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A tap aerator or faucet aerator is located on the tip of water faucets which are used indoors such as kitchen and bathroom sink faucets.  Their purpose is to spread the water stream into a number of smaller streams, in essence adding air to the water stream.  This saves the amount of water which comes out of the tap at one time while also reducing the amount of backsplash which occurs when the faucet is turned on.

Utilizing faucet aerators can be one of the most inexpensive ways to save money on water consumption and save energy with your Emerson, NJ plumbing.

There are two main types of faucet aerators, some which use metal or plastic screens to separate the water, and some which do not use screens. One advantage to those without screens is that they eliminate problematic clogging which occurs on screen aerators due to sediment buildup.  There are also aerators with off-valves and swivel aerators which allow users to direct flow to wherever the water spray is needed.

There are three main flow-types seen today. The needle method creates a circular pattern of small, single streams of water with no water-flow in the very center.  The aerated method created a tubular flow with air mixed into the water, creating a single stream of bubbly water.  The laminar method has no air mixed in which makes for a single stream of water with no bubbles.

Many aerators are designed as more economical low-flow aerators which optimize the water flow while still providing optimal water-flow performance.  In kitchens these low-flow options decrease flow from 2.2 gallons per minute to 1.5 gpm or 1.0 gpm, saving anywhere from 32% to 54% of water-usage.  On bathroom faucets the water-flow is decreased from 2.2 gpm to 1.0 gpm or even 0.5 gpm saving from 77% to 84% of water usage.  When engineered properly, low-flow or economic aerators can provide increased perceived water pressure while in actuality helping to save water.

When purchasing new faucet aerators, ensure that you find the proper type (male or female) and the proper size (regular or small).  There are dual-thread options for those who do not know whether a male or female aerator is necessary.  Also, look at the tap aerator’s price in conjunction with how much savings it can provide in water usage annually and see how little must be spent on each faucet in order to save hundreds of dollars. For any new plumbing installation you need in the Emerson, NJ region, give BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating a call!

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Undetected water leaks can rot wood, destroy drywall, and cause mold to grow in unseen spaces of your home. Spending the time and money to find and fix water leaks in your Bergen County plumbing before they cause significant damage is one of the most cost-effective actions a homeowner can take.

Sinks

Cabinets beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks are a good place to start. Look for signs of water damage or build up. Mold and mildew are telltale signs of water leaks. Touch the pipes, particularly the areas where they enter the faucet. Run the hot and cold water faucets for a few minutes and repeat the inspection. Finally, fill the sink with water, let it stand a few minutes and open the drain. Now check the drain pipe and the joints that connect it to the sink for leaks.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers can’t easily be checked for leaks without pulling them out from beneath the counter. But you can inspect the water lines that connect the dishwasher to the kitchen sink. For some units, you may be able to shine a flashlight beneath the dishwasher to look for puddles.

 Toilets

Toilets can leak from the water supply pipes filling the tank and from the seal between the toilet and the waste pipe in the floor. Flush the toilet several times and carefully look for any signs of leaks in the  joints of the water supply pipe and the floor around the base of the toilet. Lift the lid off the tank and flush the toilet. When the tank refills, the water should completely shut off. If the flush valve or water control unit is old, corroded, or loose, the water will continue to run. Running water cools the water delivery pipe to the toilet and the tank, which will cause them to collect condensation in humid weather. The condensation will drip and eventually cause water damage to the floor behind the toilet. Bottom line – don’t ignore a running toilet. Have the water control and flush valve fixed or replaced.

 Tubs and Showers

Inspect the caulking around the tub or shower. Old, cracked, or missing caulking can allow water to leak into the wall. Water dripping from a leaky faucet or shower head will go down the drain and not cause any damage, but the faucet may also be leaking water behind the tub or shower.

 Washing Machines

For washing machines, make sure the hot and cold water hose connections are open and check for leaks. Inspect the floor around the washer for signs of puddles or water damage.

  Hot Water Heaters

Finally, inspect the hot water heater for leaks, and the boiler if the house has hot water heating. The first place to look is the floor around the appliance, but also look at the joints where the water pipes connect.

For help repairing any leaks in your Bergen County plumbing, give BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating a call today!

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If you have been shopping for new plumbing fixtures lately in Hackensack, or even just wandered through that section of the home improvement store, you have probably noticed that some of them bear a familiar label.

“Just what is this ‘WaterSense’ company and why have I never heard of them before?” you may ask yourself. “Are they a new manufacturer?”

No, it’s not a new fixture company. WaterSense is a program in partnership with the Environment Protection Agency designed to make it easier for consumers to find, identify and choose products that use water more efficiently. You can find it on a number of faucets, shower heads and toilets. Even some newly built homes that exclusively have WaterSense fixtures installed bear the certification.

In order to wear the WaterSense label, a product has to meet strict criteria, such as using water at least 20% more efficiently than its average competitor, while also performing at least we well, and obtaining certification from an independent third party.

That’s all well and good, buy why should anyone buy a WaterSense labeled fixture? What are the benefits? In contrast to older or less efficient products, fixtures with the WaterSense label:

  • Are kinder to the environment
  • Reduce water consumption
  • Operate more efficiently
  • Employ more advanced technology
  • Perform as well as or better then competing products
  • Save you money on utility bills

As with the EnergyStar label that graces so many appliances and electronic devices these days, in this case what is good for the environment is also good for your wallet. The added efficiency of WaterSense products reduces water consumption, which not only conserves water for everyone, but conserves money for you.

