Plumbers Keep You Safe and Healthy!

According to some studies, approximately 780 million people lack access to clean water and around 3.4 million people (almost the size of Los Angeles) die each year from a water related disease.  Safe, clean drinking water is crucial to our health and well-being, just one of the things that makes a plumber's job very important.  Ensuring that our clean drinking water is coming down a one way street and preventing any kind of contaminated water from flowing back into the potable water system is called backflow prevention.  There are smaller devices and practices in place in many homes.  For example - all tub spouts and sink faucets are installed above the rim of the tub or sink, and most hose bibs are made with an anti siphon valve - all of these things ensure that no contaminated water can enter back into the city water system or well.  There are also larger versions of backflow prevention devices (like the one pictured to the right), protecting our drinking water. 

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!  

The 30 Secrets a Plumber Won’t Tell You

If you've ever had problems with your pipes you'll want to read this. Plumbers give us the scoop on clogged . . . 
The 30 Secrets a Plumber Won’t Tell You

Seaside Plumbing Named Best Plumbing Company 3 Years in a Row!

Seaside Plumbing was named Best Plumbing Company in Sussex County by Coastal Style Magazine AGAIN! Thank you to all of our awesome customers for recognizing us 3 years in a row!!

Believe in Tomorrow 5k on Thursday July 19th!

Don't forget to come out for the Believe in Tomorrow 5k on July 19th.  If you can't make it to the race you can still donate here.  

Bath Tub Races

Well we didn't win (again!), but we had a great time.  Thanks to everyone for coming out to support us!

Come Out and See Us This Saturday at the Berlin Bath Tub Races!

Come out to Berlin this Saturday to see us compete in the annual Bath Tub Races!  This year's races are on the same day as the Believe in Tomorrow Block Party - so come out early and support this great organization, then stay for the races at 4:30!

Safety Notice | InSinkErator RECALL

PLEASE NOTE: InSinkErator has issued a recall on sink top switches sold between 2005 and October 2017.  Water can get into the power module, which could pose a fire hazard.  Click below or contact us for more information.  

Safety Notice | InSinkErator

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. 

Vote For Us Now!

We've been nominated Best Plumbing Company in Worcester County, please don't forget to vote for us on Coastal Style's website: 

http://www.coastalstylemag.com/best-of-coastal-style-ballot

Duluth Trading Commercial: How to Hug a Plumber

It's Never Too Early to Learn Plumbing!

And on that note, we are hiring!  Please apply through our site.  

Spring Plumbing Tips

-Think About Saving Water:  Call a plumber to have them do a quick assessment of your fixtures (you can also click here to calculate your water usage). Upgrading your fixtures to more efficient/water saving fixtures can save you tens of thousands of gallons of water every year.  Not only will this save you money on your water bill, but ten thousand gallons is enough drinking water to last the average person about 50+ years.  Small changes can make a big difference!  Also, consider getting a rainwater catchment barrel to use for watering your outdoor plants.

-Flushing Your Water Heater: Water heaters (both regular water heaters and tank-less water heaters) should be flushed on a regular basis (we suggest once a year). Over time, inches of sediment can build up in your regular water heater. Tank-less water heaters also need to be flushed with vinegar to keep lime and scale from corroding the heat exchanger piping.  Having your water heater flushed regularly can help prolong it's life and keep it running efficiently. Spring is also a good time to do a quick visual assessment of your water heater. If you have a tanked water heater that is showing signs of rust, it's time to call a plumber!!  Generally tanked water heaters last anywhere from 10-15 years.  

-De-winterization:  If your home has been vacant all winter, we highly recommend having a plumber de-winterize it (even if it has been winterized). During the de-winterization process, your plumber should air test your piping to ensure it's integrity before the water is turned back on.  We had an especially brutal winter which makes this even more important - water damage is one of the most common and costly homeowner's insurance claims.  A little preventative maintenance can save a huge amount of money and hassle.  

World Water Day 2018: Nature for Water

Next Week is Fix a Leak Week!

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 19th-25th is the official Fix a Leak Week.  Call a plumber today to have your plumbing system inspected for leaks, or to have any leaky faucets replaced ASAP!

Is It Really Necessary to Have My Home Dewinterized?

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.  

What Should I Do If I Get An Abnormally Expensive Water Bill?

An abnormally expensive water bill could have a few culprits.  First off - call your water provider and ask them to double check that the meter was read correctly.  Also have them inspect the city owned side of the meter to make sure there are no leaks.  

If the meter was read correctly, and your water provider didn't find any leaks on their side of the meter, call a plumber and ask them to help you investigate to find the source.   A few things to look out for include: water pooled up in the yard (could be indicative of a break in the water main), constantly running toilets, or any visible signs of leaks or water damage.  The issue could be as simple as a leaking flapper valve, or you could have a break in your water main that may need to be dug up and repaired - either way, a plumber can help you identify the cause.  

After the repairs are complete, be sure to get a copy of the invoice from your plumber.  Some municipalities will give you a break on your bill in certain cases if you are able to show them that there was a problem and it has been repaired.

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. 

How long until it's decomposed?