Category: Commercial Plumbing

5 Things You Should Know About Your Home’s Plumbing

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It is important to leave plumbing matters to the professionals, but there are somethings homeowners must know about their plumbing system. Keep reading for the top five things you should know about your home’s plumbing.

How Old Is Your Water Heater?

For those with a water heater, it is easy to forget or disregard the age of your water heater especially if you have not replaced it since you purchased your home. However, the age of your water heater could be crucial to the longevity of your plumbing system.

The age of your water heater is important information because:

  • The validity of your warranty
  • Whether you need to replace it
  • When regular maintenance is due
  • Home insurance coverage

If it is time to replace the water heater, you should do so as soon as possible. If your water heater has a few years before recommended replacement, you should contact a plumber about regular maintenance and get their recommendation for when to make a replacement later on.

Additionally, if the water heater is too old it may also be past warranty, or your home insurance plan may not cover damage that results from a breakdown.

Locating Your Water Valve

In case of emergencies like flooding or overflowing, you should know where your 3water valve is and how to shut it off to prevent worsening conditions. If a toilet is overflowing or a washer is flooding, it is crucial that you stop the flow at the source as soon as possible. Flooding can damage your home beyond repair and cost you dearly. Knowing where the valve is and how to turn it off is important for the safety of your home and the lifespan of your plumbing system.

What Your Incoming Water Pressure Is

Most people only think about water pressure when they are taking a shower, but water pressure is an indicator of far more. Proper water pressure preserves your pipes, and the entire system depends on water flow.

If water pressure is low, it could be an indicator that there may be:

  • Leaky pipes
  • Pipe corrosion
  • Poor water distribution
  • Mineral buildup
  • Valve or regulatory malfunctions
  • Clogged pipes

On the other hand, high water pressure may also be an indicator of issues like:

  • The home is at a lower elevation than the water source
  • The water pressure regulator is broken
  • There is too much water flowing into the plumbing system

Understanding water pressure is important because fluctuations could include signs of bigger issues down the line.

How To Clean Your Pipes

One of the simplest things a homeowner can do to preserve their plumbing system is properly clean their pipes. However, while this is a simple fix, if done improperly, can cause more damage. There are countless products marketed as pipe cleaning agents and tools that supposedly help homeowners to keep their pipes clean, but the reality is many of these products harm plumbing systems over time. Popular drain cleaners often erode pipes over time and may lead to leaks and flooding.

Take Care of Your Plumbing System

It is important to know how your home plumbing system works and how you can maintain it. However, when issues arise, the best way to protect your home is by choosing a qualified plumber. Mallick Plumbing & Heating, Inc. is the service contractor of choice for residential and commercial plumbing in Gaithersburg. When you need dependable plumbing services, choose Mallick Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

Call today and protect your home.

Commercial Grease Traps: Why They’re Important

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A lot of grease goes down the drains in the kitchen of a home, which can sometimes end up creating clogging issues. However, this is nothing compared to the fats, oils, and grease that flow down the drains in a food service establishment. From commercial cafeterias to small restaurants, grease is a serious issue that must be addressed differently from what is found in a residential kitchen.

What a Commercial Grease Trap Does

A commercial grease trap is a device that separates out fats, oils, and grease (hereafter known as FOG) from the wastewater that goes down drains in a business. The grease trap is sometimes located under a counter, but it may also be buried outside the property for larger businesses. The water passes through a series of chambers where the FOG is allowed to rise to the top and separate from the water. The FOG is collected, and the wastewater continues into the sewer system.

Why This Is Important

A grease trap will help a business keep its drains clean and reduce the risk of clogs starting. But that’s not the primary purpose of a commercial grease trap. It’s there to protect the municipal sewer and plumbing from excess grease that can create massive clogs throughout the sewage system.

Most municipal health codes require a food service company to have grease traps in place. Not having a grease trap, or having a clogged or broken one, can result in a health code violation that will shutter a business. You don’t want that to happen!

Contact Us for Commercial Grease Trap Services

Our team of commercial plumbers is experienced with installing, replacing, and maintaining grease traps. We’ll put in a new one if you need it to see that you’re up to code, and we’ll also see the routine cleaning necessary for your establishment to pass regular health inspections.

Mallick Plumbing & Heating is the Service Contractor of Choice in Bethesda, MD. We offer 24-hour service.

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