Tag: MA

How Backflow Prevention Protects Your Drinking Water

Nov 29, 2019

How Backflow Prevention Protects Your Drinking Water

  • Plumbing
backflow prevention in Massachusetts by MilTown

A major advantage of getting water through the public water system is the treatment it gets. Before it reaches your home, your water gets treated with chemicals that remove many contaminants from the water. However, there are ways this cleaned water can get recontaminated. One of these methods is through backflow. Having contaminated drinking water can hurt your family’s health, which is why we offer backflow prevention services. By getting your plumbing assistance from MillTown, you can protect your water supply from germs and other contaminants.

 

How does backflow happen?

Generally, backflow happens whenever the water pressure drops in your home’s plumbing system. Frozen pipes, a burst pipe, and using lots of water at once are some ways your water pressure can drop. When the water pressure drops, the flow of water reverses and can draw in contaminants from the municipal main. Backflow can also happen when the pressure in your plumbing pipes exceeds the pressure in your drinking water system. Like with low water pressure, this causes the drinking water to reverse the direction of its flow through a cross-connection between the two systems. When this reversal happens, contaminants can sometimes get into your drinking water.

 

Protect your water with backflow prevention

If backflow is a problem with your home, we can help. Our professionals are certified to help you with your problem by installing a backflow preventer. This device uses a specially designed valve or an air gap to prevent the water flow from reversing direction. They’re highly effective at cross-connections, such as the water main where clean water enters your water system. These devices are very important for protecting your drinking water. Municipalities often require homes to have a backflow prevention device installed. With 40 years of plumbing experience, MillTown can help you install your backflow preventer and ensure it’s up to municipal code regulations.

 

Why call MillTown to keep my home’s water clean?

MillTown Plumbing is a family-owned and operated business established in 1979. Ever since the company was founded, we’ve stayed true to our commitment to the people of Northeastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire: our licensed and bonded technicians offer honest answers to all of your questions, and we provide cost-effective, permanent solutions to keep your home healthy and safe. That commitment to your satisfaction has guided us for over 35 years of commercial and residential home service, and the result is that homeowners in Northeastern Mass and Southern NH trust us more than anyone else for quality home repairs and emergency service. Call us today to learn more about our backflow prevention services!

 

Same Day Service

By Milltown Plumbing

9 Symptoms of a Plumbing Leak in Massachusetts

Nov 15, 2019

9 Symptoms of a Plumbing Leak in Massachusetts

  • Plumbing
plumbing leak in Massachusetts by MillTown

The plumbing in your home can be a complex system for many homeowners. When properly working, it can provide your household with temperature-controlled water that’s certain to be clean. However, this system is also prone to a variety of problems that can hurt its productivity or structural integrity. Even the smallest plumbing leak can cause major damage to your Massachusetts home if not found and repaired. Failing to find a plumbing leak means that your home will face flooding and water damage. Luckily, there are many ways to tell when your plumbing system leaks.

Here are several of the signs that your Massachusetts home has a plumbing leak:

 

Mold and mildew

A common problem caused by leaky plumbing is the growth of mold and other fungi. Fungus likes to grow in damp, warm places, and your plumbing can provide both. Mold, in particular, is known for causing a variety of health problems, which can become serious over time.

 

Warped wood

You’ll often see wood warp when exposed to too much water. For instance, wooden doorframes can warp and make it hard to use the door. Common symptoms of warped wood include discoloration, uneven surfaces, and curved planks.

 

Warm, damp flooring

Damp floors are often a sign there’s a plumbing or foundation leak. You can tell if it’s a sewer or water heater leak if the damp spot happens to be wet. Warm water is more of a threat because it helps propagate the growth of fungi.

 

Musty smells

Plenty of fungi have a musty odor that’s easily noticeable. If you’re noticing new musty smells in your home, it’s a good idea to give us a call.

 

Damaged roofing shingles

It’s not too difficult to notice a leak on your roof if you ever get the chance to look up there. When the roof is leaking, you’ll notice shingles becoming bald, curling, buckling, or go missing altogether.

 

Cracked garage floors

The inside of your home isn’t the only place where a plumbing leak can occur. A leak in your underground water lines can cause your garage floor to crack. Some underground leaks can also cause soil corrosion, making parts of the house settle at a lower level.

 

Damaged paint and wallpaper

When leaks occur in the walls, the water can damage the paint or wallpaper covering the wall. When this happens, paint can peel and warp while wallpaper becomes cracked and discolored.

