Happy New Year!!

We hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year!!  Thanks for a great 2013!!

Plumbing FAQs – Where Are My Shut-Off Valves Located?

Water damage from failed or faulty plumbing systems is one of the most common homeowners’ insurance claims.  Leaks can be very costly and damaging to your home – in order to minimize damage it’s important to familiarize yourself with your home’s plumbing system and to know where your shut-off valves are located. 

The location can vary depending on the house, but the most common places are near your water heater, or in your crawlspace.  There is also a shut off valve underground at your water meter pit.  If you are on a well system, there should also be one near your well pump.  Most fixtures should also have their own individual shut off valves: your sink faucet shut offs should be underneath the sink, a toilet’s shut off valve should be located to the side, and your washing machine shut off valves should be located above the appliance in the washer box recessed in the wall.  Showers sometimes do not have their own shut off valves, and if they do they are usually located inside of the wall – so if you believe water may be leaking from a shower fixture it would be best to turn the water off at the main.  If all else fails, be sure that you have the emergency number for your water service provider or plumber on hand. 

 

In addition to your water main shut offs, it’s also important to know where your main gas shut offs are located in case of a leak.  In most cases there will be a shut off where the gas enters the home.  If you have a gas tank on your property, there should as be a shut off valve located at the tank itself.

Being able to turn off your main in the event of a leak can save your home from a substantial amount of damage.  If you’re still not sure where your shut-offs are located, just give us a call.  We’d be happy to give you a quick overview of your plumbing system, and even do a preventative maintenance inspection to identify any potential trouble spots.  

Reducing Your Water Usage

Did you know?

-The average home wastes about 9,000 gallons a year waiting for hot water.

-Typically a family of four can use as much as 400 gallons of water every day.

-Toilets account for roughly 27% of a home's water usage - installing a newer, more efficient toilet could save over 10,000 gallons per year.

-Less than 1% of publicly treated water is used for drinking and cooking

Click here to calculate your water footprint.

 



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.

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

We hope everyone has a happy, problem-free Thanksgiving!
 

Plumbing FAQs - Providing Your Own Plumbing Material

Often our customers pose the question:  I found the same material for cheaper online or in the store, can I provide my own faucets or material for you to install? 

The answer to this question is yes in most situations (and assuming that a contract has not yet been signed), however there are several things to consider if and when you decide to provide your own material:

·    Cheaper is not always better:  In many cases you may be able to find a faucet for cheaper online or in a big box store, while the faucet may look the same from the outside and may even have the same model number – it sometimes (not always) is made of cheaper plastic parts on the inside, thus explaining the reason that it can be sold for less.   So basically we can’t always guarantee the quality of these products, but we can guarantee the quality of the plumbing products we can get through our suppliers.

·    It’s not always cheaper to provide your own material:  In some cases we are able to provide the material for less than you could get it on your own (just ask and we can give you a quote).  Additionally, if we provide the material, we can guarantee that we are bringing everything needed to get the job done.  There are certain required items for some faucets or installations that a non-plumber may not be aware of.  We make every effort to be as prepared as possible and communicate with our customers, but the best way to ensure that we have everything we need is for us to supply the material.  This ultimately reduces the amount of trips we have to take to the supply house, which reduces the cost to the customer.  It can also reduce any headaches if there is a problem with the product – it becomes our problem to fix instead of yours.

·    If we don’t provide it, we can’t provide a warranty on it:  We are faced with a myriad of plumbing choices, and some products are exponentially better than others – we have had the opportunity to learn which plumbing products are best through years of experience (some good and some bad, but nonetheless we have learned some valuable lessons about durability and quality).  The plumbing products we choose to install are ones with quality workmanship that we can trust and stand behind.  We have a 1 year warranty on our work – and if we provide the material, we can help you if there is a material related issue.  If you decide to provide the product you will still receive our 1 year warranty on the labor/installation side of things, but unfortunately we cannot warranty the material. 

·    Use caution on where you buy your material:  If you do decide to provide your own faucets or material – we can most definitely answer any questions you may have to make the process as hiccup free as possible.  But, exercise caution before you buy – make sure that you check the store or website’s return and warranty policies thoroughly.  We can tell you from experience that some sites and stores make it next to impossible to resolve any material related issues or returns.  Some things to look for in warranty and return policies are:

o   Are there restocking fees?

o   Who pays for the return shipping?

o   What does your warranty cover specifically?  Are there any replacement parts that are not covered?

o   What kind of customer service reputation does the company you are buying from have?   If you do have a problem, will you spend hours or days working with them, having to provide documentation to get it resolved?

o   Lastly, who pays for the labor on a warranty issue?  Most manufacturers will provide parts to you, but you may still have to pay a plumber to come out and complete the repairs.

