Bergen County Plumbing Guide: How to Replace a Toilet Seal

May 14th, 2012

If you have ever taken a look at the base of your toilet where it meets the floor, you may have noticed a bead of caulk sealing the base of the toilet to the floor. While this watertight seal is important, there is actually a more important seal hidden within the base of the toilet.

Inside, your toilet sits on a wax ring that serves to keep sewer odors from wafting into the room, seal water from leaking from the bathroom plumbing and provides a degree of stability to the toilet installation. You may need to replace that seal if:

  • You notice leaking water at the base of the toilet.
  • You smell sewer odors in your bathroom.
  • The toilet is unstable or rocks side to side at all.
  • The toilet was removed temporarily for any reason, such as replacing it or putting down new flooring.

As it happens, replacing the toilet seal is a fairly simple and inexpensive operation. Here are the steps your Bergen County plumber will take:

  1. Shut off the water supply.
  2. Empty the bowl and tank by flushing the toilet.
  3. Get the bowl and tank completely dry by soaking up any remaining water with a sponge, rag or towel.
  4. Remove the bolts that attach the base of the toilet to the floor.
  5. Disconnect the supply line the leads into the toilet.
  6. Gripping the bowl, rock the toilet gently back and forth to break the seals.
  7. Lift the toilet free from the floor.
  8. Remove all the remnants of the old wax ring.
  9. Place the new seal in place of the old one, centering it exactly, with the rounded side up.
  10. Replace the toilet over the seal and flange.
  11. Have a seat! No, really; this helps to create a new seal between the ring and the toilet.
  12. Reattach the nuts removed from the base.
  13. Reconnect the water line.
  14. Turn the water supply back on.
  15. Flush the toilet, looking carefully for any leaks.
  16. Apply a new bead of caulk to the bottom of the bowl to complete the sealing job.

If you need any help with your Bergen County bathroom plumbing, give BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating a call!

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Save Water!

May 11th, 2012

Save Water | Bergen County | BZ DependableLooking for smart ways to save water? Studies show that an average of 14 percent of your household’s water usage is from leaks! Having leaks fixed in your faucets and toilets will help cut down on water unnecessary water usage, and save you money. Another good idea is to switch to low-flow fixtures and an ENERGY STAR rated clothes washer and dishwasher. Up to 25% of your home’s energy bill come from hot water heating, so saving water also saves you money! Call BZ Dependable today to find out more smart ways to save water and save money.

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Bergen County Plumbing Tip: New Fixtures Are a Low Cost Way to Brighten a Kitchen or Bath

May 7th, 2012

Many older homes in Bergen County still have the original faucets, toilets, shower heads, and other plumbing fixtures installed by the builder. Like most contractor-grade components, those fixtures were  probably designed to be strictly practical, with very little styling or decorative flair.

Some contractors aren’t architects or interior designers. They’re focused mainly on installing the infrastructure of the plumbing system – the water delivery and waste pipes.  There’s nothing wrong with that, but consider how many times each day we use our bathroom and kitchen faucets. How many times per week do we take a bath or use the shower? The simple pleasure of seeing and touching an attractive, well designed faucet is a little perk that can help brighten the day.

Higher end plumbing fixtures can be pricey, but factor in how long most fixtures last and you’re only paying a few pennies or less per day. Plumbing fixture design has become much more consumer-driven. Companies must compete by offering an expanding variety of styles.  The new passion for cooking has increased the demand for professional grade kitchen faucets that can stand up to hard use, have pullout sprayers, and accommodate large pans. New shower head designs provide a more comfortable, invigorating spray. Sink faucets with elegant finishes of bronze, brushed nickel, or brilliant brass can liven a bathroom. Ergonomically correct handles are easier to use and more inviting to touch.

There are also practical reasons for replacing fixtures. With improvements in materials technology the interior seals of faucets and other fixtures are more resistant to mineral build up and corrosion that can cause leaks. Metal finishes are more durable and resistant to dulling from soap or detergent.

Installing a new, attractive faucet won’t provide a total kitchen or bathroom makeover, but it will provide a spark that brightens the room and makes everyday living just a little more fun.  If you are interested in upgrading your Bergen County home’s plumbing, call BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating today!

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Have you had your water tested?

