At J&C Plumbing and Sewer Service, Inc., we understand it’s not only our job to serve as your professional Bergenfield plumbing company, but it’s also our responsibility to educate you on how to care for your plumbing system. Whether you’ve just purchased a home, or you operate a business, your plumbing serves a vital role in ensuring everything runs smoothly. Foul odors, strange noises, or slow-releasing drains are symptoms of plumbing issues you should address right away.
Our professional technicians can help guide you through the basics of plumbing and provide easy-to-understand answers to your most common plumbing questions. From the importance of hiring a professional plumber to understanding the benefits of trenchless sewer line repair, the J&C Plumbing and Sewer Service, Inc. team is here to help. We’ll help you understand the warning signs of common plumbing problems and what to look for when hiring a quality plumber.
Do I need a plumber to unclog my drains?
Do-it-yourself methods of drain cleaning come with a number of problems. First, most are nothing more than hazardous chemicals that you’re pouring down your drain. Those chemicals can advance corrosion in your pipes, creating a much more severe problem than a clogged drain. Secondly, store-bought drain cleaning products are temporary fixes to what could be a bigger plumbing problem that needs to be addressed by a professional plumber. The drain-clearing chemicals often push blockages and debris further into your plumbing system, often worsening the clog. Lastly, attempting to unclog a drain yourself doesn’t reveal other lingering issues. What you assume to be a hair or debris clog, could in fact be invasive tree roots or years of buildup that will never be removed by a gallon of chemicals you grab off the store shelf. Hiring a professional plumber for a clogged drain is the safest, most cost-effective way to treat your problem. The J&C Plumbing and Sewer Service, Inc. team can identify the source of the clog, remove it in an efficient, eco-friendly way, and return your plumbing to optimal performance in a matter of hours.
As a new homeowner, what are some of the most common plumbing issues I may encounter?
Owning your own home is a major life accomplishment, congratulations! Part of homeownership is understanding how your plumbing works and recognizing when part of that system isn’t performing as they should. The most common residential and commercial plumbing problems include:
- Clogged garbage disposal
- Clogged toilet
- Failed water heater
- Grease buildup in kitchen pipes
- Leaky faucets
- Leaky pipes
- Low water pressure
- Running toilet
- Sewage smell in home
- Sewage seeping into drains
- Sewer system backup
- Slow-draining bath or shower drain
Is there a way to clean my pipes?
As with a clogged drain, pipe cleaning is a service that’s best left to a professional plumber. Hydro Jetting is a chemical-free way to rid your pipes of clogs, debris, and invasive tree roots. Once your pipes are clear, use these steps to avoid grease and debris buildup in your system:
- Avoid certain foods in garbage disposal (coffee grounds, bones, grease, fruit peels)
- Clear drain stoppers in tub and shower
- Don’t pour grease or oil down the drain
- Don’t use the toilet as a trash can - waste and toilet tissue only
- Have septic tank pumped every two to three years
- Run hot water to clear grease residue after washing dishes
- Run cold water when using the garbage disposal
- Utilize a drain strainer if you don’t have a garbage disposal
What is Hydro Jetting?
Hydro Jetting is a pipe cleaning method that harnesses the power of extreme water pressure. The eco-friendly service pushes water through your pipes at nearly 4000 PSI, removing buildup, debris, and tree roots. The J&C Plumbing and Sewer Service, Inc. team can complete hydro jetting in your pipes to wash away the debris, allowing water and waste to flow through your plumbing freely. Because it’s environmentally friendly, hydro jetting can be performed every one to two years to keep your pipes in peak performance. Include this service as part of your yearly plumbing preventative maintenance routine.
Preventative Plumbing Treatments
Plumbing rarely crosses a home or business owners mind unless something goes wrong. No one wants to search for an emergency plumber in the middle of the night or on the weekend. To help prevent small issues from evolving into major catastrophes, schedule an annual preventative plumbing checkup. Most preventative plumbing treatments will include a camera inspection to learn the current state of your plumbing, an evaluation of what the camera reveals, hydro jetting services to clear the pipes, and a visual inspection of any exposed pipes. A professional Bergenfield plumber can quickly and easily assess your plumbing system and give you tips on how to keep it in good shape.
What is a plumbing emergency?
Naturally, plumbing problems tend to surface at night, over the weekend, or right in the middle of a holiday dinner. It can be difficult to determine if a plumbing issue constitutes a call to a Bergen County emergency plumber, so here are some guidelines to help you decide:
Does the problem affect more than one drain? If the problem has caused multiple drains to clog simultaneously, an emergency plumber is needed immediately.
Can you shut off a water valve to make the problem stop? If the water can be turned off to avoid damage, you can likely wait until the next morning to call the plumber.
Do you have access to water? If you don’t have access to running water, and you’ve confirmed it’s not a municipality or utility problem, call the emergency plumber.
Is the affected area flooding? Water damage can occur very quickly. If a water main break or burst pipe is flooding an area of your home, you’re dealing with an emergency.
Do you see raw sewage? Whether it’s pooling in your front yard or seeping through your drains, sewage is a health hazard you want to avoid. Call the plumber immediately.
How do I unclog a toilet?
