How to Protect Your Pipes in the Winter

Cape May County, New Jersey, winters can be brutal on your pipes.

As soon as the temperatures drop, New Jersey homeowners prepare their houses for the oncoming winter.

For many, this means ensuring that their plumbing systems are in good working order.

After all, a burst pipe during the winter can be devastating to your Cape May County home and its contents.

Water damage caused by burst pipes is one of the most frequent reasons for home devastation during the cold, with average repairs costing between $45 and $200 per hour.

If you're a homeowner in the area and don't want to deal with frozen or burst pipes this winter, there are some things that you can do yourself and some that may need to be done by one of our licensed plumbers.

To better understand how to protect your pipes for the winter, we've put together this guide.

How Do Pipes Freeze?

Water begins to freeze when the temperature drops and water pipes are particularly susceptible to freezing.

Water pipes that have frozen may burst and cause substantial leaks and flooding if they continue to do so for an extended period (especially if pipes are not adequately insulated).

Water expands when it freezes. The tendency to grow is the reason why you must be cautious about what you put in the freezer—certain items, such as soda cans will explode if left in a freezing environment for too long.

Water pipes operate on the same principle. If water within the pipe freezes, it expands, putting pressure on the pipe from the inside. If this pressure becomes too much, the pipe will burst.

Freezing pipes can also be caused by wind chill. When gaps, fractures, or doors allow cold outside air to enter your unheated rooms, your pipes are vulnerable.

Even minor cracks may allow a significant quantity of chilly air into a building, such as those through which phone, cable, internet, or television cables enter a house.

Pipes can freeze under the right circumstances, and potentially dangerous ice blocks and obstructions may form.

This is especially true in pipes located within a building's interior, especially where plumbing systems run through cabinets or the exterior of a building, such as garages, attics, and basements.

To keep your plumbing system's pipes safe, it can help to keep your indoor temperature set to 74 degrees Fahrenheit during cold snaps.

If Your Pipes Freeze, What Should You Do?

If your pipes are frozen, you may take steps to minimize damage and help thaw any ice blocks, but not every cold snap will result in freezing and clogged pipes.

Keep an eye out for these indications that your water supply has become frozen:

No water: The most obvious symptom of a frozen pipe is a lack of running water. If you turn on the tap and nothing or just a tiny amount of water comes out, there's probably an ice block in the pipe.
Frost on your pipes: Examine your pipes for frost during frigid temperatures. If it has frost, your pipe is most likely frozen.
Strange smells: Unpleasant odors emanating from a pipe or faucet might indicate a frozen connection. If your pipes are clogged with ice, the smells will be trapped inside and travel back toward your house.

After you've determined that your pipes have frozen, you may proceed to thaw them out.

However, when attempting to thaw any pipes, be cautious: if one of them has burst, unfreezing them might cause a flood.

Your best course of action is to first shut off your water supply at the main shutoff valve, followed by contacting one of our expert plumbers immediately; we can help you assess the situation and take care of the problem.

Prevent Frozen Pipes in Winter

Keeping your pipes from freezing is always better than dealing with the consequences. There are a few things you can do to prevent frozen and clogged pipes:

Leave Cabinet Doors Open

During cold spells, make sure that all of the cabinets in which plumbing systems lie remain open to allow air circulation and heat to reach them more easily.

Keep Garage Doors Closed

Keep your garage doors shut to prevent your pipes from freezing. This is especially crucial if water supply lines run through the garage. Typical garages are made from concrete which keeps the area chilly. Keeping the garage door closed is necessary to maintain a more appropriate temperature in the garage—and your home.

Keep Exterior Pipes Insulated and Clear of Snow

If you have exterior water supply lines that lead into the house, make sure these are insulated against cold weather. Also, ensure they're not obstructed by any significant snow accumulations or other obstructions that might block insulation. If your plumbing system's insulation is compromised in any way, the lines are more likely to freeze.

Attics and crawl spaces can also be susceptible to frozen pipes. Duct tape and wadded-up newspaper are excellent options for a temporary solution if a cold snap is on its way and you need emergency insulation.

Install a Smart Water Monitoring System

One of the best ways to protect your pipes from freezing and causing potential damage is to install a smart water monitoring system.

Systems like Flo by Moen can detect leaks, temperature changes, and other fluctuations that could indicate an issue with your plumbing system.

