Category: 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.

Asking Questions to Determine the Quality of Your Home’s Water Supply

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Whether you’re in the process of purchasing a new home or evaluating your current one, water quality is not something that is on the forefront of your thought process – but maybe it should be. As often as you and your family utilize water in your day-to-day life – from cleaning to bathing to drinking – it is preferable your water is of quality, but if it is not, you need to be aware to make the appropriate changes. If not, it can harm you and your home.

With this issue in mind, here are four questions you should ask about your home’s water system and water quality.

Top 4 Water Quality Questions to Ask Your Plumber

  • Where is the House’s Water Source Located?
  • What are the most common water issues in the area?
  • Does the home have a water treatment system?
  • Are there signs I should watch for that suggest my water quality is poor?

Where is the House’s Water Source Located?

This should be your first plumbing-related question to your realtor. Once you know this, you can find out more about how it’s treated and if it has any historical quality issues. Municipal water systems are required to maintain government standards. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets water quality standards for the limits for almost 100 contaminants. Even with stringent regulations, water quality issues can still affect your household water supply. Quality concerns can derive from old pipes or contaminated transit routes where the water picks up contaminants while traveling into your home system.

What are the Most Common Water Issues in the Area?

It’s best to know upfront what issues others in your area are working to fix. Knowing what you are facing and if you want to deal with the problem is vitally important if you are considering purchasing a home. Minor issues that make your water unpalatable have easy solutions; however, you want to find out if there are health risks from the water coming into a home you plan to purchase. If the water is toxic, then you want to know why. Is the problem from the source or caused by your plumbing system? These are important questions you should ask your realtor and research yourself to make informed choices.

Does the Home Have Water Treatment?

Knowing whether a home has a water treatment system installed is the ultimate answer to your water quality questions. If the water in the home is being treated, then you have a place to start to find more information about the home’s water quality. You can also rest easy knowing the water is being treated and is safe for consumption and use. Water treatment systems add value to a home, so finding out a system is installed is a value-add to the home you’re purchasing. Traditional water treatment systems included water softeners, filtration systems, and reverse osmosis units. It’s a good idea to bring in a water treatment professional to test the systems to ensure they work and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

What Signs Indicate my Water Quality is Poor?

Many municipal water systems send out water quality reports or post them online. If you can’t find this document, you should note how your water tastes when you’re using it. Does it have a mineral aftertaste? Is your skin irritated after using it? Water with a heavy mineral load may be unpleasant to drink, but it’s typically not dangerous. There is a huge difference between hard water and poor-quality water. However, noticing your water is hard may be the first step toward establishing your overall water quality.

Choose Mallick Plumbing & Heating for Water Treatment Systems in Gaithersburg

Whether you have an existing water treatment system that needs to be inspected or wish to have a new system installed to protect you and your family in your new house, our expert technicians are ready to help with whatever you need. At Mallick Plumbing & Heating, we are committed to providing our customers with exceptional services. Call us today at (301) 804-6759.

Why is Sump Pump Maintenance So Important?

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Why Is Sump Pump Maintenance So Important?

If you have a sump pump, you know how hard it works to protect your home. A sump pump is installed on the lowest level of your home, so it’s able to prevent flooding in your basement or crawlspace. Your sump pump is housed inside a sump pit out of the way, so it’s easy to forget about it unless it stops working.

A sump pump sits in your home on standby, waiting for a reason to be activated. When there are heavy rains, your system will switch on once the groundwater around your home is high enough to activate the pump’s float switch. Once the system has removed the water away from your home, it will go back into standby status.

The water from the sump pump is typically drained into a storm drain, retention pond, or well. The sump pump acts as a fail-safe device preventing flooding in the lowest levels of your house. Because it serves such an important purpose, you must ensure your sump pump is in good condition and ready for action.

Sump Pump Maintenance Best Practices

By following a few sump pump maintenance best practices, you can keep your system in good condition. How often your system needs maintenance will depend greatly on seasonal weather conditions.

The harder your system works, the more maintenance it will need to ensure its components won’t become too worn. If your sump pump has been exposed to high levels of wear and tear, maintenance can ensure it doesn’t break down when you need it most.

Sump Pump Maintenance Checklist

The following steps will help you get your sump pump ready for action. It’s important to unplug your system from its power supply before performing any maintenance or inspections.