If you find an item that you really like online or in a store, then we can also find a comparable, quality item through our supplier and provide it for you.  If we provide and install a faucet and a defect arises within one year, we take care of all of this for you - ordering the replacement parts and coming back free of charge to complete the repairs.   After weighing the options, if you ultimately decide to provide your own material, we can help point you in the direction of some tried and true products.   

Plumbing Winterization Tips

 

If you plan on being out of town this winter, here are a few preventative tips to help protect your home from the colder weather while you're gone:

• Turn your water off at the main
• Turn on all faucets to drain all water from the pipes
• Do not turn the heat below 60 degrees
• Open all sink cabinets to expose pipes (leaving the cabinets closed can cause lower temperatures underneath the sink, which could cause the water in the trap to freeze and crack your pipes)
• Turn off the power or gas to your water heater to save on energy costs (You can also drain your water heater using a garden hose)

If you plan on being away for an extended period of time or if you have a summer vacation home that is not used over the winter, it's a good idea to have it winterized to prevent costly leaks and save on heating costs.  As always, we recommend having a licensed and insured professional handle any winterizations. Any questions?  Just give us a call at 410-641-1368 and we'd be happy to help!

October is Rise Above Plastics Month

October is the Surfrider Foundation's Rise Above Plastics Month.  Did you know that almost every single piece of plastic that has ever been created still exists in some shape or form?  On top of that, there was more plastic produced between 2000-2010 than there was in the entire last century.  Check out www.rapmonth.org for more information and eye-opening facts.  Click here to find out what you can do to reduce your plastic usage.

Image from: http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/News/054849-2009-08-04-researchers-set-sail-for-the-great-pacific-garbage-patch.htm

Plumbing FAQs - Strange Smells

Question: There is a strange smell coming from our guest bathroom that we rarely use, what is causing this and what can we do?

Answer: If the bathroom is rarely used - there is a good chance that the water in the trap of the sink, tub or shower has evaporated.  Traps are designed to hold water and keep out these foul odors and sewer gases.  Running the water down the drain periodically in these rarely used fixtures, will keep water in the trap and eliminate these odors.

 

 

More Water Heater Rebates!

Choptank Electric Cooperative customers can now get rebates for installing energy efficient electric water heaters through the new Electric Storage Water Heater Program that began on August 1st.  Click here for more information.  Water heating accounts for one of the largest consumptions of energy in your home, second only to heating and cooling.  To find out about more rebates in your area, you can visit www.dsireusa.com. 

 

 

5 Toilet Technologies of the Future | Impatient Optimists

Did you know?

At any given time, half of the world's hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from diseases associated with lack of access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene.

Check out this article on some cool new toilet technologies that could help revolutionize sanitation in developing countries: 

5 Toilet Technologies of the Future | Impatient Optimists

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! 

Plumbing FAQs - Sinks

 

 

Question:  Our sink makes a "glug glug" noise when it empties.  Why?  What can we do to fix it?

 

Answer: This is a venting issue.  Each fixture drain must have a vent to allow air into the drain and also to let the air displaced by water going down the drain to escape.  The noise you hear is the air in the drain escaping into your sink instead of out a vent.  It is very important that fixtures are vented correctly to prevent sewer gases from coming into your home.  A plumber will be able to make sure the drain is properly vented and to code. 

Plumbers Keep You Safe and Healthy!

Backflow Preventer for Irrigation System

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 above), protecting our drinking water. 

Summer Referral Giveaway Program

Running from July 1^st – September 30^th, every time you refer a customer, we will enter your name into a drawing for a $50 VISA gift card.  We will contact the winner of the drawing by October 10^th.  There is no limit to the number of entries, but there is only one entry allowed per customer referral (so you can’t refer the same person twice). 

How do you enter?
Just be sure to tell whoever you refer to mention your name when they call us. 
 
Any questions? 
Don’t hesitate to contact us!
 
Thank you to all of our loyal customers for your referrals and continued business!!