If a problem is detected, Flo sends an immediate notification to your smartphone or another device so that you can take corrective action quickly.

Keep Doors Open in Your Home

Pipes are frequently placed in bathrooms and kitchens, especially in the middle of your home. Even these pipes are susceptible to freezing—to some extent, most homes have an uneven distribution of heat throughout the structure.

Keep interior doors open to distribute heat throughout your home more efficiently. This is a fantastic technique for circulating warm air from room to room during the cold months.

Let Faucets Drip

Leaving a faucet dripping can help to prevent pipes from freezing.

You don't have to turn on every faucet in your house, but determining which taps are fed by exposed pipes will narrow down those that should be left to drip during extreme cold. Moving water generates a tiny amount of heat and is more difficult to chill than standing water, making it less vulnerable to freezing. Leaving a small amount of water flowing through your plumbing will help to prevent ice formations in your pipes.

The small quantity of friction and heat generated by flowing water also helps to relieve the pressure built up in freezing pipes. This helps to prevent your pipes from bursting even if the water within freezes.

Inspect and Seal Cracks and Openings

Before the winter, check your home for any holes, cracks, or gaps to prevent cold air from entering your pipe systems.

Check for any gaps or cracks in your windows and door frames, and inspect any cable holes in your walls and floors. Any openings around the sill plates should be filled where your house rests on its foundation.

Caulk any cracks or holes immediately surrounding piping on the exterior and interior walls. This helps to keep warm air inside and keep moisture and cold air from entering the home, which can also help lower your heating bills.

Call a Plumber

If you're experiencing problems with your plumbing system during cold weather, don't hesitate to contact Majewski Plumbing for assistance.

We have the expertise and experience necessary to help you keep your pipes from freezing and protect your home from water damage.

Majewski Plumbing is a full-service plumbing company serving Cape May County and the surrounding areas. We offer emergency services and a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services.

We're licensed and insured, and our plumbers are experienced in all areas of plumbing repair and installation.

If you need help with your plumbing this winter, contact us today!

Rationale

Pipes can freeze under the right circumstances, and potentially dangerous ice blocks and obstructions may form.

Keep an eye out for these indications that your water supply has become frozen:

No water
Frost on your pipes
Strange smells

To prevent frozen pipes:

Leave cabinet doors open
Keep garage doors closed
Keep exterior pipes insulated and clear of snow
Install a smart water monitoring system
Keep doors open in your home
Let faucets drip
Inspect and seal cracks and openings
Call a plumber

If you're experiencing problems with your plumbing system during cold weather, don't hesitate to contact Majewski Plumbing for assistance!

Majewski Plumbing

1275 Bayshore Rd

Villas, NJ

08251

(609) 374-6001

https://www.majewskiplumbing.com/

Plumbing Maintenance 101

Whether you're a first-time homeowner or you've been living in your home for years, it's important that you know the basics of plumbing.

Plumbing maintenance can help keep your home running smoothly and prevent costly repairs down the road.

A professional plumber is often required to solve major plumbing issues in your home. Still, if you have a basic understanding of your plumbing system, that job becomes much more manageable.

When you have an idea of what to know about plumbing, you will learn how to solve minor issues and when to call in a professional.

This article will discuss the most critical plumbing basics that every homeowner should know. We'll cover everything from how to unclog a drain to what to do when your pipes freeze!

Where Water Comes In and How to Shut it Off

Every house needs two plumbing systems: one to bring fresh water inside and another to remove wastewater.

The water supply is the water that enters your property, which is referred to as potable (or drinkable).

This water comes from a private well or via a public utility company.

Shutting off the water supply is an important task that every homeowner should know. There are two ways to turn off the water: at the meter or in your home.

To shut off the water at the meter, locate the shut-off valve on the exterior of your home. This is a valve that the water company uses to turn off the water when they're doing maintenance or repairs.

It's usually located near the meter, and there aren't too many reasons you will need to shut off at the exterior, but it is good to know where it is.

To shut off the water in your home, find the main shut-off valve. This is a valve located near where your water comes into the house, and it's used to control the water supply to your entire home.

If there's a plumbing emergency, this is the valve you'll need to turn off.

Being aware of how to shut off the main water supply is one of the most important things to be mindful of as a homeowner. This can help prevent extensive damage to your home in the event of a water-related emergency, such as a burst pipe or a flood.

