· 3 min read
Water heater noises: what each sound means
Rumbling, popping, hissing, ticking or a high whine from the water heater each point to something different. Most are harmless with a little attention; one or two are not.
Plumbing tips
Clear, practical answers to the plumbing questions Bergen County homeowners ask.
· 3 min read
Replace your washing machine hoses before one of them bursts
A burst washing machine hose pours out water at full mains pressure, and it is one of the most common causes of home water damage. Ten minutes and two new hoses remove the risk.
· 3 min read
How to unclog a toilet without making a mess
The right plunger, the right technique, and a toilet auger for the stubborn ones. Most blocked toilets are cleared in a few minutes, and none of it needs chemicals.
· 3 min read
Tank or tankless: choosing a replacement water heater
When the old water heater goes, you have a few days to choose. Here is how tank and tankless heaters compare on cost, hot water, space and running costs, so you can decide before you need to.
· 3 min read
Test your sump pump before the storm, not during it
A sump pump sits idle for months and is expected to work perfectly on the worst night of the year. A five-minute test, twice a year, tells you whether it will.
· 3 min read
How to stop a dripping faucet
A drip is nearly always a worn part that costs a few dollars. Work out which type of faucet you have, and the repair takes under an hour.
· 3 min read
The steam boiler's water level: the weekly check that prevents the big repair
A steam boiler must have the right amount of water in it. Too little and it can be destroyed; too much and the radiators bang. Checking takes a minute, and so does flushing the safety control.
· 3 min read
A slow bathroom sink: the ten-minute fix
Bathroom sinks slow down because of hair and soap around the pop-up stopper, a few inches down. Here is how the stopper comes out, and how to clean it so the drain runs like new.
· 3 min read
A sewer line camera inspection: what it shows, what it costs, and when it is worth it
A plumber's camera runs from the house to the street and shows the state of the sewer line. For an older Bergen County house it is the cheapest way to avoid the most expensive repair.
· 3 min read
Replacing a kitchen faucet, step by step
A new kitchen faucet is one of the most satisfying upgrades a homeowner can do. The plumbing is simple; the difficulty is entirely in the cabinet. Here is how to get it done in an afternoon.
· 3 min read
Re-caulking a bathtub or shower: the job that stops leaks into the ceiling below
Cracked or moldy caulk where the tub meets the tile lets water into the wall and the floor. Redoing it takes an afternoon, and the secret is removing every trace of the old caulk first.
· 3 min read
Radiators that stay cold or bang: what is going on, and what to do
Older Bergen County houses often have hot water or steam radiators. Most cold radiators and noisy pipes have simple causes you can deal with yourself.
· 3 min read
When the power goes out: what happens to your plumbing
A storm outage in Bergen County can flood a basement, stop the well, and leave a house without heat. Here is what stops working, what does not, and how to prepare.
· 3 min read
Checking the plumbing before you buy an older house
Bergen County has a great many houses built before 1960. Their plumbing can be fine, or it can be the most expensive surprise after closing. Here is what to look at, and what to ask.
· 3 min read
A radiator valve that leaks: the packing nut fix, and when the valve must go
Water around the base of a radiator valve usually comes from the packing around its stem. Tightening one nut often stops it. Here is how, for hot water and steam radiators.
· 3 min read
Is something leaking? The ten-minute water meter test
A water bill that has crept up, a damp smell, or a pump that runs at night can all mean a hidden leak. Your water meter can tell you for certain, and often where to look.
· 3 min read
Hard water: what it does to your plumbing and what to do about it
White crust on the faucets, spotted glasses and a water heater that rumbles are all signs of hard water. Here is what it is, what it costs you, and the options from a bottle of vinegar to a softener.
· 3 min read
Garbage disposal problems: humming, jammed, leaking or smelly
Most disposal faults are cleared with the hex key that came with it and a little patience. Here is what each symptom means, how to fix it safely, and when the unit is finished.
· 3 min read
How to flush a water heater, and why it is worth twenty minutes a year
Sediment settles at the bottom of every tank water heater. Draining it once a year makes the heater quieter, cheaper to run and longer lived.
· 2 min read
Baseboard heaters that stay cold: what to check
Hot water baseboard heat is common in Bergen County houses built after the 1950s. When a room stays cold, the cause is usually air, dust or a damper, and rarely the boiler.
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