Archive for November, 2011

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Why You Might Need Video Inspection for Your Stroudsburg Home’s Water or Sewer Line?

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

When you suspect a problem in your pipes, the first thing you should do is call for an inspection. Never assume you need a new pipe line installed or that your Stroudsburg house is about to be flooded. It could be as simple as a small crack that can be sealed easily or a clog from excess food and grease being put down the drain.

In the past, inspection was a hit or miss process. Using trial and error a plumber would attempt to determine the source of the problem. However, with modern trenchless technology and the low cost of video equipment, it is now possible to look inside the pipe and see what the problem is directly.

How Video Inspection Works

The process varies depending on the length of pipe that needs to be inspected. For instance, for a sewer line or water line, a small hole is dug to access the pipe. However, inside this may not be necessary depending on where your plumber suspects the problem originates.

That said, pipe inspection is most commonly needed for underground lines that cannot be accessed without some digging. Instead of digging up the pipe completely, a video line can be used to check for specific problems.

Once your plumber has access to the pipe line, they will insert the video inspection unit and check for things like roots, clogs, leaks, and cracks. This is such a powerful tool because instead of guessing where the problem is located and repairing based on those assumptions, your plumber can now be 100% sure of the problem and solve it accordingly.

The process is relatively simple and it saves a tremendous amount of money when pipe replacement is not needed. In some cases, a simple repair or high speed jetting solves the problem and the homeowner is left with a modest bill instead of a five figure punch to the gut. Whether a video inspection is right for you depends on the problems you are having, but the only way to be sure is to call a professional and discuss your observations.

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Common Scotch Plains Water Line Problems

Monday, November 28th, 2011

Everyone needs water in Scotch Plains. It keeps us clean, provides us with a clean drinking source and helps us cook food and wash clothes. So, when a problem occurs with the water line, it can be disruptive to every aspect of everyday life. Here are some common water line problems and solutions you can implement to solve them as fast as possible:

  • Burst Pipe – The biggest problem you can have is a burst pipe. This is a major problem and one that needs to be solved immediately. If your pipe bursts or starts to leak, turn off the main water supply immediately and call an emergency plumber. You’ll want to have it patched as soon as possible to return normal water service to your home.
  • Noisy Pipes – Noise in the pipes is a slightly less disastrous problem but it can lead to bigger problems down the road if not dealt with. Usually, it is due to air in the pipes which can create a loud banging sound. If your pipes are vibrating or banging, the easiest solution is to turn off the water supply and drain your pipes completely, then fill them back up to remove the air build up.
  • Water Pressure – Low water pressure can be due to a number of problems, from a small leak somewhere to an issue in the incoming water supply. If you notice water pressure dropping in your home, call a professional to inspect the problem and offer potential solutions.
  • Sediment in the Pipes – If suddenly you are seeing excess sediment, rust, or other debris in your water it is probably from an aging pipe. While this doesn’t necessarily signal that your pipe is about to burst, it can be a sign of potential problems in the future. Build up from hard water or erosion can both be major problems if not fixed right away.

Water line problems can range from small nuisances to major disasters that threaten your entire home, but they should all be treated with equal import. If something happens to your water line, don’t waste time trying to track down a solution. Turn off the water supply and call a professional and ask about trenchless water line replacement.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 24th, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving! We plan to celebrate by eating lots of turkey and enjoying some time with our loved ones, and we hope you do the same! Thanks for choosing us as your contractor. Here is a recipe from allrecipes.com for Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake, a treat that will get your holiday started off right!

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

“Cheesecake lovers will applaud this addition to the holiday dessert selection. A layer of traditional cheesecake is topped with a layer of pumpkin pie flavored cheesecake and baked. ”

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch ground cloves
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  2. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Blend in eggs one at a time. Remove 1 cup of batter and spread into bottom of crust; set aside.
  3. Add pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to the remaining batter and stir gently until well blended. Carefully spread over the batter in the crust.
  4. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until center is almost set. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Cover with whipped topping before serving.

For more details, click here.

