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

How Your Sewer Might Get Backed Up: Warning Signs and Prevention

Monday, February 5th, 2024

A backed-up sewer is a homeowner’s nightmare, causing inconvenience, potential damage, and unpleasant odors. Understanding the symptoms of a sewer clog, being mindful of what goes down your drains, and knowing when to seek professional services can save you from the headaches associated with sewer issues. In this blog post, we’ll explore the common signs of a sewer backup, highlight problematic materials that contribute to clogs, and emphasize the importance of professional intervention like sewer cleaning services in Summit.

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Video Pipe Inspection Is a Great First Option

Monday, January 22nd, 2024
two-copper-pipes

To most homeowners, plumbing is a little bit mysterious. Pipes are mostly concealed behind walls or under floors, or they’re in out-of-the-way locations. You probably don’t even know all the materials that the pipes are made of if you have an older home.

Even if you could see the outside of pipes, you certainly can’t see the inside of them. Are things working the way they should? If not, what is the problem? Where is the problem located? How could you possibly know? Video pipe inspection is an amazing modern plumbing innovation you should know about.

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4 Plumbing Problems that Require Emergency Plumbers

Monday, May 15th, 2023
worried-homeowner-mopping-up-water-from-floor

When there’s an issue with your home’s major systems, some are easier to ignore than others. A hot shower that turns to lukewarm by the end probably isn’t going to send you on a search for an emergency plumber in Union, NJ. But a toilet that seems like it’s about to overflow should definitely be a cause for concern.

Let’s go over 4 common plumbing problems that warrant calling a professional plumber for hasty repairs. Not only do these things present health and safety hazards, but they have the potential to become major problems if they’re not addressed as soon as you notice something is amiss. 

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5 Eco-Friendly Plumbing Tips for Earth Day

Monday, April 17th, 2023
Paper cut of family with house and tree on fresh spring green grass

Happy Earth Day! This is a great day to take a moment and reflect on ways you can be more conscious of how your everyday habits affect the Earth. Doing so has many benefits, not just for the planet, but for your wallet as well. By making small changes around your home, you can not only reduce your carbon footprint, but you can save money as well. It’s a real opportunity for a win-win for homeowners. 

So, how can you be more eco-friendly as a homeowner? One of the easiest ways is to take a look at your water usage in your home. We don’t mean checking your water bill, although that might come in handy (see #5 below). There are simple ways to reduce water usage in your home. Here are 6 ways to be more environmentally conscious of your water use.

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3 Situations That Are Plumbing Emergencies

Monday, March 20th, 2023
Icicles hanging from a brown pipe. Frozen water and metal surface, winter time concept. selective focus shallow depth of field photo

When it comes to your plumbing, there are some things that can go wrong that leave you wondering if it needs to be addressed ASAP. If you have a single faucet that has a slow drip, it can probably wait. Or if your shower turns lukewarm near the end, this is something that you can delay for a while. 

So what exactly constitutes a plumbing emergency? It’s not enough to say that you’ll know it when you see it. We’ve seen plenty of leaks where people have made do with placing a bucket under it and homeowners who’re getting by with no hot water by boiling it. Let’s go over 3 situations that definitely warrant calling for emergency plumbing in New Providence, NJ.

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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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