Great DIY Plumbing Tools to Keep Around the House

Great DIY Plumbing Tools to Keep Around the House

There are lots of plumbing problems that can plague a house, but as long as you're prepared by having the right tools on hand, you won’t be caught off guard by minor repairs and maintenance issues.

But knowing what the right tools are can be difficult, especially since a trip to the tool section in any hardware store will overwhelm anybody but a professional or the most avid DIYer. So here's a list of common plumbing problems you may experience around the house, and the tools you should have on hand to fix them.

Tools for Unclogging Pipes

plumbing-tools-to-have-at-home-plungerClogs can be a major issue in many households because they can occur easily and can completely shut down important elements in your house. For instance, a clog in the kitchen sink can stop you from cooking, cleaning, and washing dishes.

A clog in the bathroom can prevent you from using the toilet. And a stopped up shower or tub can interrupt your entire family’s hygiene routines. That’s why you need unclogging tools on hand.

Plunger: These use suction to force clogs out of place. Ensure there's about two inches of water in the basin (either the toilet, sink, tub, or shower), block any overflows with a damp cloth, and plunge in a vertical motion for about 20 seconds to dislodge blockages.

Pipe wrench: If all else fails with the plunger, you can also physically remove clogs from pipes. Use the pipe wrench to loosen the fittings (turn to the left, or counter-clockwise) under your sink, remove the clogged pipe, and push or pull out the clog before replacing the pipe.   

Tools for Loosening and Tightening

Anything that’s fitted together by attaching one thing to another is at risk of coming loose, and that’s where tightening tools come in handy. It could be anything from a pipe to a bookshelf to a wall-mounted television: if there's a pipe or a screw, it could possibly come loose.

Pipe wrench: A pipe wrench is a perfect tool for tightening pipe fittings when they come loose. When that happens, pipes will leak, water will drip, and there will be a mess. Similarly, when you need to loosen off a pipe to remove it or replace it, the pipe wrench is your ideal tool for that too.

Screwdrivers: These are also perfect for loosening and tightening, but the difference is they're designed for screws. Anytime there are screws involved, a screwdriver with the right bit is your tool of choice whenever you need to assemble something, take something apart, or tighten things up to prevent them from shifting.

plumbing-tools-to-havve-at-home-plungerTools for Sealing Leaks

There are many types of leaks you could experience in your house, but caulk is best suited to stop air leaks (though that’s not all it does). Caulk is what you put around doors and windows to stop air from seeping out and leaking in.

Caulk gun: The only way to apply a bead of caulk is with a proper caulker, and this simple tool could save you tons of money on your energy bills. Small leaks are just as bad as large holes when it comes to heating and cooling your home, and a proper caulking job will seal cracks and leaks, stopping the transfer of air from inside and outside your home.

If you're just starting out as a DIY fixer-upper, you may need some help along the way, and that’s what we’re here for. Call K. Hoeler Plumbing & Heating, in Boonton, NJ at 973-882-2803 if you need help with a project, encounter bigger issues that you aren't equipped to deal with, need assistance with repairs or maintenance, or have a plumbing emergency that requires immediate attention. 


What Should I do About a Toilet That Won’t Stop Running?

What Should I do About a Toilet That Won’t Stop Running?

When you think of common plumbing problems with your toilet, you may first think of inconvenient clogs or toilets that otherwise won’t flush.

Just as annoying and inconvenient is a toilet that flushes just fine, but won’t stop running. Not only is the sound of the constantly running water a nuisance, but you are also throwing your money away by wasting gallons upon gallons of water.

The good news is that a running toilet is one job that you may very well be able to take care of on your own with a few easy-to-follow DIY tips. Here are some thoughts on how to get started:

stop_that_480

Faulty Flapper

The most common culprit behind a running toilet is a defective or broken flapper. FYI, the flapper is the rubber stopper that regulates water flow within the tank when you flush the toilet. Over time, the rubber on the flapper will deteriorate. Similarly, it’s not uncommon for the seal around the flapper to deteriorate as toilet-running-waterwell.

