Don't Ignore These Signs of a Hidden Plumbing Leak

People think plumbing leaks are obvious. However, many leaks occur in hidden spaces such as behind walls or under cabinets. Many leaks initially go unnoticed for long periods. The longer they go undiscovered, the more damage they create.

Here are some signs of a hidden plumbing leak.

High Water Usage - An unexpectedly high water bill is a clear indication of a plumbing leak. Ideally, you want to discover the problem before this point because it means the problem existed for a while.

Paint & Wallpaper - Blistering paint or wallpaper is a good indication of a plumbing leak. However, in your bathroom, repeated hot showers and steam can also cause the same condition.

Walls & Floors - Warped and stained walls or buckling floors are telltale signs of a plumbing leak. A repair may require tearing down drywall or coming up below the floor.

Mold & Mildew - Of course, we are not talking about the kind of mold or mildew that sometimes accumulates on shower walls. If you find mold or mildew on non-shower walls or in corners leaking pipes are likely fueling the problem.

Ceilings - A leak from the second floor can create a wet spot on the ceiling below. A leak can also cause the ceiling to sag and begin cracking.

Smells - Are you familiar with the musky smell of old water? If you have a damp, earthy smell without any signs of water, there may be a leak and hidden water that is not able to dry.

If you have questions related to your plumbing in Ledgewood, NJ, just call The Polite Plumber at (973) 398-0875. We’ll never ask how it happened!

Traditional vs. Tankless Water Heaters

Your water heater accounts for a substantial amount of your home’s total energy use. In addition to reducing your hot water use, having an energy efficient water heater can help decrease your bills. Here, we focus on two of the most popular types of water heaters: traditional and tankless.

How they work

Traditional

A traditional water heater is most likely what you’re familiar with. Water is stored and constantly heated to a certain temperature in a large tank. The hot water is used as needed throughout your house and new water pumps into the tank to be heated. The new water entering the tank takes some time to heat up to the desired temperature.

Tankless

Tankless water heaters differ from traditional water heaters in that they only provide hot water as needed. Instead of storing hot water, tankless heaters quickly heat up water to the desired temperature.

Why choose traditional over tankless?

There are a couple of reasons why a traditional water heater may be the best fit for someone. The biggest reason may be the ease and cost of installation. Installation and replacement costs for a traditional water heater can be half as much as a tankless heater. Additionally, switching from a traditional heater to a tankless heater can be somewhat of a complicated and expensive transition.

Another reason someone may desire a traditional heater over tankless is the amount of readily available hot water. While tankless heaters heat water much more quickly than traditional water heaters, they cannot provide the same volume of water at one time. Running two things at the same time, such as the shower and dishwasher might be too much for a tankless heater to handle.

Why choose tankless over traditional?

Tankless water heaters are much more efficient than traditional water heaters. Traditional heaters constantly heat up the water tank, so a lot of energy is wasted when no one is using hot water. Since tankless heaters heat up water on demand, they don’t produce the energy losses that traditional heaters do. According to Energy.gov, tankless water heaters can be 24%-34% more efficient than traditional water heaters for homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily.  Energy.gov also estimates that an Energy Star tankless water heater can save users about $100 annually, which can add up to some serious savings considering the lifespan of tankless heaters.

The life expectancy of a tankless heater is greater than 20 years, significantly longer than the expected lifespan of 10-15 years for a traditional heater. The longer lifespan of tankless water heaters means fewer replacement and installation payments, which when added to the yearly savings tankless heaters can provide, add up to substantial long-term savings.

A big reason why a tankless water heater may be the best choice for a household is the amount of people living in the house. If you’ve ever been last in line to take a shower and were stuck with cold water, you know it’s not fun. A tankless water heater’s capability to heat water quickly means there is enough hot water for everyone.

If you have questions related to your plumbing in Budd Lake, NJ, just call The Polite Plumber at (973) 398-0875. We’ll never ask how it happened!

Summer Plumbing Tips

Summer is in full swing and it’s the perfect time to be spending a lot of time outside enjoying the beautiful weather! Plumbing problems are most common during the winter, but that doesn't mean you should neglect your plumbing system this season! We're bringing you a few tips and tricks to keep your plumbing in tiptop shape this summer!

• Summer means vacations! If you're spending more than a night or two away from your home, remember to turn down your water heater to save energy. While you're doing so, it's a great time to check the manufacture date on your heater to see if it’s time to replace it!

• Be smart when it comes to watering your lawn and plants! The best time to water is when the sun is down – either in the early morning or evening. This way, you lose less water through evaporation!

• Throwing a barbeque or summer shindig? Keep in mind what can and cannot go down your garbage disposal. Oils, fruit and vegetable peels, and corn husks are all major "no nos"!

• With everyone on school vacation, the toilets in your home are subject to more use and flushing, which can mean more clogs! Common clogs can usually be solved with a plunger, but be sure to call a professional if you're unable to unclog a toilet on your own. TIP: a trash can conveniently placed beside the toilet can go a long way to preventing things like cotton swabs, hair, and sanitary products from being flushed down your toilet!