So, for homeowners who are in the market for new plumbing fixtures and like to save the planet as well as some money, WaterSense labeled products are the way to go. For more information about how you can upgrade your Hackensack home’s plumbing, give BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating a call!

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Poor water pressure is an annoying problem to have. It makes showering unpleasant, it’s difficult to water your lawn and your washer can’t get your clothes clean. These kinds of water pressure problems can stem from any one of a variety of causes, but one possible cause is a clogged pipe somewhere in your Teaneck plumbing system.

One clogged, partially blocked or otherwise constricted pipe somewhere in your Teaneck plumbing system can have effects on the water pressure at other points, or even throughout the entire system. To diagnose whether your water pressure problem is due to a clog, first turn on the water at a faucet or other fixture. Then, follow this brief guide.

Is the water pressure at the fixture you just turned on fine, but problematic elsewhere?

If this – or the reverse scenario – describes your problem, then there is probably a localized clog somewhere in the piping that feeds the fixtures with poor pressure. It could be that a secondary supply line of the main supply is clogged or constricted and is affecting the supply to several fixtures.

If you notice poor pressure at just one fixture, there may be a clog specific to that fixture, such as a clogged faucet strainer.

Is the water pressure fine at first, but drops to a trickle right away?

This usually means there is some sort of constriction in the piping. The initial burst indicates that the overall system pressure is fine, but something is constricting water flow, although the pipe is not fully blocked. If this happens all over the house, the constriction may be in the main supply line.

Is the water pressure fine in all the fixtures in one part of the house, but too low at all the fixtures in other area?

If this sounds like your water pressure problem, then there may be a clog within a single pipe or connection. For example, one elbow may be clogged up, which is reducing the water pressure in one area.

These simple diagnostic steps can help you determine if your low water pressure is due to a clog rather than another problem, such as a leaky pipe. Unless the clog is in come obvious place, however, like the clogged strainer at the faucet mentioned above, your best choice to repair the clog is to call a Teaneck  plumber. Otherwise, that clog can turn into a much larger problem.

Call BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating today for any plumbing repair, any time!

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Like most Bergen County homeowners, you’re probably asking yourself why you need water filtration – what exactly happens to your water that makes it necessary to install an entire new system in your home to keep it clean? There are a few things that might be an issue here and your specific circumstances will determine which affects you the most.

 Common Water Contaminants

While most homes don’t suffer from all of the following, there is a good chance you will have at least some of these contaminants in your home:

  • Sediment
  • Bacteria
  • Chlorine
  • Copper
  • Fluoride
  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • Nitrate
  • Sulfate
  • Viruses

This is only a partial list too – there are a number of other, more exotic substances that might be in your water. Now, this doesn’t mean your water suffers from all or even most of these problems. Many homes only have one or two contaminants and they may not be dangerous to your health.

But, here’s the issue – and the number one reason that most homes should have a water filtration system. Things change. While your home may not suffer from virus or sulfate infiltration now, it could later. Things happen to the water supply – pipes get old, things get into the water tables and chemical levels change at treatment plants.

The only way to combat these problems is to have a good water filtration system already in place. Specifically, a reverse osmosis system that can remove all of these contaminants through an advanced chemical process.

Testing Comes First 

To make sure you have the right system in place to tackle your water contamination problems, make sure you first  a Bergen County plumber to perform full water testing on your home’s drinking water. Because some of these contaminants must be treated with chemical infusions through pumps or special cartridges, it is important to know in advance what you’re up against.

For more information about having a water filtration system installed in your home, give BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating a call today!

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You probably don’t pay much attention to the caulking around your Englewood plumbing. It is one of those things that is always there, working kind of behind the scenes, that you never seem to notice until something goes wrong.

The think about caulking, though, is that something can go wrong with it rather quickly. Because of the high frequency of use of tubs and sinks, the caulk that seals the space between the fixture and the wall can deteriorate and crack over time. This can cause gaps in the caulk or cause the fixture to come loose from the wall.

When this cracking and erosion happens, water from your bath, shower head or faucet can seep in between the fixture and the wall, potentially causing water damage and fostering colonies of mildew and mold.

Cracked caulk is inevitable with daily use, so you don’t need to worry about preventing it. Instead, learn how to properly fix the situation with a fresh caulk job:

  1. Scrape away all the old caulk from around the fixture using a utility knife or putty knife. Take care to remove all the old caulk while also avoiding scratching porcelain fixtures.
  2. With all the caulk gone, clean out the joint thoroughly. This will remove any last traces of caulk, as well as any other dirt or buildup. If you notice mildew or mold, use a chlorine bleach solution to clean the joint before recaulking.
  3. Once the joint is dry, recaulk it using a bead of caulk that is just slightly wider than the joint. This ensures an adequate seal. Wipe any excess away with a rag.
  4. Allow the caulk to dry thoroughly before using the sink or tub. Read the instructions on the caulk for an estimated drying time.

Take note that it is very important to thoroughly remove all the old caulk and clean everywhere along the fixture joint before applying the new caulk. Otherwise, the new caulk will not adhere properly and potentially damaging dirt may get sealed into the joint.

Plumber Englewood

If this is a process that you don’t feel comfortable doing yourself, never hesitate to call your plumber in Englewood from BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating! As your Bergen County plumbers, we’re proud to serve Englewood as well as the surrounding areas!

(201) 837-6700
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