Archive for January, 2012

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Princeton Plumbing Repair Question: What Can Cause a Higher Water Bill?

Monday, January 30th, 2012

No one in Princeton wants to pay too much for utilities. You have probably already done a ton of research on how to lower your heating and electric bills.

Now, the problem is that after getting those bills to a manageable level by wearing extra sweaters and installing compact fluorescent bulbs all over the house, your water bill has gotten out of control.  What gives? How can a water bill suddenly spike so high?

There are two main causes of a high water bill: a leak or a change in water use.

Leaks

When there is a leak anywhere in your plumbing system, water escapes and more water rushes in to replace it. This means a higher water bill. Some common culprits in these circumstances include:

  • Leaky or running toilets
  • A leaky faucet, especially one on the outside of the house where it can go undetected
  • A broken or cracked pipe within the walls of the house
  • A broken, cracked or corroded water main

Some of these are more obvious than others. If your toilet is leaky or running, you have probably noticed by now and should call a plumber. Do a check on all your faucets, indoors and out, to see if they are dripping. A leaky pipe or water main is also usually accompanied by a drop in water pressure. If your shower head seems weaker than it used to, or your clothes aren’t rinsing clean in the laundry, these can be signs of decreased water pressure brought on by leaky pipes.

Changes in Use

You may think that you would notice if you all of a sudden started using much more water than usual, but it is not always that obvious. Sometimes we use water in sneaky ways that we don’t even notice, which can build up over time if done habitually. Some of these covert causes of increased water usage include:

  • A new shower head with a higher flow rate
  • Overwatering the lawn
  • Doing laundry more frequently than usual (such as after a child is born, for example) or getting a new washing machine that uses more water

Chances are, your astronomical water bill is caused by one of these two main categories of causes. Look over the list and see if any of them might be contributing to your water bill spike. And if you need any plumbing repairs, call your local Princeton plumber.

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Radnor Plumbing Repair Tip: Common Sump Pump Problems

Friday, January 27th, 2012

The sump pump in your home is an important piece of equipment that pumps out excess groundwater, which prevents flooding hazards in basements and water damage to your Radnor home. If the pump stops working or won’t shut off, you can usually solve the issue yourself. During times of heavy rain and potential flooding, it’s best to check your pump on a daily basis to make sure it’s running properly.

You can maintain your pump by having it inspected by a professional plumber, and keeping the pump clean and the well free of debris. Feel free to call Resolve Rooter if you have questions about how to maintain a sump pump, or to make an appointment for an annual inspection and professional cleaning.

Most issues can be repaired easily and without the help of a plumber. Here’s a troubleshooting guide to help you solve minor issues with your pump.

Check for Electrical Problems

Always check to make sure the sump pump is fully plugged in and that there aren’t any fuses that have burned out. If there is standing water in the basement, you should take extra precautions when handling any electrical equipment, even a plug. Call a plumber or electrician for advice if you have any safety concerns.

Check the Float Switch

Just like the float in a toilet tank, the float attached to the side of your sump pump acts as a guide for turning the pump on and off. This is called the float switch, and it usually has a large bulb or other floatation device attached to a metal arm. This float detects the water level inside the well, and it turns the pump on when the water reaches a certain height in the well.

If the pump is plugged in and there are no blown circuits, move the float switch up and down to see if it will turn the pump on. Debris can get trapped underneath the float causing it to stick. If the motor is constantly running, this switch may be stuck in the “on” position if debris is lodged underneath it, or if there’s substantial corrosion.

You can actually move the entire pump around to change the position if there’s no apparent debris causing the issue. Sometimes the pump gets shifted around slightly, and the float switch cannot work properly if the pump isn’t plumb or level. Be careful not to move it too much, since it could damage the drain line attached to the pump motor.

If your motor is constantly running, and none of these steps work, the motor could overheat and stop working. Unplug the pump while you’re investigating the problem, and if none of these steps work, call a professional plumber.

Check for Clogged Filters

In addition to causing issues with the float switch, debris trapped in the screen can also cause the motor to overheat or shut down. If your filter is dirty, try to get out as much of the debris as possible, but if this doesn’t solve the issue, you could have a clogged drain line. In this case, you will need to call a professional plumber to snake out the line.

