Boston Plumbing and Heating Blog

The cold temperatures have just begun, and they came on fast. You may not have properly prepared your pipes for winter. The risk of getting frozen pipes during extremely cold weather conditions is high, especially when homeowners go on vacation or when they leave water in outdoor plumping systems. While you can prepare the plumping system for winter in order to try to prevent frozen or broken pipes, there are certainly instances where prevention may not be possible. In the event that your home experiences frozen water pipes, a professional plumber can repair the damage to your system and help prevent this disaster from happening again.

Frozen water pipes are a nuisance, but even worse, they can cause quite a bit of expensive and extensive damage. The water lines in the garage or that are more exposed to the outdoor temperatures are more prone to becoming frozen. When the water within freezes, the pipes can burst and cause damage to the integrity of your home and the belongings within it.

Professional plumbers in Boston, MA at Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating can help avert or repair a water pipe disaster. In addition to thawing the frozen pipe properly, they also have the knowledge, skills, and experience to find any other leaks or cracks in your water lines, and make the necessary repairs to prevent issues in your plumbing system in the future.

To find out more about the professional plumbers in Massachusetts, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

The components of your plumbing and heating systems can be damaged by the moisture brought on by extremely cold weather conditions. You need a professional plumber or an HVAC technician to ensure that each of these systems remains in proper working order during the winter.

Your heating system plays an important role in improving your comfort and reducing your energy expenses during the cold season. In return, it is your job to provide the heating system with proper care by hiring an HVAC technician. After a thorough inspection, the seasonal maintenance needed will be determined and which seasonal repair services are required. It may be determined that it would be a better choice to replace te heating system by installing a new one.

Apart from tuning up the heating system, you also need to hire a plumbing specialist to check your plumbing system and fix any issue. The pipes in the plumbing systems in Boston, MA should also be drained of water and wrapped to keep them from freezing during very cold temperatures.

Inspecting and repairing the plumbing and heating systems is something that you should not attempt doing on your own. For these kinds of jobs, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating expert.

Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter. Autumn is a friendly reminder that when winter arrives, it can be sudden and usually leave homeowners unprepared for plumbing troubles caused by the extremely cold temperature.

When you think of potential problems for homeowners during autumn, plumbing issues may not readily come across your mind. Before the chilly nights of fall set in, you need to make an appointment with professional plumbers in Boston, MA for your plumbing system maintenance checkup. This way, all potential plumbing problems can be accurately diagnosed and quickly fixed before it is too late.

Pipes that run along exterior walls inside your home can still freeze when extreme temperatures occur. Ask a professional plumber to ensure that the pipes are well insulated. It is also important to schedule a water heater inspection. Your water heater will have to work harder than usual during the fall and winter to heat water for your home. Make sure your plumber also cleans and checks all of the water heater's crucial components and replace any worn parts.

There are some common plumbing and drain issues that can be avoided with a plumbing inspection, especially in older or poorly insulated homes. As for the chilly fall temperatures, winterize your outdoor shower, faucets, sinks and sprinklers prior to that first freeze. Doing so can avoid burst pipes and flooding.

If you have questions about how you can improve your home's plumbing this fall, do not hesitate to contact the professional plumbers from Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

Summer is an exciting time to do many outdoor activities. But the fun can be spoiled by any problem in your plumbing system in Boston, MA. We want you to enjoy your summer. So below are just a few plumbing issues that you should be aware of and solve before they get worse.

Sewer line backup

Be prepared for summer rainstorms. If you are concerned about your sewer line, it is imperative that you ask a professional plumber to inspect your pipes to find out about your susceptibility and if you have a sewer line backup.

Replace old shower head

You can save money on your summer's water bill by considering replacing an old shower head with the help of a professional plumber. This shower nozzle may have been clogged with debris which means it will require more pressure to distribute water.

Inspect outdoor sprinklers

The same issue goes with your outdoor sprinklers. They must be checked and cleaned by professional plumbers in Boston to get rid of dirt and other deposits.

The warmer months are a prime time for certain plumbing issues but you can prevent them with the help of Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

The warmer weather is fast approaching. It’s hard to believe but it will soon be time to turn on the air conditioner. But is it time to replace the central AC? There are certain signs that indicate it's time to consider replacing your heating and cooling equipment. It may be time to call a professional plumber to help you make a change if:

Your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old.

Consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR label. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs.

Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old.

Consider replacing with an ENERGY STAR qualified furnace, which is 15% more efficient than a conventional furnace. If you have a boiler, consider replacing with an ENERGY STAR qualified boiler that is 5% more efficient than a new, standard model.

Your AC equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up.

Your cooling or heating equipment may have become less efficient.

Some rooms in your home are too hot or too cold.

Improper AC equipment operation, duct problems or inadequate insulation could be the cause.

No one is home for long periods of the day and you do not have a programmable thermostat.

Install a programmable thermostat to start saving energy and money while they're away or sleeping.

Your home has humidity problems.

Poor equipment operation, inadequate equipment, and leaky ductwork can cause the air to be too dry in the winter or too humid in the summer.

Your home has excessive dust.

Leaky ducts can pull particles and air from attics, crawl spaces and basements and distribute them throughout your house. Sealing your ducts may be a solution.

Your heating or cooling system is noisy.

You could have an undersized duct system or a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.

For more information on having a new AC unit installed, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

Energy Star

Leaking plumbing can wreak havoc on your wallet. Next time you get your water bill, take a look at your usage. If it’s more than 12,000 gallons a month for a family of four, you’ve got some leaks. That means you’re paying for water that’s going right down the drain. The EPA recommends checking your home for the most common causes of leaks. Here are some tips.

Before checking for individual leaks, check your overall water usage by monitoring your water meter over a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter keeps inching up, you probably have a leak. The good news is that many common leaks are easy and inexpensive to fix.

Toilets. Typically, toilets begin leaking when the toilet flapper or valve seal becomes old or worn out. A good way to check is to put some food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 15 minutes to see if it color shows up in the toilet bowl. If it does, you’ll need to fix the leaky toilet.

Faucets. Old and worn washers and gaskets are frequently the cause of faucet leaks. If you attempt to fix this leak yourself, remember to turn the water off under the sink before you start. You should also close the drain and cover the bottom of the sink or bathtub with a cloth so you don’t lose any of the small parts. If you have no plumbing experience, you may be better off calling a licensed plumber.

Showerheads. Some leaky showerheads are easy to fix while others may need professional attention. Make sure there is a tight connection between the showerhead and pipe stem. The washer may also need to be replaced.  If you suspect a valve leak, that’s the time to call the plumber.

Outdoor faucets. Check your garden hose for leaks at the connection to the spigot. If it leaks, try replacing the washer to ensure a tight connection to the spigot. You can also use pipe tape and a wrench. If you have in-ground irrigation, you should to check to make sure it wasn’t damaged by frost or freezing during winter. If it leaks, you most likely need help from a professional plumber.

Top-rated replacement fixtures

If these simple fixes don’t work, it may be time to replace your toilet, faucet, or showerhead. Replacing your old fixtures with WaterSense models not only saves water but money too. WaterSense models, including toilets from American Standard, AquaSource, Toto, and Kohler. Check these out and get a toilet that will save you water for years to come.

Recommend models for low-flow showerheads from Moen, American Standard, and Waterpik  have very good or better shower feel and hot water delivery.

For more information on fixing leaky plumbing, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

Consumer Reports

Is it time for you to start your bathroom remodeling project? To get the best results it is important to consult with a professional plumber before you start your bathroom remodel. Here are the main reasons.

Save Time

A bathroom remodeling project is a complex procedure that takes a considerable amount of time, money and effort. By consulting with a professional plumber, you can help to save time. With the knowledge and expertise of a professional plumber, you can easily transform your bathroom into the space you are looking for.

Save Money

When you consult with a professional plumber for a bathroom remodel, you can help to save money on your project in the long run. A plumbing professional will have the knowledge and skills needed to properly install all of your fixtures. By hiring a professional to perform your installation, you will eliminate the need for costly repairs and adjustments down the road.

More Options and Ideas

A professional plumber can provide you with access to a wide variety of plumbing fixtures and faucets. When you consult with a professional plumbing service, you will have the ability to select between many styles and products.

For assistance with your next bathroom remodeling project, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

highlandpark.suntimes.com

Many homes around Boston and Worcester are older homes. Today, more and more homeowners are interested in saving money and resources, which has people investigating low-flow toilets. Older homes were built assuming that toilets would use more than 3 gallons of water for flushing. Today’s low-flow toilets use 1.6 gallons.