A clogged toilet is one of the most common plumbing problems we deal with at J&C Plumbing and Sewer Service, Inc. The inability to remove waste from your home can quickly turn into a health hazard for your family. If your toilet isn’t flushing, try removing the clog with one of these methods: * Plunger: Ensure the plunger is sealed around the drain and plunge rapidly several times. If the plunger doesn’t release the clog, a plumbing snake may be more beneficial. * Plumbing auger: An auger, or plumbing snake, can travel through the drain to grab a clog and release the debris.
If neither of these methods work and the water from the toilet is not releasing, call a Bergenfield plumber immediately.
Do I have a water leak?
Homes that are built on slabs or have pipes running underground make it difficult to locate a water leak. If you suspect something is wrong with your plumbing system, look for these signs that a water leak has occurred:
- Loss in water pressure
- Damp or spongy flooring
- Grass is greener in one part of yard
- Unexpected Increase in monthly water bill
- Sound of running water coming from walls
If you experience any of these issues, contact your Bergenfield NJ plumber for leak detection service.
Will you have to tear up my yard to repair the sewer line?
With J&C Plumber trenchless sewer repair services there’s no need to excavate your lawn or flooring. Our technicians can complete most sewer line repair work without digging. Trenchless sewer repair nearly cuts repair costs in half, not to mention you won’t be stuck with an extravagant landscaping bill just to get your property back to normal. Types of trenchless sewer repair: * Pull-in-place lining * Inversion lining * Epoxy coating
Each of these repair methods has a different set of requirements and its own pricing scale.
How do I stop tree roots from invading my plumbing?
Invasive tree roots can quickly clog a sewer line and create significant damage if not repaired immediately. Tree roots can break through underground plumbing, blocking the flow of water and waste to and from your home. A camera inspection is the sure way to determine if you’re dealing with invasive tree roots. To avoid roots growing into your pipes, try one of these solutions:
Tree Removal: The one-time cost of professional tree removal will be much easier to handle compared to ongoing plumbing treatments as the roots continue to grow back.
Root Barrier: Once your pipes are repaired or if you plant new trees, install a root barrier. Start by digging an 18 to 24-inch trench around the root zone and place the barrier around the tree.
Camera Inspection: A yearly camera inspection will reveal if tree roots are threatening your pipes. The preventative maintenance step will help you catch a small problem before it develops.
Hydro Jetting: Having your pipes professional cleaned everyone to two years will keep invasive tree roots at bay. You’ll also benefit from having buildup and clogs removed in an environmentally-friendly way.
Does homeowner’s insurance cover burst pipe damage?
Broken pipes are one of the leading causes of homeowner’s insurance claims. Most providers will cover the expense caused by burst or leaking pipes if the damage was unpreventable. To avoid broken or cracked pipes in your home:
- Have all appliances maintenance as needed
- Caulk and seal tubs and showers properly
- Visually inspect exposed pipes twice yearly
- Insulate pipes if you live in a cold climate
- Inspect and replace appliance hoses on your dishwasher or washing machine as needed
How do I prevent pipes from freezing?
The majority of frozen pipe damage occurs between December and February, so inspecting and insulating your pipes well ahead of the winter season will help avoid emergency plumbing problems. Insulate your pipes by:
- Lining the pipes with heating cable before covering with insulation. The cable helps stabilize the pipe’s temperature.
- Visually inspect the outside of your home, paying close attention to the foundation and basement areas. Fill any cracks or gaps with spray foam.
- Allow excess water to drain from your outdoor faucets and cover them with an insulated dome. Shut off the water valves to prevent freezing.
- During particular cold temperatures, open the cabinet doors in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow warm air to circulate the exposed pipes.
- Schedule routine plumbing maintenance once a year so a professional plumber can spot any small cracks or holes in your pipes that could potentially cause further damage.
- Open the faucets to allow a slow drip to flow. Even a minimal amount of movement will prevent the water in the pipes from freezing.
What causes cracked pipes?
The most common reason for a cracked pipe Is old age and use. Natural corrosion occurs and can make your pipes more susceptible to cracking and leaking. Another factor to consider is tree root invasion. If you notice a portion of your lawn or set of shrubs growing more lushly than the rest, you may be dealing with invasive tree roots. Frozen pipes are another common reason for cracks. Use our steps above to properly insulate your pipes to avoid this problem. Routine maintenance is important to protect your pipes and get the most out of their life-span.
What’s the lifespan of a water heater?
Water heaters typically last 8 to 12 years. However, routine maintenance may help prolong the life of your unit. Water heater repairs can be avoided by draining the tank each year to eliminate residue and sediment that settles at the bottom of the tank. If your water heater isn’t advanced in age but is showing signs of trouble, we can perform an inspection and make necessary repairs to the unit.
Ideal temperature for a hot water heater
The ideal temperature for your hot water heater is between 120 and 140 degrees. The EPA says setting the unit below the 120 mark makes way for bacteria growth that can threaten your family’s health. Setting the water heater above 140 degrees uses too much energy and can scald your skin.
We are Bergen County’s leading plumbing service. Our technicians are available to help you through the maintenance of home ownership. By using advanced technology, our expert technicians will evaluate the problems, explain the situation, and provide you with straight forward solutions that will quickly get your home back to normal. Our team is available for preventative plumbing maintenance, emergency services, or sewer line repairs throughout Bergen County.
For the best Bergen County, NJ plumber, call the professional plumbers at J&C Plumbing and Sewer Service, Inc. and you'll have affordable plumbers you can call upon any time you need help with your home's plumbing.