The way to determine if this is the source of the problem couldn’t be easier. Simply press down on the flapper, and if the water stops flowing, you’ve identified the problem.

To fix it, remove the flapper and take it to the hardware store with you so that you are sure to get the right part.

Follow the instructions on the package, and you’ll be good to go! One note- make sure that when you are reattaching the chain to the flapper that you’ve got it at the right length. If it is too long or too short, the toilet won’t flush correctly.

Fill Tube

toilet-diagramIf your flapper seems to be working just fine, then check the fill tube. The fill tube is the small plastic tube that connects the fill valve and the overflow pipe.

The fill tube, with the assistance of the overflow tube, serves to drain water back when the tank overfills. However, if the tube is submerged it won’t work properly.

To fix, cut the tube back and make sure that its end is exposed to the air so that it can drain water when necessary.

Adjust Fill Valve and Fill Height

Another common cause of a running toilet is a faulty fill valve. To fix this, drain the toilet tank. Unscrew the valve, by removing the main water supply line from the exterior of the tank, which will let you completely remove the valve piece and replace with a new one.

If your fill valve is ok, you need to adjust your fill float to the right level. If you have a ball float, bend the rod so that it’s in the right spot; if you have a cup float, pinch the ends and slide it up or down the rod.

If your DIY efforts aren’t solving the problem for you, or if you don’t have time to spare, call in experts for backup. Whether your plumbing problem is big or small, we are here to help! Call K. Hoeler Plumbing and Heating in Boonton, NJ at 973-882-2803.


Tips for Vacationers: Don’t Forget to Prepare Your Home

Tips for Vacationers: Don’t Forget to Prepare Your Home

summer-vacationEvery homeowner’s worst nightmare probably goes a little something like this: Going on vacation someplace beautiful and relaxing.

Completely disconnecting and coming home refreshed, only to open your front door to find two inches of water on the floor and a rotten smell coming from the kitchen.

We take vacations to relax and get away from our day-to-day lives for a brief moment. But leading up to a vacation and preparing your family and home is still work and should still be taken seriously.

Between packing for your kids and yourself, organizing a pet-sitter and making sure your utilities and bills are handled while you’re away, don’t forget to take some time for home maintenance and prepare your house for your vacation.

Don’t forget these four often-overlooked tasks:

1. Turn off the Main Water Valve

When you’re gone, there is no need for the water in your home to be turned on. Keeping it on is a risky move as it could potentially lead to a burst pipe or water leak that remains unchecked for days or weeks on end. Turning off the main water valve in your home takes a few minutes but could literally save you thousands of dollars in the end.

2. Clean the Garbage Disposal

One of the more obvious tasks before going on vacation is emptying your garbage, but did you know that your garbage disposal is just as capable of creating a rotten mess that smells to high heaven? Food and other particles become stuck to the blades or lodged in the system.

Using your disposal every day typically gets rid of these things, but leaving the disposal idle for a few weeks will create a bit of a mess and a definite smell in your kitchen.

To clean the unit, turn it on and pour warm water with a little bit of white vinegar in the unit. It will quickly clean the blades and remove any food that has become lodged in the system, leaving you with a fresh and clean garbage disposal upon your return.

3. Program Your Water Heater

adjust-the-temperatureAn empty house doesn’t need hot water. Save money and prevent mishaps by programming your water heater to “vacation mode.” Most modern water heaters have this setting; sometimes it’s also displayed as a “VAC” setting.

Essentially, it runs the water heater at its lowest setting while you are gone, conserving energy and keeping your system safe.

On the day before your scheduled return, the water heater will turn back on to its regular settings so you will have hot water right away. If your water heater is an older unit, it may not have this convenient setting. In this case, you should either manually turn the thermostat to the lowest setting or turn the entire water heater off while you are gone. Just remember to turn it back on when you get home.