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Environmental Benefits of Trenchless Pipe Replacement: A Guide from Flemington

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

Pipe replacement is a messy business. For decades, the only real way to do it was to rumble in with a big machine (or men with plenty of shovels) and dig up your Flemington property to access the leaking, cracked pipe. However, with modern technology, trenchless pipe repair and replacement is now possible and while the biggest benefits are to your wallet and your lawn, you might also be interested to know how environmentally friendly the process is.

Less Resources Needed

Have you ever seen someone digging up a pipeline? The equipment needed is impressive. Backhoes, trucks and multiple workers to get the old pipe out of the ground and a new one in. And once the process is completed, the concrete and lawn destroyed by the digging need to be replaced. It’s a very invasive procedure.

With trenchless technology, most of those resources are not needed. This means less fuel used to power large machines, less destruction of your property and no impact on the roadway or sidewalks that would require paving once completed.

Existing Pipe Pathways

Have you ever considered the impact a pipe line being laid has on the ecosystem beneath your property? Digging up all that space and displacing plants, animals and insects alike can have a tremendously negative impact on the micro-ecology on your property.

Trenchless replacement allows a plumber to use the existing pipe pathway beneath your property, which avoids displacing anything with fresh digging. It also doesn’t impact the plants or trees growing on your property. You gain a new pipe line without any damage to the carefully manicured landscaping you’ve done on your property.

Minimal Subsoil Impact

Even when laying new pipes, trenchless technology only affects the space underground where the pipe will be laid. This tears up far less of the subsoil which has a less extensive environmental impact on the water shed around your home.

There really is no reason to use a traditional exhume and pull pipe replacement method when trenchless technology makes it possible to just as easily replace the pipes for the same or less money and minimal environmental impact. Depending on your circumstances and the scope of the work that needs to be done, your pipe repair or replacement may be significantly better served with trenchless technologies.

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What is Trenchless Technology? A Question from Medford

Monday, November 21st, 2011

Many years ago, if you had a problem with your water line or sewer line, the only way to solve it was to dig a massive trench in your Medford home’s lawn, ripping up trees, shrubs, flowers and even concrete to access the problem. Thankfully, technology has solved this problem with trenchless repair options. But, what exactly is trenchless technology and will it solve your plumbing problems without costing a fortune?

Video Inspection

Well before anything is replaced or repaired, inspection is needed to know where the problem is located and how much of the pipe needs to be replaced. Video inspection allows a plumber to look inside your pipes without digging a massive trench in the ground, and is used whenever a clog or blockage is suspected in any of the water lines or sewer lines under your home.

Pipe Relining

For those that cannot afford to replace an entire length of pipe (especially if the affected line is extremely long), pipe relining is another option. Using a resin liner, this process repairs the existing pipe, making it effective for up to 50 years against root infiltration and leaks.

Pipe Replacement

If it turns out your water or sewer line needs to be replaced, trenchless pipe replacement is the next step. Instead of digging up the entire pipe and simply pulling it out to replace it, trenchless pipe replacement involves digging only two small holes on your property, on either side of the affected length of pipe.

Your plumber can then use a winch to pull a new length of pipe through the existing pipeline. A burst cone is placed on the tip of the new pipe to break apart the old pipe as it passes. This method allows the replacement process to take place without removing any parts of your lawn and in many cases the cost is less because of it.

Do You Need These Services?

A sewer or water line problem is often immediate and gives you little time to consider which solution is best for your needs. So, keep a close eye on your plumbing. If you notice even a small problem, have it inspected for potential repairs early so you can have a video inspection done and use the trenchless technology now available to fix the problem.

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Components of Trenchless Water Line Replacement: A Tip from Mt. Holly

Friday, November 18th, 2011

Trenchless technology is a relatively option for pipe repair and replacement, allowing your plumber to replace main water lines or sewer lines under your Mt. Holly property without digging a massive trench in the ground. Cost effective and environmentally friendly, this process is designed to minimize the impact on homeowners who are worried about losing their favorite trees or disrupting their neighbors.

