Don't Let This Happen to You!

Photo from ContractorMag.com

Don't forget to winterize your home! Or if you are leaving town for a shorter period of time, turn your water off at the main, and don't turn your heat below 60 degrees.

Lewes Leaders Urging Residents to Stop Flushing Handi Wipes

Lewes Leaders Urging Residents to Stop Flushing Handi Wipes: The Lewes Board of Public Works is urging neighbors to not flush non-disposable wipes like Handi Wipes down the toilet, saying that this is causing major damage to the sewer system.

Don't Forget to Unhook Your Outside Hoses

With temperatures hovering around freezing recently, it's important to unhook any outside hoses.  Leaving hoses connected can cause water to freeze all the way back into the crawlspace of your home. You also may want to consider having any outdoor plumbing items (including outside showers) winterized by a licensed plumber.    

Holiday Plumbing Tips

The holidays are often the busiest time of year for plumbers. Sometimes issues can arise when you are not home, or because you have too many people in your home. Here are a few tips to reduce your chances of becoming victim to frozen pipes and common clogs:

-If travelling for the holidays, do not turn your heat below 60. It's also a good idea to turn your water off at the main shut off valve - if a leak should occur while you are gone, this will minimize the damage.

-Try not to put any fats, oils or fibrous/tough materials (including sweet potatoes, egg shells and poultry skins) down your drain or into your garbage disposal.

-Turn your disposal on before throwing any food scraps into it.  Also let your disposal run for at least 10-15 seconds before and after using it to be sure that all of the food waste has flushed through.

-Avoid using flushable wipes - they are often not as 'flushable' as the manufacturer makes them out to be and can commonly cause backups.

-Keep a trash can nearby toilets and make sure it's visible to discourage guests from flushing unwanted items.  

Wild & Scenic Film Festival - Thursday November 17th

Click here to get your tickets for the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Thursday November 17th at 6pm, Seaside Plumbing is a proud sponsor of this awesome event!

Why You Should Flush Your Water Heater

Flushing your water heater once a year can greatly increase the life and efficiency of your water heater.  Over time, mineral deposits can build up which can not only damage your water heater, but also affect your water quality.  Many manufacturers will not cover damage caused by sediment or mineral build up, and in some cases it can void your warranty.  A little preventative maintenance can save you lots of money in the long run, whether you have a tanked water heater or tank-less water heater - both should be routinely flushed and inspected by a licensed professional.  

Click here for more information on the importance of flushing your water heater.  Or as always, you can contact us with any questions! 

Preparing Your Home For Winter

So there you are. Pipe wrench in one hand, flashlight in the other hand, and 2” of standing water soaking into your brand new loafer shoes. You’ve just had a frozen pipe burst in your home!  Chances are, it may be due to lack of a proper winterization of your plumbing system. 

Every spring we see homes with damaged plumbing, floors and ceilings due to lack of, or improper winterization. But don’t worry, Seaside has you covered! See our list of simple items you can do yourself to help protect that beach-home investment. If you don’t feel comfortable DIY (do it yourself), please contact a local licensed plumber to help you. A small amount spent protecting your home will save you in the long run!

Year-round residents:

• Unhook outside hoses from the spigot. Leaving hoses connected can cause water to freeze back into the piping of your home (this is one of the most common causes of frozen pipes!)
• Have water piping in any exposed areas insulated.
• Have any outdoor plumbing items (including outside showers) turned off and drained down. Depending on your piping layout, this may not prohibit a frozen pipe….. but it will prohibit a flood!

Vacation Homes:

• If the home is vacant during the winter months, contact a licensed plumber to have it winterized. Turning off the water main and leaving the heat on is unfortunately not enough! A licensed plumber using non-toxic antifreeze pumped through your water piping system is a sure way to ensure you are protected.

Seaside Plumbing Inc. offers winterization agreements for all types/sizes of homes, and of course we would love the opportunity to earn your business. Give us a call today at 410-641-1368.

Why are Plumbers so Expensive

Great article about why plumbers charge what they do!

Why are Plumbers so Expensive?

Check Out Our Article In High Tide News!

To view the full version click here. 

Berlin Bath Tub Races

UPDATE: Thousands expected at 2016 Berlin Bathtub Races

So we didn't win the bath tub races, but we had a great time!  Check out the link above for Josh's interview with WMDT.  

WE ARE HIRING - PLUMBER NEEDED!

WE ARE HIRING - PLUMBER NEEDED!

Pay based upon experience
Schooling & Training Available

Paid time off & retirement

REQUIREMENTS:

- Minimum 1-2 years of experience preferred

- Must have hand tools

- Must have transportation

- Must pass drug test and background check

Apply online at www.SeasidePlumbingInc.com or stop by our office to drop off your resume/references. Call 410-641-1368 with any questions.

Seaside Plumbing Inc Named Best Plumbing Company!

Seaside Plumbing was named Best Plumbing Company in Worcester County by Coastal Style Magazine! Thank you to all of our awesome customers, your support means so much!

Our Bath Tub Racer is Coming Along!

We've made some adjustments to our bath tub racer this year and we're hoping to be faster than ever!  Come out and see us at the Bath Tub Races in Berlin this Friday July 15th from 6-8pm!