4. Unplug Appliances

If a flooded home is a vacationer’s worst nightmare, a gas leak or electrical malfunction is a close second. By unplugging appliances, you are taking extra precautions and giving yourself extra peace of mind while you’re away.

Make sure to unplug some electrical appliances such as microwaves, computers, and toasters. Also, consider unplugging larger appliances such as your stove, oven or fridge. However, if you unplug the fridge, make sure it’s completely empty, with no food inside.

By making a thorough home maintenance checklist, you can ensure you are fully prepared and will be coming home to a clean and disaster-free home.

For more information on home maintenance preparations in Boonton, NJ, call 973-882-2803 today and speak with the experts at K. Hoeler Plumbing and Heating.

 


Try Before You Buy! The Plumbing in a New Home That is!

Tips on How to Inspect Plumbing Before Purchasing a New Home

Buying a home is a lifetime achievement for many people. It is also the largest investment that many individuals make perhaps in their entire lives. With that in mind, you should always ensure that the house you acquire is safe and stable.

To ensure this, you should require the help of a professional to examine your home exhaustively before you decide to buy.

home-for-saleA thorough inspection should include the plumbing of your potential home. I recommend that you hire a good plumber from a reputable company to do the inspection.

A professional always knows what to look for when conducting the examination. This is because they are always familiar with the frequent problems that are commonly found in homes. Sometimes people do their own inspection.

However, there is a high likelihood of not being accurate compared to a professional.

The housing market has had many buyers that often rush to buy properties only to later be left with hefty repair bills. A survey that was conducted by an insurance company revealed that many home buyers are spending thousands of dollars in repairs after buying homes.

The biggest cases that have been reported by buyers are related to plumbing issues. Countless homeowners reported dampness and rot as the main reasons that they had to spend a ton of cash after the purchasing of a new home.

The problems that are common with new homes are typically not visible and require a keen eye to spot them. Most sellers will not disclose any defects with the homes they are selling because they want to sell effortlessly.

A seller will always use tactics to ensure you purchase the home as quickly as possible. Most people that have reported defects after buying a house said that they were pressured to buy immediately or risk losing their offer. You should always seek the opinion of a professional before deciding to buy the house.

There are a few plumbing issues that you can check by yourself or with the help of a trusted plumbing technician such as;

Inspecting the House for Lead

Homes especially the old ones are likely to have lead pipes. You cannot live in a house that has lead as it is toxic and dangerous particularly to children. You should always avoid this type of pipe in your home. If the house you plan to buy has lead pipes, you can either choose not to buy or have the seller pay for the pipes to be replaced.

Location of the Valve

chekcing your outdoor faucetIt is important that you know the place where water can be shut off from. If it is not working properly, have it replaced before you pay for the home. A good and working valve is necessary.

In the case of an emergency, you will be able to shut down the pipes to avoid water damaging your property.

Typically, the valve is located close to the water meter or at the point that the water line enters the home. After you have found the valve make sure it is in good working condition. Shut it down and turn on the taps in the house and see if there is any water that will come out. If you do not find any, then the valve is working as it should be.

Inspect the Water Heater

Inspect the water heater to be sure it is in good condition. If it appears to be corroded, or it is leaking, it needs repair. If the water heater is old and not capable of supplying water to all the members of a family, then it needs to be replaced. The seller of the house should be the one to pay the whole cost.

It is important to inspect the tank to ensure it does not have mineral deposits or any other materials.

checking-a-water-heaterIt is also important to enquire about the water heater, whether it is a rental or whether the previous owner paid for it in full.

Inspect the Waste/Sewage

A faulty sewage can be unbearable as it smells and is also a costly problem. It is important before you buy a home to make sure that the sewage system is correctly installed in the house.