How to Unclog a Drain

One of the most common plumbing issues that homeowners face is clogged drains. A clogged drain can be caused by anything from hair and soap scum to food particles and grease.

There are a few ways to unclog a drain, but a plunger is the most common method.

To use a plunger, put the plunger over the drain and push and pull it up and down. You may have to do this for a few minutes before the clog is dislodged.

If plunging doesn't work, you can try using a plumbing snake. A plumbing snake is a long, coiled wire inserted into the drain to break up the clog.

If neither of these methods works, you should call a professional plumber.

How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

A leaky faucet can be both annoying and costly. A single faucet drip can waste up to 100 gallons of water per day!

There are a few ways to fix a leaky faucet, but replacing the washer is the most common. To do this, turn off the water supply to the tap and remove the handle.

The washer is located under the handle, and you can usually replace it without removing the entire faucet.

If the washer doesn't fix the leak, it may be time to call a plumber to replace the entire faucet.

How to Unclog a Toilet

A clogged toilet is an inconvenience that no one wants to deal with. Thankfully, it's a pretty easy problem to fix.

The most common way to unclog a toilet is by using a plunger. Put the plunger over the drain and push and pull it up and down. You may have to do this for a few minutes before the clog is dislodged.

If plunging doesn't work, like unclogging a shower or sink drain, you can try using a plumbing snake. The long, coiled wire inserted into the drain is intended to break up the clog.

If neither of these methods works or your toilet is constantly becoming clogged, a professional plumber can help get to the root of the issue.

How to Fix a Running Toilet

A running toilet is another plumbing problem that you can easily fix. The most common reason for a running toilet is an issue with the toilet lift chain or arm or leaky flapper valve.

To fix this, turn off the water supply to the toilet, remove the lid, and locate the flapper valve. The flapper valve is usually located at the bottom of the tank. If the flapper valve is leaking, it can cause the toilet to run.

Sometimes, a flush may have caused the flapper valve to misfire. However, you may need to replace the flapper valve if the problem persists. You can usually find a replacement at your local hardware store.

In some circumstances, you may require a plumber where the issue is not solved with a flapper valve replacement or other minor tweaks.

How to Handle Frozen Pipes

One of the worst plumbing nightmares is having your pipes freeze and burst. Turn off the water supply immediately and call a plumber if this happens.

You can do a few things to prevent your pipes from freezing during the winter months. One is to keep your home warm and well-insulated. Another is to insulate pipes on exterior walls, open cabinet doors under sinks, and leave faucets dripping overnight when temperatures are below freezing.

If you notice that one of your pipes has frozen, you can try to use a hairdryer to thaw it out. It is essential never to use a blowtorch or open a flame to thaw a pipe - this could cause a fire!

The Basics of Plumbing

These are just a few plumbing basics that every homeowner should know regarding plumbing.

For more information or help with any plumbing repairs or installations, don't hesitate to get in touch with Cape May's Majewski Plumbing.

Rationale

Plumbing maintenance can help keep your home running smoothly and prevent costly repairs down the road. There are a few things that every homeowner should know, including:

How to shut off the water supply: Shutting off the water supply is an important task that every homeowner should know and can be done at the meter or in your home.
Stopping a running toilet: A running toilet is commonly caused by an issue with the toilet lift chain or arm or leaky flapper valve.
Handling frozen pipes: One of the worst plumbing nightmares is having your pipes freeze and burst. Turn off the water supply immediately and call a plumber if this happens.

It’s also important to know how to unclog a drain and fix a leaky pipe.

For more information or help with any plumbing repairs or installations, don't hesitate to get in touch with Cape May's Majewski Plumbing.

Majewski Plumbing

1275 Bayshore Rd

Villas, NJ

08251

(609) 374-6001

https://www.majewskiplumbing.com/

How Much Do Leaky Pipes Cost You?

It's just a fact of life that even the most diligent homeowners must face at one point or another.

The question is, how much do these leaks cost?

This article will take you through some of the costs associated with pipe leaks and provide you with information on how to prevent them from happening in the first place!

The Cost of Leaky Pipes

There are several expenses associated with leaky pipes, including the cost of wasted water and the cost of repair.

How Much Water Is Wasted With Leaky Pipes?

If you're hesitant to repair your leak because you are afraid of a massive repair bill, you may be making it worse. Leaks in pipes waste (per 24 hours, at 40 pounds of water pressure):

1/32″ leak is a loss of 170 gallons
1/16″ leak is a loss of 970 gallons
1/8″ leak is a loss of 3600 gallons

And, 1/16" is as thick as a pen's tip, so it does not take much of a hole to create massive water losses.