Fine Print: By entering you allow Seaside Plumbing to use your name in promotional materials and announce you as the winner if you should happen to win. 

Contractors for a Cause - Spring Gala on Saturday June 15th!!

 

The Contractors for a Cause Annual Spring Gala is coming up on Saturday June 15th. Click here for more information!

Things to Look for When Choosing a Plumber

BEFORE

AFTER

 

-Are they licensed and insured? Plumbers are required to hold a professional license and insurance obtained through the state in which they are working.  Many states have this information posted online, where you can search for the individual and see if they hold an active license.  Most reputable plumbing companies will be run by a master plumber, and insured – if in doubt – don’t hesitate to ask them.

-Are they experienced and do they have a good reputation locally?  Ask friends or neighbors if they have a recommendation or if it’s company or individual they have heard of.   If not, you can do some research on your own.  Don’t hesitate to give them a call and ask questions – they should be able to give you any information you need over the phone, or via mail or email.  Ask for pictures of their work, or for references.  A reputable company or individual should have absolutely no problem answering any questions or concerns.  Additionally, the internet is a great tool for researching on your own.  Just seeing how a company presents themselves either on the internet or by answering the phone can offer some insight into how they may treat their customers. 

-Do they warranty their work?  Most decent plumbers will offer some kind of a warranty.  But asking about a warranty is not the only important question – will the person be in business long enough to honor it?  Look for established companies or individuals with a good reputation.  If it’s a new company be sure to do your homework.  If you have a bad feeling, don’t ignore it!

-Are they dependable? Look out for the telltale signs that they will not follow through.  No one is perfect, but if they are consistently late, or making promises they can’t keep – think twice.

-Don’t shop on price alone, cheaper is not always better!  The cheaper the price, the more questions you should ask.  Make sure you are comparing apples to apples on quotes; some plumbers will find ways to cut corners and do things the quicker or cheaper way, with less than quality material.  Or they may have neglected to include something in their price and then can upcharge you later on.    

Support a Great Cause!

The Justin's Beach House Memorial Day 5k Run / 3k Walk is right around the corner on Saturday May 25th.  Click here for more information, or to register.

Happy Earth Day!

 

Happy Belated Earth Day!  Did you know that our sewage treatment plants are unable to break down pharmaceuticals?  So when they are flushed down the toilet, they ultimately end up in our waterways, posing a threat to fish and wildlife.  Operation Medicine Drop, scheduled for Saturday April 27th in various locations throughout Worcester County, gives people the opportunity to dispose of medicines safely and properly.  Click here for more information and drop off locations

Garbage Disposal Troubleshooting

Garbage disposal problems can be either plumbing or electrical.  First things first, never attempt to reach your hand into a garbage disposal for any reason!! Serious injury can occur.

If you turn on your garbage disposal, and no sound occurs at all (no "hum" or any sound of the cutter wheels turning), your problem could be electrical.

Try pushing the red reset button on the bottom of the garbage disposal.  If you still get no results, check your electric breaker in your electrical panel to make sure that it is not "tripped."  If this doesn't resolve the issue, then there may be a physical clog of debris preventing your flywheel from turning.  Most units provide you with a wrench that you can insert into the bottom of the garbage disposal to manually "unstick" it.  Keep in mind that the electric needs to be turned off to the garbage disposal before you try this step.  If your unit does not respond to these actions, then it is likely that it needs to be replaced.

Tax Credits for Replacing Your Water Heater

Water heating is the second highest energy cost in your home, right behind heating & cooling.  Did you know that you could get a $300 tax credit for replacing your water heater with a more efficient one?  Check out Energy Star for details. 

Water Facts and World Water Day

World Water Day is coming up on March 22nd, it's purpose is to bring awareness to the importance of fresh water.  Check out this video for some interesting facts.  You can also visit our website to calculate your water usage and find out some more information on sustainability.

Spring Plumbing Tips

 


Maybe this is wishful thinking with a possible snowstorm on the horizon, but here are a few spring plumbing tips!

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 (no exaggeration!) 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.

Dewinterizations: If you are returning to a home that has been vacant over the winter, it's always a good idea to have a professional thoroughly inspect the pipes for any leaks before turning the water back on.

If you have any questions or would like for us to take care of your water heater or dewinterization, don't hesitate to contact us or give us a call at 410-641-1368. Out of town? Can't have it done for another month or two? That's no problem just let us know and we will gladly mail you a reminder.