If the house that you are planning to buy uses a septic tank find out what size it is, and it's location. You should also make it a priority to find out when the septic tank was last emptied or serviced. The areas around the tank and the lines should not have any seepage, leaks or bad smells. If any of these is present, have the owner fix it before you pay for the property.

Septic tanks are costly to repair and pose dangers to your health and everyone else around.

Leaky Pipes

Fixtures and Leaky pipes can be assumed to be a minor issue but at times are usually an indication of a larger problem. Inspect the leaks and check the faucets, look under the sink, and inspect any exposed pipes that you find.

Check the basement and any crawl space in the house and ensure that there are no leaking joints or pipes. Check the toilets too and ensure the floor is not wet and it is flushing properly, emptying properly and filling up again correctly.

Inspect the Laundry Machine Hookups

You should check the washing machine intake hose and the drain hose to see what is the condition. They should be firm, and water should not be dripping. The faucet should not be rusted, and the machine location should work with any changes that you plan to add. Fix any problem that you will notice before you decide to move into the house.

Many people have reported cases of their houses flooded just a few weeks after they had purchased their dream home due to plumbing problems. It is important that you inspect your home before you decide to move in. This is the best way to avoid extra costs as a result of faulty plumbing.

After purchasing a new home, it is crucial to seek the help of a professional plumber.

We at K. Hoeler Plumbing & Heating are always willing to help you move into a safe home, and you can always contact us through this number (973) 882-2803. We are located in Boonton, NJ, and our dedicated plumbers are always at your service.


Why is it Essential to Save Water in My Home?

Water Waste Concerns: Why Saving Water for Summer Months is Key

Summer is an especially important time for water conservation because rainfall is almost nonexistent, and the days are sweltering hot.

As many areas of the country are facing severe drought, the importance of saving water has become even more important. If you want to reduce your water bill, then you’ll need to make sure you’re not wasting water this summer.

Use a Dishwasher

loading-a-dishwasher_480In many households, people still wash dishes by hand.

According to some of the latest studies, water can be saved by using a dishwasher in homes that have more than one person living in them.

The reality is that a dishwasher can use less water than washing dishes by hand.

To make sure you’re saving as much water as possible, you should always scrape food residue off of your plates before washing them.

For even more water savings, you should avoid pre-rinsing the dishes and don’t start the dishwasher until it’s completely full.

To avoid wasting water, you might also consider having your appliances inspected by professional plumbers. We can check your home for water leaks and make sure you’re not paying for water that you never used.

Taming Your Toilet

Most homeowners don’t realize that toilet flushing can use more water than all of the other activities that occur in the home. One of the best ways to get on board with water conservation is to get rid of your old toilets. An outdated toilet might use anywhere from five to seven gallons of water per flush.

Since a typical toilet is flushed multiple times per day, you can imagine how much water is used up. If you decide to replace an old toilet with a newer model, you can save a lot of water. Many newer toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush.

Contrary to popular belief, these newer models are still capable of delivering a strong flush, so you can rest assured that your bodily waste is going right where it needs to go.

If you would like to upgrade your toilet, you need to speak with a professional plumber, and you can give us a call. We can replace your old toilet and recommend some other ways to reduce your home’s water usage this summer.

Rectify Leaky Fixtures

A common problem with toilet tanks is that they can become leaky. A lot of people don’t realize that even small leaks can result in massive amounts of wasted water. The problem is that many leaks go undetected for several months, and during this time, an enormous amount of water can go to waste.

One of the worst leaks is a broken flush mechanism. This is a problem that most people have had to deal with, and it’s also one of the most common problems. When the flush mechanism is broken, it causes water to leak slowly into the bowl. A common symptom is the sound of running water near the toilet.

conserve-waterWhen a toilet is flushed, it’s completely normal to hear running water, but if the sound doesn’t go away after about one minute, then there is a good chance that the flush mechanism isn’t working correctly.