But, what exactly is involved in trenchless water line replacement? Here is a quick look at the process and the components involved in each step of it:

  1. Puller Unit – The puller unit is responsible for pulling the new pipe through the space between the two access points. A cable is attached to the new pipe to pull it through. The size and type of puller unit used will depend on the type of pipe being replaced.
  2. Bursting Cone- A bursting cone is often attached to the head of the new pipe to break apart the old pipe as the new one is fed into the hole. This makes it possible to feed new pipe without having to remove the old pipe.
  3. New Pipe – There are a couple of options here including a brand new line of pipe replacing the old one or a liner being fed into the old one to patch cracks and leaks. The repair method used will depend on the severity of the problem, length of the affected pipe and recommendations from your plumber.
  4. Access Points – Two access points will be dug on either side of the affected pipe line. One pit houses the hydraulic pulling unit, the size of which will vary depending on the equipment used by your plumber and the power needed to pull your new pipe. The second pit is used to feed in new pipe, which means it needs to be slightly larger.

How the trenchless replacement process works depends largely on the pipe being replaced and which repair method you select. If you have a sewer line that has cracked along a five foot length, trenchless pipe replacement may be the best option. However, a smaller problem in your water line like a small crack may be fixed without a full replacement or relining. The best way to know for sure is to call a professional and have them inspect your pipe line. Video technology makes this easier as well.

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Stages of Water Line Replacement Using Trenchless Technology: Some Pointers from Edison

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Replacing a water line in your Edison yard with trenchless technology is an impressive process. It is more technically advanced than the old method by leaps and bounds (in the past, the answer to a water line was a backhoe and a new pipe), and it can be cost effective in many instances, especially if the problem is only with a small length of pipe. Let’s take a quick look at the stages of pipe replacement should your water line need to be swapped out.

  1. Accessing the Water Line – The first step is to find the affected length of pipe. If it’s unclear where the problem is located in the pipe line, a hole may be dug (or an existing manhole used) to run a video inspection line and find the problem. In the case of a leak, this usually isn’t necessary.
  2. Inspecting and Clearing the Line – Once the leak is located, it’s time to clear out any existing water and/or debris or roots in the way of the new line.
  3. Setting Up the Equipment – There are several ways to go about replacing a pipe, but in all cases, a pair of access ports are dug on either side of the affected pipe line. On one end, the new pipe is fed in and on the other side a winch is used to pull the pipe through.
  4. Installing the New Pipe – Burstlining is a common method used to replace an old pipe. A burst cone attached to the front of the new pipe is pulled through the old pipe, breaking it apart as it’s fed through.
  5. Finishing the Process – Once the pipe line has been replaced it is connected to the water system and the pits are filled in. When done, there may be only a small reminder of the work that was done on your property.

At the end of the day, everything is cleaner, more environmentally friendly and in many cases, more cost effective. It’s a wonder anyone still uses the messy old method of digging up the entire yard just to rip out the pipe. But, they do, so if you find yourself with a burst water line, make sure to contact someone with the tools and experience needed to replace your pipe the right way.

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Benefits of Trenchless Technology: A Guide from Palmyra

Monday, November 14th, 2011

If you have a leaking water line or sewer line in your Palmyra yard, time is of the essence. You can’t let it continue to leak for long because at some point you may lose the pipe entirely. But, it’s good that you’re reading this because you may be able to save your property from the destructive digging that most people associate with pipe replacement and/or repair.

The trenchless technology that has been around for about 20 years allows your plumber to access your pipeline for inspection, repairs or replacement without actually digging up your yard. Yes, there are a couple of small pits dug in the yard, but these can be filled with minimal impact on your property while a trench might involve ripping up trees, shrubs, concrete or fences.

Why Trenchless is the Way to Go

Consider the benefits offered by trenchless technology for pipe repair and replacement. First, there’s the obvious benefit in that you don’t have a big ditch in your yard. This means many things. It’s less disruptive to your life and to the lives of your neighbors. It is also a relatively quick process and it rarely costs more and sometimes costs less than traditional pipe replacement methods.