Preventative Maintenance Tips

You can prevent issues with the sump pump in your Radnor home with a few preventative maintenance tasks. Keep debris from falling into the well as much as possible, and clean out any particles that could clog the screen or affect the operation of the float switch. Occasionally inspect the pump and well for any corrosion or other concerns. If you are comfortable with the operation of your pump, drain and clean the entire well and pump at least once a year.

Lastly, call a qualified technician at Resolve Rooter for a yearly sump pump maintenance visit.

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Woodbury Plumber’s Tip: Why Replace Your Sewer Line

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

You probably don’t want to think about having to replace your Woodbury home’s sewer line, and hopefully, you won’t ever have to. Most sewer lines last many years without having to be replaced, so it’s possible you won’t have problems with your line for the entire time you are in your home.

It is not uncommon for sewer lines to need replacement at some point, however. Some common reasons for replacing a sewer line include:

  • The line has broken, cracked or collapsed. This can be the result of an intruding tree root, extremely cold temperatures resulting in freezing, wear and tear or simply the pressure of soil over time.
  • The pipe has deteriorated or corroded. Even the highest quality materials eventually break down, whether from within or without. As the pipes rust and degrade, they can spring leaks, rupture or collapse.
  • A section of the pipe has collapsed. Because of soil conditions surrounding a certain section of the pipe, that one section may collapse, creating a bottle neck that becomes a full-fledged obstruction.
  • Leaking joints. The fittings connecting sections of the pipe can become loose, worn or corroded, which means the seal is degraded and the line starts leaking.
  • The sewer line was made of substandard materials to begin with and has broken down over time.

If and when you encounter any of these situations, you will likely discover that the best solution is to replace at least a section of the line, if not the whole thing. Often, if there is damage to multiple sections of pipe or if the whole line is very old, it is best to replace the whole thing at once.

One alternative to replacing the line outright is having it relined, using trenchless technology. This is less labor intensive and doesn’t require digging up your whole yard. It is not necessarily the solution for everyone, so ask a Woodbury professional if it might be appropriate for your particular sewer line replacement needs.

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Burlington Plumber’s Guide: Emergency Plumbing Tips

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

When you have a plumbing emergency in your Burlington home, the last thing you want to do is make the problem worse, but if you don’t act fast, that’s exactly what might happen. To help you take the right actions and avoid the wrong ones, here are some quick tips for how to handle a plumbing emergency.

  • Shutting Off the Water – If a pipe bursts or you have standing water somewhere, the very first step you take is to shut off the water. Cleanup is pointless if more water pours in. So, we need to stop the flow. Usually, this water valve is located outside, but it can be found under an access panel or in the basement in some cases.
  • Flooding Toilet – Watching the water slowly rise in a toilet, dangerously close to the rim, can be scary. But, there are tricks to slow or stop the flow until the plumber arrives. The first is to turn on your sink faucet to slow down the water flow to the toilet. If you can reach it, turn off the cold water supply to your toilet as well. As soon as the tank is empty, no new water will enter.
  • Turning Off an Appliance – Sometimes the problem isn’t a house-wide problem but a specific appliance overflowing. If your washing machine or dishwasher is about to overflow, turn off the supply valve immediately. It could be several gallons of water per minute if you don’t.
  • When Electricity is Involved – If your basement floods, don’t go down there until you can be sure there is no electricity flowing into the water. That much water with live electricity is incredibly dangerous. If you can’t be sure, get a plumber out there fast.
  • Gas Leaks – Sometimes, a plumbing problem is really a gas problem. If this is the case, don’t try to fix it yourself. Get everyone out of the house and call the gas company immediately.
  • Hot Water Leakage – If you notice that hot water is leaking somewhere in your home, turn off the main water supply and then turn off the hot water heater’s energy source. There should be an emergency shutoff valve on the hot water heater for gas and a switch on the device if it is electric.

In each of these cases, the very next step you take should be to call a Burlington professional, but if you act fast you can hopefully mitigate the damage.