We can come to your home and diagnose this problem, and we assure you that it’s a very simple problem to fix. The toilet is a very common place to check for leaks, but there are many other fixtures that can start leaking.

Faucets are also notorious for leaking and water waste, but they’re not nearly as vulnerable as toilets. Some faucets will begin leaking from the point where water exits. The leak will start with a slow drip, and over time, the leak will get bigger and waste more water.

Faucets can also begin leaking around the base, which is commonly caused by a worn gasket. The good news is that most of these types of leaks are very easy to fix.

If you want to find out if there are leaks in your home, we can come to your home and inspect it. We will perform a visual inspection and can use sophisticated tools to check for hidden leaks.

Diagnosing the Deeper Leaks

Common leaks aren’t too difficult to find and fix, but many homes have hidden leaks that are much harder to detect.

The problem with hidden leaks is that they can be difficult to uncover, and they can drain massive amounts of water over time, which can drastically increase your water bills.

rain-barrel-collection-systemA typical home has water pipes located in the walls and underneath the house. Some of the worst leaks are the ones that you can’t see. The water pipes under your home can begin leaking and waste thousands of gallons of water.

If you have no idea that the leaks exist, you’ll never be able to get them fixed. Fortunately, we can come to your home and inspect your pipes.

We can check the pipes under your home and inside of the walls. It’s critical to have small leaks fixed as quickly as possible because they can quickly turn into expensive repairs.

Water Heater Problems

As professional plumbers, we’re experienced with repairing water heater problems. It’s not uncommon for these appliances to develop leaks, and they can end up wasting thousands of gallons of water. Most water heaters begin leaking around the base or valves.

If the valves start leaking, you can have them replaced. When the base starts leaking, you can have it patched. These are all problems that can be corrected by professionals. In many situations, we recommend replacing water heaters that are over 10 years old.

It might also be a good idea to upgrade your toilets, faucets, and other fixtures if they are nearing this age.

By having your home inspected for these problems and updating outdated fixtures, you’ll be able to save more water this summer. Water conservation is especially important during summer, and these are some of the easiest ways to make sure you’re not contributing to water waste.

For outstanding water conservation assistance in your Boonton, NJ home, call K. Hoeler Plumbing & Heating at (973) 882-2803.


5 Easy Steps to Follow When Your Thermostat is Malfunctioning

5 Ways to Tell if Your Home's Thermostat is Malfunctioning

One: Problems with the Thermostat’s Wires

A standard or programmable thermostat can develop wiring problems that require a professional diagnosis to determine if the device is repairable or needs a total replacement. In many cases, a thermostat repair is simple, fast and affordable, and a technician can look at this device on a routine or emergency service call.

A wiring problem is found by turning off a standard thermostat’s power or removing the batteries from a programmable unit. To shut off the power to a thermostat, a homeowner or technician must find the fuse box.

In some cases, the wires inside the thermostat are loose or degraded, and a technician is often able to replace the wires to avoid buying a new thermostat for a home.

If the wires are not connecting properly, our technician understands how to tighten loose screws to secure the wires correctly. Working with electricity and wires is often dangerous, and it is better to contact an expert than attempt this repair.

The items needed for this repair include:

• Blueprint of a home to find the breaker or fuse box
• Different sizes and styles of screwdrivers
• New wires

Boonton, NJ thermostat-repair-2Two: No Power is Reaching the Thermostat

A power outage can lead to a nonfunctional thermostat, but this is a simple problem to diagnose and correct.

A homeowner can locate a home’s breaker box to turn off a home’s power and turn it back on. Make sure to wait at least 10 minutes before turning the breaker box back on to give the system a chance to adjust.

Alternatively, if a home has a fuse box, then it is essential to find the fuse that controls the thermostat to remove the fuse and replace it with a new one. Fuse or breaker boxes are in utility or hallway closets, but in larger or older homes, the boxes are frequently inside cellars or basements.

