SPS Mechanical Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Woodbury’

The Importance of Video Pipe Inspection

Monday, May 17th, 2021

“Why would anyone stick a video camera down their drain? What’s the point of that?”

We get it, it sounds like a joke. That is until you’re saved from making an expensive repair when you realize the clog you’ve been dealing with isn’t as large as you thought it was. And it was all thanks to video pipe inspection!

This is a service that’s been around for quite some time, but homeowners seem surprised when they encounter it. Video pipe inspection performed by a plumber in Woodbury, NJ isn’t an experimental, cutting-edge service. It’s standard practice these days, and we’d like to explain to you why it’s so important that you have this service done every once in a while on your plumbing system.

So, let us take the time to convince you why video pipe inspection is one of the best things you can have done for your plumbing system. (And don’t forget to call our team to have it scheduled!)

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Our HVAC Advice: 4 Tips You Need to Know

Monday, November 30th, 2020

It’s getting late in the holiday season, which means it’s time to tighten the belt and save some money. Between shopping for presents, cleaning your home for any guests (either virtual or in a quarantine-bubble), or the massive grocery trips for cooking materials, you’ve got your hands full. The last thing on your mind right now is your heating system or the comfort of your home.

That is, until your heater breaks down. That could be the tipping point that makes you feel like canceling all your holiday plans. The truth is that this is a possibility, but a team that performs quality HVAC in Woodbury, NJ can absolutely make your life a lot easier and save you money as well.

We’re going to give you four seasonal tips that should help keep things running smoothly. Your home, your budget, and your peace of mind will be in much better shape if you listen to the advice of pros.

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Keep Your Garbage Disposal in Good Condition

Monday, March 23rd, 2020

Your garbage disposal is a major part of your kitchen drain. Neglecting a system like this, or actively hurting it by putting the wrong things down your drain, can not only be a drain on your finances but also end up breaking the garbage disposal overall. In order to keep your system running in good condition, there are some guidelines that we suggest you follow.

Don’t just assume this is coming from a random internet stranger, we’re your local professionals that deal with everything related to plumbing in Woodbury, NJ. We know what to expect when dealing with a kitchen drain issue or a broken garbage disposal, so we also know what can be done to prevent these issues from occurring in the first place!

So, come along with us while we talk about the benefits of keeping your garbage disposal in good condition with a few tips.

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3 Tips to Take Care of Your Bathroom Plumbing

Monday, March 9th, 2020

We talk about clogged drains a lot on this blog, and for good reason! Having a clogged drain can be a huge pain and end up putting a hold on your life when you least expect it. Being unable to use a drain or a faucet because it’s draining either slowly or not at all is a problem that needs to be solved correctly.

As your go-to plumbers in Woodbury, NJ, we’re fond of keeping both your kitchen and your bathroom plumbing as clear as possible. You can always call us if you’re having a problem that none of our tips can solve. Last time we posted about this, it was dealing specifically with kitchen drains, but this time we’d like to discuss what you can do to help your bathroom drains!

However, do you know what the best mitigation is for a clogged drain? Preventing one from occurring in the first place. Here’s how you can do that.

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Don’t Hesitate, Get a Garbage Disposal Installed Today

Monday, December 16th, 2019

Food has to go somewhere when it’s not eaten. While technology is constantly helping us in the fight to rid our planet of trash while keeping our homes clean, there seem to be only three solutions to food waste so far. Either the food is thrown into the garbage and dumped at a landfill, it’s composted in some way, or it is sent through the garbage disposal into the sewer. While the third option sounds as bad as dumping your garbage in a landfill, it’s actually a much healthier solution than many homeowners believe.

Garbage disposals can be an eco-friendly and convenient way to deal with food waste and other biodegradable materials that you’re tired of dumping in the trash. While having a garbage disposal requires a little bit more plumbing in Woodbury, NJ than just your average water delivery system, it’s very well worth it and we’ll get into the specifics as to why.

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Why Radiant Floor Heating May Be Your Best Choice for Winter Comfort

Tuesday, January 6th, 2015

Imagine not having to wear slippers, socks or shoes on your floor during the winter because they are nice and warmed up from your home’s radiant heating system.

This is just one of the benefits a radiant floor heating system can offer you. As with other heating systems, there are some choices to be made in regard to radiant heating in Woodbury, and one of the best ways to determine what options are best for you and your home is to work with a trained professional. The experts at SPS Mechanical, Inc., have been installing multiple types of heating systems since 1987, and we bring our expertise and experience to every job we do. If you are ready for a new heating system, call us today!

Two Types

When it comes to radiant floor heating, you have two choices: electric or hydronic. Each can heat your home effectively, but each delivers heating differently.

