Leaky_faucets

Leaking Outdoor Faucets

Leaky Outdoor Faucets

There is a lot to remember when preparing your home for the winter, putting gardening tools to the shed, checking on the snowblower, and finding where the snow shovels got to, shutting windows and the list goes on. Turning off the water to the outside faucets and covering them sometimes gets missed. In New Jersey, this can have expensive consequences, as the winters can start early and last long. This is one of the biggest issues you can encounter in the winter, as it leads to your pipes freezing, which can lead to them bursting. It isn’t usually the outside spigots that are the problem, although the spigots leaking can look like the issue, the pipework that supplies them are the culprits.

The easy answer is to drain your pipes.

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Steps to Draining Outdoor Pipes and Faucets:

Turn Off Exterior Water Supply Valve

In older homes, the valves are located at or near the ceiling somewhere close to the outside faucet. In newer homes, the valves are usually located right next to the main water valve and usually are labeled.

Remove Hoses and Connectors

Take away the outside hoses or any connectors on your outdoor faucets.

Remove Hoses and Connectors

Take away the outside hoses or any connectors on your outdoor faucets. Also, make sure to drain the hoses before putting them away for the season.

Completely Drain All Faucets

Turn the faucets on full blast until no more water flows out. Once the water has stopped draining out, Turn the faucet back off completely.

Cover Faucets

You can cover the faucets with an insulated cover from any hardware or home improvement store.  This will prevent anything from entering your faucets and pipes, including snow or ice. The heating inside your home will not be enough to protect the outside faucets.

Remember that water expands as it freezes, and ice takes up nearly 10% more space than water does. What that means is that a pipe already filled with water has no room for expansion if temperatures drop low enough for the water in the pipe to freeze. When that happens, something that has to give is usually the pipe itself, or the valves.

That’s when having the phone number to Jersey Plumbing comes in handy!

You can also insulate your pipes. This can help protect your plumbing and valves from extreme temperature variations. Make sure to seal any open spaces, gaps, or foundation cracks that allow cold air to circulate around the pipes. Close all the basement windows as well. If you have ever walked into your basement and it felt colder in one spot than the other, look for leaks or where heat might be escaping from. In the spring, remember to check the outdoor faucets for leaks before using the full water pressure. This applies even if you took care of the faucets before the worst of the winter season.

If you have any concerns about your pipes, valves, joints, or outside faucets being affected by the winter weather, call the experts at Jersey Plumbing can alleviate your concerns.

Jersey Plumbing(908) 281-7101

Remember! Sometimes the best tool is experience. When you need a Master Plumber to get the job done right, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jersey Plumbing Service for your plumbing needs.

old_houses_featured

5 Plumbing issues with Old Houses

Whether it is the wrap around porch or the stained-glass windows or maybe even a white picket fence surrounding a home, something tells you this is the one. Many things are wonderful in older homes from light fixtures to old-style architecture. And then there are the plumbing issues. Yes, of course, you did an inspection and the report had issues of varying importance. Have you ever noticed how varying importance takes on greater urgency after you have the keys?

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5 Plumbing issues with Old Houses

Copper Pipes

Lots of homes in the twentieth century were built using copper pipes. And your house may have been built before lead was banned, meaning whatever copper piping remains might have been fitted with lead-based solders. An additional issue, copper pipes are very attractive to thieves due to the ease of selling them.

Corrosion

Reality is metals corrode over time, even galvanized steel. In time, the protective zinc coating erodes, then exposed iron of galvanized pipes becomes susceptible to rust. Left unchecked, your house water turns orange and then next call is to Jersey Plumbing as the water is not safe to drink.

Clogging

Think of the age of your home, even a home built in the ’70s, is pretty old by today’s standards. Even with regular maintenance, it is hard to keep the pipework free from clogs that can block the whole of the pipe. Remember, a home built half a century ago is not a Victorian or a Colonial, it could be a Ranch house. Those decades of sewage and soap scum will take a toll on your old home’s drains, filling and clogging them with gunk. If you see your drains backing up or slow draining, take the next right step and call the plumber.

