The Importance of Regular Plumbing Maintenance

 There are tons of things to keep track of and keep up with as a homeowner, and your plumbing system is one of them. Regular plumbing maintenance is a must because it keeps your plumbing in its best possible working condition, helps prevent costly repairs and breakdowns in the future and helps extend the life of your appliances. 

Think about it, your home’s water supply and drainage systems are used every single day – multiple times a day – by everyone in your household. Keeping them clean and healthy is crucial, and you can ensure their functionality by investing in regular plumbing maintenance. If you haven’t already, we recommend contacting your local plumber and setting up regular maintenance checks. 

What Is the Purpose of Plumbing Maintenance? 

• Early detection of issues: Unless you’re a professional, you may not be aware of the early warning signs that something is wrong. That means you might not notice it until it becomes a larger, more expensive problem that can disrupt your home for days on end. 
• Prevents water damage: Even a tiny leak can cause extensive water damage in your home if left unrepaired. That’s why you need a professional who can check for signs of leaks under your sinks, around your water heater, and throughout your pipes. 
• Reduces water waste: Leaks and running toilets waste water, and as a result you are left with more expensive monthly bills.
• Extends the lifespan of your plumbing: When you keep your pipes, faucets, and appliances in top working condition, you’re reducing the frequency with which you’ll need to replace them. 

Crosstown’s Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

• Clear all of your drains and p-traps
• Inspect your pipes for any visible corrosion
• Check under the sink for leaks 
• Inspect your toilet tanks
• Test your water pressure
• Inspect your hot water heater
• Maintain your sewer line and inspect it for clogs

While most of us will be able to handle something basic like a clogged toilet, most of the things on the essential plumbing maintenance checklist should be addressed by a professional. Even the most seasoned handymen require help from an experienced plumber from time to time, and enlisting the help of a pro ensures your plumbing system stays as healthy and efficient as possible. 

Regular plumbing inspections will help detect a minor issue before it turns major. Investing in this type of maintenance can easily extend the life of your appliances, and it can actually help you save more money in the long run. Remember, expensive repairs become even more expensive in an emergency situation because it requires a plumbing professional to drop everything and race over to your home. So don’t wait until it’s too late. If you’d like more information about plumbing maintenance, or if you would like to stock up on essential plumbing supplies all homeowners should have on hand, please contact our team at Crosstown Plumbing today. 

Originally published at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/importance-of-regular-plumbing-maintenance/

Most Common Plumbing Problems and How to Fix Them

 As a homeowner, you’ll undoubtedly run into plumbing problems from time to time. Even if your bathrooms or kitchen is relatively new, clogged drains can happen to the best of us. Thankfully, our NJ plumbing wholesalers are here to discuss some of the most common plumbing problems we see, as well as how to fix them. While sometimes it can be a simple matter of unclogging a toilet with a plunger, more often plumbing problems are more complicated and extensive, requiring the help of a professional to remedy. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult with a professional before taking any action. 

Some of the most common plumbing issues include:

• Dripping faucets: Not only can the noise drive you crazy, but it also wastes water and indicates a larger problem at play. 
• Leaking pipes: If you notice small puddles of water starting to gather under your sink or near your water heater, you probably have a leak.
• No hot water: We’ve all been there. You’re in a rush and you jump in the shower only to discover your hot water isn’t working.
• Weak water pressure: This makes showering and washing dishes take twice as long, and can also indicate that you have a leak in your pipes somewhere.
• A toilet that constantly runs: Your toilet should only run for as long as it takes to fill up with water again after you flush it, but sometimes, it runs continually and the water level remains low. 

How Do You Diagnose Plumbing Problems?

If you have experience fixing minor issues like a clogged drain or a running toilet, you can try to diagnose and fix these issues yourself as long as you turn off your water supply before starting, use the proper tools and wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Most people are not able to properly diagnose their plumbing issues, so it’s always best to consult a professional before the problem gets worse. 