Use caution when turning off breaker boxes or changing fuses because it is possible to receive an electrical shock from a damaged system.

When a homeowner isn’t sure how to fix fuses or flip breaker switches, it is a good idea to contact our heating and cooling company for assistance. Homeowners should keep a supply of extra fuses to complete this repair.

Three: Does the Programmable Thermostat Need New Batteries?

A programmable thermostat works with batteries, and if the batteries are corroded or low on power, then the thermostat will not operate correctly.

By checking the low-power indicator light on a thermostat, a homeowner should know when to change its batteries. A homeowner should keep an extra supply of batteries to replace the items during inclement weather to avoid needing to go to a store.

If a homeowner does not have extra batteries available, then remove the current batteries to clean the battery compartment before putting the old battery back into the thermostat. This method will sometimes get the device working again for a few hours to provide climate-controlled air to a home until it is possible to go to a store and buy new batteries.

Four: Problems with the Thermostat’s Anticipator

Anticipators are an important part of a thermostat’s mechanisms, and a defect of this component leads to a furnace or air conditioner that turns on and off constantly. Homeowners can adjust an anticipator or hire one of our technicians to perform a thermostat repair on this item.

A technician will have the schematics necessary for fixing an air conditioner or furnace and can locate the thermostat's anticipator.

Boonton, NJ thermostat-repairWith a specialized diagnostic tool, our company’s cooling and heating technicians can determine if an anticipator is repairable or if the part requires replacement.

After this device is installed or repaired, a technician can adjust it correctly to ensure a furnace or air conditioner turns on when it is needed.

As part of an air conditioner or furnace inspection, our company always has technicians check all of the components of the heating or cooling device to make sure it is working optimally.

Five: Fixing a Dirty Thermostat

Our heating and cooling technicians may notice that a home’s thermostat is covered with sticky debris or layers of dirt. When a thermostat is in a high-traffic area of a home such as an entranceway or kitchen, it is easy for it to become dirty.

The dirt that is on a thermostat can enter the device to prevent mechanisms from working correctly. Not only is the thermostat unable to keep a home at a correct temperature, but also, it may not turn on at all.

When a thermostat is filthy, it requires careful cleaning to remove the buildup of debris. A can of compressed air that is available in the electronics section of a store is useful for blowing debris out of the thermostat’s components.

Alternatively, a tiny paintbrush is also helpful for removing dirt from the small spaces inside a thermostat. To prevent a collection of debris on a thermostat, add it to the list of things to clean regularly in a home.

For quality thermostat repair in your Boonton, NJ home, call K. Hoeler Plumbing & Heating at (973) 882-2803.


It's Time to Upgrade Your Water Supply

Are You Having Problems With Unfiltered Water?

Most homes don’t have a filtration system for their water but may have a refrigerator that has filtered water, or they may get filtered water from other sources. Many tend to buy bottled water, and the problem is that the cost can rack up very quickly when bottled water is constantly purchase.

Unfiltered water in your Boonton home is best for washing, bathing, and cleaning purposes, but not all water is fit to drink, such as the water that comes from the pipes in the homes of those that live in California. The crisis in Flint has done little to appease those of us here on the East Coast. Many people choose to buy bottled water without realizing how much they could save if they switched to a home filtration system.

Since water can still be unclean, even if it’s filtered by your county, it’s best to get your water is clean as possible by choosing to receive water filter installation.

Water Filtration ServicesThere Are Many Benefits If You Filter Your Water...

Filtering your water has an incredible amount of benefits, but here are 10 great benefits to consider.

Remove metals from water.

Remove pesticides from water.

The water tastes great.

Bottle water from the tap, instead of buying it bottled.

Water is always clean as long as filter is good.

Clean water helps clean clothes better.

Save $1000 or more on water delivery.

Save the environment from wasted plastic bottles.

No need for a separate drinking water filtration unit.

The water is safe for everyone to drink, including infants.