The use of a smart water system can help decrease your home's water usage by giving you a look at how much water is being used in your home, and as a result, you can make changes accordingly.

What is the Pipe Leak Repair Cost?

The cost of pipe leak repair varies depending on the extent and location of the damage. For example, if there is a leak in your water heater, you may need to install a new one.

A plumber will give you an accurate estimate of the cost once they perform an inspection and diagnosis. You can expect to pay between $125 for minor jobs and over $5000 for major repairs.

The price of your repair will vary depending on the severity of the damage and where it is located.

It is always better to prevent issues than to repair them after the damage has already occurred.

Make sure that you're checking the temperature of your water lines and looking at them for any signs of leaks or damage regularly.

If you are worried about the cost of pipe leak repair, consider using Flo by Moen to monitor your home's pipes will catch an issue with pressure before anything serious happens.

Leaks can also affect the home itself!

For example, if the leak is located in a basement or wall cavity of your house, it not only wastes water but could damage your floors and walls as well.

This can be expensive to repair, so you must contact a plumber as soon as possible once there is any indication of a problem with your pipes.

Why Leaking Pipes are Devastating

When pipes leak, you will notice an increase in the water bill, waste of water, need to repair the pipes, and may water damage from the leaks. These are all costly issues that can affect your budget as well as your home!

For example, an increase in water bills can be caused by many different factors. A leaky pipe could cause your utility bill to rise due to the amount of water you use per billing cycle.

Did you know that a small drip from one faucet into the sink or bathtub equals one gallon of wasted water per day?

The amount of water waste is worse with a fast leak.

If this happens consistently, expect your water bill to increase!

If this happens in your bathtub or shower, imagine what could be happening if there are undetected leaks in your walls.

More serious leakages can also have dramatic consequences.

For example, if the leak is located in your basement, it could very well damage your floors and walls!

This can be pricey to repair. It's essential to contact a plumber as soon as possible when you suspect a leak in your system.

A plumber will check for leaks and fix them quickly before they can do more damage.

Best Ways to Prevent Leaky Pipes

Flo by Moen is a smart water and valve system that allows you to monitor your home's pipes and will shut off your water as soon as it detects an issue.

By utilizing this, you can prevent damage from occurring in the first place!

In addition to protecting your home from potential risks associated with pipe leaks, Flo by Moen will also notify you when there is an issue so that you can call a plumber to address it right away.

It's important to note, though, that no product will prevent all issues with your pipes.

While Flo by Moen monitors water flow and pressure through the home, it is important to ensure that you regulate the temperature in your home to keep your pipes warm enough not to freeze.

Make sure that you are constantly checking the outside temperature of your water lines, as well as any other pipes in or around your home in inclement weather. Installing a smart thermostat can also ensure that you have an eye on the temperature in your home, even when you're out.

Hiring the Right Plumber

It's important to hire a knowledgeable plumber who can quickly identify the problem and fix it before the damage worsens.

If you have any suspicion of water leaks in your house, contact Majewski Plumbing as soon as possible!

Whether you need repairs or installation for new pipes, we can help. We offer virtual services to diagnose problems or help to provide solutions.

You won't be left with burst pipes or leakages that cause more harm than good.

You can rest assured that your plumbing and smart home services are in good hands with Majewski Plumbing, the highest-rated plumbing company in Cape May County.

We have many years of experience working on all types of plumbing work – from installations and replacements to repairs and integration of smart home technology for leak detection and water usage monitoring.

Majewski Plumbing offers smart home services for your convenience if you are interested in plumbing solutions or upgrading your home's systems to smart technology.

Majewski Plumbing

1275 Bayshore Rd

Villas, NJ

08251

(609) 374-6001

https://www.majewskiplumbing.com/

The Importance of Winterizing Your Cottage at the End of Summer

The end of summer is quickly approaching, and many people are starting to get ready for winter.

In Villas, NJ, we are fortunate enough to experience all four seasons.

Vacationers flock to our beaches and look for summer rentals for fishing trips.

Vacation homeowners in the Cape May County area know how important it is to keep a summer home or cottage in tip-top shape, especially since they typically sit vacant for a few months of the year.

