heaters rely on safe combustion and venting. - A winter failure can leave homes without heat or hot water when demand is highest. - Carbon monoxide risks rise when venting is blocked, damaged or disconnected. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says more than 200 people die each year from unintentional, non-fire carbon monoxide poisoning tied to consumer products. - The agency also says home heating equipment is one of the most common causes of residential structure fires, second only to cooking. - ENERGY STAR recommends a heating system check-up each fall.

What happened: - L&L Mechanical Services, a Tyler-based HVAC, plumbing and mechanical contractor, is urging homeowners and property managers across Tyler and surrounding East Texas communities to inspect gas furnaces and gas water heaters before cold weather arrives. - The company says the advisory is aimed at appliances that sit underused for much of the year and then carry a heavy load once temperatures fall. - Owner William Walker said many furnace problems that show up in December and January begin months earlier. - L&L Mechanical Services says homeowners and businesses can schedule furnace inspections, water heater service and heating repair by calling (903) 539-8995 or visiting the company’s website.

The details: - A furnace inspection typically checks ignition, burners, the heat exchanger, venting, safety controls, airflow, filtration, thermostat operation and electrical connections. - A dirty flame sensor is one of the common reasons a furnace starts, runs briefly and then shuts off. - A cracked or corroded heat exchanger can allow combustion byproducts to mix with household air. - Vent pipes and flue connections are checked for blockages, separation, rust and proper slope. - Safety controls such as limit switches, pressure switches and rollout switches are designed to shut a furnace down when conditions are unsafe. - A clogged filter or restricted ductwork can force a furnace to run hotter and longer. - Gas water heater checks typically cover venting, the burner and ignition system, the temperature and pressure relief valve, sediment buildup, the anode rod, gas connections and the appliance shutoff valve. - The U.S. Department of Energy says 120 degrees Fahrenheit is adequate for many households and can reduce energy use and scalding risk. - L&L Mechanical Services services traditional tank water heaters and tankless units and handles water heater and furnace installation when repair is not practical. - The company also works on gas furnaces, electric furnaces and heat pump heating systems. - Electric furnaces and heat pumps do not burn fuel, so their inspections focus on heating elements or refrigerant-cycle components, blower operation and electrical connections.

Between the lines: - The company is positioning preventive maintenance as a way to avoid emergency calls during the first cold nights of the season. - Walker said checking the furnace and water heater together can reveal vent or gas-line problems before they turn into no-heat or no-hot-water failures. - East Texas winters are milder than northern states, but the region still gets hard freezes, ice events and cold snaps that can strain heating equipment. - Many homes in Tyler and nearby communities have furnaces or water heaters in closets, attics or garages, where venting and clearance issues deserve attention. - The CPSC says most carbon monoxide deaths linked to portable generators occur between November and February. - Generators should be used outdoors and far from windows, doors and vents.

What's next: - L&L Mechanical Services is advising homeowners to replace or clean the furnace filter, clear combustibles away from equipment, test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and run the furnace before the first cold night. - Homeowners should note unusual odors, sounds or performance changes before a technician visit. - A brief burning-dust smell can be normal the first time a furnace runs for the season, but a persistent odor or any gas smell should trigger a shutdown and service call. - The company serves Tyler and nearby communities including Longview, Lindale, Whitehouse, Jacksonville, Kilgore, Henderson, Arp, Bullard, Chandler, Flint, Noonday, Troup, Van and Winona. - L&L Mechanical Services also serves commercial and industrial customers with HVAC, plumbing, welding, exhaust system fabrication and mechanical support.

The bottom line: - L&L Mechanical Services says a pre-winter inspection can catch small furnace and water heater problems before East Texas cold weather turns them into safety risks or emergency repairs.