Another thing to keep in mind is that your plumber can be much more accurate with trenchless technology. Instead of digging up the whole yard and replacing the pipe from street to house, they can access the pipe through a single entry point and use video inspection technology to check for the leak or clog.

In some cases, high speed jetting may be all that’s needed to clear out a clog and fix the problem. In other cases, a new liner for the pipe can stop a leak and save you a tremendous amount of money in the process.

Think of trenchless technology as a complete toolbox compared to the sledgehammer used in past instances of water and sewer line problems. Sure, you may need a sledgehammer for some repairs, but a subtler, more precise set of tools will get the job done better and with far less collateral damage. The same is true of trenchless technology – it is minimally invasive, highly effective and environmentally friendly.

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Is Trenchless Technology Cost Effective? A Question from Trenton

Friday, November 11th, 2011

One of the number one questions asked by Trenton homeowners faced with pipe replacement is how cost effective each method is. In particular, they want to know whether trenchless technology with its smaller points of access and far less damage to the property, is as cost effective as just ripping up the lawn and tearing out the old pipe.

Cost effectiveness of trenchless technology depends largely on what the problem is and whether you need a full replacement or if the pipe just needs to be inspected and repaired. Here’s a quick look at what you’re likely to face in the event of a pipe problem:

  • Video Inspection – If the problem is still minor and the location of the leak is not yet apparent, video inspection makes it easier to find the issue instead of pulling out a huge length of pipe. When used properly, video inspection can greatly reduce the cost of a pipe repair job, especially if repairs end up not being necessary.
  • High Speed Jetting – Jetting of your pipes can effectively remove clogs, mineral build ups or other issues that might make your sewer or water line less effective.
  • Pipe Replacement – Pipe replacement itself is considered more cost effective than exhuming and replacing an entire length of pipe. With far less damage to your property and no need for heavy equipment to dig up the pipe, a skilled and experienced trenchless plumber is a great alternative to the costly old methods.

As you can see, different trenchless technologies are each designed to solve different problems but will generally offer a very cost effective alternative to the traditional methods long used to solve these kinds of problems. The smaller your problems, the more cost effective it is. At the same time, don’t forget how much better it is to have your yard intact, regardless of the cost differential.

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Common Sewer and Water Line Problems: A Guide from Scotch Plains

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

Your sewer and water line are the most important pipes in your Scotch Plains home. They bring in fresh water to your fixtures and remove waste water from your drains. So, a problem with either of these lines will put a serious kink in your daily routine. That’s why you should keep a close eye out for these potential problems.

Clogging

The most common problem you are likely to see in your pipe lines is clogging. This happens more often in the sewer line and is usually due to things being put down drains that don’t belong there. For example, toilet paper is designed to be flushed because it disintegrates when wet. Paper towels, however, absorb water and take a very long time to disintegrate. The same goes for most napkins and tissues. Use those instead of toilet paper or flush them when cleaning and you create a potential clog.

Only flush items that specifically say “flushable” on the packaging. Anything else should be thrown in the trash.

Root Infiltration

Because your water line and sewer line are located underneath your property, there is always a chance that a nearby tree or shrub’s roots will grow toward it, attempting to absorb water from the line. If this happens, the roots can eventually break through the pipe and create a leak. And if there is already a small leak or crack in the line, roots will rip it open like a tin can.

Mineral Build Up

Water is filled with various minerals that can have a negative impact on your pipes if not properly removed. Hard water in particular can damage pipes and create blockages that will eventually stop water flow completely.

Fortunately, hard water and other mineral problems are easy to solve with modern filtration devices. The key is to recognize that there might be a problem and move to fix it before it gets too bad.

Things to Watch For

If you suspect a problem in your water line or sewer line, watch for spikes in your water meter or a sudden increase in your bill – both sure signs that there is a leak. Additionally, check slow drains to make sure they are localized. If all the drains in your home are suddenly slower it may be in the sewer line.

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