As the summer temperatures rise, so do the demands on your home’s air conditioning and plumbing systems. Whether you’re a longtime homeowner or preparing your vacation home for the season, staying ahead of potential issues is key to a comfortable, hassle-free summer, so you can simply sit back and enjoy the breeze.
Jenkins and Sons Plumbing & Heating, a South Jersey family business that has been around since 1949, knows all the tips and tricks to ensure your house stays cool as the outside air temperatures continue to rise.
According to the experts at Jenkins and Sons Plumbing and Heating, one of the best ways to ensure your air conditioning system runs smoothly all season long is by starting with a professional tune-up.
“We offer full-system checkups that go above and beyond,” explains Jeff Jenkins Jr., the third-generation owner of Jenkins and Sons. “We clean the outside unit, clean the coils, check all electrical components, and clean indoor parts as well. We even fire up the system and check its performance before we leave so that we’re fully confident and know it’s ready for the summer.”
Their technicians are trained to spot potential issues before they become big problems. If something seems off, or if a unit is aging, they’ll provide honest recommendations to keep you cool and comfortable for the whole season without unexpected breakdowns.
There are also small steps homeowners can take themselves. “Change your air filters regularly — monthly if needed,” Jenkins advises. “And try to keep the hot and humid outside air from entering your home.”
Now that you have those simple tasks and tips to ensure your home stays cool, let’s talk about plumbing. Summer humidity can lead to sweating pipes and damp crawl spaces. Jenkins states that it is incredibly important through the summer months to try and control the humidity and temperature in those spaces. They suggest getting various pipes insulated to avoid the dripping that can eventually cause puddles and water damage in the crawl spaces and your home.
“Insulating your pipes and monitoring humidity levels can help protect your home,” Jenkins said.
And here’s one more tip Jenkins emphasized: Don’t wait until August to make a repair. If your system makes a strange noise or just isn’t performing well, call early. The earlier you act, the less likely you’ll be caught sweating it out in peak season.
The Jenkins legacy
Jenkins and Sons Plumbing & Heating isn’t just a local business; they’re part of the community. Founded in 1949 by John Jenkins Sr. after returning from military service, the company started in Pleasantville and has been proudly serving Atlantic and Cape May counties ever since.
John Jenkins Sr. eventually passed the business down to his two sons, Jeffery Jenkins Sr. and John Jenkins Jr. This brother duo continued to run the business until they eventually retired and passed it on as well.
Today, Jeffery Jenkins Jr. continues the legacy as the third-generation Jenkin in charge. Like the generations before him, Jeff Jr. began his career within the family business in the field. He went through various roles, learning every aspect of the work before moving into a leadership position and eventually taking over the business completely.
“It’s important to understand every part of your business, because it is your business,” Jenkins says.
That attention to detail and pride in craftsmanship is part of what sets Jenkins apart. For decades, they’ve been known for doing it all. Between plumbing, heating, air conditioning, drain cleaning, installation, and even sheet metal work, they aim to live up to their motto, “One call does it all.”
“Each technician focuses on a specific area — whether it’s repairs, installations, or plumbing. That means when we send someone out, they’re an expert in what they’re doing,” says Jenkins. “It’s not a jack-of-all-trades setup. It’s about delivering high-quality work every time.”
With a full-service local shop open Monday through Friday and a 24-hour emergency answering service, Jenkins and Sons is built for convenience and trust. You can even stop by the facility and speak directly with staff.
“We’re local, we live here, and we work here,” Jenkins says. “We don’t shy away from jobs because they’re too big or too small. Every customer matters.”
