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No matter what the task, plumbing jobs are complex. We’ve seen what can happen when you have the wrong team on the job for your Teaneck & Bergen County, NJ professional plumbing needs. Even something simple like unclogging a drain can go terribly wrong without the right expertise, training, and equipment. Still, you may be tempted to save a few bucks by hiring a standard “handyman” or even a neighbor or friend who “swears it’s an easy job.”

We are here to impress on you just how important it is to hire a licensed, insured, and experienced contractor when you need any sort of plumbing work done in your home. It may seem like a nice idea to save money upfront, but in the end, hiring the wrong plumber can cost you far more.

LICENSING

For most plumbing jobs, a state contractor license is legally required. This may, of course, depend on the scope of the work, but in general, only licensed plumbers are permitted to advertise work within the trade. Licensing implies that those plumbers have had ongoing training, examination, and thorough experience to handle anything that comes their way.

INSURANCE

Licensed plumbers must also be insured to work in homes in your community. Generally speaking, licensing requires, at minimum, general liability insurance for contractors working on plumbing. What does this mean for you, though, as the end consumer?

It means that you are protected if that plumber gets injured on the job or on your property while completing the job. You are well within your rights, when hiring a professional plumber, to ask them for proof of insurance before they begin their work.

TRAINING

The fact is, professional plumbers go through years of training to be able to do what they do effectively and efficiently, avoiding problems now and in the future. Under the watchful eye of more experienced, master plumbers, they’ve learned how to diagnose and repair any plumbing problems, including those unique to your area (whether this means your area is prone to hard water, water contaminants, or even flooding).

What Can Go Wrong with Amateur Work?

Choosing a general handyman to do a professional plumber’s work could leave you with a surprise you never wanted. We absolutely understand that, off the bat, it seems like the price is right. However, there’s a reason it costs more money to hire a pro. In addition to the cost of the right materials and equipment, you avoid the mistakes that an inexperienced handyman can make, like:

  • Choosing the wrong tool to remove a clog or fix a leak, thereby causing even more damage to your plumbing.
  • Lacking the correct inspection equipment, making them ineffective at actually fixing the problem thoroughly.
  • Doing a shoddy job on a plumbing fixture or appliance installation.
  • Failing to follow local building codes, leading to problems later on if or when you decide to sell your home.
  • Doing a poor repair job that requires you to pay for professional work anyway just so they can fix the mistakes.

Call BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating Inc. today for

exceptional customer service!

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Most residential kitchens are equipped with a garbage disposal to easily clean up food waste. If your home is one of them, you likely can’t picture cooking and cleaning without one. Whether it’s unfinished meals or kitchen scraps, a lot goes into the garbage disposal so that you don’t have to worry about anything stinking up your trash can. However, this reliance on your garbage disposal system can get you in a little trouble.

Have you had problems with your jamming up? Have you had to call for Teaneck & Bergen County, NJ garbage disposal services too often to pull something out of the mechanism? If so, or even if you just want to be a diligent homeowner, read on to learn about how you can prevent problems with your garbage disposal.

DON’T PUT NON-FOOD ITEMS DOWN THE DISPOSAL

As plumbers, we understand that not every homeowner understands that a garbage disposal can’t actually be used for all “garbage.” That’s just not how a garbage disposal works. Many people picture this component as a “blender” and assume that sharp blades rotate around to chop up food before sending it down the drain, but that’s not quite right.

Your disposal system uses a motor that powers an impeller whose “blades” are really not sharp at all. There is a grind ring attached, though, and that is what grinds down food as centrifugal force breaks it apart.

So, things like plastic, paper, and other wrappers won’t get broken down in a garbage disposal. What they might do instead is slip through the cracks into your drains, posing a risk to your drain and sewer lines.

AVOID HARD FOOD ITEMS

Hard food items can include things such as meat bones and fruit pits. Your garbage disposal grinds down food before sending it down the drain, and won’t be very effective at all on these types of materials. Think about it this way: if you wouldn’t be able to chew it, then it doesn’t belong in the garbage disposal!

