Plumbing FAQ

Answers Courtesy of Our Bergen County Plumbers

At J&C Plumbing and Sewer Service, Inc., we understand our job is not only to serve as your professional plumber but also 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 guide you through the basics of plumbing and provide easy-to-understand answers to your most common plumbing questions. From letting you know the importance of hiring a professional plumber to helping you understand the benefits of trenchless sewer line repair, the J&C Plumbing and Sewer Service, Inc. team is here for you.

If you have other questions than the ones below, feel free to reach out to us at (201) 514-5725!

Why Do I Need A Plumber to Unclog My Drains?

It can be tempting to just go the DIY route and use store-bought drain cleaners for your clogged drains. However, these commercial cleaners often contain lye, which is a chemical that can cause corrosion and damage to your pipes. Calling a professional plumber not only protects your pipes from damage but also ensures excellent and lasting results. The technicians from J&C Plumbing and Sewer Service, Inc. are your go-to drain experts in Bergen County. Rely on us to provide you with safe, reliable drain cleaning services using either a plumbing snake or hydro-jetting equipment for your slow or blocked drains.

As a New Homeowner, What Common Plumbing Issues Should I Expect?

Plumbing issues are a fact of life that you will have to face eventually as a homeowner. They can range from simple to more complex issues.

The most common include:

Save yourself the headache of finding a reliable plumber when one of these plumbing issues suddenly pop up. We are a top-rated plumbing company in the local community, having served since 2010. Read our reviews here to learn more about our professional plumbers.

How Do I Locate a Clog within My Pipes?

Finding clogs requires the expertise of a licensed and equipped plumber. At J&C Plumbing and Sewer Service, Inc., we can locate the clog within your pipes using video camera inspection. Our plumbing team will feed a camera down your pipeline, so we see exactly what’s going on inside your pipes. The images from the camera are in real time, so finding the clog is fast and efficient.

Is There a Way to Clean My Pipes?

When your pipes are thoroughly cleaned, clogs and other issues are kept at bay. Our Bergen County plumbers use hydro-jetting to clean and scour the inside of your pipes. The high-pressure water from hydro-jetting is effective in eliminating even the toughest clogs from sediment and scale buildup to tree roots.

What Is Hydro-Jetting?

Hydro-jetting is a method for sewer cleaning where we use high-pressure water to clean the inside of the pipes. The hydro-jetting machine includes a special nozzle that blasts water from different directions. Your plumber will then insert and run this special nozzle into your drain or pipe to eliminate blockages and buildup. For more information about hydro-jetting, click here.

What Is a Plumbing Emergency?

Plumbing emergencies are issues that endanger your health and property. Some of the most common emergencies include burst pipes, sewage backups, failed water heaters, and gas leaks.

To help you determine whether the plumbing issue you are facing is an emergency, refer to the following guidelines:

Clogged drains – If you are dealing with multiple clogged drains, call a plumber right away. This is a sign of sewer damage and needs immediate attention.
Water leaks – If you can shut off your main water valve to make the leak stop, you can likely wait until the next day to call a plumber.
Water supply – If you’ve suddenly lost access to water and you’ve confirmed with your utility provider that there is no problem from their end, it’s time to call a plumber to the scene.
Pipe burst and flooding – If you have a flooded basement as a result of a burst pipe or sump pump malfunction, you are dealing with a plumbing emergency. Call a professional plumber to mitigate water damage right away.
Raw sewage – When you see raw sewage pooling in your yard or seeping through your drains, call a plumber at once. Exposure to raw sewage can cause serious health conditions.

How Do I Unclog a Toilet?

If you want to deal with your clogged toilet on your own, we recommend you use a toilet plunger. A plunger can safely and effectively release the clog from your toilet. You may also use a plumbing auger or plumbing snake to take out the clog. However, if both methods did not work, it’s time to call our Bergen County plumbers.

Do I Have a Water Leak?