If you are considering changing to a more efficient toilet, keep in mind that there is a chance the plumbing in your older home may not be sufficient.

The pipes that take waste away from your toilet and your home need to slope between 1/8-in. and 1/4-in. per foot for the water to carry solid waste to the sewer. If the pipes are too steep or too level, the flow of water allows waste to collect in the pipe and that means you could get clogged toilets. Some old homes may even have a “negative slope” where water stands in the pipe. With a negative slope the waste is carried away only by the force of gallons of water flowing through the pipes because you have an older toilet that uses several gallons of water.

Here are a couple signs that your plumbing may not work for low-flow toilets:

• The original toilet occasionally clogs, even when not flushing solids. This could be the toilet or a clogged waste pipe.
• After lifting the toilet off the floor you see standing water in the waste line. That is a sign that your pipes have a negative slope.

In both scenarios a professional plumber can fix the problem. If your plumber says your plumbing may not work for a low-flow toilet, consider having a fixture with a pressure-assisted flush installed. When the toilet is flushed compressed air is released that forces the water out of the bowl and forcing it down the drain.

For  more information on if your home can handle a low flow toilet, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

For a homeowners and businesses there are times when you need a professional plumber because the plumbing problem goes beyond replacing the inner workings of your toilet tanks.

Many household problems like a clogged toilet or a leaky faucet can easily be resolved by a plumber or homeowner with basic DIY skills, but some occasions require more specialized work. For example, there are plumbers who are specialized to work with natural gas lines, the installation of fire sprinkler systems, maintenance and repair of water pipes and on home remodeling projects.

A specialty plumber that installs fire sprinkler systems provides an important service in the plumbing profession. Almost all cities and towns have codes or ordinances that require commercial buildings to install and maintain fire sprinklers. They are also becoming more popular as an added safety feature in residential homes.

Make sure you hire a plumber with the proper training for any work that involves fire sprinkler systems. In most states, you can verify a plumbers’ credentials by checking with your state licensing board.

Besides making house calls and installing sprinkler systems, there are certain plumbers who actually specialize in the plumbing associated with home remodeling and new construction. When a new home is built, water pipes need to be run, and toilets, sinks and faucets need to be installed correctly and up to code. A more specialized plumber should be utilized for home remodeling work.

Plumbers for remodeling and home additions must be able to read, understand and communicate details laid out on blue prints. Also, plumbers should be able to understand the overall inner workings of the entire project and where the plumbing aspects of the project relate to the overall project as well as an in-depth understanding of city codes and ordinances regarding home construction, and the ability to work with and communicate with other contractors.

Before making a decision on which plumber to hire, check credentials and make sure your hire a plumber with the experience to complete the task at hand.

It is recommended that homeowners verify a plumber's license by checking with state licensing boards or through the secretary of state's office. For more information, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

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Water conservation has become essential as we see watering bans pop up each year. Even in areas where there seem to be no water issues, we see water bills rise higher and higher. But saving water not only saves money on your utility bill, it also helps prevent water pollution in area beaches, lakes and rivers.

Many homes in towns around Boston and Worcester have private septic. Conserving water can help your septic system last longer by reducing soil saturation. For homes on city sewer, overloading city sewer systems allows untreated sewage to flow into lakes and rivers. How many times around Boston have you looked for the blue or red beach flag in the summer? The less water flowing through these city systems, the lower the likelihood of water pollution.

Homeowners can conserve water and lower their water bills merely by calling the plumber.

Fixing a leaking faucet or drain can lower your water bill. A small drip from a leaking faucet can waste 20 gallons of water a day and larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons. Hiring a plumber for a typical repair can cost more than four times what it would cost to do it on your own. Even if you are handy around the house, consider hiring a professional plumber if you’re unsure because damaging your pipes can do even more damage to your finances than a leaking faucet. Homeowners should call a plumber if there are leaky faucets or drains in their home.

Leaking toilets can cost you even more money, in fact, a leaky toilet can waste up to 52,800 gallons a year. But, you can check your toilet for leaks too.  Put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If the color shows up in the bowl, without flushing, within 30 minutes, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately.

Another way to check for water leaks in your home is to read your water meter. Read the meter, wait a couple hours without using any water. If the meter isn’t exactly the same, there is a water leak, call the plumber.

If you want your leaking faucets and toilets fixed, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.