Detriments to Your Health

#1- Many don’t realize that there are metals in their water, including magnesium, copper, and other minerals. Using a filtration system can get rid of these metals, which can cause harm to your health and the health of everyone else in the home.

#2- Some people, depending on where they live in how they get their water, may have a threat of pesticides in their water, and a good filtration system should be able to clear these out of their water. Filtration systems can clean a lot of things out of the water that can be harmful to anyone who drinks it, so filtration systems are always the best choice for those who want the cleanest water.

#3- Those who complain of bad tasting water or water that has a funny taste may not be buying bottled water but getting it directly from their faucet. Those who have an advanced filtration system for their home can get great tasting water that will promote them to drink more water as they should. If the water is filtered and extremely clean, it gives it a better taste than regular tap water, so you’ll always have good tasting water, no matter where in your home you choose to fill up a water bottle.

Financial Benefits

#4- Speaking of filling up a water bottle, having your own filtration system means you don’t have to buy the bottles of water anymore that only sit in a landfill for hundreds of years. You can easily reuse your own water bottles and fill them up as necessary because you’ll have great tasting water that you can always count on from your faucet.

#5- As long as a clean filter is in the filtration system, then it’s possible to get very clean water in the home from any faucet, even coming through the washer. You never have to worry about the water being clean, and you can drink water from any faucet in the home.

#6- Having filtered water can help to clean clothes even better because it’s not filled with harmful chemicals, especially chlorine, which can fade and damage certain clothes. Those that love to take care of their clothes but hate to go to a dry cleaner and pay the extra fee can now wash their clothes at home if possible, and they’ll have clean filtered water to wash their clothes with all the time.

#7- Anyone who has water constantly delivered to their home is easily paying $1,000 or more a year for the delivery. Even though the water seems to be at a good price, it’s even cheaper if you get it through your own water filtration system. Instead of spending several dollars for a five-gallon jug of water, imagine spending less than a dollar or even half of that to get the same five gallons at home?

#8- Everyone knows that plastic can take forever to degrade, so the less plastic bottles that are thrown away, the better it is for the environment. Having a filtration system at home means that you will no longer contribute to the use of plastic bottles, which are thrown away, and you can be proud to say that you’re helping the environment.

Convenience for You and Your Family

#9- Many have a refrigerator with a filtration system, so they can always have clean water to drink. Some will even buy a plastic container that has a filter attached to it to allow them always to have clean drinking water. It’s much easier and faster to fill up water directly from the faucet, but if the water isn’t clean enough, then it needs to be filtered. Having a home filtration system installed means that you can fill up water each time you need it and always know that it’s going to be clean and great tasting.Boonton, NJ Water Filtration System INstallation

#10- Having clean and filtered water from the home means that everyone can drink it safely, including babies and infants. Mothers that used to buy bottled water or water by the gallon for their child can easily get it directly from the faucet and know that it’s pure enough for their baby.

Get Your Water Filtered Now

If you’re tired of having bad tasting water, fading clothes, spotty dishes, and water that flows like chlorine, then it’s time to get your Boonton water filtration system. Having clean water is something that everyone wants, and your plumber can help you get it by installing the system for you.

Quality water filtration is available! Call K. Hoeler Plumbing & Heating at (973) 882-2803. Our team is ready to make your Boonton, NJ home a better place!


Is Your Thermostat Giving You an Accurate Reading of Whats Going on in Your Home?

5 Ways to Tell if Your Home's Thermostat is Malfunctioning

One: Problems with the Thermostat’s Wires

A standard or programmable thermostat can develop wiring problems and begin to misread the temperatures in your home. Unfortunately, many Boonton homeowners are unaware of this, which may cause over or under spending on electricity. These repairs undoubtedly require professional diagnostics to determine if the device is repairable or requires a total replacement.

