New York City Home Buyer’s Value Guide to Plumbing

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New York City Home Buyer’s Value Guide to Plumbing

Posted on June 1st, 2011

It’s summer, and this is the most common time for home buyers to search the NYC real estate market. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of problems that may exist in a home that are not found by inspectors, especially plumbing leaks and poor plumbing systems. Before buying a home filled with plumbing repair needs, be sure to check out the various plumbing fixtures so you know what you’re getting yourself into.

In the bathroom, be sure to inspect the floor; look around the base of the toilet for water damage, and test to make sure there are no soft spots in the floor. These are signs of water leaks, typically existing. If you find black and white stains or rolled vinyl flooring, these are also clues that water leaks may have previously plagued the area or are currently a problem. Also be sure to press tiles on the wall to check for leaks and loose tiling. Before you move on, flush the toilet and make sure it works properly, not draining too slowly or causing water to leak.

To check for adequate piping and water pressure, turn on a bathtub faucet and the kitchen sink faucet. If the pressure is significantly reduced with both running, the piping may have a large amount of calcium and mineral deposits and need to be replaced. While you are in the kitchen, make sure the connections to the dishwasher and garbage disposal are tight and show no signs of leaks. Also, check within the cabinetry to assure there is no water damage, including stains, rotted corkboard, or sagging bottoms. Be sure to check the washing machine hose as well, since these can rupture and lead to extensive water damage.

The first four digits of the serial number on a water heater are the month and year of manufacture. If the water heater in the home is more than 15 years old, you’ll want to contact your local New York City plumbing company to replace it. You may also want to check for rust on the tank, as this is a sign of impending issues with the hot water heater. If you are unsure of problems you may find, you can get assistance with inspections from our New York City water heater technicians, available to help you assess the value of the plumbing system in your prospective home purchase.

Tags: drain plumbing problem, home plumbing leaks, leak detection, New home plumbing, new york, new york city ny, new york city plumber, ny, nyc, nyc plumbing, plumber, plumbing, plumbing repair, preventative plumbing maintenance

Categories: New Home Plumbing, New York City Plumber, Plumbing Leaks, Plumbing Pipes, Preventative Maintenance

Go Green for Clogged Drains

Posted on May 24th, 2011

There are many methods to cleaning clogged drains. The most popular methods are a plunger and a harsh chemical gel or liquid cleaner. If you want to go green and keep the more toxic chemicals out of your home and pipes, then there are a few things to understand.

Green drain cleaners or “enzymatic” drain cleaners feed on the organic waste in the drain through enzymes. They then digest and reproduce creating “good” bacteria that continues to spread all without the use of harsh or dangerous chemical. Undoubtedly, this is better for your pipes and the rest of your home, yard and family.

If you don’t want to purchase a green drain cleaner, there are plenty of home remedy mixtures for unclogging your drain. Try pouring boiling hot water down the drain. Heat can be a great tool to loosen clumped or crusted waste. Mixtures of baking soda, vinegar, and salt flushed with hot water after sitting for 30 minutes to an hour can also help unclog most drains without the use of harsh or toxic chemicals.

The best way to keep your drain clean is through preventative plumbing maintenance. Clean your sink strainers and stoppers. Don’t pour just anything down your sink or shower drain. Avoid pouring grease and large chunks of food down your drain or disposal. Buy screen covers for your shower drain to avoid hair buildup.

When in doubt, always call the professionals at your local New York City NY plumbing service. HUB Plumbing & Mechanical is here for all your residential plumbing repair and maintenance. Give us a call or go online to schedule an appointment now.

Categories: Drain Cleaning, Green Plumbing, New York City Plumber, Preventative Maintenance

Slab Leak Detection Within Your Home

Posted on May 10th, 2011

Slab leaks can be a pain for anyone. Fortunately, our New York City plumbers at Hub Plumbing & Mechanical are here to handle all of your plumbing problems and to assist with slab leak detection and prevention.

A slab leak is a rupture or break in the piping that weaves throughout the foundation – or slab – of your home or office. Repair costs can skyrocket when a repair job involves digging into the concrete foundation of your home. If you suspect a slab leak, contact our NYC plumbers as soon as you can.

An initial sign of a potential slab leak is an unexplained spot of wetness on the floor. This can occur from moisture sifting upward through the foundation and surfacing on your floor. If the problem is indeed a slab leak, the puddle will continue to grow until flooding gets out of control.

An unusually warm spot on the floor can also point to a slab leak – the water that seeps through your foundation causes a warm sensation to the touch. Slab leaks also give themselves away through visible cracks in walls or floors, abnormally high water bills, and the sound of running water.

If you notice these symptoms or suspect a slab leak, our New York City plumbing company can use state-of-the-art technology to detect any abnormalities in your plumbing system. The longer you let a slab leak eat away at your foundation, the worse it can get. Call us today, or visit us online for details.

Tags: leak detection, new york, new york city, ny, nyc, plumber, plumbers, plumbing, slab leak, slab leak prevention

Categories: New York City Plumber, Slab Leak, Slab Leak Detection, Slab Leak Prevention