Original Water Fixture

Yes, the original faucets, handles, valves, and spigots are so pretty and have such old-world charm. However, leakage and cracks occur over time, possibly leading to foul smells. Replacing the old with the new will save money in the long run as modern faucets, valves, handles, and spigots now have sensors and the ability to not surprise you in the shower when someone flushes a toilet. That alone may be worth the price.

Tree Root Invasion

Your home does not even need to be that old to have tree roots growing into not only the foundation but also interfering with your plumbing. Tree roots can also interfere with your sewer lines. Depending on what was the best advice of the time, many people planted trees right next to their homes, not realizing that many trees have aggressive root systems; or that the lovely leafy tree also threatened their home with its height.

Have the professionals at Jersey Plumbing come out and assess the plumbing in your home to make sure all is safe for you and your family.

Jersey Plumbing(908) 281-7101

Remember! Sometimes the best tool is experience. When you need a Master Plumber to get the job done right, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jersey Plumbing Service for your plumbing needs.

Gift Ideas

Gifts for the Home Plumber

Whether the one who handles the plumbing issues in your home is your partner or son or daughter, with the holidays, fast upon us, now is a good time to think about what would make the project go better, or make it more enjoyable. While the rolling metal toolbox has its points of being able to hold many tools:

gift-box

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Plumber in your Life!!

leather tool bag

Leather Tool Bag

A leather tool bag makes it easier to have all the tools one needs for a specific project and not having to make trips back and forth.

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Kneeling Pad

Fixing nearly anything plumbing related almost always requires a lot of time kneeling. The advantage of a kneeling pad is that it can both be moved and be used to lie on. There are several different types of knee pads from non-slip pads or scratch-resistant to ones with gel.

work-gloves

Work Gloves

Plumbing is tough on the hands. Injuries like cuts and bruises don’t need to be a part of the job. Work glove are designed to protect your hands. Some different types of gloves are Nitrile or latex often worn under another glove; this protects your hands from biological hazardous jobs. Then there are rubber gloves used for projects like clearing drains. Welding gloves are a thicker leather with longer cuffs and offer a measure of fire resistance, useful when welding leaky pipes.

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Adjustable Wrench

An adjustable wrench is great for so many projects. And really, for any plumbing project can there ever be enough wrenches?

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Portable Lighting

What plumbing project does not require more lighting than is generally available? In addition to light sources you can ‘stick’ to the project, there are also small but powerful flashlights that you can clip to your hat and some gloves have attached lights as well.

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Jersey Plumbing Gift Certificate

Because some jobs need the experts and we can help get your plumbing back on the right track.

Of course, there are the fun gifts, like the plunger and toilet bowl Christmas ornaments. Or the ‘toolset’ that is actually chocolate. There are countless funny plumber tee shirts and hats for the lighter side of plumber appreciation.

In the effort to provide some help as well as humor to the person who tackles the plumbing concerns in your home, may this list help. And Happy Holidays!

Jersey Plumbing(908) 281-7101

Remember! Sometimes the best tool is experience. When you need a Master Plumber to get the job done right, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jersey Plumbing Service for your plumbing needs.

Your Old Pipes and Lead

Your Old Pipes and Lead

Yes, the architectural lines of older homes can be stunning; the grace of open porches and the warp and weave in old windowpanes can leave one in awe of times gone by. However, lead is often a problem in the old pipes of older homes. By older, this is not the graciousness of the Victorian home, this is most houses built before 1986.

  • Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode.
  • Lead cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled in water.
  • The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures and lead service lines in municipalities.

In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead services lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Among homes without lead service lines, the most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and plumbing with lead solder.

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) has reduced the maximum allowable lead content -- that is, content that is considered "lead-free" -- to be a weighted average of 0.25 percent calculated across the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures and 0.2 percent for solder and flux. Which means what the governing authority considers ‘lead-free’ and what you may be consider ‘lead-free’ may not be the same thing.

The reality is there are several factors that can result in the corrosive nature of the wearing away of between your plumbing and your water, including:

  • The acidity and alkalinity and the other types of minerals in the water.
  • The amount of lead it encounters.
  • The age and amount of wear in the pipes.