May 4th, 2012

Reduce Cancer with Water Filtration | Bergen County | BZ DependableReduce your family’s cancer risk with proper water filtration. The President’s Cancer Panel advises citizens that “Filtering home, tap or well water can decrease exposure to numerous known or suspected carcinogens and endocrine-disrupting chemicals.”

There is a likely chance that your tap water (the water that you cook, clean, drink, and bath with) has dangerous chemicals and pollutants including arsenic, barium, lead, manganese, chlorine and “other chemicals at concentrations federal regulators say could contribute to cancer and damage the kidneys and nervous system.”

Read the full report, view this informative video, and contact BZ Dependable to schedule you water test today and find out how to protect your family from dangerous chemicals found in the water in your home.

 

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BioSmart Drain Maid: Unclog Drains the Safe Way!

May 4th, 2012

BioSmart is the only drain cleaner that is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. This all natural enzyme system is safe for your family, pets, and pipes. Is there a foul smell coming from your drain? Does your shower backup and take forever to drain well? BioSmart gets to work immediately, attacking and breaking up organic waste. Use BioSmart on a regular preventative basis to treat drains and ensure a well functioning septic system. BioSmart’s Drain Maid is fast acting, easy to use, all natural, and cost effective. Contact BZ Dependable to purchase BioSmart Drain Maid exclusively in Bergen County and the surrounding NJ area. BZ Dependable also offers video pipe inspection, drain and sewer maintenance, and many other service. Check out our tips and FAQ section for more information.

BioSmart | BZ Dependable | Bergen County

 

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Teaneck Plumbing Guide: All You Need to Know About Showerheads

April 30th, 2012

Everyone, at one point or another, wants to upgrade their Teaneck plumbing, and your bathroom showerhead is a great place to start. Showerheads in all their glory are actually a quite wonderful invention: giving us a hot, relaxing time of quiet, a sort of respite from the worries which bombard us outside their steamy spray.  Consider this your guide for all you need to know about showerheads, and possibly some information you never even thought of!

Prior to 1994, showerheads had a flow rate of 5 ½ gallons per minute, but since then with the involvement of the EPA the flow average rate per showerhead has decreased to an average of 2 ½ gallons per minute, thus conserving half the water which used to be wasted in this one area of the home.  Don’t be misled by price: the highest price-tag is not always the best; some of the top-rated showerheads are quite reasonably priced.

Showerhead Types

There are a number of showerhead types which offer a variety of functionality, some with incredible water-efficiency.

  • Multi-Setting Models:  Provide adjustable flow patterns up to as many as twelve settings such as massage, mist, wide stream, narrow stream, pulsing, and even a water-saving trickle while applying soap or shampoo.
  • Single-Setting Models:  Provide one setting and tend to cost considerably less than their multi-setting counterparts.
  • Multi-Head Models:  Provide a spa-like experience in your own home with a fixed or handheld showerhead as well as several body jets mounted on a vertical tower.  However, with such comfort comes a higher price tag.  These are the most expensive to purchase, install and run, oftentimes using as much as 10 gallons per minute of water.
  • Custom Models:  Modern showers are created with unique showerhead designs, from luxury panel showers, to artistic expression through showerheads with special lighting, to pocket showers which can be taken on the go and are in essence a waterproof reservoir which holds enough water to have an outdoor shower while camping.

Showerhead Features

  • Aerating Showerheads:  Mix air with water, producing a misty spray which makes the water-flow feel more substantial, and they don’t create as much steam and moisture.
  • Handheld Showerheads:  Leave it in the holder or remove it to focus the spray on a particular body-part, allowing for quicker cleaning and rinsing.
  • Rain Showerheads:  Large heads and wide spray patterns provide a soft, soothing flow of water.
  • Low-Flow Showerheads:  Features can include a pause button to start and stop water during the shower, a shower timer to manage the time spent in the shower, a temperature gauge which keeps water-flow to a trickle until the desired water temperature is reached, and water volume controls to let you manually adjust the gallons per minute.

From showerhead types to showerhead features, this should give you all you need to know about showerheads in order to make an informed decision on what type of new showerhead is right for your home and lifestyle. For even more information, talk to the Teaneck plumbing experts at BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating!