Reduce Your Summer Water Usage

Household water usage increases significantly over the summer months with an estimated 30-70% of water being used outdoors according to the EPA.  Consider purchasing a rainwater catchment barrel to curb your outdoor water usage and save money on your water bill.  

It's also estimated that 50% of water is wasted through evaporation due to poor watering practices.  In order to reduce evaporation, avoid watering your garden during the heat of the day. Generally, early morning or late afternoon are the best times.   

Lastly, consider upgrading your toilets and fixtures to newer low flow options to save money on your water bill and reduce your overall usage. 

Jack Johnson Kicks Off the #WaveforChange: World Oceans Day 2016

Is It Necessary to Flush My Water Heater?

Flushing your water heater once a year can greatly increase the life and efficiency of your water heater.  Over time, mineral deposits can build up which can not only damage your water heater, but also affect your water quality.  Many manufacturers will not cover damage caused by sediment or mineral build up, and in some cases it can void your warranty.  A little preventative maintenance can save you lots of money in the long run, whether you have a tanked water heater or tank-less water heater - both should be routinely flushed and inspected by a licensed professional.  

Click here for more information on the importance of flushing your water heater.  Or as always, you can contact us with any questions! 

Benefit for Johnny Meiklejohn Family

Give us a call at 410-641-1368 for details on how to purchase tickets for this benefit sponsored by Contractor's for a Cause.  

Home Water Saving Tips

Check out the video below for some simple water saving tips. Visit our sustainability page for more ideas on saving water. 

Toilet museum opens in Japan

Check out this interesting article about how Japan’s toilet obsession produced some of the world’s best bathrooms.  Toto has actually opened a $60 million dollar museum that celebrates toilets.  

Is it really necessary to have my home de-winterized?

Our answer is yes!  You've already done the right thing by having your home winterized by a professional plumber, BUT we highly recommend having a licensed plumber de-winterize your home also.  Winterization of a plumbing system does not serve as a leak test on your existing piping, so existing issues or leaks could already be present.  Additionally, if the water was accidentally turned on over the winter AFTER the home was winterized, there could be potential issues.  During the de-winterization process, the plumber will perform an air pressure test on your piping BEFORE turning the water back on.  This will ensure that any leaks/issues are caught and repaired ahead of time.  

Happy World Water Day on March 22nd!

Did you know that 1 in 10 people in the world live without access to safe drinking water?  And 1 in 3 people don't have access to a toilet?  World Water Day on March 22nd was started to bring awareness to these issues.  Visit water.org for more information or to see what you can do to help.  

Fix a Leak Week - March 16 through 22, 2015

Did you know that more 1 trillion gallons of water are wasted each year in the US due to household leaks?  This is a great time of year to inspect your home for any leaks, and to think about making changes to reduce your water usage.  March 16th through March 22nd is the official Fix a Leak Week, so watch the video above to see what you can do about household leaks, or call a plumber!

Did You Know?

Approximately 30-50% of people do not know where their water main or gas main shut off valves are located.  Click here if you are one of these people!  Educating yourself on where your shut off valves are located is a great way to protect your home from costly leaks.  

What To Do If You Suspect You Have a Frozen Pipe

If you turn on a fixture and very little or no water comes out, you may have a frozen pipe.  We highly recommend calling a licensed plumber right away to get on their schedule as soon as possible.  Next, shut your water off at the main shut-off valve.  Click here to learn more about where your shut off valves are located.  If there is a visible leak and you do NOT know where your shut off valve is, then call your local water utility company so they can come and shut the water off for you underground at the street. 

Here are a few tips on thawing frozen pipes for the 'do-it-yourselfers': 

• Make sure the water is off at the main!
• Try to locate the frozen pipe.  If you had no water at any fixtures in the home, then the frozen pipe is probably near your main.  If only one fixture was affected, then one of the pipes feeding that fixture may be frozen.  Open the faucet that the suspected frozen pipes are feeding and try to follow the pipes from that fixture. 
• With the faucet remaining open, try to use a heat lamp or a hair dryer to thaw the frozen area. 
• Visually inspect the pipe for any cracks or breaks – if the pipe appears damaged then you will want to stop here, leave the water off and wait for a plumber to make the repair.
• If the pipe does not appear to be broken, you can turn the water back on once the frozen area has started to melt.
•  Leave the water running at this fixture until the pipe is completely thawed, you may want to leave it trickling to help prevent it from refreezing.
•  If the pipe froze once, it could freeze again – it’s important to have a plumber or contractor come out to identify any problem areas.  The piping may need to be rerouted, insulated, or your crawlspace may need to be insulated more.
• If you followed the above steps and were able to successfully thaw the frozen pipe, you should still have a plumber come out and inspect the piping to ensure there are no additional issues or leaks. 

Contractors for a Cause helping out a family in Berlin

Thanks again to Contractors For a Cause, for identifying and handling some much needed items for a family in Worcester County.  Our local plumbing supplier Thomas Somerville was kind enough to donate all of the material, and Seaside Plumbing was available to complete the install in time for Christmas!  New water heater, kitchen faucet, and new bathroom sink faucet installed and working great!

Tips to winterize your home for the season

Click on the link below to check out WMDT's interview with Josh on winterization tips!

Tips to winterize your home for the season.