You don’t want to head into the winter without adequately preparing your vacation home. We know that winterizing your cottage can be a tedious process, so we’ve created this blog post to ensure you don’t miss anything important!

Read on to see why it is essential to winterize your cottage at the end of summer:

Save Money on Utility Bills

While some vacation property owners will shut down the power in their cottage for the winter, most do not.

This means that you will still be paying for utilities, even if you are not using as many services as you do while renting your property to guests or spending time there yourself.

Turning off appliances is a common practice in winterizing your vacation home.

However, many cottage property owners will not turn their heating systems off entirely. So you may want to selectively turn fuses off in your fuse box before you leave for the season.

You may want to consider extra security precautions like a security system or lights with timers.

Ensuring that you take measures to save money and energy in your vacation home will keep your utility bills low when you are not staying at the property.

You should also disconnect, store, and turn off any propane appliances before the long fall and winter break.

This includes barbecues, patio heaters, fireplaces, and propane tanks.

To avoid leaks while away from the property for a considerable length of time, be sure to close the valve on your smaller propane tanks before disconnecting and storing them upright.

Avoid Roof Leaks

It is important to regularly clean the rain gutters on your vacation home. Not only do clogged and dirty gutters cause possible water damage inside your vacation home, but they can also cause structural damage and personal property loss.

Gutters offer protection for structures by channeling rain flow via downspouts away from building foundations and properties.

Winter can be particularly hard on homes; heavy snow, freezing rain, and high winds can damage your home, regardless of the age of your home and roof.

Cleaning out rain gutters each year will reduce the risk of water damage from clogged gutters when it’s cold outside.

Taking action around your gutters also protects vacation homes from dampness that can cause unhealthy mold growth.

Avoid Expensive Repairs

To ease the burden during a hectic time of year, take some proactive measures now. Start by checking the exterior and noting potential problems like cracks in your foundation or broken siding.

After thoroughly examining every part inside and out, you may want to call a contractor to complete minor repairs on the damage that could lead to rodent or pest infestation or other foundation or structural issues.

Prevent Roof Damage and Structural Weakening

Fall and winter weather can do a number on roofs.

One way of ensuring that you avoid roof damage while you are away from your vacation property is by inspecting the roof for visible signs of wear, such as raised or curled shingles.

It is good to either spot repair or prepare for roof repairs or replacement if you identify any issues.

If your roof is damaged in the winter, this could deteriorate the integrity of your home’s structure and damage the contents inside.

Keep an Eye on Your Property

One of the most stressful parts of owning a vacation property is being away from it when the season ends. And not just because it would be great to have summer all year round! Many things can go wrong when your vacation home is left vacant for the fall and winter.

However, with the introduction of smart home devices, it is possible to remotely control or monitor many features found in your house. If your vacation home is equipped with smart devices, you will be able to check in from afar!

At Majewski Plumbing, we offer expertise in smart home devices that can manage your plumbing, water usage, lights, thermostat, and more.

With the installation of smart features such as smart water devices or using a smart assistant, you can monitor your vacation home from wherever you are and save yourself money at the same time.

Get alerted to water leaks, and rest assured that your plumbing system will shut down before significant damage occurs with the Flo by Moen, or turn the lights on and off for safety and security, and more—all managed from your smartphone, computer, or tablet.

Prevent Water Damage

Winterizing plumbing in a cottage is recommended when it will be uninhabited for an extended period of time or if the pipes are uninsulated.

The winterization process involves draining all water from the pipes, emptying the water heater, and other methods which prevent water from freezing in the pipes and breaking the system.

It is important to winterize plumbing pipes before it starts getting colder. When water freezes, the pressure from expansion can cause leaks and breaks in your household plumbing.

Call Majewski Plumbing

Even if you plan to spend some time at your vacation property in the winter, ensuring that your plumbing system and other utilities are all up-to-date is crucial.

Here at Majewski Plumbing, we can help you prepare your vacation home for colder temperatures, regardless of vacancy. One of our skilled plumbers can visit your vacation property to prepare it for winter and ensure it is in proper order when spring rolls back around and you are ready to spend time there once again.

We also offer smart home installations. The Flo by Moen smart device is one that can detect leaks. We also can install new water heaters for residential and commercial properties.

Call us to schedule an appointment today with one of our skilled plumbers who can take care of any last-minute fixes before the cold weather sets in!