Finding Solutions to Your Plumbing Problems

We recommend keeping several tools on hand in case you need them at short notice. Things like a plunger, an adjustable wrench, pliers, and a sink auger will come in handy when you encounter plumbing problems you know how to fix. However, when the problem appears to be more serious, the best solution is to call an industry professional who can conduct an inspection then perform the necessary repairs. 

For more information about how to fix some of the most common plumbing issues you’ll incur as a homeowner, or if you have any questions about affordable plumbing supplies to keep on hand, please contact our team at Crosstown Plumbing today. 

Originally published at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/common-plumbing-problems-how-to-fix-them/

Avoiding Drain Flies: A Guide

Have you noticed little flies buzzing around the sinks in your kitchen or bathroom? These are most likely drain flies. As annoying as they are, they’re extremely common and most of us will deal with a drain fly infestation at some point in time. Drain flies take up residence in septic tanks, sewers, and drains, and they often come up through your piping systems. The good news is there are several steps you can take to banish them from your home. 

Clean Your Drains

Think about how much waste and debris you put down your drains on a daily basis. So it’s no surprise that drain flies are attracted to the build-up of gunk in your drains. One way to keep drain flies away is to regularly clean your drains with a snake, which is a long metal tool used to remove clogs and eliminate build-up in your pipes. 

Flush The Drain With Boiling Water

Boiling water kills drain flies and any larvae that are waiting to hatch. Pouring boiling water down your drains can also dislodge any clogs or build-up in your pipes. If you start to notice drain flies in your home, we recommend immediately pouring boiling water down your pipes once or twice a day for a week – and then see if the problem persists. 

Use Enzyme Cleaners From A Plumbing Store

If boiling water isn’t doing the trick, visit your local plumbing store for something stronger. Plumbing stores will have enzyme cleaners that won’t damage or corrode your pipes, but will be effective in removing debris and build-up from your plumbing system. We don’t recommend using store-bought drain de-cloggers unless you know for sure they won’t harm your pipes. 

Don’t Let Water Stay Stagnant

Drain flies are attracted to pooling water. Which means if your sinks are clogged or you leave stagnant water in your sinks often, you’re creating an easy attraction for drain flies. Some easy steps you can take is to rinse your dishes out right away after using them, and don’t let them sit too long in your kitchen sink with pooling water. 

Originally published at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/avoiding-drain-flies-a-guide/

Choosing The Right Type Of Valve

Are you trying to select the right type of valve for your plumbing application? Whether it’s for your shower, dishwasher or perhaps something a little bit bigger like your sprinkler system,  there are many factors to consider. If you’re unsure, we recommend consulting with a plumbing professional to discuss valve features and recommend what’s best. In this article, our team explains the various types of plumbing valves and important things to consider when making your choice. If you have any questions along the way, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help. 

What Are The Types Of Valves?

Some of the most common types of valves include:

• Ball valves
• Metering valves
• Needle valves
• Toggle valves
• Pinch valves
• Relief valves
• Regulators 
• Check valves
• Butterfly valves

Be Sure Of The Size

Selecting the properly sized valve is critical. Undersized and oversized valves can cause operating problems in your plumbing system. For example, a valve that is too small can cause a build-up of pressure, while a valve that is too large doesn’t properly regulate the flow in the transfer system. If you would like a second opinion, we recommend checking with a trusted local plumber to ensure your valves are properly sized. 

What Does The Valve Need To Do?

Valves have two basic functions: shut-off and regulation. The action you need the valve to perform will determine which type is right for you. Ball valves are used to stop fluids from circulating, butterfly valves control the flow rate of fluids, and needle valves are used to regulate low-flow gases or liquids, just to name a few. 