 

Damaged flooring

No matter what kind of flooring you use, leaking water can damage it. Keep an eye out for warping, stains, soft areas, loose or cracking tiles, peeling caulk, and damp carpets.

 

Condensation

Normally you’ll only see condensation beading up on your walls after you take a hot shower. However, if you’re seeing it in places where it normally doesn’t appear, a pipe might be leaking behind the walls.

 

Stained walls and ceilings

When the roof is leaking, you might see stains show up on the walls and ceiling. Keep an eye on the color of the stains. Dark brown or copper-colored stains usually mean the leak is coming from a pipe, not from a leaky roof.

 

What makes MillTown Plumbing my best bet for fixing leaks?

MillTown Plumbing is a family-owned and operated business established in 1979. Ever since the company was founded, we’ve stayed true to our commitment to the people of Northeastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire: our licensed and bonded technicians offer honest answers to all of your questions, and we provide cost-effective, permanent solutions to keep your home healthy and safe. That commitment to your satisfaction has guided us for over 35 years of commercial and residential home service, and the result is that homeowners in Northeastern Mass and Southern NH trust us more than anyone else for quality home repairs and emergency service. Call us today to learn more about our plumbing services!

 

Same Day Service

By Milltown Plumbing

6 Benefits of Boiler Maintenance in Massachusetts

Oct 25, 2019

6 Benefits of Boiler Maintenance in Massachusetts

  • Heating
boiler maintenance in Massachusetts by MillTown

Here at MillTown, we’ve helped you prepare for the winter by shutting down your AC. We’ve also told you why it’s so important to get your furnace tuned-up for the winter. Now it’s time to get those boilers ready! Like furnaces, boilers are home heating systems, and they can get worn down after several months of inactivity. New England winters can be fierce, so you want to be sure your boiler can take the cold. Learn more about how getting boiler maintenance for your Massachusetts home can keep you comfortable and save you money.

Here are six ways that getting boiler maintenance for your Massachusetts home can prepare you for the winter:

 

Follow local safety laws

When poorly-maintained, boilers can be one of the more dangerous heating systems you can buy. That’s why you’ll often see local laws that require boiler-owners to get regular maintenance and inspections from licensed technicians. These laws act as a financial incentive to keep your boiler healthy, as they come with fines if you don’t follow them.

 

Decreased energy costs

Boilers are one of the most power-hungry appliances you can buy. In terms of annual energy usage, the only thing that can beat boilers is HVAC systems. However, a boiler’s high energy usage can be cut down. If you give your boiler regular maintenance, you can reduce your energy bills by 10%.

 

Keep you and your home safe

Running your boiler generates heat, but it also creates carbon monoxide, which is highly dangerous. That’s why boilers have exhaust pipes to safely vent the deadly and odorless gas outside. However, not getting enough maintenance can cause the exhaust pipe to become damaged, allowing carbon monoxide into your home. Also, failing boilers are known to explode, so make sure you keep yours well-maintained.

 

Higher energy efficiency and reliability

Boilers are complex machines, and that complexity can cause some parts to wear out faster than others. When you call us for boiler maintenance, we check on all of its parts and ensure your boiler is in working condition. Regular maintenance work can save you money by making your boiler more reliable and energy-efficient.

 

Extend your boiler’s life

Boilers cost a lot of money, so you don’t want yours dying out quickly. Regular boiler maintenance visits can extend its lifespan and help you get the most out of your investment. Well-maintained boilers can usually last ten to fifteen years.

 

Keep your warranty valid

Boiler manufacturers often have stipulations in their product’s warranties that have to be followed if you want to be covered for repairs and replacements. One of these is to give their products regular maintenance work. Regular maintenance can help save you money by keeping your warranty valid.

 

Why call MillTown to keep my boiler in top condition?

 If you live in the Greater Lowell area and you need to replace or repair your boiler, then call MillTown. Our team of professional heating experts has 40 years of experience servicing boilers for local homeowners, and we understand how important it is to ensure you always have a functioning heating source. That’s why we offer 24/7 heating services—so if your boiler malfunctions during a Nor’easter in January, we’re available to fix the problem right away!

We offer upfront, transparent pricing; prompt and professional service; and a warranty on parts and labor. Plus, we’re committed to doing a great job for you, so we’re not satisfied until you are! Call MillTown today to schedule some boiler maintenance for your Massachusetts home!

 

Same Day Service

By Milltown Plumbing