Frequently Asked Questions
Ehret Frequently Asked Questions
Ehret is a family-owned plumbing, heating, and cooling company serving homes and businesses throughout the Metro East Illinois area. Since 1903, our team has built a reputation for dependable service, experienced technicians, and quality workmanship. Whether you need routine maintenance, a repair, or a new system installation, Ehret is here to help keep your home or business comfortable.
Ehret has proudly served the Metro East Illinois area since 1903, providing generations of local homeowners and businesses with plumbing, heating, and cooling services. Our long history in the community reflects our commitment to dependable service and lasting customer relationships.
Ehret serves communities throughout the Metro East, including Belleville, O’Fallon, Shiloh, Mascoutah, Edwardsville, Collinsville, Fairview Heights, Swansea, Scott AFB, and surrounding areas. If you’re unsure whether your home or business is within our service area, contact our team and we’ll be happy to help.
Yes. Ehret provides 24/7 emergency plumbing and HVAC service for problems that can’t wait until regular business hours. Whether you’re dealing with a loss of heat, a major plumbing issue, or another urgent problem, call 618-233-1018 and select the emergency option after hours.
Yes. Ehret’s technicians are licensed and insured and are committed to providing professional, reliable service while respecting your home or business. Our goal is to diagnose problems accurately, explain your options clearly, and complete the necessary work properly.
Ehret stands behind the quality of our work with a 1-year workmanship warranty. Manufacturer warranties may also apply to qualifying equipment and parts. Warranty coverage can vary depending on the product or service, so our team can explain the applicable coverage for your specific project.
Yes. Financing options are available to help make qualifying plumbing, heating, and cooling projects more manageable. Contact Ehret to learn about current financing options and determine what may be available for your repair, replacement, or installation.
Yes. Ehret has been family-owned and operated since 1903 and is now in its fifth generation of local service. That longstanding connection to the Metro East community continues to shape how we approach customer service today.
Plumbing Frequently Asked Questions
Ehret provides a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services, including plumbing repairs, leak detection, drain cleaning, sewer and water line services, sump pump repair, fixture installation, and more. Whether you have a minor plumbing problem or need help with a larger project, our experienced plumbers can diagnose the issue and recommend the appropriate solution.
Yes. Ehret repairs, replaces, and installs both traditional tank-style and tankless water heaters. We can help diagnose problems with your existing water heater or recommend a replacement based on your household’s hot water needs, energy-efficiency goals, and available space.
If possible, shut off the water supply to the affected fixture or your home’s main water supply to help limit damage. Then call Ehret at 618-233-1018 for service. Even a small leak can lead to water damage, mold, or higher utility bills if it isn’t repaired promptly.
Insulating exposed pipes, sealing drafts around plumbing, disconnecting outdoor hoses, and maintaining adequate indoor heat can help reduce the risk of frozen pipes. During extremely cold weather, allowing faucets supplied by vulnerable pipes to drip slightly may also help. If you suspect a pipe has frozen, contact a professional before the pipe bursts and causes additional damage.
Common signs include slow-draining sinks or tubs, standing water, gurgling sounds, unpleasant odors, and water backing up into another fixture. Recurring or multiple clogged drains may indicate a problem deeper in the plumbing system, so professional drain cleaning may be needed rather than relying on temporary fixes.
Ehret can install and service water filtration and treatment systems designed to address concerns such as contaminants, unpleasant tastes or odors, and other water-quality issues. The right solution depends on your home and water supply, so we can help determine which type of system best fits your needs.
Yes. Ehret provides sewer line inspection, repair, and replacement services when needed. If you’re experiencing recurring drain backups, sewage odors, slow drains, or other signs of a sewer problem, our team can evaluate the line and recommend an appropriate solution.
Heating Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Ehret repairs, maintains, and installs furnaces and boilers for homes and businesses throughout the Metro East. Whether your existing heating system needs a repair or it’s time to consider replacement, our technicians can evaluate the equipment and explain your options.
Common warning signs include unusual noises, inconsistent temperatures, rising utility bills, frequent cycling, weak airflow, strange odors, and increasingly frequent repairs. An older furnace may also lose efficiency over time. Ehret can inspect your system and help determine whether a repair or replacement makes the most sense.
We recommend having your furnace or boiler professionally maintained once a year, ideally in early fall before the heating season begins. Annual maintenance helps ensure your system is operating safely and efficiently while allowing a technician to identify worn components or potential problems before they lead to an unexpected breakdown during cold weather.
Regular maintenance can also help improve energy efficiency, extend the life of your heating equipment, and provide more consistent comfort throughout your home.
For an easier way to stay on top of routine HVAC maintenance, consider joining the Ehret FAN Club. FAN Club members receive HVAC system checks and maintenance twice per year, helping keep both heating and cooling equipment running properly throughout the seasons.
Yes. Ehret provides 24/7 emergency heating repair throughout the Metro East Illinois area. If your furnace or heating system stops working unexpectedly, starts making unusual noises, or isn’t keeping your home warm, our team is available to help day or night.