• Call for annual maintenance! The worst mistake you can make is waiting for a problem to arise to call a professional. A full inspection of your plumbing system once a year can make the difference between small repairs and a full blown plumbing disaster. If you have yet to schedule your annual maintenance for 2016, give us a call today!

If you have questions related to your plumbing in Ledgewood, NJ, just call The Polite Plumber at (973) 398-0875. We’ll never ask how it happened!

How Plumbers Can Actually Help You Save Money

When some homeowners think about hiring plumbers, they immediately start to think about the cost of hiring someone to come out and inspect the plumbing and make repairs. However, you should know that a plumber can actually help you save money. These are a couple of reasons why.

Preventing More Expensive Repairs
First of all, if you spend the money to hire a plumber to inspect your plumbing system regularly, you can actually save quite a bit of money in the long run. This is because your plumber can let you know about potential leaks before they happen, so you can repair them before they cause property damage and require a more expensive fix. Basically, spending a little bit on prevention can help you save a lot of money in the long run.

Making Water-Friendly Changes 
When is the last time that you made water-friendly changes to your plumbing system? New toilets use a lot less water than older ones, and some newer toilets are more water-friendly than others. Water heaters, shower heads, sink faucets and more can all be swapped out to conserve water. Then, not only can you enjoy the environmental benefits, but you can also save money on your water bill each and every month. These savings are sure to pay off in no time, making it a smart financial decision to hire a plumber to come out and make your home more water-friendly.

Boosting Your Home Value 
If you are ever planning on selling your home, maintaining its value is important. Keeping your plumbing system in good shape and making improvements and upgrades, as needed, can make your home easier to sell if you decide to put it on the market. Additionally, it can help you fetch a higher price for it!

If you have questions related to your plumbing in Budd Lake, NJ, just call The Polite Plumber at (973) 398-0875. We’ll never ask how it happened!

3 Tips for Handling a Plumbing Emergency

The fact about owning a home is that sometimes plumbing emergencies happen. How you handle the problem, however, greatly affects their severity and the impact that they have on your home and plumbing system.

Have a plumbing emergency? Want to be ready for anything related to your plumbing? Here are three tips on handling a home plumbing emergency.

1. Know where your home's shut-off valve is located. For larger plumbing emergencies, the main shut-off valve's location is key to preventing further problems and water damage. If you are unaware as to where it is located, have a plumber come out, do a routine check of your pipes, and show you its location.

2. Understand your home's pipe and plumbing layout. A great way to stop a plumbing emergency is to put your foot in the door before it closes. Even just a cursory understanding of your home's pipes and plumbing will help you diagnose a problem. If your home is new enough, try to attain a copy of your home's plumbing from the builders. Otherwise, work with a plumber to get more plumbing information about your home.

3. Take charge, remain calm, and clear the area of valuables. The absolute worst thing that you can do is panic when the water is flowing freely. Keep a clear head and work fast to remove any valuables from the water affected area. If you are not alone, work with a partner to shut off the water supply as quickly as possible. The faster you work, the better the plumbing emergency will turn out.

In the end, correcting a plumbing emergency is about knowledge and speed. If nothing else, your quick actions will aid a plumber in righting the plumbing wrong.

If you have questions related to your plumbing just call The Polite Plumber at (973) 398-0875. We’ll never ask how it happened!

5 Home Plumbing Tips for the New Year

It's time to put the past behind us and look forward to new and better things. So, if your home's plumbing and has seen better days, use the new year as a sign to get it back to its former glory.

To help you turn your plumbing nightmares into a dream, here are five tips to help you along this winter.

1. Reduce pressure to prevent leaks. If your water pressure is too high, consider reducing it to ease the burden on old and weak pipes. If your pipes are bad enough that they need to be replaced, consider how a professional can help you better the situation.
2. Get a water softener and add years to pipes. Hard tap water clogs and corrodes pipes, but this is preventable with a water softener. Unsure where to begin with a softener? Research online first, then call a plumber to assist you in the entire process.
3. Drain your water heater. Water heaters have a fairly long working life, but they can expire too soon if not properly cared for. For expert help in draining your water heater, a plumber can make the job easy and painless.
4. Have your sump pump and sump pit looked at. When the rainy season comes, the last thing that you want to worry about is a flooded basement. If this has been a concern in the past, perhaps it's time for a second sump pump or a clean sump pit. A plumber can help you decide how to proceed with this process.
5. Stop leaks as soon as you spot them. A drip here, a drop there, it's never a good thing. Always (always) stop leaks as soon as you see them. Water, when left to its own devices, will ruin anything not meant to contact it. For particularly hefty leaks, talk to a plumber for help.

If you have questions related to your plumbing in Succasunna, NJ just call The Polite Plumber at (973) 398-0875. We’ll never ask how it happened!