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Have you seen our new commercial?

April 27th, 2012

At BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating there are no hidden costs. We are a flat rate company, and we have been in business for the past ten years. We care about taking care of our customers. Customer service is very important to us, and we want our customers to feel confident that the job will be done right the first time. Calls us today for all of your Plumbing & Heating needs in Bergen County and surrounding New Jersey areas, 201-837-6700.

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Tenafly Plumbing Repair Question: Why Does My Tub Faucet Leak When the Shower Is On?

April 23rd, 2012

Here is a common and yet seemingly complex Tenafly plumbing problem for you. You turn on your shower, flip the switch to go from tub faucet to shower head and the tub faucet continues to leak. Not only is it rather irritating, but it draws from the water pressure in the shower head. Let’s take a look at why this happens and how to quickly fix it.

Why the Leak?

There is a valve in your tub’s faucet that diverts water from the tub to the shower head when the switch or lever is pulled to turn on your shower. Because the valve is not a perfect seal, the tub faucet will drip a small amount during a shower. However, if a large amount of water is coming out of the tub faucet and very little is coming from your shower head, it is likely a problem with that valve.

In some cases, the only way to know the root of the problem is to take apart the assembly and check all of the valve parts individually for damage. The specifics of the repair process will depend largely on the type of shower and diverter valve you have.

Fixing the Problem

To fix this problem, you can either replace part of or the entire shower diverter valve. Start by removing the faucet and pulling the screw that holds the shower diverter valve in place. Once the screw is removed, take out the rubber washer and replace it. Many times, this is enough to fix the problem.

If it is not, however, you may need to replace the entire shower diverter valve. There are some situations that make it hard to reach the shower diverter valve, such as when you have a shower handle instead of a faucet knob. If this is the case, you may need special tools or professional assistance in removing the knob to access the valve.

If you find that this does not fix the problem or that you are uncomfortable attempting this repair, contact a Tenafly plumbing professional who is experienced in removing and replacing shower diverter valves. We have live operators answering our phones 24 hours a day, so never hesitate to call BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating for any plumbing repair!

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Protect your home, join the Diamond Club!

April 19th, 2012

The BZ Dependable Diamond Club is a private membership service club that is limited to 22% of our clients. It isn’t available to everyone because we couldn’t possibly keep up with the world load. We are offering it only to people like you who really love your home and want to protect it from unexpected plumbing breakdowns or worse…water damage! The Diamond Club is plumbing security for your home!

What do you get for joining the Diamond Club for just $11.99 a month?

Once a year, a member of our expert plumbing team (A Certified Service Technician) will give your home a thorough inspection. This means a scheduled service and FREE plumbing system adjustment including all connected equipment. The complete list includes up to 100 different items, a $200 value alone!

No need to wait for appointments, when you join the Diamond Club you go to the top of the appointment book! As a member you will always go to the front of the line and to the top of our appointment book if you ever need additional plumbing service. You will also never be charged a trip charge!

Find out more about our Diamond Club now!

 

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Things to Remember When Remodeling Your New Jersey Bathroom

April 16th, 2012

Remodeling your New Jersey bathroom plumbing can be a great way to not only make it look better and more inviting, but also make it more environmentally friendly, while giving the resale value of the whole house an upgrade.

As with any big home project, there are some caveats and tips to doing it right. Here are some of those tips to consider before diving right in:

  • Before starting on your bathroom or any remodeling project, work out a budget first. Establish what you want it to look like and how much you have to spend, then choose the options that fit into that framework. There are few things worse than having a bathroom left unfinished because you ran out of money halfway through the job.
  • Remodeling is a great opportunity to assess the ventilation in your bathroom and upgrade it if necessary. Proper ventilation improves air quality and prevents mold growth and water damage, so an upgrade in equipment can be an investment that is well worth the expense.
  • As tempting as it may be to make wholesale, sweeping changes to everything in your existing bathroom, it will be more difficult if you move plumbing around. It can extend the time it takes for the job to be done. Is it really worth an extra week of work to have the tub against another wall?

Keep those tips in mind as you consider that bathroom remodeling job, and you are likely to have the whole experience work out much more pleasantly for you.

If you have any questions, talk to the New Jersey bathroom remodeling experts, BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating!

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