Max Sr & Paul Schoenwalder Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, A Corp. Blog: Archive for the ‘Plumbing’ Category

How To Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Kitchen Drains

Monday, February 6th, 2023
water-running-down-a-drain

Drain flies are a common issue in New Jersey. These unsightly bugs tend to congregate in kitchens and bathrooms. Although they’re harmless, they’re not pleasant to look at or deal with–especially when you’re trying to prepare food, entertain guests, and eat. 

You might be wondering why drain flies have decided to invade your home and if it has anything to do with your home’s cleanliness. Unfortunately, the two aren’t related. Even the most sparkling-clean homes can suffer from drain flies. 

If you have drain flies around your kitchen or bathroom drains, here are some DIY methods to try. Drain flies can be a sign of a bigger issue developing in your plumbing. If these tips don’t help, don’t despair. You can always rely on the plumbing technicians at Max Sr and Paul Schoenwalder for drain cleaning in South Orange.

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Strange Things Plumbers Have Found in Drains

Monday, December 12th, 2022
hand gripping drain pipe

There are various drain clogs and stoppages that plumbers see all the time: soap scum in bathroom sinks, food waste in kitchen sinks, and foreign objects in toilets. But every plumber has a story about truly strange things they’ve found in drains and garbage disposals.

Here are a few things that are unusual–and some that are weird but still fairly common. Perhaps you’re guilty of a few of these, but by reading about these examples you can hopefully avoid plumbing repairs in your home.

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Signs That You May Have a Plumbing Leak

Monday, September 5th, 2022

plumber-working-on-sinkMaybe one of the most common household issues that homeowners face, no matter the time of year, are plumbing leaks. And if you do have a plumbing leak, it’s usually a much bigger problem than it looks like at first. We don’t say that to scare you, but the truth is that even the smallest pinhole leak, if it goes unnoticed for too long, can cause a lot of water and subsequent property damage.

Here’s the thing–plumbing leaks can and do go on for a long time before they’re noticeable. This is true whether it’s from a pipe underneath a sink (and then, behind cabinet doors) or a pipe running behind your drywall. The good news is, there are signs that you can keep a watchful eye and listening ear out for. Read on to learn what these signs are!

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“How Often Do I Need to Check My Sump Pump?”

Monday, April 4th, 2022

sump-pumpFor homes in our climate, the sump pump is a staple appliance, resting in the basement or otherwise the lowest point of a property. Sump pump systems help you avoid water damage due to flooding, switching on automatically as they gather excess water in the pit (sump) and then pump it out, either to a well or a wastewater system.

While you might not think that a huge flood can impact your house this way, you’d be surprised what a plumbing mishap or heavy rainstorm can do. And standing water in the basement or crawlspace of a home is a huge problem. It can cause severe damage to the foundation of your home, rotting away wood, and creating other hazards.

It also raises the humidity in your home, encouraging mold and mildew growth. We suggest that most homes in our area have a sump pump installed as an important precaution. Of course, if you found your way to this particular blog post, then chances are you already have one, so, how often should it be checked? Read on to find out!

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How to Plan Around Your Plumbing with Your Kitchen Remodel

Monday, February 21st, 2022

plumber-helping-homeowner-with-sinkThis is a popular time of year for many indoor remodeling projects since homeowners aren’t typically spending a whole lot of time outdoors. However, small remodeling projects can become huge headaches if they’re not done correctly, or done without any professional assistance.

Take your kitchen plumbing, for example. There are actually quite a few things that can go wrong with your plumbing on any given day–a jammed-up garbage disposal, a clogged drain, a leaky plumbing appliance. Add on an amateur remodeling job and you could have the recipe for disaster. No need to worry though–we have some tips for you below on how you can plan around your plumbing with your kitchen remodel so you can avoid the pitfalls that other homeowners have faced. Read on!

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Know These Symptoms of a Plumbing Leak

Monday, November 1st, 2021

checklist-with-red-markerWe’ve probably all seen the movies or the TV shows where someone discovers a leak when a rainstorm hits, or when they really need to get the home ready for a gathering. These scenes usually involve a bunch of buckets placed around the property to gather water aggressively dripping from the ceiling or whatnot.

The truth of the matter is, most leaks are actually a lot more subtle than this, and don’t come from rainstorms–they come from your plumbing system. You want to know about these leaks as soon as possible, so that you can have them repaired and limit the risk of damage to your property. And they hardly ever happen at a convenient time–at least Hollywood gets that part right. But, how do you know if you have a leak? Other than having water gushing out of a pipe underneath a sink or from your toilet (ew!), are there symptoms you can look for?

There sure are! Read on as we uncover some of the most common warning signs you can watch out for that will alert you to the presence of a leak.

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Qualities to Look for in a Professional Plumber

Monday, July 12th, 2021

plumber-working-on-sinkYour home’s plumbing is essential to the comfort your home offers. When you encounter any problems with your home’s plumbing, it is critical to immediately address any problems before leading to more extensive and costlier repairs. It makes sense that you would want to hire a plumber in Chatham who can do a good job and give you the peace of mind that they will provide you an effective solution to your plumbing problems.

Unfortunately, not all plumbers are made the same. Most plumbers are good at what they do with the plumbing, and that is why they can offer their services. However, the best in the business possess other qualities, proving that they are true professionals that you can trust.

If you need to hire a professional plumber for your home, you should know about the qualities to look for that help you recognize a good professional. This post will help you make a more well-informed decision when hiring a professional plumber by highlighting the best qualities in the business.

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Is It Time for You to Call a Plumber?

Monday, May 3rd, 2021

homeowner-looking-under-sink-at-leak-with-phone-to-earAt times, it can be hard for the average homeowners to detect what kind of shape their plumbing system is in. In fact, if you’re like most homeowners, you don’t think about your plumbing system much at all, especially if nothing is very visibly wrong with it. It’s one of those “out of sight, out of mind” things. Unfortunately, not paying attention to your plumbing can lead to problems.

In fact, it’s almost inevitable that at some point, you’re going to need plumbing repairs. And when this does occur, it’s important for you to be able to address it right away so you can prevent it from becoming a bigger emergency. So, what are the signs it’s time to call in a pro? The below signs indicate that it’s time:

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Heed These Signs You Need Plumbing Work

Monday, March 22nd, 2021

plumber-tightening-under-sink-pipe-with-wrenchPlumbing problems are one of those things that can be really hard to detect without the right professional equipment and experience. Most of your plumbing system is hidden from view, right? The problems that typically afflict it can be very subtle and not make themselves known until they are emergencies.

For this reason, we recommend scheduling preventive maintenance for your plumbing system on at least an annual basis. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the warning signs that your plumbing system is struggling. On the rare chance that a problem happens between maintenance sessions, you’ll be able to detect it quickly so you can call us for prompt repairs. Read on as we uncover some of the symptoms of plumbing problems, and give us a call when you notice any of them.

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Don’t Let the Weather Ruin Your Plumbing!

Monday, January 25th, 2021

icicles-hanging-from-pipeHere we are, facing some of the most bitterly cold temperatures we ever have. You’re probably concerned about ensuring that you and your family stay as warm, comfortable, and healthy as possible as the temperatures drop.

What you might not be considering, is how your plumbing system is able to deal with these bitterly cold temperatures. It’s actually quite easy for your pipe to freeze in cold weather—and unfortunately, frozen pipes lead to burst pipes. Fortunately, we’re here to help, whether you already have frozen pipes and need us to safely thaw them, or you’re looking for ways to prevent this from occurring in the first place. Read on as we share some tips on how to do the latter!

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