Is there a safe level of lead in drinking water? The short answer and long answer are the same.... NO!

According to the Morning Call 10/03/19, State regulators voted 4-0 Thursday in Harrisburg to let the utility, which sells water in Northampton and Monroe counties, spend about $6 million per year to replace customers’ lead service lines.

The utility will recover the cost with a monthly 10-cent surcharge on every customer’s bill.

The Public Utility Commission said customers’ lines would remain their responsibility, and they would have to approve plans by Pennsylvania American to replace the lines. The utility estimates about 18,000 of its 656,000 customers have lead pipes connecting their houses to water mains.

Lead pipes have been linked to elevated levels of the metal in drinking water. Utilities and regulators have been addressing such concerns since the public-health crisis in Flint, Michigan, and elsewhere, most recently Newark, New Jersey.

The health issues in children and adults in relationship to lead is significant:

For children:

  • Behavior and learning problems
  • Hearing problems
  • Anemia

The problem with lead is that it is a cumulative process, meaning that over time it builds up in our bodies. Also, you cannot see, taste, or smell lead dissolved in water. Testing is the only way of telling whether there are harmful quantities of lead in your drinking water. And ‘harmful quantities’ is any lead.

Adults:

  • Cardiovascular effects, increased blood pressure and incidence of hypertension
  • Decreased kidney function
  • Reproductive problems (in both men and women)

Reducing lead in your drinking water:

  • Test your water. Contact your water utility to have your water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water.
  • Learn if you have a lead service line. A licensed plumber can find out if the pipe that connects your home to the water main is made from lead.
  • Run the water. Flush your home’s pipes by running the tap before getting water to drink, taking a shower, doing laundry, or washing dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, and the length of the lead service line.
  • Use cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Boiling water does nothing to remove lead from water.
  • Clean your faucet aerator, this is the faucet screen which can allow sediment, debris, and lead particles to collect in your aerator.

When concerned about the amount of lead possible in your drinking water, the professionals at Spring Rain, have the solution in several filtration systems that can filter out lead and other contaminants.

water-pressure-issues

Low Water Pressure Issues

If your water trickles out of the tap rather than gushes, this is a symptom of low water pressure. If you suddenly have no water pressure in the entire house, it can be due to a glitch in the water supply system, perhaps a broken water main several blocks away or by your own pressure regulator. You can call the water authority in your town to find out if there is a problem on their side; and a plumber to resolve issue on your side of the regulator.

Residential water pressure should ideally be in the range of 45 to 55 pounds per square inch (psi), up to 60psi on occasion. A psi reading under 40 is considered low, and a reading under 30 is far too low. In many homes the psi is set to 50psi for comfort. Checking your home's water pressure is a simple way to avoid costly water damage. Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (psi) and represents the force at which water enters your home from the water main. Too much pressure and pipes can be damaged from the force. Too little and everyday household tasks from showering to doing the laundry are nearly impossible to accomplish.

Other low water pressure tasks to check on:

pressure-adjustment
  • Adjusting the water pressure from the well or from the watermain.
  • Adjusting the pressure regulator valve. Loosen the locknut and turn the adjusting screw. The pressure regulator is usually preset to 50 psi, though it can be adjusted anywhere from 25 to 75 psi (remember most household water pressure is 40 to 60 psi) with a simple turn of a screw and tightened. Use a gauge to check the water pressure by connecting a pressure gauge to the nearest exterior faucet.
  • Flushing the water heater. Sediment can affect how your hot water heater works. (Need help with draining your Water Heater? See Drainging Your Water Heater)
  • Replace corroded plumbing. Low water pressure can be caused by leaking pipes that have become broken, worn, or corroded over time. This is often an issue in older homes.

If there is limited pressure from the showerhead or faucets, it maybe the result of sediment and mineral deposits. Use vinegar to clean the showerhead and faucets to clean the aerators. If necessary, replace the showerhead.