You don’t want to head into the winter without adequately preparing your vacation home. We know that winterizing your cottage can be a tedious process but it's extremely important.

Winterizing your cottage can:

Save on utility costs
Avoid roof leaks
Avoid expensive repairs
Prevent roof and structure damage
Prevent water damage
Keep your property protected

Even if you plan to spend some time at your vacation property in the winter, ensuring that your plumbing system and other utilities are all up-to-date is crucial.

Call us to schedule an appointment today with one of our skilled plumbers who can take care of any last-minute fixes before the cold weather sets in!

Majewski Plumbing

http://majewskiplumbing.com/

1275 Bayshore Rd

Villas, NJ

08251

(609) 374-6001

Why You Should Avoid Using Drain Cleaners - Plumbing Dos and Don'ts

We all dread the moment you brush your teeth or wash dishes only to find that your drain is clogged. It is gross and inconvenient.

Our first reflex when this happens is to reach out for that bottle of drain cleaner under the sink....

Actually, let's be honest, our first reflex is to grab the plunger (we've all done it, right!?)

Well if the handy dandy plunger doesn't work, then that bottle of Draino or Max Gel is typically the next go-to.

But is it safe?

Did you know that using a drain cleaner does more harm than good? Well, let us not get away from the fact that some of these cleaners do a pretty darn good job clearing the drain.

But the caveat is that they do not stop when the pipe is all cleaned up. Their downside supersedes the upside - a reason why you should avoid using them altogether. Read on;

Drain Cleaners Damage Your Pipes

Have you ever wondered how a chemical can clean your drain so quickly and effectively?

Well, these cleaners tend to use a combination of corrosive chemicals. This is necessary to enable them to eat away the clog and clear the drain.

Note that your pipes are not immune to this corrosion, and as the clog is removed, your ducts are affected. Using these cleaners for a long time will gradually eat out your pipe linings and reduce their useful life.

You will be forced to replace your pipes longer than anticipated due to the frequent leaks caused by these chemicals and the overall degraded quality of their lining.

They Are Not Safe

If you check the description of most drain cleaners, you will see them filled with all sorts of warnings regarding the components used to make them.

Understand that when you are pouring these harmful chemicals, they can get into your water supply and affect humans and animals.

The leftovers find their way into a dumpsite, thus contaminating the areas as well. In a nutshell, these chemicals are not safe for us and the environment. Over time, they can lead to devastating effects on the people using the water from the contaminated supply.

They Could Be Ineffective

The best way of solving clogs in your drain is to address the root cause of the problem.

If it is a regular clog, then a drain cleaner can do the trick, albeit with the downsides to using it, but this is not always the case.

Your pipes might be clogged due to an underlying issue, such as sewage backup. In such a scenario, a drain cleaner cannot solve the problem.

In other cases, it could be as a result of a broken pipe, and pouring the drain cleaner will just direct it to places that you do not know, taking us back to the safety concerns mentioned above.

This way, drain cleaners are temporary fixes to a clog, and it is not advisable to use them.

Damages your Septic Tank

The chemicals in these drain cleaners destroy everything in their path. When they get to the septic tank, they extend the damage there.

These chemicals are harmful since they kill all kinds of bacteria in the tank, even the good ones.

These are the bacteria required to decompose and break down sewerage in that tank. Without them, your pipes will start to block in various places, leading to more damage.

For optimal septic tank functionality, avoid using drain cleaners, as you will find yourself dealing with more clogs than anticipated.

With the downsides to using drain cleaners listed, it is vital to know the best ways to deal with clogs. This is because clogs are common problems that we experience every day, and you have to deal with them one way or another.

What Is The Best Solution for Cleaning your Drain?

Clogs all look the same, but they are caused by different things. The key to clearing them is by addressing the root problem.

If you disintegrate the clogged material without going to the root cause, water will flow down the drain for a few days, and the clog will form again. You do not want to deal with clogs every few days, and it is better to invest in a long-lasting solution.

DIY Drain Cleaning

One of the best things to do for your drain is to take a few measures to prevent clogs. Be wary of what goes down it as these are what cause clogs.

Install a drain strainer in your sinks and showers to prevent large particles from finding their way down the drain. If you have a garburator, run some water through it after every flush to clear any excess bits that might be stuck.

If you develop a clog, use a plunger to try and get rid of it. Pumping it down the drain can generate the required pressure to do away with temporary clogs safely.