Heating problems can quickly become more than an inconvenience during cold weather, so you don’t have to wait until normal business hours to get assistance. Our experienced technicians can diagnose the problem and recommend the appropriate repair to get your heating system operating safely and reliably again.
For 24/7 emergency heating service, call Ehret anytime at 618-233-1018.
Cooling Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Ehret repairs, maintains, and installs air conditioning systems for both homes and businesses. Whether your AC needs a simple repair, routine maintenance, or complete replacement, our technicians can evaluate your system and recommend options based on your comfort needs and budget.
We recommend professional air conditioning maintenance once a year, ideally in the spring before hot weather arrives. Preventive maintenance can improve efficiency, identify developing problems, reduce the likelihood of summertime breakdowns, and help extend the life of your equipment. Ehret FAN Club membership makes it easier to stay on schedule with regular heating and cooling maintenance.
Start by checking that your thermostat is set to cooling, inspecting or replacing a dirty air filter, and making sure the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. If the system is still running without adequately cooling your home, call Ehret at 618-233-1018. The problem could involve anything from airflow or thermostat issues to refrigerant or mechanical problems that require professional diagnosis.
Yes. Ehret installs ductless mini-split systems that provide efficient, flexible heating and cooling without traditional ductwork. Mini-splits can be an excellent option for additions, older homes, converted spaces, garages, or rooms where you want greater control over individual comfort zones.
Water Heater Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional tank-style water heaters commonly last around 8–12 years, although actual lifespan depends on water quality, usage, maintenance, and the equipment itself. Tankless water heaters can often last longer when properly maintained. If your water heater is getting older and experiencing recurring problems, Ehret can help determine whether repair or replacement is the better option.
Tankless water heaters heat water as it’s needed rather than continually maintaining a tank of hot water. This can provide benefits such as improved energy efficiency, a longer equipment lifespan, space savings, and a more consistent supply of hot water. Ehret can help determine whether a tankless system is a good fit for your household.
Yes. In many cases, Ehret can provide same-day water heater installation, depending on equipment availability and scheduling. If your water heater has failed or is leaking, contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss replacement options and availability.
If your water heater is leaking, turn off the water supply to the unit and, when it is safe to do so, shut off the gas or electricity supplying the water heater. Because leaks can quickly cause significant water damage, call Ehret at 618-233-1018 for prompt assistance.
Membership & Maintenance Frequently Asked Questions
The Ehret FAN Club is a preventive maintenance program designed to make it easier to keep your home’s heating, cooling, and plumbing systems maintained throughout the year. Regular professional maintenance can help identify potential problems early, improve system performance, and reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns.
FAN Club members receive several benefits, including seasonal system checks, priority scheduling, exclusive discounts on repairs and upgrades, and regular preventive maintenance. Having your equipment checked throughout the year can also help improve efficiency, extend system life, and catch small problems before they become more expensive repairs.
Yes. FAN Club membership can include your home’s plumbing, heating, and cooling systems, providing a convenient way to stay on top of routine maintenance. Contact Ehret for details about exactly what is included with your membership and the maintenance schedule for each system.
Yes. FAN Club members receive priority scheduling and exclusive repair rates, along with the other benefits included with membership. This can be particularly valuable during peak heating and cooling seasons when service demand is highest.
Emergency Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Ehret is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency plumbing, heating, and cooling problems. If you have an urgent issue outside normal business hours, call 618-233-1018 and select the emergency option after hours.
An emergency is generally a problem that poses an immediate risk to your property, comfort, or safety and shouldn’t wait for normal business hours. Examples may include no heat during cold weather, no water, active leaks, burst pipes, sewer backups, and certain serious HVAC failures.
Ehret prioritizes emergency service calls and works to respond as quickly as possible, depending on call volume, technician availability, your location, and the nature of the problem. When you call, provide as much information as possible so our team can understand the situation and determine the appropriate response.
Call 618-233-1018 for emergency plumbing, heating, or cooling service. If you’re calling outside normal business hours, select the emergency option to reach the appropriate on-call service.
Commercial Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Ehret provides commercial plumbing, heating, and cooling services for businesses and facilities throughout the Metro East. Our team can assist with repairs, maintenance, installations, system upgrades, and other ongoing plumbing and HVAC needs.
Yes. Ehret provides certified backflow testing, repair, and installation services for commercial properties. Properly functioning backflow prevention equipment helps protect the water supply and can be important for meeting applicable testing and compliance requirements.
Yes. Ehret offers customized service agreements designed around the needs of commercial properties. Regular preventive maintenance can help reduce unexpected equipment failures, improve system reliability, and make it easier to plan for ongoing HVAC and plumbing maintenance.
Ehret understands that plumbing and HVAC problems can interrupt business operations, inconvenience customers and employees, and potentially lead to property damage. We prioritize urgent commercial service calls and work to respond promptly throughout the Metro East, with response times depending on the nature of the issue, location, and technician availability.