Sometimes simple problems like the shut-off valve being closed, which you would open, or a faucet being blocked can cause low water pressure. More serious issues like plumbing blockages or water leaks decrease water pressure, as well. If it is cleaning a showerhead or opening a partially closed valve, there are tasks you can do. For others, calling the professionals at Jersey Plumbing can resolve your low water pressure problems. Returning you household to enjoying hot showers, clean clothes and dishes with full water pressure is a pleasure all its own.

FAILING-HOT-WATER-HEATER

Signs Your Hot Water Heater is Failing

Right now, summer still rules, fall though will be here faster than you realize, and as the need for consistent hot water arises, this is a good time to assess how your hot water heater is doing. Hot water heaters generally last between 8 to 12 years, and from year 12 on, is considered to be on ‘borrowed time’. And a good time to start thinking about replacing it. Your hot water heater is used for bathing, cleaning, and washing, so keeping it in good order is important.

water-heater

Signs your hot water heater needs professional care:

  • Rust.

The anode rods inside your heater are literally sacrificial rods as they are rusted to protect the metal walls. These need to be replaced over time.

  • Sediment Buildup.

When hot water is heated, mineral deposits separate and settle into the bottom of the tank. This sediment will buildup over time, reducing efficiency. (For more information see How to Drain Your Water Heater)

  • Wrong size heater.

If you have purchased a hot water heater too small to accommodate all the appliances and people in the home, it will cause the heater to work harder and it will not last as long. A plumber can help you find the right size heater for your family.

  • Poor air quality.

For combustion to occur, a water heater needs to draw air in. Issues can occur when the air quality is poor or dangerous. Make sure to keep corrosive substances like bleach and ammonia well away from you hot water heater.

  • Leaking water.

Remember that the water leaking from the hot water heater is HOT, this can damage the floor as well as the walls, which may eventually lead to mold as well as other foundation problems. For the most part hot water heaters are required to be placed against an external wall of the house. Therefore, most hot water heaters are in garages or basements. You will want to place your water heater next to an outer wall to make room for the flue. Observe at least monthly the status of the floor where the hot water heater is, for cracks, bubbles or constant weeping or dampness of the floor.

Having the plumbing professionals at Jersey Plumbing in once a year to assess your hot water heater is an excellent way to resolve issues before they become expensive problems.

DRIPS-LEAKS

Drips and Leaks

Just as you are drifting off to sleep, plink. What? Did you hear anything? And so, you lie back and wait, listening for...what may be or was it your imagine a...plink. Nope. No imagination. One of the problems with hearing drips in the middle of the night, is that they are difficult to place and they never disappear on their own. And until you get it fixed you will hear dripping noises even when there is none.

Your job when it is not the middle of the night and you have time is to:

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  • Turn faucets on and off in the bathroom, as well as flushing the toilet, and checking around the showerhead.
  • Look for dampness outside the dishwasher, run the faucets in the sink, and check under the sink for wet or dampness on the pipes.
  • In the basement look for puddles or damp areas and make sure the pipes or hoses are all connected and free of moisture.

Depending on where you find a leak, you can feel confident fixing it yourself with your tool chest of plumbing tools. (see Plumbing Tools for information) If it is a washer that needs replacing, or a bolt that needs tightening, you have the tools to do it. This is very true if the leak in question is a faucet or showerhead. As with making any plumbing repair, remember to always:

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  • Do the repair on a weekday because if anything goes wrong, emergency plumbing services are pricey.
  • Turn off the water.
  • Make sure to have a bucket or towels to mop up water. There will always be more water than anticipated.

Other times, as when leaks or drips occur behind a wall, in a ceiling or attic space, getting to the precise location of the drip can be not only time consuming, but difficult to repair. Calling the professionals at Jersey Plumbing can save you time and aggravation; they have the skills, expertise, and tools to fix the problem correctly. Remember it is not just walls, but electrical lines and outlets, interior pipes, and support beams to consider. Let the professionals do what they do best, so you and your family can sleep through the night without concerning dripping noises.

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The Fix for the Noisy Faucet

Usually in the darker part of the night you hear it, sounds like a baby crying or worse yet, like someone stepped on the cat. After stumbling around the house trying to locate the noise, you decide a drink of water sounds good and then you discover the source of the noise....it is your faucet making the unearthly racket!