CONSIDER FOOD TEXTURE

Keep in mind the texture of the food you’re putting down your sink drain and how it might interact with your garbage disposal. Will it create problems for the mechanism?

For instance, stringy or fibrous foods are a pretty common problem for garbage disposals. Think about things like asparagus and celery. These could possibly wrap around the motor and cause it to jam up. Onion skins and corn husks also cause problems. Additionally, if something feels like paper it will act like paper in your disposal.

Beyond the Garbage Disposal

Since we’re talking about your kitchen sink, now’s a good time to mention a few other items that shouldn’t go down your drain, even if the garbage disposal can handle it. This includes:

  • Pasta and Rice: These are foods that expand when met with water—which can end up creating backup in your drains. Be sure to avoid putting these items in the kitchen sink drains.
  • Fats, Oils, and Grease: Also referred to as FOG, these create a sticky residue buildup that lines the pipes and leads to a higher likelihood of clogs.
  • Coffee Grounds: This can clump together along with other items like FOG, creating blockages in your drains.

Call BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating Inc. today for quality service and guaranteed satisfaction.

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Have you discovered your water bills rising with no reasonable explanation? While you can expect some fluctuation with this bills throughout the year, your utilities should never skyrocket. If they do, it’s time to take a close look at what’s going on.

Even the smallest of plumbing leaks can significantly add to your water usage. In fact, according to the US EPA’s WaterSense site, a faucet leaking at just one drop per second wastes up to 3,000 gallons of water per year! Small, dripping leaks aren’t exclusive to faucets, either. They can exist anywhere in your water line, from the pipes underneath your sinks to the ones behind walls.

So, let’s say you suspect you have a leak—is there a way to detect it on your own? The best way to find a leak is to call our professional plumbers for water leak detection services, however, you may also be able to find out if you have a water leak by detecting changes in your water meter. Keep reading to learn more.

SHUT OFF YOUR WATER

Before you go check your water meter, turn off all the water throughout your household. We don’t mean using the main shut-off valve, since this won’t help find a leak coming from an inside pipe. What we mean is shut off anything that uses water—your faucets, dishwasher, washing machine, etc.

Be sure to let your family know that you’re doing this so that they don’t use the faucet or the toilets in the meantime. Or, you could always choose a time when nobody else is home. Ensure that every fixture or appliance is off—this should include systems that might run automatically (like your sprinklers). Don’t forget about any water filters that run automatic backflow cleaning, or the refrigerator’s icemaker.

READING YOUR WATER METER

Now it’s time to take a look at your water meter. See if there is a flow indicator. This is a small, rotating dial that will move even if there is only a tiny amount of water flowing. If all your water is off and the wheel is moving, then you have a leak.

However, keep in mind that this won’t tell you how much water is leaking. If you want to find out whether it’s an excessive amount (or if your water meter doesn’t have a flow indicator), then you’ll have to wait a while. Write down the number you read on the dial or use a permanent marker to track it. Check it again after an hour.

The difference is read in gallons or in cubic feet. Convert cubic feet to gallons by multiplying the number by 7.48—this is how much your plumbing system is leaking per hour.

CHECK THIS NEXT, IF YOU DO HAVE A LEAK

Now it’s time to figure out where your leak is coming from. This isn’t always easy, and many times you’ll need to end up calling in a pro. You can check for some obvious signs, such as moisture throughout the home, including behind walls and along baseboards. You might even want to access your crawlspaces to look for moisture, and take a look around your yard for patches of moisture or greener areas of grass (this could be a sign of a sewer line leak).

If you discover that you do have a sewer line leak—or worse, a slab leak—then locating the exact spot the leak is occurring and repairing it requires specific tools and experience that you can only get from a professionally trained plumber.

Call BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating Inc. today for guaranteed satisfaction and accurateleak detection service in Teaneck & Bergin County, NJ.

