Is Your Sump Pump Working Properly?

August 24th, 2020

sump-pump-in-basementIf you have a basement and live around Scotch Plains, then having a sump pump system is essential. Sump pumps are tasked with preventing water damage due to flooding and automatically go to work as excess water is collected in the sump. The water is then pumped out to either a wastewater system or a well.

You might not think that you need such a preventive device, but with the rainy season here it’s vital that you have this system professionally installed and serviced, and that you test it every quarter or so to make sure it’s still in good shape and functioning as it should. How do you do this? Read on!

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3 Signs of an AC in Disrepair

August 10th, 2020

two-techs-with-tool-bag-by-outdoor-ac-unitDid you know that this is the time of year you’re most likely to experience an AC repair issue? Now, no air conditioner will last forever, but yours should be able to make it through this summer–especially if it’s under 10 years of age and it’s been routinely maintained.

What’s that? You haven’t scheduled maintenance yet?

That’s okay! It’s more important that you’re consistent with scheduling tune-ups each year than it is what time of the year you have it done. But regardless of whether you had maintenance done yet or not, it’s important to know the signs of an air conditioner in disrepair. Otherwise, cooling system problems can go unaddressed until they lead to much bigger emergencies, like a total breakdown.

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Keep Your Lawn Green This Summer: Here’s How

July 27th, 2020

sprinkler-systemDid you know that even the smallest leak can lead to gallons of wasted water each year? Not only is this environmentally-unfriendly, but it means you’re paying for water that you’re not even benefiting from. One culprit of water leaks is lawn faucets, otherwise known as outdoor faucets. And unfortunately, the annoying side effect of this is a patchy or brown lawn, since lawn faucets and sprinklers can’t do their job if they’re leaking!

What causes these leaks? Oftentimes it’s leftover damage from winter–your pipes may have froze, and as those frozen pipes thaw it creates pressure inside your plumbing system, which can lead to cracked and even burst pipes. If you’ve noticed your lawn faucets and sprinklers aren’t quite doing their job this year, or if you’re chalking up your brown yard to the high summer temperatures, it’s time to consider if you have a leak. How can you check for this? Read on! 

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How Can You Help Boost Your AC Performance?

July 13th, 2020

floor-vent-for-hvac-systemSummer is here! It’s been here for a bit, actually. This means that it’s time to look for ways to stay comfortable in our homes, where we may be spending a lot more summer than usual. So, don’t you want to make sure your air conditioner is in good shape?

We know this isn’t an exciting topic, but when you think about how much money you could save with an efficient and effective air conditioner, you’ll certainly start to be a little pumped about keeping it in good shape. And this means making sure you’re using it as efficiently as possible!

The good news is, there are things you can do to boost the efficiency of your air conditioner—some of which will cost you nothing. When your cooling system works efficiently, you don’t need to worry about sudden, costly repairs or breakdowns. Read on as we uncover tips and tricks for boosting your AC performance through improved efficiency.

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Watch Out for These 4 Mistakes When Remodeling Your Bathroom

June 29th, 2020

father-washing-infant-son-in-tubMaking the decision to remodel the bathroom or bathrooms of your home can be really exciting, but also really frustrating and stressful. Of course you long to have a beautiful new space in your home, but things can happened that were totally unplanned.

Of course, one way to reduce the risk of mishaps is to hire a professional plumber to help with the process. This can save you both time and money—sure, a DIY project may seem cheaper, but if you make the mistakes we’re about to outline, then ultimately you could wind up paying more than you planned to.

For a functional and comfortable bathroom, you need the right contractor on your side, to help avoid these 4 common mistake when doing a bathroom remodel:

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Should You Hire a Pro for Your Commercial Plumbing Needs?

June 15th, 2020

commercial-building-bathroomOf all the things you think about in terms of running your business or managing your commercial space, we’re going to assume that the building’s plumbing is not at the top of your list. However, it would likely cause considerable problems if your commercial plumbing stopped working correctly, right?

And unlike residential plumbing systems, which just cause a temporary inconvenience when in disrepair, a malfunctioning commercial plumbing system could mean lost business and costly repairs. Of course, there is a way to keep your commercial plumbing in good shape and reduce the risk of running into unexpected commercial plumbing repair needs. What’s the secret?

Hiring a professional to perform commercial plumbing maintenance. Read on to learn more!

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Why You Should Choose a Pro over DIY for Your Drain Cleaning

June 1st, 2020

plumber-using-drain-snakeWhen you have a clogged drain, it’s very easy to look for a quick fix and hope for the best. Sometimes, that quick fix works in the moment—but the question is, will the solution last?

There are times when a little DIY work around the home can quickly resolve an issue. But then there are other times when it’s better to leave the job to a pro. Drain clogs really can fall into either category. DIY attempts like using a plunger to release a superficial clog are okay, but if your choice is to use chemical, store-bought drain cleaning, we’d have to advise you to forgo the DIY method. Read on to learn why!

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Should You Consider Going Ductless This Year?

May 18th, 2020

wall-mounted-air-handler-in-modern-living-roomOne of the top reasons homeowners often choose to go ductless is because they’re able to take care of their air conditioning and heating needs all in one system. Also known as a ductless mini-split, the ductless systems has been gaining popularity, as they’re great for keeping homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

We get it though—choosing the best HVAC system for your home and specific needs can be overwhelming. After all, there are a number of great options out there to choose form. Our advice is to speak to a trained professional before making a final decision. Not all homes are a perfect match for going ductless, and it’s important to be aware of how your home’s setup plays a role in cooling and heating efficiency. For many homes though, ductless is definitely the way to go.

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What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency

May 4th, 2020

pipe-with-leakThere are many times where a plumbing problem simply cannot wait for “normal business hours,” and in those cases, you need to be able to get in touch with a plumber right away.

But, do you really know what constitutes as a plumbing emergency? When should you really bite the bullet and call for emergency plumbing services, and is it worth incurring an additional cost? For the most part, that’s a question that only you as an individual can answer, and it’s also dependent on the exact scenario. For instance, a small leak in a single faucet isn’t likely a huge cause for concern, but if there is water spreading across your kitchen floor, that’s a different situation entirely. What should you do if that’s the case? We’ll get to that in a moment…

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How to Use Your AC More Efficiently

April 20th, 2020

illustration-of-green-house-and-money-on-scaleYou won’t meet many homeowners here in the New Jersey area who aren’t thankful for the use of central air conditioning. It’s essential in making our homes not only comfortable, but bearable. If your cooling system isn’t working the way you expect it to though, then it might be time to call for repairs, or if you haven’t scheduled it yet, maintenance.

When you skip necessary repairs and maintenance, you run the risk of your air conditioner behaving inefficiently. The good news is, in addition to staying on top of these needs, there are steps you can take to improve your AC efficiency, and therefore use less energy and save money. Read on for some of these steps.

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