Not all plumbing leaks are easy to spot like a dripping faucet or leaky pipes under the sink. Sometimes, the broken pipe is hidden behind a wall or under the slab foundation. If this leak goes undetected, you could be looking at exorbitant water bills and costly water damage repairs.

Fortunately, there are signs that can help tell you when you have a leak. These include:

An increase in your water bills
Water stains on the ceiling and walls
Bubbling wall paint
Mold and mildew growth
Damp carpet or flooring
The sound of trickling water when all faucets are off
A moving water meter even with the main water off

Once you’ve noticed any of the signs above, don’t wait—call J&C Plumbing and Sewer Service, Inc. for fast, accurate leak detection and repair.

Will You Have to Tear Up My Yard to Repair the Sewer Line?

J&C Plumbing and Sewer Service, Inc. uses trenchless methods on all our sewer services. This latest plumbing innovation allows us to repair or replace your pipes without excavating your yard or landscape. Trenchless sewer services not only reduce the time it takes to complete any sewer line job but also cut the repair cost in half because there is no need for any rehabilitation or restoration work after.

How Do I Deal with Tree Root Invasion?

When tree roots find their way into your pipes, they can grow and block the flow of water and waste to and from your home. If left untreated for a long time, the roots can cause significant damage to your pipes.

Here are some steps you can take to avoid tree root invasion:

If you have a tree or plants near your sewer lines, consider relocating or removing them to avoid root blockage.
If removing the tree is not an option, you may want to look into installing a root barrier around the tree.
Have your sewer lines inspected at least once a year, especially during fall when tree roots are actively seeking sources of water and nutrients.
Call our Bergen County plumbers to clean your pipes using hydro-jetting. Thoroughly cleaning your pipes every one or two years can help keep tree roots at bay.

Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Burst Pipe Damage?

Insurance companies will cover the restoration expenses caused by burst pipes or leaking pipes as long as the pipe damage was unpreventable. This means as a homeowner, you must prove that you did your due diligence to prevent the pipe from getting damaged.

Here are some ways to prevent broken or burst pipe:

Insulate your pipes prior to the cold months
Visually inspect exposed pipes at least twice a year
Schedule regular maintenance for all plumbing appliances and fixtures
Inspect and replace dishwasher or washing machine hoses as needed
Seal tubs and showers properly

How Do I Prevent Pipes from Freezing?

New Jersey winters can cause your pipes to freeze and potentially break or burst. If you want to prevent this from happening, make sure to winterize your plumbing before the cold months roll in.

Things you can do to prevent frozen pipes include:

Drain excess water from all outdoor faucets and cover with an insulated dome
Shut off your water valves
Store all water hoses in an insulated room
Line your pipes with heating cable and cover them with insulation
When the temperature is near freezing, open the doors of your sink cabinets and laundry areas to let in the warm air from your furnace
Let water trickle down the drain overnight to prevent the pipes from freezing

What Causes Cracked Pipes?

Pipes can crack or break due to a number of reasons, including:

The ground shifting
Landscaping or renovation accidents
Tree root invasion
Heavy corrosion
Extremely cold temperature
Large clogs

There is no way to guarantee the prevention of cracked pipes. However, regular plumbing inspection from our Bergen County plumbers can help you catch and fix potential issues before they cause further damage to your pipes.

What Is the Lifespan of a Water Heater?

The average lifespan of conventional tank water heaters is 7 to 10 years. If your water heater is around this age and needing frequent repairs, it’s time to consider a replacement. J&C Plumbing and Sewer Service, Inc. can help you select a new water heater and install this properly into your home. We are also knowledgeable about tankless water heaters should you decide to switch to this energy-efficient hot water equipment.

Read What Others Have to Say!

“I called J&C late last night (Sunday Night) and left a message to schedule an early appointment; they got back to me immediately!”
- Joseph M.
“I was super impressed with the service and felt like I was in good hands, a rare feel with a stranger, so now I have the utmost respect for their service and won’t think twice if I run into another plumbing issue again.”
- James L.
“It's great having a plumbing company I can trust my older home too and know the work is done correctly.”
- Jacquelyn T.

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