In many cases, a thermostat repair is simple, fast and affordable, and a technician is able to look at this device on a routine or emergency service call. A wiring problem is found by turning off a standard thermostat’s power or removing the batteries from a programmable unit. To turn off the power to a thermostat, a Boonton homeowner or technician must find the fuse box.

Boonton, NJ thermostat-repair-2In some cases, the wires inside the thermostat are loose or degraded, and a technician is often able to replace the wires to avoid buying a new thermostat for a home. If the wires are not connecting properly, our technician understands how to tighten loose screws to secure the wires correctly. Working with electricity and wires is often dangerous, and it is better to contact an expert than attempt this repair. The items needed for this repair include:

• Blueprint of a home to find the breaker or fuse box

• Different sizes and styles of screwdrivers

• New wires

Two: No Power is reaching the Thermostat

A power outage can lead to a nonfunctional thermostat, but this is a simple problem to diagnose and correct. A homeowner can locate a home’s breaker box to turn off a home’s power and turn it back on. Make sure to wait at least 10 minutes before turning the breaker box back on to give the system a chance to adjust.

Alternatively, if a home has a fuse box, then it is essential to find the fuse that controls the thermostat to remove the fuse and replace it with a new one. Fuse or breaker boxes are often located in utility or hallway closets, but in larger or older homes, the boxes are frequently inside cellars or basements.

Use caution when turning off breaker boxes or changing fuses because it is possible to receive an electrical shock from a damaged system. When a homeowner isn’t sure how to fix fuses or flip breaker switches, it is a good idea to contact our heating and cooling company for assistance. Homeowners should keep a supply of extra fuses to complete this repair.

Three: Does the Programmable Thermostat Need New Batteries?

A programmable thermostat works with batteries, and if the batteries are corroded or low on power, then the thermostat will not operate correctly. By checking the low-power indicator light on a thermostat, a homeowner should know when to change its batteries. A homeowner should keep an extra supply of batteries to replace the items during inclement weather to avoid needing to go to a store.

If a homeowner does not have extra batteries available, then remove the current batteries to clean the battery compartment before putting the old battery back into the thermostat. This method will sometimes get the device working again for a few hours to provide climate-controlled air to a home until it is possible to go to a store to buy new batteries.

Four: Problems with the Thermostat’s Anticipator

Anticipators are an important part of a thermostat’s mechanisms, and a defect of this component leads to a furnace or air conditioner that turns on and off constantly. Homeowners can adjust an anticipator or hire one of our technicians to perform a thermostat repair on this item. A technician will have the schematics necessary for fixing an air conditioner or furnace and is able to locate the thermostat's anticipator.

With a specialized diagnostic tool, our company’s cooling and heating technicians can determine if an anticipator is repairable or if the part requires replacement. After this device is installed or repaired, a technician can adjust it correctly to ensure a furnace or air conditioner turns on when it is needed. As part of an air conditioner or furnace inspection, our company always has technicians check all of the components of the heating or cooling device to make sure it is working optimally.

Five: Fixing a Dirty ThermostatBoonton, NJ thermostat-repair

Our heating and cooling technicians may notice that a home’s thermostat is covered with sticky debris or layers of dirt. When a thermostat is located in a high-traffic area of a home such as an entranceway or kitchen, it is easy for it to become dirty. The dirt that is on a thermostat can enter the device to prevent mechanisms from working correctly. Not only is the thermostat unable to keep a home at a correct temperature, but also, it may not turn on at all.

When a thermostat is extremely dirty, it requires careful cleaning to remove the buildup of debris. A can of compressed air that is available in the electronics’ section of a store is useful for blowing debris from the thermostat’s components.

Alternatively, a tiny paintbrush is also helpful for removing dirt from the tiny spaces inside a thermostat. To prevent a collection of debris on a thermostat, add it to the list of things to clean regularly in your Boonton home.

For quality thermostat repair in Boonton, NJ, call K. Hoeler Plumbing & Heating at (973) 882-2803.