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When you hear the word “plumbing,” it’s likely to conjure up images in your mind of the faucets and fixtures that pour water forth throughout your home. Maybe you even think about the drains that whisk away wastewater. These are the components of your plumbing system that you actually see and have direct interaction with, so it makes sense that you’d think of them—but there is one component in particular that not too many homeowners give much thought too, and that’s their sewer line.

While out of sight (and probably, out of mind), a sewer line problem can leave you with a major inconvenience, not to mention a mess and potentially expensive plumbing repairs. Early detection of sewer line issues is advantageous. But how does a Fort Lee, NJ plumber know that a sewer line needs help?

VIDEO CAMERA PIPE INSPECTION

This service involves the use of a slender fiber optic cable, which is inserted into your pipes with a small camera at the end. This can be used for any of your pipes throughout your entire plumbing system, and allows our professional plumbers to thoroughly inspect your pipes without disrupting them at all.

Video pipe inspection is part of plumbing maintenance, which you should have performed at least once a year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t call to schedule this service on your own. However, how do you know when you need to have your sewer line inspected? Keep reading for some warning signs.

Foul Odors: This is probably the most apparent sign of trouble with your sewer line—the development of foul odors in your home, especially from the drains. If you can smell sewer odors coming from any part of your plumbing, it’s time to have one of our plumbers inspect the situation.

You may be dealing with something as simple as a blockage. Or, you could have a leak due to tree root intrusion. But in some cases, the sewer line pipe has aged to the point that it has begun to corrode, and as a result may require replacement.

Backed Up Drains: One slow-moving or backed up drain in your home isn’t likely cause for immediate concern. It could be something like hair stuck in your bathroom sink, or food scraps in your kitchen sink. However, if you have multiple backed up drains throughout your home, you’re likely looking at a major problem with your sewer line.

Soggy or Bright Green Patches in Your Yard: Have you noticed that there’s one area of your yard that’s more lush and green than others? In the absence of something like a broken sprinkler head, it’s extremely likely you have a leak in your sewer line that is basically fertilizing that area. This, like the other problems mentioned above, can be cause by pipe corrosion, and could require a sewer line replacement.

The best thing you can do when you suspect a problem with your plumbing system is call our pros to set up an inspection ASAP. This can prevent even a small problem from turning into a much bigger one.

When you want quality service and guaranteed satisfaction, call on BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating Inc.

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It’s important to know where the water shutoff valves are in your home. Should the plumbing system spring a leak, it’s an inconvenience, but you can certainly go to a dedicated shutoff valve (located beside the toilet, sink, or fixture it services) or turn off the water to the whole house to stop the flow of water and then call in a plumber for help.

Of course, if a plumbing leak occurs while you’re at work, there’s no way to know about it, and no one home to shut off the water.  What can you do in this situation? And is there any way to prevent it from happening?

ACT QUICKLY

When you come home to soaked carpets, a wet floor, or a spraying pipe, don’t panic. It’s important to act fast to get the problem under control. Be sure the area is safe, and then shut off the water, either to the appliance or fixture itself or to the whole home.

Then, you need to take steps to clean up the area as quickly as possible. If water were able to pool all day, it could already have caused damage to the foundation of your home, your cabinets, carpets, or items in the room. But you shouldn’t wait to find out. These damages get worse by the second, so grab a mop and a bucket, all of the towels you have, or even a wet/dry vacuum cleaner if you can get ahold of one and get started.

CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY

In case you are worried about damages to your home or the cost of repairing the leak, be sure to contact your homeowner’s insurance provider ASAP. It’s possible that the leak won’t be covered, but it’s better to know now than to wait for the cost of damages to add up. Sometimes, when you wait too long, your insurer can cite the length of time as a reason to deny a claim, so acting quickly is always your best bet.

CALL A QUALIFIED PLUMBER

All in all, you’ll need a professional plumber (not a handyman!) to fix this leak. Your professional plumber will be able to locate the source of the leak, find the right method of the repair, and fix the problem efficiently with something that’s not simply temporary. Make sure you hire a licensed plumbing contractor and not a fly-by-night service or a neighbor who’s good with repairs.

TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT THIS

In the future, you know this is something you want to avoid. Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep you aware of what’s going on in your home, even if you are nowhere near it, or to prevent these leaks from causing major damage.

Automated water leak detection systems are becoming more and more common in homes across the country. These connect to the pipes or sit on the floor to detect water leakage. If a leak occurs, it can either close off the water valve (with more advanced systems) or send an alert to your phone so you can take off and address the problem.

Schedule service for your plumbing in Englewood NJ with BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating Inc.

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Would you believe that frozen pipes are never a concern for people in some parts of the country? In New Jersey, though, it’s something all homeowners have to think about, whether or not they’ve ever dealt with severely frozen pipes. When the problem does come up, you have a lot to consider. Will you simply take better precautions from now on? Will you call on a plumber in Teaneck, NJ to help? Should you consider major plumbing rerouting?

We cannot answer the toughest questions for you. We can, however, help you understand when it’s time to call a plumber for your frozen pipes and when you should do something on your own.

(201) 837-6700

WHY PREVENTATIVE MEASURES ARE MOST IMPORTANT

A frozen pipe is likely to crack thanks to the pressure of an expanding and thawing pipe. Hopefully, you won’t have to call in plumbers for your frozen pipes—because you have taken preventative measures before a winter freeze. If you haven’t done so yet, now is the time to start!

  • Insulate exposed piping by wrapping it in heat tape or a fitted pipe sleeve.
  • Keep the heat on in your home even if you plan to be gone for several days. As the weather cools, monitor your indoor temperature and make sure it stays above 55 degrees in all parts of the house.
  • In case freezing weather is predicted, you should keep the cupboard doors under the sink open and make sure heat can reach those pipes.
  • Keep faucets at a drip in freezing temperatures, or at least the faucet furthest from where the water supply enters your home. The constant movement of water can prevent pipes from freezing.

HOW TO IDENTIFY VULNERABLE PIPES

Identify any pipes that move through un-insulated portions of the house, or portions that you don’t normally heat. In particular, look for pipes that run through an outside wall, where frost and cold spells have a much greater chance of affecting them.

Pipe openings into the main house don’t always have insulation nearby. Neither do electrical outlets. You can winterize them by filling the holes with acrylic latex caulk or the like. You can also add insulating sleeves to vulnerable pipes and insulating tape, both of which can be installed by a trained plumbing service.

A trained plumber can perform an inspection of your home and let you know which spots may need attending to.

WHEN YOU SHOULD CALL IN PLUMBERS FOR FROZEN PIPES

The best thing you can do is take every measure you can to prevent your pipes from freezing in the first place. Of course, pipes can freeze despite your best efforts. In this case, if you’re asking yourself “should I call a plumber for frozen pipes?” check to see whether you can find the source of the freezing along an exposed pipe. While you may be able to thaw it on your own, professionals have quality thawing equipment that can do the job faster and safely.

You should also call in plumbers if you cannot find the frozen pipe, or if there is any sign the pipe has cracked. In this case, shut off the water while you wait for a plumber to come, open the faucets, and protect the floors with towels and buckets.

WHAT NOT TO DO

At some point, it may make more sense to thaw the pipes on your own. We recommend calling in plumbers in severe cases, but if you do attempt thawing, be sure to follow these safety measures:

  • Do not leave a portable heater unattended.
  • Never use an open flame.
  • Do not turn the faucets off.
  • Do not ignore a potential crack or hole in the pipe.

WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSIDER DRASTIC MEASURES

If your pipes keep freezing time and time again, no matter what you do or how well you insulate the pipes, it may be time to take drastic measures. This is also true if the freezing keeps happening inside the walls or elsewhere you cannot easily reach for insulation or thawing.

In this case, you might need to have the pipes rerouted. A professional plumber in Teaneck, NJ can help you decide whether this is the case, so at some point, it’s certainly worth calling in a plumber to discuss your frozen pipes.

BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating Inc. can help with your frozen pipes in Teaneck, NJ. Call today for exceptional customer service!

(201) 837-6700
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