Professional Drain Cleaning

Clogs can be caused by many things, and in some cases, you will experience some that cannot be cleared by a plunger or any other DIY means. This way, it is necessary to seek the services of a professional plumber to bail you out.

The expert will diagnose the clog and try to get to the root problem before proposing any solution. Plumbers understand all the methods that need to be employed to clear all forms of clogs in the drain.

Standard methods include drain snaking where they feed a long cord with an auger at the end down the pipe to break up the clog or lift it. Hydro jetting is the other powerful method used to clear tough clogs.

Here, a high-pressure blast of water is sent down the drain to flush out clogs. These are just some of the ways used to clear clogs, but it all depends on what caused it.

Regardless of the kind of clog, be sure to get it solved in the right way by a professional plumber. They will go ahead to advise you on some of the tips you can follow to keep your drain safe from frequent clogs.

In some cases, it could be signs of an aging drain, and it is better to invest in replacing some of the pipes if you wish to solve the problem effectively.

If you're looking for a professional plumber for efficient drain cleaning services and to avoid using harmful drain cleaners, do those plumbers a favor and go to Google and find one that has good reviews and call them.

For those of you in Cape May County, Majewski Plumbing is here to provide, FAST, RELIABLE, and AFFORDABLE services. Call us today at 609-374-6001

Majewski Plumbing

1275 Bayshore Rd

Villas, NJ

08251

(609) 374-6001

https://www.majewskiplumbing.com/

2 Critical, Simple Steps to Prevent Leaks & Water Damage In Your Home with IntelliFlow & LeakSmart

Ever have a washing machine leak? Whether it was a burst pipe or simply overflowing?

Well, this happened to one of our clients, Jim. His washing machine's water sensor malfunctioned, causing the water to overflow onto the floor - and since the machine was on the second floor, the water came down through the ceiling on the floor below ... talk about a bad day!

Providing silent and reliable operation, the series A2C IntelliFlow valves are used in residential applications to protect against catastrophic water damage from a burst inlet hose connected to a washing machine.

Watch the video below to learn how it works.

https://youtu.be/sVmiDX6SmXw

Jim's case was bad because of the irreparable damage the leak caused -

"I never would have thought a washing machine would overflow, 'd never even heard of such a thing.... the water ruined my wife's antique decorative couch that was directly underneath of where the water burst through the ceiling... the couch was irrevocably damaged. And then we had to have a specialist dry the ceiling for 3 days before it was repaired - it was a nightmare, and I wish we'd had Frank's team at Majewski Plumbing install IntelliFlow years ago to prevent such a catastrophe - the couch can't be replaced."

IntelliFlow PREVENTS LEAKS. Plain and simple.

Side Note * - We're still offering 10% off all installs and servicing for the month of June for Pride Month, contact us today before the discount ends July 1st!

So how does it work?

As shown in the video above, users can surface mount the valve or use the A2C-WB wall box model for recessed mounting.

The Watts IntelliFlow senses electrical current to determine when the washing machine is on or off, and then opens or closes the hot and cold inlet valves as needed to allow or prevent water from flowing to the washer.

With standard ½” water inlets and ¾” outlets, it operates on 120 volts and contains a three-prong outlet to accept a washing machine power cable.

The hot and cold valves work with a maximum pressure of 150PSI and a maximum temperature of 180 degrees F.

Similar to our LeakSmart technology, The A2C models also include a floor-mounted leak sensor that automatically shuts off the water supply to the washing machine if a leak is detected. In Jim's case, this would have saved his wife's decorative couch and the costly repairs to the ceiling.

Available separately, the A2-IntelliTimer can be used to make the IntelliFlow compatible with 240VAC-powered appliances.

This system paired with our LeakSmart technology, which turns off your main water valve in the event that water is detected in a leak, ensures that you never have to worry about home floods or burst pipes and water damage ever again!

The benefit of combing LeakSmart is that if water is detected, it not only automatically shuts off the water valves, but also sends a push notification to your smartphone via the LeakSmart app that a leak has been detected, so you are alerted immediately.

Below are a few pictures from our installation of the IntelliFlow Leak Prevention system onto Jim's new washer after repairs were done.

The system and installation are now at an affordable price during our Pride 10% off a month - Don't put off protecting your home and valuables.

Majewski Plumbing

1275 Bayshore Rd

Villas, NJ

08251

(609) 374-6001

https://www.majewskiplumbing.com/