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

How Can Video Pipe Inspection Save Your Sewer Lines?

Monday, April 8th, 2019

plumber-looking-at-screen-using-video-pipe-inspectionLet’s talk about your sewer lines. This is one of the most important parts of modern plumbing, and yet not a lot of homeowners think about it very much. We wouldn’t really expect you to, to be honest. However, never thinking about your sewer lines put you at risk of problems you may never think about either.

There’s a part of routine plumbing maintenance that’s become more popular in recent years, and that is video pipe inspection. Video pipe inspection involves the use of a video camera to inspect your pipes, and then we take the appropriate measures afterward to determine what can be done to resolve any problems we may find. Ultimately, a professional video pipe inspection could save your sewer lines, and save you a major headache. But how?

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Why You Should Only Trust a Pro for Your Drain Cleaning Needs

Monday, March 11th, 2019

plumber-using-drain-snakeDrain clogs are one of those unfortunate things that just about every homeowner has to deal with at some point. But they are also one of those drain issues that most people deal with incorrectly. When a drain clog forms in the average home, it is instinct to reach for some type of store-bought drain cleaning solution to manage the problem. This is actually not a great way to deal with it, which we’ll get into more below.

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Is Your Sump Pump in Good Working Order?

Monday, December 17th, 2018

A sump pump installed in a basement of a home with a water powered backup system.Or rather, is it ready for winter? Sump pumps aren’t something that other parts of the country need—they don’t have the potential for flooding due to heavy rains and snowmelt like we do. Your sump pump is vital to your home during this time of the year—being able to pump water out of your basement or crawlspace as needed.

First off, we have to say that if you do need any service work done on your sump pump, it’s important to trust the work to a professional plumber in Chatham. Attempting the job on your own could do more harm than good, and leave you with an ineffective sump pump. However, there are some steps to take to ensure your sump pump is in good working order for the change in seasons.

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The Time to Prevent Frozen Pipes Is Now

Monday, November 5th, 2018

Icicles hanging from a brown pipe. Frozen water and metal surface, winter time concept. selective focus shallow depth of field photoIt pretty much goes without saying that it gets pretty cold here in our area! As a result, frozen pipes are certainly a threat. While we don’t have to worry about them quite yet, the time to prepare for them and avoid this problem in the winter is now. Frozen pipes lead to other issues, such as burst pipes and subsequent damage, which we assume you’d like to avoid!

And remember, if you run into this problem in the coming months, or any other type of plumbing emergency, you should call a professional plumber in Union, NJ, versus trying to fix it on your own or hiring a general handyman. The plumbers on our team have extensive experience and you can rest assured that when we are on the job, the job will be done right!

So, what exactly can you do to prevent this problem? Read on!

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Plumbing Emergency? Here’s What to Do

Monday, July 16th, 2018

woman with rubber gloves on looking at leak under bathroom sinkWe probably don’t have to tell you how integral to the functionality of your home your plumbing system is. Still though, even though you know this, you probably don’t think about this home component very much—that is, until something goes wrong. The fact of the matter is, things like leaks, clogs, and other plumbing issues very rarely happen at a “convenient” time, and when they do occur you may very well need the assistance of a professional Kenilworth emergency plumber.

But how do you know what constitutes an emergency? When does a problem need to be addressed right away and when can it wait? This, of course, is dependent on your specific situation. For instance, if you have a drip coming from a faucet in the home, you’re not going to be concerned, but if water is gushing out of a burst pipe on your kitchen floor, then you have an entirely different scenario on your hands. So, what do you do?

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Why Liquid Drain Cleaning Solutions Are No Solution

Monday, July 2nd, 2018

Plumber unclogging a tub drain with an electric auger.Drain clogs. They’re one of those unfortunate parts of being a homeowner, no matter where you live.

Drain clogs are also one of those things that most homeowners deal with incorrectly.

What we mean is that many people believe that all they need for a good drain cleaning in Scotch Plains is a bottle of store-bought, liquid drain cleaning solution. But we couldn’t think of a worse way to deal with this particular plumbing problem.

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How NOT to Save Money on Plumbing

Monday, May 7th, 2018

white pipe with blue cloth tied around itWhen you have a major plumbing problem, you need help fast. Most plumbing issues come as a surprise, and chances are you don’t want to spend a lot of money to manage this one. Fortunately, you know someone who knows someone who is a handyman! They can do things like fix loose mounts, hang shelves, and unclog a sink with a plunger. He doesn’t have any formal training, but that’s okay, right?

Well, if you don’t want to save money on your plumbing repairs, then sure, that’s just fine. Read on to learn about the difference between most “handymen” and professional plumbers in Chatham, NJ. Be sure to call our team when you want us to prove to you the invaluable experience of highly trained and experienced plumbing contractors.

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Why Is the Water Heater Acting Up?

Monday, April 23rd, 2018

water heater tankNo matter what season it is or temperatures are outside, there is one heating system you’ll always need to function at full capacity—your water heater. It’s easy to take this home component for granted, and blindly trust that you’ll have hot water from the taps whenever you need it.

When you think about the amount of strain a water heater has on it (it works 365 days a year, after all) it’s easy to understand that you can’t expect it to work 100% free of problems. At some point, you may need to invest in professional Union water heater repair. It helps to know the warning signs that something has gone wrong, the biggest of which we’ve covered below.

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Drain Cleaning Advice from Professional Plumbers

Monday, April 9th, 2018

hand gripping drain pipeDrain clogs and blockages are an unfortunate part of modern living, one that we all have to deal with at one time or another. However, clogs are also one of those things that homeowners deal with incorrectly. When a blockage develops in the average home, most people go out and get some store-bought drain cleaning liquid to manage the issue. This is actually a terrible way to deal with it!

Keep reading for some tips from the pros on why you should always have a plumber handle drain cleaning in your living space.

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How to Check Your Sump Pump Properly this Spring

Monday, March 26th, 2018

A sump pump installed in a basement of a home with a water powered backup system.Your sump pump is one of the most important components there is when it comes to your plumbing system. It helps prevent water damage from flooding, and goes to work automatically as excess water gathers in the sump (a pit). Then, that water is pumped out either into the municipal wastewater supply or a well.

Of course, not all homes in the Madison area have basements, and not all neighborhoods are susceptible to flood risks. However, sump pumps definitely have their place for the homeowners who do benefit from them. Whether it’s snowmelt or a plumbing burst, your home can certainly accumulate a lot of property damage without a functioning sump pump, from rotted wood and mold growth to other hazards caused by the excessive and stagnant moisture.

What if you already know all this and have a sump pump in place already? That’s great! Now is the perfect time to test it and make sure it’s ready for the coming season!

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