In all likelihood, it is the washer that needs replacing, either it’s the wrong size or isn’t secured to the stem.

As with any repair plumbing job, the first step is turn OFF the water.

  • Replacing the washer or tightening it should eliminate the noise. You get to use the tools in your tools box (see our Plumbing Tools blog for more information).

    leaky_faucet

    1. Crescent wrench
    2. Flat-head screwdriver
    3. Phillips screwdriver
    4. Adjuctable pliers
    5. Needle-nost pliers
    6. Steel wool
  • Remove the screw located under the cap, then remove the handle. Keep everything together as it will need to be reassembled.
  • Plug the drain so you don't lose any parts down the drain. Then pry the cover off the faucet tap with a flat-head screwdriver, there is usually an indentation and that's where it goes.
  • Using the crescent wrench, loosen the hexagonal packing nut so you can pull out the tap stem.
  • plumber-fixing-leaking-faucet

  • Remove the screw and rubber washer from the bottom of the tap stem, using a screwdriver or adjustable pliers to remove the screw or nut.
  • Then, get the rubber washer with needle-nose pliers.
  • See if you already have a replacement washer, otherwise take the old one to the hardware store for an exact copy.
  • Clean off any limescale with the steel wool.
  • Reinstall the tap stem, packing nut, handle, screw, and cap. Reassembling the tap is the same as disassembling it, only in reverse. So insert the tap stem into the tap seat. Tighten the packing nut with the crescent wrench making sure it is snug. Place the handle over the tap stem and tighten the screw with your screwdriver. Press the cap over the screw till it snaps into place.

    If the faucet still is noisy then check the washer seat which can become closed with residue and the limited water flow makes that sound.

    • The seat can become partially closed with residue, and the restricted water flow can cause whistling or chattering. If this is the case, clean the seat.
    • A squealing noise heard when you turn the faucet handle means the metal threads of the stem are binding against the faucet's threads.
    • Remove the stem, and coat both sets of threads with petroleum jelly. The lubrication should stop the noise and make the handle easier to turn.

    When you have questions concerning any of your plumbing issues the professionals at Jersey Plumbing are always there for you.

    Re-seating_a_Toilet-feat_img

    Reseating a Toilet Bowl

    Ever have a wobble when you sit on your toilet? Or is there a dampness around the toilet that never seems to go away? These could be signs that your toilet needs to be reseated. Sometimes the wood frame under your toilet has gotten water soaked and is collapsing, or the bolts holding the toilet in place have corroded and need replacing or the wax ring is leaking.

    reseat_your_toilet

    Can you sometimes reseat the toilet yourself?

    Yes.... with a few caveats:

    -Always turn off the water before starting any plumbing project.

    -IF the wood underneath your toilet is rotted, please call a plumber as the water damage to the flooring and sub flooring may be extensive.

    -Choose not to start this project on a Saturday but during the week. The cost of calling a plumber after hours on a weekend can be surprisingly pricey.

    -Have at least one helper as maneuvering the toilet can be difficult.

    -Bucket and sponge

    -Crescent wrench or channel lock pliers

    -Putty knife

    -Wax ring

    -Newspaper

    -Closet bolts

    toolbox

    Now to the job:

    -Disconnect the supply line

    -Flush the toilet and use the sponge and bucket to remove remaining water.

    -Remove toilet lid and place it safely out of the way.

    -Take off the nut caps using the putty knife. Putting them into the open tank will ensure that they won’t get separated from the toilet. Use a crescent wrench to loosen the nuts holding down the toilet.

    If the bolts are rusted on or you are unable to remove them, call the plumber! Using too much force may easily crack the toilet base.

    -Putting the newspaper around the toilet area will prevent wax from oozing. Straddle the bowl and lift where the bowl connects to the tank. Have your helper make sure the bottom of the toilet is clean. Remember to clean the flange as well.

    -Place the wax ring, warm wax makes a better seal.

    -If you are replacing the closet bolts, now is the time you want to set them into the floor flange. Use a washer and nut to tighten them down onto the floor. Make sure that they are even so that your toilet sits straight when you go to tighten it down. Brass closet bolts will wear better as they are resistant to moisture.