Consider What The Valve Is Made Of

Valves come in a range of different materials, including plastic, brass, stainless steel, and PVC. If your valves will be coming into contact with extremely hot water or gases, you’ll need to use a material that doesn’t corrode or slowly melt from the high temperatures. Valves used in applications for restaurants and other food suppliers must also adhere to certain regulations, so please seek guidance from a professional who can ensure you’re also selecting the safest option for your patrons. 

Originally published at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/choosing-the-right-type-of-valve/

Top 3 Drain Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs!

A clogged drain can really disrupt your day, especially if it’s a shower drain and you only have one bathroom in your home. Whether it’s a kitchen sink, a bathroom sink, or a shower, drain cleaning is a regular part of home ownership, and unfortunately we see many common drain cleaning mistakes that can make the problems worse. Our team at Cross Town Plumbing explains the top three mistakes you should avoid when cleaning your drains. Please contact us with any questions. 

Improper Plunger Use

A plunger seems like a simple tool and not one that can be used improperly, but we’ve seen it many times. There are two types of plungers – a sink plunger and a toilet plunger – and we recommend you have one of each on hand at all times. When trying to fix a clogged toilet, people often plunge in an up-and-down motion really quickly, which can cause dirty water to splash on themselves and the floor around the toilet.

Instead, make sure the toilet plunger has completely covered the drain, then plunge slowly up and down, never lifting the plunger from the drain. Slow and steady, wins the race and the clog should come loose. 

Don’t Use Liquid Drain Cleaner

You can buy a variety of liquid drain cleaners at any grocery store, and it seems like a quick fix for a clogged drain, but these cleaners contain harmful and corrosive chemicals that can end up causing a lot of damage in the long run. It’s especially important to avoid liquid drain cleaners if you have PVC or older metal pipes because these cleaners can lead to rust and corrosion. Call a professional if you have a stubborn clog you can’t get to come loose. 

Using A Drain Snake Incorrectly

A drain snake is a great tool if it’s used correctly. If you force the drain snake through bends and corners in the pipes, you can cause damage to the lining of your plumbing system, and we’ve seen this happen frequently with the added assistance of power tools. If the drain stake you’re using still isn’t solving the problem, give a professional a call.

Originally published at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/drain-cleaning-mistakes-to-avoid/

3 Tips for Choosing the Best Plumber

Are you in need of a good plumber? Maybe you’ve just moved to a new area, or you are a new home owner. The plumbing systems in your house  need regular care and maintenance just like everything else, and investing in a trusted plumber is absolutely worth it. Our team at Cross Town Plumbing is happy to share our top three tips for choosing a good plumber, and if you have any questions please contact us. 

Proper Licensing

Your plumber should be licensed, insured, and certified by whichever state you live in. Each state has different requirements and some states do not require licensing, so if this is the case where you live, we recommend you check to see if any formal complaints have been filed against the plumbing company you are considering hiring. Most plumbers have their license, insurance, and certification information available for you to see on their website. 

Business Experience

You want to hire a plumber who has been in business for at least several years, and who has experience working on properties that are similar to yours. Check and see how long your potential plumber has been in business, and also check that they regularly work on homes or businesses with similar plumbing systems to yours. If in doubt, you can always call and ask what their particular specialties are. 

References

A reliable plumber will happily provide you with references from past and current clients. Whether you obtain the references from the plumber themselves, or you do some internet searching before making your decision, checking references is a must. One thing to note about online reviews is that people are more likely to leave negative reviews than positive ones, so if a certain plumber has numerous positive reviews and only a small number of negative ones, don’t put too much emphasis on the not-so-great reviews. 

Originally published at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/choosing-the-best-plumber/

When is it Time to Change your Water Heater?

Your water heater is one of the hardest working appliances in your home. It’s constantly working to provide you with hot water for showering, cooking, laundry, dishwashing, and heating in the cold winter months. The only thing is your water heater is probably closed away somewhere in a closet, so it’s easy to adopt an “out of sight, out of mind” approach. So how do you know when your water heater is worn out, and what are the most common signs that it’s time to replace it?

