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!

How to Prevent Your Plumbing Pipes from Freezing This Winter

As the weather is starting to cool off and the colder temperatures are getting closer, you might be thinking about preparing your home for the winter months. One part of your home that you might not have thought about protecting yet is your plumbing, but you should know that your pipes can freeze and burst when the temperatures drop below freezing if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to prevent this from happening.

Wrap Your Pipes
Before the weather gets colder, hire a professional plumber to come out and take a look at your plumbing. Along with inspecting them to ensure that you don't need to have any repairs done, he or she can also wrap your pipes with insulation. Then, the insulation will help keep your pipes warm and will help prevent them from freezing when the temperatures get cold.

Keep the Temperature Regulated in Your Home 
You might like to use a space heater in just some parts of your house or apartment so that you can save on your electric bill; however, doing so can allow the plumbing in other parts of your home to freeze. You might also leave your heater off when you travel to avoid running up your utility bills. However, it is important to keep the temperature throughout your home above freezing at all times to help keep your pipes safe.

Let the Water Drip 
On particularly cold nights, it's a good idea to turn the water faucet on to a slight drip. This is just enough to keep the water running through your pipes, which will prevent it from freezing.

As you can see, there are steps that you can take to prevent your plumbing pipes from freezing this winter. 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!

Understanding Plumbing Noises: Three Common Sounds and What They Mean

When you hear odd sounds coming from something mechanical such as a lawn mower or a car, you know there's a problem. You also know it's just a matter of time before a problem occurs if nothing is done about it. Like your car or lawn mower, your plumbing is never completely quiet but if it makes odd or unusual sounds, it's best to check it out and get it resolved before it turns into a problem. Here are descriptions of three common plumbing noises:

Hammering and Banging 
Hammering often happens when a faucet or valve is quickly shut off. When something as heavy as water is brought to a sudden stop, it sends a shock wave through your plumbing much like a hammer does when it strikes something. Excessive water pressure often causes loud water hammering. Normal water pressure in your home will vary between 40 to 70 psi. If it's beyond this range, you may need a pressure reducer valve installed on your water supply main and/or a water hammer arrestor.
The reason for banging sounds is loose pipes that bump against other objects. Loose and floppy plumbing requires more secure mounting.
Loud water hammering should be looked into because if high water pressure is the culprit, it can damage your plumbing and appliances. In addition, the shock waves from frequent water hammering may cause damage.

Whistling
When water flows rapidly through narrow piping, it can make whistling sounds, especially at bends and tees. The water may be flowing too fast for your plumbing because of excessive water pressure. If the pressure is OK, then the piping could either be too small or sediment buildup has narrowed down a section of piping. Another common cause of whistling is a leaking toilet fill valve which may require adjustment or replacement.
As with water hammering, if high water pressure is the reason for the whistling sound, damage to your plumbing and appliances may occur.

Squeaking
Expanding and contracting hot water pipes usually causes squeaking. When hot water flows through a pipe, the heat causes the metal of the piping to expand. The expanding pipe then rubs against its anchoring straps. When the pipe cools, it contracts and again rubs against the strapping. Install pipe cushioning or rubber between the pipe and its anchor strap.


If you have questions about unusual noises related to your plumbing in Hopatcong, NJ or if you require plumbing repair, call The Polite Plumber at (973) 398-0875.

Why It’s Better to Hire a Professional Plumber

When it comes to caring for their home, many people feel comfortable taking on projects and do a great job of solving small problems on their own. However, no matter how handy you are, plumbing issues in your home are something that should always warrant a visit from a professional. Here is a list of a few reasons why it’s better to hire a professional plumber:

strong>They provide emergency service. Professional plumbers are always there to help support their clients and provide immediate assistance when needed. Plumbers on call 24/7 will be available to help you at any time, day or night, in the event of a plumbing emergency.

They’re educated in water safety. There are many dangerous things to consider when working with drinking water, gas lines and waste water. It is to the best interest of the customer to make sure that all work is performed to state safety standards and codes.

They provide many different services. Many people don’t realize that plumbers do a lot more than drain cleaning and fixing pipes. Professional plumbers like The Polite Plumber provide a wide variety of services! Some of these include bathroom remodeling, water softening and conditioning, and gas conversions.

They know the latest equipment. Plumbers are up to date on the latest equipment and technology. Their plumbing education and training continues throughout their entire careers to ensure the properly handling of tools and appliances to solve any plumbing problem.

They provide permanent solutions. Professional plumbers aren’t looking for a quick fix that will have them returning to fix the same problem a month or two later. Their goal is to find a permanent solution to plumbing issues and fix things right the first time so that the job will last for a longer period of time. That means they don’t use duct tape!

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Spring Plumbing Tips

Spring is here, finally! After this winter I think we can all breathe a sigh of a relief! Now that spring is here it’s time to start talking about how to prep your plumbing system for the season. 

Below is a list of tips and tricks that we recommend:

• When spring hits EVERYONE wants to spend time outside, so that means clothes get dirty faster! This means your washer will be used a lot this season. Be sure to check your washing machine hose for leaks, cracks and bulges. Tip: The hose should be replaced every three years.
• Now that spring is here you will probably be eating more fruit and veggies. DO NOT put banana peels, cornhusks, celery or other fibrous foods in the garbage disposal. It will just clog the system.
• When trees grow during the spring the new tree roots can mess with sewer lines. Be sure to call us, so that we can inspect your sewer line, and prevent any future issues.
• Be sure to clean the debris out of your gutters, drains and downspouts. The last thing you want is a clogged gutter during a thunderstorm!
• Check the outdoor hose faucets to make sure the water is flowing properly. If there’s any sort of leak give us a call.

Questions? Just call The Polite Plumber at (973) 398-0875. We won't ask how it happened!

Spring Time: Hose Faucet Tip

A quick tip when using the hose faucet for the first time this spring...

To avoid water damage, or just a big mess, use the buddy system! When using the hose faucet for the first time this spring, have one person remain inside the home to check for leaks at the shut off valve and on the span of pipe leading to the outside hose faucet. Many times during the winter, the pipe will develop splits or pin holes and if you are unaware of this when you turn the water back on, it can cause some serious flooding when using the faucet... water the flowers, not your floor!!

If all else fails, call The Polite Plumber at (973) 398-0875 - we won’t ask how it happened!

The Myth of the High Efficiency Toilet

When you hear the term high efficiency toilet, you may think, who wouldn’t want that? Don’t be fooled. Picking a toilet for your bathroom isn’t as easy as picking out the high efficiency model and walking out of the store. And, choosing the wrong toilet could lead to more hassle down the line.

Below are three things to remember when shopping for a new toilet:

• What you pay for is what you get. As with other household purchases, investing more money in this purchase might be the way to go. Inexpensive toilets will not operate as well as a higher-end toilet.
• Think about your desired toilet height! Studies have shown that 99% of consumers prefer a comfort height toilet. Comfort height toilets sit 2-3 inches higher than a standard toilet and are easier for a consumer to get in and out of.
• A toilet’s ability to flush increases with a 1- ½”, or better, trap way. You may not need a ‘high efficiency’ toilet to get the most efficiency out of yours.

Remember, even if you don’t know where to start, keep these three tips in mind. If all else fails, call The Polite Plumber at (973) 398-0875 and we won’t ask how it happened!