    -With the wax ring down, you are ready to reset the toilet. Lift the toilet off the paper using the same technique you used to pull it. Make sure to line up the bolts with the holes, a helper can help with lining up the toilet with the bolts. When the bolts are lined up press the toilet down, rocking side-to-side and back-and-forth to make sure the seal is uniform. With the bowl is resting on the floor check to make sure the bowl is resting straight.

    -When the bowl is set down straight, it is time to tighten it down to the floor. Using a crescent wrench tighten the nuts on to the closet bolts. Do this slowly, tightening each side evenly. Avoid over tightening as it can crack the bowl. To make sure the bowl is down tight, place your arms around it and try to rock it side-to-side and back-to-front. If it moves, continue tightening the nuts, still alternating sides. When the bowl is down tight you are ready to reconnect the water supply. The supply line needs to be hand tight only. With the line hooked up, turn the water back on and flush the toilet a few times, checking for leaks around the bowl and on the supply line.

    The professionals at Jersey Plumbing will be happy to help with this project if issues like soaked wood supports or bolts that will not turn arise. Having a functioning toilet really is one of home life’s pleasures. Jersey Plumbing can make it happen.

    pros and cons of garbage disposals

    Pros and Cons of a Garbage Disposal

    There is a certain convenience of being able to scrap plates of discarded food directly into the sink and let a garbage disposal unit grind it all down. These units though do come with some caveats.

    garbage-disposal

    Upsides of Having a Garbage Disposal

    Meal clean-up is easier.

    You can scrape small amounts of food into the sink instead of having to carry plates to the trash and scrape them there. Thereby skipping the step of first taking dirty plates to the trash. There is less likelihood of dripping gravies/sauces or dropping crumbs if plates get rinsed in the sink.

    Protecting Your Pipes

    A garbage disposal lets you grind down food debris into small particles that are less likely to get stuck in the pipes.

    Inexpensive

    Installing one is a routine and relatively low-cost job for an experienced plumber. When used correctly, a garbage disposal lasts about eight years.

    They can work with most sewage systems, even septic tanks

    If you have a septic tank, make sure the disposal unit is sized correctly and regularly maintained. Having a professional plumber install it will assure you that it is the right size for your septic tank. The infrastructure of some older municipal or town sewage systems means you may need to consult the waste management in your area.

    Downside of Having a Garbage Disposal

    Specific use

    There are certain food groups that belong nowhere near a garbage disposal. Fatty foods like cooking oil, butter and cream sauces will over time clog your pipes. Starchy food like beans, pasta and rice can gum up your pipes or your disposal. Foods that have peels, like bananas and potatoes, root vegetables like carrots are hard for the unit to grind up. Also trying to put bones or fruit pits down the disposal will shorten its lifespan. Some foods are better off in the trash. Garbage disposals are for small amounts of food.

    Properly running your disposal

    Turn on the cold water first, then start the disposal with it running. Slowly put in small amounts of food waste. When finished, turn off the disposal and let the water run for another 10 to 20 seconds to flush any remaining food particles through the disposal and down the pipes.

    Need for weekly cleaning

    Even when used correctly, some food particles can end up clinging inside the unit, which leads to decay and smelliness. Once a week, turn off the disposal, wipe down the inner ring around the opening to the drain or disposal. Use a brush to clean the inside of the disposal. To have it smell nicer, make ice cubes with vinegar or cut up small pieces of lemons and let the disposal grind them up.

    They can clog and jam

    Putting the wrong types of food down the disposal or trying to stuff too much food into your disposal can cause it to jam. If it jams, try pushing the reset button. Jams and clogs are one of the realities of having a garbage disposal. You can try fixing it yourself, remembering to turn the water and disposal OFF first, or call a professional plumber at Jersey Plumbing.

    They can break

    If one part of a disposal unit breaks or cracks, you generally need to replace the whole unit.

    protecting_your_pipes

    If you are committed to the regular cleaning and food disposal limitations of a garbage disposal then it will be a benefit to you and your family. However, if it seems like its limitations would not benefit you, the trash can is the best option.

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