Your Water Heater is too Old 

Do you know how old your current water heater is? The life of an average residential water heater is between eight and ten years. If your water heater reaches ten years of age with no problems, we still recommend you get a new one to avoid costly, recurring repairs.

Rusty Water or Heater Inlet Valve

Unfortunately, where there is water, there is usually rust, even with the most durable materials like steel. If you’ve noticed small bits of rust appearing in your hot water then it’s time to replace your heater. Similarly, if you notice rust build-up around the water inlet or pressure relief valve on your heater, it needs replacing ASAP. 

Water Heater Noise

As your tank ages, you may notice strange rumbling or clanking sounds coming from it. These are the noises your water heater makes while it works to heat up your water supply, and it’s a sign that it’s time to invest in a new one. 

Water Heater Leaking

If you notice any water on the floor around your tank, you may have a leak, and significant leaks can cause costly damage to your home. Whether the leak can be repaired or not will require a professional inspection, so contact your plumber as soon as you can. 

Water Heater Not Heating

Not having hot water quickly becomes a big inconvenience. When your hot water heater simply stops being able to heat up your home’s water supply, it may be because the tank is too old and needs replacing. A certified technician will be able to tell you more about why your water isn’t heating up. 

If you’d like more information, or if you have any questions about replacing your water heater, please visit our website.

Originally published at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/change-your-water-heater/

Four Easy Ways to Unclog Any Drain

A clogged drain is an issue we’ll all face sooner than later. Given how much water, toilet paper, food particles, soap scum, and other solids we flush and rinse down our drains every single day, it’s easy to see why clogs are so common. If you’re currently in this predicament and need to unclog your drain, we’ve put together this helpful guide that should have your pipes cleared in no time. If you suspect your clogged drain requires professional service, don’t hesitate to call us today.

Sink or Toilet Plunger 

You’ve probably got a sink plunger and a toilet plunger lying around in your garage or in your bathroom pantry. These plungers work by forcing water down into your pipes, which hopefully pushes the clog all the way through. You can usually use plungers on toilets, showers, bathtubs, and kitchen sinks. Depending on the structure of your bathroom sink, you may be able to use it here also. 

Hair Clog Remover Tool 

No matter if your hair is very short or very long, we rinse hundreds of strands of our hair down our drains on a regular basis. That hair can easily ball up and turn into a big clog, which a hair clog remover tool can easily remedy. This tool is a thin plastic cord with spikes all around it. To use it, you simply lower the cord down into the drain so the spikes catch the hair, then pull the clog out. 

Removing and Cleaning Sink Trap 

To do this, you remove the P-trap drain from underneath your sink, pull the clog out manually, and then re-attach the trap. It can get a little messy, but as long as the clog is located within the first few inches of the pipe, removing and cleaning the sink trap is a sure-fire way to unclog your drain. 

Drain Snake (Auger)

Reserved for the most stubborn clogs, a drain snake is a manual tool that has a long, flexible metal cable coiled up like a snake inside a drum. You position the cable over your drain, turn the drum to lower the cable deep down into the drain, and the corkscrew-shaped end of the cable snags the clog. 

Clogging Issues? Call Crosstown Plumbing Today

Sometimes unclogging a drain could be a little more complicated if you don’t have the right tools or if the clog is bigger than expected. If you need a little help, please call our team at Crosstown Plumbing today. One of our experienced plumbing professionals can remediate the problem and even recommend which tools to keep on hand, should this happen again in the future. 

For more information on unclogging your drain, or if you have any other plumbing questions, please visit our website at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/

Originally published at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/unclog-any-drain/

Tips For Hiring A Great Plumber For Your Home Improvement Project

Home improvements and remodeling are costly projects for homeowners and keeping within a budget is a priority. When hiring contractors, it’s often more expensive to hire the cheapest option as you likely have to spend even more correcting mistakes. This makes it essential to hire the right person when you need professional help. Here are some great hiring tips for when you need a plumber.