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Plumbing Repair Question from Clinton: What Is a Slab Leak and What Damage Can It Cause?

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Also known as a foundation leak, slab leaks can cause a serious problem in your Clinton home. A typical cause of a slab leak occurs when the foundation for the home is poured. While the cement is still wet and setting, copper pipe is laid in to run wherever it needs to go for the plumbing system of the home. This is a fairly common practice.

The problem occurs when the copper piping is soft. As the cement hardens, any kinks, bends, nicks or other imperfections in the pipe are exacerbated. Over time, these problems can become more and more magnified, eventually resulting in one or more tiny leaks in the pipe. This causes water to leak directly into the concrete foundation.

This causes a number of problems for homeowners, both short-term and long-term. In the short-term, it reduces water pressure and increases water consumption, resulting in higher monthly bills for poorer water delivery. These are inconveniences and annoyances, but nothing compared to the long-term damage that a slab leak can cause.

The moisture in the foundation becomes a breeding ground for mold. This mold can spread throughout the foundation and the house, which is a serious health risk for you and your family. Mold and mildew spores negatively impact air quality and can lead to illness. Plus, the moisture weakens the foundation gradually over time. Eventually, you have a home that is less structurally sound and may succumb to mold, which can cause thousands of dollars to eradicate and repair.

Slab leaks can be repaired, but sometimes after repairing one, another will crop up shortly thereafter. However, they still must be repaired immediately before the problem spreads and becomes too big to handle.

There are a few different methods for repair, including breaking up the foundation with a jackhammer and laying new pipe or lining the existing pipe with epoxy. Consulting with a plumber is the best way to figure out which method is right for you.

Common symptoms to detect slab leaks early are reduced water pressure or inexplicably high water bills. If you notice either of these occurring in your home, you may have a slab leak, so call a Clinton professional to get it checked out right away before it leads to much bigger problems.

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Cherry Hill Sewer Camera Inspection- ONLY $99!

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

Video pipe inspection is a great way for a plumber to diagnose the problem with your home’s drainage and sewer system. It gives them the ability to look inside your plumbing to find out if you have a blockage or check for cracks or leaks. If you are having a problem with your sewer lines, we have a special deal for you: $99 sewer camera inspection (with pipe bursting/trenchless sewer estimate)! We can use video technology to find the problem with your plumbing quickly, the first step to getting it fixed. Give us a call for more details!

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Happy Martin Luther King Day from Your New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania Plumbers!

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Happy Martin Luther King Day! Today we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and all of his great accomplishments. This holiday is also a reminder about how we all can be a force for good in our community. Even a small act, like helping a neighbor, can make a big difference in someone’s life. Take some time today to make your community a little better!

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Clinton Plumber’s Tip: Why Sump Pump Maintenance is Important

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Keeping the sump pump clean in your Clinton home has many benefits. Not only does a clean sump pump run more efficiently, which lowers your energy bills, but it also helps prevent malfunctions. The sump pump in your home pumps out excess groundwater that could potentially flood your basement and cause major water damage and mold growth.

To prevent flood damage in your home, make sure your sump pump well is free of debris and that the pump it is maintained regularly. Call Resolve Rooter any time if you have questions about how to maintain sump pump or to have it professionally cleaned and inspected. Here are some specific reasons why a clean sump pump is important.

Float Switch Malfunctions

Most submerged sump pump models have a floater or similar device that detects the water level inside the well. Once the water table reaches a certain point, the float switch turns the pump on. If debris or dirt gets trapped underneath the switch, it can get stuck in the “on” position, which causes the motor to run constantly and potentially overheat.

Clogged Filters

Most filters in sump pumps are designed to allow smaller particles through, but larger pieces of debris can clog the system and cause it to shut down. An overheated motor or tripped circuit could result from a clogged filter because the motor has to work harder to pump out the water. If you aren’t sure how to check the filter for debris, call a professional plumber for advice.

Preventative Maintenance Tips

Try to keep debris from falling into the well, and clean out any large particles that you can see in the water. Occasionally fill the well all the way with a hose and test the floater switch to make sure it’s working properly. At least once a year, hire a professional plumber to drain your well and clean the inside of the well and the pump. Your plumber will also inspect the pump to make sure it is in good working condition.