Electric

Electric radiant floor heating uses electric cables to generate heat. The cables can be embedded in wet cement to create a radiant slab (known as a “wet installation”), laid out in a serpentine pattern directly onto sub-flooring, or be part of a mat which has electrically-conductive plastic. Heat is generated when the cables are electrified, and the floor acts as a radiant slab that heats your home.

Hydronic

A hydronic radiant floor system uses hot water or steam to heat your home, so with this type of system it is necessary to have a boiler. Hydronic radiant heating systems use flexible, durable PEX tubing to distribute the hot water or steam that is generated by the boiler. These tubes can be installed directly onto subflooring or installed via a wet installation. The hot water or steam flows through the tubing and when the water cools, it returns to the boiler for the next heating cycle.

Why Is Radiant Floor Heating a Good Choice?

  • Good for allergy sufferers – with a radiant heating system, there is no swirling dust from forced hot air, which is great for allergy sufferers.
  • Gentle, comfortable heat – the heat from a radiant system heats objects, not the air, so the quality of the heat is comfortable.
  • Quiet system – other than the short time the boiler operates (if you have a hydronic system), a radiant heating system is very quiet.

If a radiant heating system seems like a good fit for your home, call SPS Mechanical, Inc., today!

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Things to Consider for New Furnace Installation

Wednesday, October 29th, 2014

Installing a new furnace is a great opportunity to increase your comfort, as well as the energy efficiency and reliability of your hating system. With so many types of systems and fuels to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming when it comes to deciding upon a new heating installation in Woodbury. There are some initial steps to take before choosing a new heating system, and we’ll outline a couple of these below. It’s important to remember that trained professionals aren’t just available for help with your installation; they also have expertise that can help you choose an excellent heating system for your home. For over 20 years, SPS Mechanical Inc., has helped multiple customers with new heating installations, so if you are ready for a new heating system, call us today.

Energy Efficiency

Today’s furnaces are very energy efficient, but to best understand how energy efficient a particular furnace will be is to check its AFUE rating. AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency and is the measure of a furnace’s efficiency in converting fuel to energy. For example, a furnace with an AFUE of 85% means that 85% of the fuel the furnace consumes is used to heat your home; the other 15% turns into exhaust that is vented out the flue. The AFUE rating can help you determine just how energy efficient a unit you need and want for your home, so it’s important to review the AFUE rating of any new furnace before purchasing.

Sizing

Having a system that isn’t correctly sized, whether it’s too big or small, can cause problems and compromise your comfort. To avoid this, it’s important to properly calculate the correct heating load of your home. The following factors should be included:

  • Floor plan
  • Number of occupants
  • Number of rooms
  • Types and number of windows and doors
  • Square footage
  • Orientation of your home
  • Insulation levels

Installing a new heating system for your home in Woodbury can help improve your comfort and energy efficiency, but only when you have the right help. Call SPS Mechanical Inc. today and schedule an appointment with one of our installation experts.

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How Water Heater Maintenance Extends the Life of Your Unit

Wednesday, September 17th, 2014

When your boiler is well cared-for, you may not need to call for repairs for many years. Boilers are known for needing very few repairs and requiring less maintenance than other heating systems, such as furnaces. As long as you schedule annual maintenance with a technician, your unit may last for many years without any problems at all. So when you have problems with your boiler, you may be caught off guard. However, as soon as you notice any problems with your boiler, it’s important to schedule heating repair for your Woodbury home as soon as possible. Here are some of the most common reasons people call for boiler repair and why it’s important to get problems fixed right away.

  • Water Leaks: One of the most common reasons to call for boiler repairs is water leaks. This may happen for any of several reasons, including corrosion, a broken pump valve, or problems with the pressure relief valve. Water loss not only causes reduced heating ability from your system, it also makes your boiler run inefficiently. Water can also damage the construction around the boiler, so it’s important to call for heating repair as soon as the problem is evident. A technician will find the source of the problem and seal the leaks.
  • Kettling: Kettling is a problem that develops in some boilers in homes that have hard water. Lime scale builds up in the tank and may cause a number of problems. If you hear a banging sound, it may mean that lime scale is affecting the heat exchanger. Or, lime scale buildup in the tank changes the pressure. You’ll need a professional technician to de-scale the tank if this is the case.
  • Not Enough Heat: If you don’t feel enough heat or if you feel no heat at all, it could be due to any number of reasons. It may be a thermostat problem, or it could indicate low water levels, mineral buildup, or a broken pump. As any of these problems could be serious, you’ll want the problem solved right away.