• Only hire licensed plumbers: Always ensure that your plumber is licensed to do the work you need done in the state where you’re living. You can ask the contractor directly, but it’s also a good idea to do a quick search online for their credentials.
• Get word-of-mouth recommendations: If a contractor sounds great to you, ask to speak to previous clients to see what they had to say about the work they had done on their properties. Alternatively, speak to a local plumbing supply company for recommendations, as they’ll have a network of contacts in the area.
• Get multiple estimates: You don’t have to go crazy here, but it’s important to get at least 3 estimates for the work you need done. Unless you’re in the industry, chances are that you don’t have a good idea of what the work should cost – this will give you a much better idea of how to budget for the work and who offers the most reasonable rates.
• Ask about guarantees: Your plumber should be bonded and insured within the state where the work is being done, as this protects you in the event of the work not being completed for any reason. Your contractor’s work and the materials used should also come with a reasonable guarantee in the event of any issues down the line. A lack of warranty could be an indicator that they use poor quality materials or don’t have confidence in the quality of their work.

Visit Plumbing Wholesalers in New Jersey for All Your Supplies and Tools 

Crosstown Plumbing Supply is a wholesaler in a 3.5% sales tax zone, so we can make your repairs, remodeling and services the most affordable in town. Our sales consultants are highly experienced and happy to assist you with finding the right parts for your plumbing project and we work closely with reliable, affordable plumbing professionals we are happy to recommend to our clients.

To find out more about our products, please contact us or visit our website at http://crosstownplumbing.com/ today.

Original content posted on https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/tips-for-hiring-a-great-plumber-for-your-home-improvement-project 

Gas Boiler? Your Home Needs Protection From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Gas boilers offer high-performance heating for homes and businesses and are designed to meet high standards for safety and manufacturing quality. However, with every system of this kind there is a level of risk, and it’s important to have the right information and systems in place to ensure a healthy, safe environment. Here’s some insight on carbon monoxide poisoning risks, from plumbing wholesalers in NJ.

Why Do Gas Boilers Leak Carbon Monoxide? 

Gas boilers don’t actually leak carbon monoxide – they create it, especially when they are not operating correctly. Carbon monoxide is created when your boiler isn’t consuming fuel completely, leaving the carbon monoxide to build up in the environment.

Why is this Dangerous? 

Carbon monoxide is very dangerous to people and pets. When we breathe it in, it binds to the hemoglobin in our blood, the component that usually take oxygen around our bodies. By doing this, it blocks out the oxygen and we begin to suffocate. Children, the elderly and people with respiratory conditions are especially vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning.

How Can I Protect My Family? 

Unfortunately, carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so we’re unable to detect it with our own senses – but CO detectors can. These should be installed in each room of your home or near appliances. Be sure to test these detectors each year to make sure that the alarms are still in good working order.

The other thing you can do is ensure that your gas boiler is repaired and maintained to a high standard, as this will reduce the risk of carbon monoxide production. If your gas boiler is very old – over 15 years – it’s a good idea to replace it, as it likely isn’t working very efficiently or consuming fuel properly at that age and is far more likely to produce high levels of carbon monoxide.

Plumbing Wholesalers NJ – For All Your Gas Boiler Repair or Replacement Needs 

At Crosstown Plumbing Supply, we can either assist you with choosing a high-efficiency, low maintenance replacement for your boiler or provide you with an extensive range of plumbing supplies to replace necessary parts in your current system. As we are a wholesaler in a 3.5% sales tax zone, we can make your boiler repair and maintenance the most affordable in town.

For more information about our range of boiler parts or to find out more about the high-efficiency boilers we can offer you, please visit our plumbing supply company website at http://crosstownplumbing.com/ today.

Original content posted on https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/gas-boiler-your-home-needs-protection-from-carbon-monoxide-poisoning