You can help maintain the sump pump in your Clinton home simply by keeping it clean!

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Flemington Plumbing Installation Tip: How to Replace a Bathroom Faucet

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Whether your old faucet is broken or you just want to spruce up the bathroom a bit in your Flemington home, installing a new faucet is a relatively cheap and easy solution. It is one plumbing project that can be done via the DIY route, it takes only a few hours to do and it does not cost much.

Before you get started, make sure you have chosen the right type of faucet as a replacement. There are a few different kinds and you will want to replace the old sink with a similar kind in order to prevent problems and headaches during and after installation. If you’re unsure what kind you need, either consult the manual, take a picture to bring with you to the store or have a professional take a look at it.

Once you have the right faucet picked out, it’s time to get to work:

  1. As always, turn off the water supply. There should be shutoff valves for the hot and cold water supplies right underneath the sink to make it easy on you.
  2. Unscrew the drain collar from the drain rim. Making sure everything is clean, place the house in the center of the middle hole. Screw it in place with the mounting nut. Tighten it up with a basin wrench, but take care not to over tighten. This can crack the porcelain.
  3. To install the hot and cold valves, begin by loosening the mounting nut on one and removing it. Replace it with the corresponding new valve. Repeat on the other side.
  4. Screw the braided lines to the valves you just installed, as well as to the spout. Tighten with a wrench, but again take care not to over tighten.
  5. Secure the faucet handles onto the valves that you installed in step #3. Make sure to put each handle on the correct valve.
  6. Fit the supply lines. You may have to do some cutting if you are using rigid supply lines rather than braided ones.
  7. Assemble and connect the pop-up drain assembly. You may have to test and adjust it a few times in order to get the right fit when open and closed. Secure the rods in place.
  8. Turn the water back on and check for leaks. Turn on the faucet for a bit to flush out the system before using.

Your sparkling new faucet is all set! If you run into any problems, call your Flemington plumber.

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Millburn Water Line Tip: Advantages of Using Video Pipe Inspection

Monday, January 9th, 2012

If you have any problems with the drains, sewer lines, or plumbing fixtures in your Millburn home, it’s important to locate the source of the problem as quickly as possible to prevent further damage to the plumbing system.

Video pipe inspection enables professional plumbers to locate blockages, check for cracks or leaks, and determine the best approach for making any needed repairs as efficiently as possible without damage to your property.

If you have any problems with your plumbing, call one of the qualified plumbers at Resolve Rooter today and set up an appointment.

Here are some reasons plumbers use video pipe inspections and the advantages to this technique.

Less Invasive Investigation of Plumbing Problems

Instead of hours of costly digging to locate and repair pipes, a video pipe inspection makes it possible to insert a small, fiber optic video line into a drain pipe and check for issues without tearing up large chunks of your property.  A video inspection line is fed inside your drains to look for leaks, blockages, or other problems that can only be detected with a camera. Once our qualified plumbers find the cause of the problem, we can use the camera to determine the best repair methods.

Detecting Root Penetration and Overall Plumbing Inspections

Video pipe inspection is typically used to check for small leaks and blockages in residential plumbing systems, but it can be used to look for any roots penetrating the sewer and drainage lines. If you own an older home, video camera inspections are ideal for inspecting the overall integrity of your plumbing system. Additionally, video inspections can locate issues when other techniques, such as water jetting, have not been successful at cleaning debris from a pipe or sewer line.

Leak Detection and Lowering Water Bills

Older pipes, or pipes that are exposed to extreme weather conditions, can have leaks that you could be unaware of. Even a minor leak adds up over time, and detecting and repairing leaks will lower your water bills and overall energy costs. Monitoring the water bills for your home can help with leak detection. If there’s been an unexplained rise in your bills recently, there could be a hidden leak inside your pipe system.

The advances of video inspection technology have made it easier for plumbers to inspect the plumbing system in your Millburn home and determine the best solutions to any issues. Call Resolve Rooter if you have questions or would like to set up an appointment with one of our qualified plumbers.

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