Troubleshooting Workflows
Step-by-step diagnostic flows for common symptoms across the trades. Each workflow rules out safety hazards first, then walks through the most likely causes and safe checks before recommending a pro call.
Step-by-step troubleshooting workflows for common plumbing, HVAC, electrical, solar & low-voltage symptoms — diagnose causes and follow safe repair actions.
Troubleshooting
- AC not cooling
- AC short cycling
- Weak airflow at vents
- Thermostat blank/unresponsive
- Ice on lines/coil observed
- Furnace no heat
- Furnace short cycling
- Burning smell on first heat of season
- High indoor humidity
- Condensate pump overflow/leak
- Heat pump not heating in cold weather
- Auxiliary or emergency heat stuck on
- Uneven temperatures between rooms
- Mini-split error code displayed
- Frozen condensate line
- Gas smell at the furnace
- Carbon monoxide alarm is sounding
- Indoor fan runs but no heating or cooling
- Outdoor unit won't start
- Indoor blower runs constantly
- Toilet runs intermittently
- Low water pressure (single fixture)
- Discolored/brown water
- Slow drain (single fixture)
- No hot water
- Lukewarm/intermittent hot water
- Low water pressure (whole house)
- Multiple fixtures slow drain
- Sewer odor
- Water hammer/noisy pipes
- Breaker keeps tripping
- GFCI won't reset
- AFCI nuisance trips
- Open neutral diagnosis (MWBC)
- Three-way switch not working after paint / re-install
- Motor won't start / hums and trips
- Dim lights when large appliance starts
- Bond metallic piping
- EV charger install
- Generator interlock vs. transfer switch — decision guide
- Install a 240V circuit
- Install GFCI / AFCI
- Panel replacement
- Replace a light fixture
- Wire a 3-way switch
- Replace angle stop
- Fix low water pressure
- Fix no hot water
- Fix P-trap leak
- Fix running toilet
- Fix shower drain
- Fix toilet flush
- Fix water pressure at a fixture
- Flush water heater sediment
- Install a new toilet
- Install outdoor faucet
- Install or replace shutoff valve
- Install tankless water heater
- Repair water heater leak
- Replace bathroom faucet
- Replace kitchen faucet
- Replace shower head
- Replace water heater
- Sewage backup prevention
- Unclog bathtub drain
- Unclog kitchen drain
- Fix washer drain backup
- Winterize outdoor plumbing
- PV array underproducing vs. estimate
- Inverter shows fault or no output
- Battery backup not engaging during outage
- Rapid shutdown fault will not clear
- Interconnection or inspection failed
- PoE device won't power up
- Cable run fails certification
- No data link / port won't connect
- Access control door will not release
- Wi-Fi access point poor coverage/performance
- Sprinkler waterflow alarm with no fire
- Fire alarm panel shows trouble signal
- Fire pump won't start or maintain pressure
- Sprinkler system pressure drop / jockey pump cycling
- Inspection tag deficiency notice