Tag: chelmsford

Why Fall is Hydro-Jetting Season

Sep 01, 2020

Why Fall is Hydro-Jetting Season

  • Plumbing
Hydro-jetting

Fall Hydro-jetting keeps your sewer lines and plumbing system functioning at the best level possible. Over time, debris that builds up or foreign items can cause blockages. These clogs can cause your system to back up and overflow, which may lead to water damage. A backup in your system could also cause also pose potentially hazardous risks to the health of you and your loved ones if mold grows or the water supply becomes contaminated. Surely, there must be a way to help prevent this from happening, right?

If you want to help keep your sewer lines and plumbing system safe this fall season, then you may want to consider hydro-jetting. During the autumn months, extra stress is inflicted upon pipes. Trees typically get most of their nourishment from their leaves, but as they change color and fall to the ground, the roots will need to find a different source of nourishment. Where can they find water? You guessed it-your pipes. While you enjoy watching the beautiful color change above ground, it’s important to consider what could be going on underground. Here’s why you may want to consider having a professional clean out your system with fall hydro-jetting.

What is Hydro-Jetting?

Hydro-Jetting is a cleaning process used to flush out the pipes of your sewer lines or plumbing system. Using a high-pressure water flow, debris, grease, and any other sort of buildup are flushed out of your home’s system. Other methods can involve tools or drills that could damage your system, especially if you have old pipes. Hydro-jetting simply uses water, which is less likely to damage the pipes.

How Does Hydro-Jetting work?

Before the plumber begins, he must find an entry point to easily access your pipes. Typically, this point is through one of your toilets. After assessing the situation, the plumber will insert a small hose into the toilet. The hose is connected to a portable water tank, both of which are designed to handle the high-pressure level of water that will be introduced to your pipes.

The pressure level of the water will depend on the situation at hand, as well as the condition of the pipes. For routine or preventative cleaning or pipes that may be older, a lighter pressure will be used. This will gently flush the debris from your sewer system. For clogs or advanced buildup, a plumber will likely use a higher pressure to ensure that the problem has been remedied. He or she should know how to accurately determine the correct pressure level to deliver; the average Hydro-Jet can deliver more than 5,000psi. An error in calculation can cause damage to your pipes.

As water is pushed through your pipes, gravity will take over and pull it out. This will flush out any dislodged debris, and push them out of your system and into the local sewer system.

Safety Measures

While hydro-jetting is typically a safe method of debris removal and clog prevention to introduce into your system, appropriate precautions should still be taken. This is where implementing the right pressure level is most important. Because fall weather can cause roots to integrate into pipes, hydro-jetting at a high pressure can be problematic. Further damage can occur and rocks and soil can push through.

Your plumber should assess the condition of your system with a camera prior to hydro-jetting. If there is damage or a root breach, he or she will know whether or not they should flush the system, or the specific pressure to use. It’s important to hire a plumber who has experience with hydro-jetting and is knowledgeable of the machine’s pressure and functions.  After the job is finished, they should inspect the system with a camera once more to determine how well it worked.

How Hydro-Jetting Will Benefit You This Fall

As the air gets cooler this fall, the leaves will change color and fall. While you and your loved ones are enjoying all that this fall has to offer, keep your sewer line and plumbing in mind. They may be out of sight, but they are an essential part of daily life in your home. Routine upkeep and maintenance will help your system work better, for longer. Call one of our plumbers to hydro-jet your sewer lines and plumbing system today.

Call Milltown Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning and Drain Cleaning today if you require hydro-jetting!

By Milltown Plumbing

Keeping Your Tankless Hot Water Heater Happy During the Holiday Season

Dec 27, 2018

Keeping Your Tankless Hot Water Heater Happy During the Holiday Season

  • Water Heating
tankless water heater services in Chelmsofrd, MA by MillTown Plumbing

Besides energy efficiency and size, there’s little difference between a tank and tankless. A tankless water heater heats water as it comes from your home’s water line, instead of heating a tank full of water. It uses a heat exchanger powered either by gas or electricity to generate said heat. Over time, however, the minerals found in hard water build up mineral deposits that wear down the water heater and can clog plumbing. It affects both types of water heaters, damaging the tank for a tank water heater, and damaging the heat exchanger for a tankless water heater.

Like any appliance, especially a water appliance, your tankless water heater needs routine maintenance in order to function effectively and last its lifespan. Although you should always schedule professional water heater maintenance from MillTown, here are a few small things that you can do on your end.

How to Keep Your Tankless Water Heater Happy

  • Give it space. Since your tankless water heater combusts fuel to generate heat, it’s important to keep any combustible items or materials at a safe distance. Keep away all papers, clothing, paints, and chemicals, it’s ideal to keep all flammable items in a separate room from the water heater.
  • Check the exhaust vent. Like any heating appliance, a tankless water heater needs proper ventilation. That’s why it’s important to keep the exhaust vent clean of any dust or debris that can restrict airflow. Not only will a dirty vent damage the tankless water heater, but it can also become a carbon monoxide hazard.
  • Watch for leaks. Leaks are a common plumbing problem, and your tankless water heater is no exception. Watch the pipes closeby for any leaks. If you spot dripping pipes or pools of water nearby, you’ll want to call a plumber immediately. A leak left untreated turns into a bigger problem, costing you more than the water wasted.
  • Keep it clean. Dust and dirt get everywhere, but it’s problematic when enough of it gets into your tankless water heater. Routinely cleaning the exterior of the tankless water heater with a lint-free cloth and mild detergent, helps to keep it clean and dust-free.
  • Keep the drain valve and water screen clear. Over time dirt and other debris can build up on the drain valve and water screen, which can disrupt the flow of hot water. Make sure to check them periodically and clean when necessary.
  • Descale your water heater. Hard water is a nuisance, but even with a water softener, mineral deposits can still build up inside your tankless water heater. That’s why it’s recommended to descale or flush your tankless water heater at least once a year to prevent too much of a scale buildup.

When You Need to Call Milltown

Problems happen despite how well-maintained your tankless water heater, and when that happens, it’s important to call a plumber right away. Damages left untreated can not only cost you higher water bills but possibly even an early replacement. The earlier you act, the better. If you are experiencing any of these problems in your Chelmsford, MA home, call MillTown for tankless water heater maintenance:

  • Warm water. One of the first red flags is if your tankless water heater no longer produces hot water. If you’re dealing with tepid water, it could be a number of issues. Your tankless water heater may simply need a temperature adjustment, or there could be too much water pressure. A plumber will be able to diagnose and effectively treat the problem.
  • Water heater turns itself off. If you’re suddenly out of hot water, don’t panic yet, the issue may just be a clogged filter. Tankless water heaters can shut off when its filter is no longer functional. Cleaning or replacing the filter should do the trick.
  • Fluctuating temperatures. If your shower quickly ranges from freezing cold to lukewarm to scalding hot, you have a serious problem. The usual culprit is a loose connection somewhere in the tankless water heater.
  • Your water appliances won’t work. Appliances like your dishwasher or washing machine require certain temperatures and water pressure to function properly. If something is wrong with your tankless water heater, however, it may fail to deliver enough heat and pressure, rendering your water appliances useless. One trick to fix this problem is to adjust the hot and cold valves until you reach the right temperature. If it doesn’t work, you’ll need to call a plumber.

If you need tankless water heater maintenance in Chelmsford, MA, call MillTown Plumbing. Our trained technicians are ready to help you today! 

 

By Milltown Plumbing