Some boiler repairs may be prevented if you schedule boiler maintenance once every year with a trained heating technician. If you need heating repair in Woodbury, call on the friendly, dependable team at SPS Mechanical Inc.

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Plumbing Upgrades to Consider

Tuesday, July 15th, 2014

Professional plumbers aren’t just available to assist you when something goes wrong with your pipes or drains. They are also ready to help you upgrade your plumbing to a new level of convenience and efficiency. A skilled and experienced plumbing service will offer many different upgrades for your home’s plumbing that will heighten your quality of life.

Make a phone call to SPS Mechanical Inc. today and ask our knowledgeable staff about how you can improve your plumbing in Woodbury, NJ.

Here Are 4 Possible Upgrades for Your Plumbing

  1. Whole-house repiping: This is the most extensive and drastic upgrade you can have for your plumbing… because it upgrades all your plumbing. If you have a home built during the last few decades, you probably won’t require such an extensive service. But for homes built pre-1970 and especially pre-World War II, repiping is something you shoudl give serious consideration. Aging, outdated pipe materials will lead to increasing repair needs and generally inefficient plumbing; the older standards for plumbing may not meet your current water use. Although whole-house repiping is a large job, with the right plumbers the work will go fast and smoothly.
  2. Tankless water heater: You don’t have to settle for the standard storage tank water heater any more; there’s an option that will save on your energy bills and assure that you will never run out of hot water—the tankless water heater. These systems do not need to run constantly to maintain a tank of hot water; they only turn on when a tap demands hot water. You’ll spend less on energy to heat the water, and you will never need to worry about depleting the supply of hot water in a tank. Tankless systems also have longer lifespans.
  3. Water treatment systems: If you have concerns about the quality of the water coming into your home from the municipal system, then a whole-house water treatment system attached to the water main will help solve the problem. There is a large variety of systems to address different problems, from hard water to removing chemicals and bacteria. A professional plumber will help you find out what issues in your water need remedy, and then recommend the treatment system to do the job.
  4. Garbage disposal: If you live in an older home that doesn’t have a garbage disposal… it’s time to stop delaying and have one put in! It will not only make your kitchen more efficient, it will protect your plumbing from food particles and clogs.

This is only a sample of the upgrades that SPS Mechanical Inc. can offer for your plumbing in Woodbury, NJ. We are a full-service company that can handle installation, repairs, and maintenance to keep your home’s plumbing in the best shape possible. Give us a call today to schedule your next service appointment.

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Signs You Need Water Heater Repair

Friday, June 27th, 2014

A broken water heater is a major inconvenience, and should it happen to you, it will force you realize just how much you depend daily on a supply of hot water. If possible, you want to get a head start on water heater malfunctions and call in repair professionals to solve the problems before they lead to full system failure.

Here are a few warning signs that you should call for professional water heater repair service in Woodbury, NJ. For fast and effective service for all your plumbing issues, call SPS Mechanical Inc. We are ready 24 hours a day to help you with your malfunctioning water heater.

Common Indications You Need Water Heater Repair Services

  • Discolored water: When you turn on a hot water tap and the water that comes out has a brownish-red discoloration—similar to what you expect to see when you turn on the taps after you have been away from home for a week or more—you may have a problem from either excess sediment in the tank or the development of corrosion because of a rusted-through anode rod. Although you may have heard that rust in a water heater is an instant death-sentence for the system, it isn’t necessarily a reason to replace the unit­—provided the water heater isn’t too old and you catch the problem soon enough. If the issue is sediment, repair technicians can flush out the tank to solve the trouble.
  • Loss of hot water supply: If you’ve lived with the same water heater for long enough, you will know how much hot water to expect from it before it runs out and needs to heat up more. If you notice a drop in this supply (i.e. people in your household start to complain about going with lukewarm or cold showers in the morning) it means there is a malfunction in the water heater. A common reason for this problem is a broken dip tube depositing cold water near the top of the tank. Repair technicians will get to the bottom of the problem and fix whatever is necessary.
  • Rumbling tank: In general, any strange sound from a water heater indicates it needs repairs. The rumbling tank is the most common warning sign, and it either means too much mixing of hot and cold water or water that is overheating. These issues need remedy as soon as possible.
  • Leaks: Should you spot water pooling around the water heater’s tank, you have leaking issues that could threaten the operation of the system. Leaking can also point to high water pressure or corrosion problems, so have the leaks looked into immediately.

Don’t attempt to troubleshoot problems with a water heater on your own: this requires trained technicians. The SPS Mechanical Inc. repair specialists will take care of the necessary water heater repair in Woodbury, NJ that will restore your vital hot water supply. Give us a call today and schedule your next appointment with us.

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