  • Clear Debris from the Sump Basin: Access the sump basin and remove debris. All loose and lodged debris must be removed, so the pump is easier to access for additional cleaning.
  • Check the Pump for Corrosion: Remove the pump from the basin. The discharge pipe will need to be removed from the pump as well. If the discharge pipe does not disconnect from the pump, it could be a sign of mold, corrosion, or buildup at the joint. Using a cloth or sponge, clean the pipe using a nonabrasive disinfectant. You can clean the pipe with just a damp cloth. If the pump is very soiled, you may need to rinse it first. Inspect the pump for corrosion. If you find any, contact your sump pump maintenance professional.
  • Check the Pump Inlet Screen: Find the sump pump inlet screen at the pump’s base. The screen serves as a filter that keeps debris from damaging your system. You can use a brush to clean the filter, removing any debris that may be trapped. Depending on your system model, you can take this time to lubricate the pump’s bearings if recommended for your unit.
  • Check the Discharge Pipe: Inspect the drainage system of your sump pump. You need to ensure your drainage system isn’t compromised and that nothing is preventing the free flow of drainage water. The discharge pipe should be carrying water at least 20 feet away from your foundation to keep your home protected.

How to Perform a Sump Pump System Test

The system test consists of the following:

  • After cleaning your sump pump, replace all the parts and reconnect your system to its power supply.
  • Add several gallons of water to the basin and wait for your system to turn on from standby automatically.
  • During this test, ensure the float switch is operating properly. Once it activates to remove the water you placed in the basin, the maintenance routine is complete.

Choose Mallick Plumbing & Heating for Sump Pump Maintenance

If you need help maintaining your sump pump, our expert technicians are the pros you want on your side. At Mallick Plumbing & Heating, we are committed to providing our customers with exceptional plumbing services, which is why we are a preferred service provider throughout Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Call us at (301) 804-6759 or contact us online to schedule sump pump maintenance with the team at Mallick Plumbing & Heating today!

Planning a Party? Protect Your Plumbing!

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Having people over to your home can be fun, but parties can wreak havoc on your plumbing. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to protect your plumbing:

Keep a Trash Can in Your Bathroom

Guests will need a place to dispose of feminine products and baby wipes. Place a trash can right next to the toilet, so guests know to throw these items away instead of flushing them down the toilet and creating a clog.

Handle Small Clogs with a Plunger

Speaking of clogs, they happen! (Especially with alcohol and tasty appetizers). Keep a plunger nearby, so guests can resolve small clogs by themselves. You can also let your guests know to notify you if the bathroom needs attention.

Share ALL Your Bathrooms

Don’t let your guest bathroom work overtime if you have others to spare. Believe us, your personal bathroom is much less unsightly than a toilet that suffers a large clog due to constant use.

Plus, multiple guests will be able to relieve themselves at the same time if necessary.

Don’t Rely on the Garbage Disposal

Always scrape leftover food into the trash before putting dishes in the sink or loading them into the dishwasher. Putting fats, oils, grease, and other food items down the garbage disposal can cause a clog.

Avoid a Hairy Situation

Equip all the drains in your house with hair catchers. This can help prevent hair from building up in your drains and keep unwanted items out of your pipes. Hair catchers only cost a couple of dollars each and they can save you tons of money in repairs.

Call an Emergency Plumber If Needed

Mallick Plumbing & Heating, Inc. can solve your emergency plumbing situations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If your party needs a hero, our expert plumbers are always available at (301) 804-6759 and online.

How Do Airplane Bathrooms Work?

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If you’ve ever wondered how an airplane bathroom works, you’re not alone. Does it get collected into a tank? Jettisoned out of the plane at 12,000 ft in the air?

Toilets can be a taboo topic for many, but let’s break through the stigma and discover what exactly goes on in the bathroom — for all our sakes.

What’s in a Toilet?

The average toilet found in a residential home is typically a porcelain bowl connected to a tank that fills with water after every flush. The waste is flushed from the bowl, out through the connected plumbing, and into either a sewer system or a connected septic tank, depending on where you live.

The method of waste removal is great for a non-moving bathroom, but on trains or airplanes (methods of travel that usually have restrooms onboard), turbulence and motion don’t mix well with an open bowl of toilet water. Enter: the vacuum toilet.

Airplane Toilet vs Traditional Toilet

Vacuum toilets are the stereotypical toilets you’ll see on transport services. These toilets don’t use a siphon and gravity to flush waste in the same way a traditional residential toilet does. Instead, vacuum toilets feature a valve inside the sewer line to suck all the content of the bowl out. The waste is collected in a separate tank that needs to be emptied out on arrival.

The suction of the valve creates the loud noise you may be familiar with if you’ve ever been on a plane. The benefits of this system as convenience and hygiene — the vacuum method means that toilets have to use less water and/or sanitizing liquid in the flushing process to keep the bowl and line clear. This system also uses significantly less water than the traditional home toilet does. Vacuum systems can flush with half a gallon of water, whereas a low-flow siphon toilet uses about 1.6 gallons. In contrast, older, non-efficient models can use up to 5 gallons per flush!

So there you have it! Traditional toilets use water and gravity to flush waste, but airplane and train bathrooms utilize vacuums and thus, don’t have to rely on water sloshing around to clean the bowl.

Got toilet troubles? Get in touch with your team at Mallick Plumbing & Heating at (301) 804-6759 for bathroom plumbing installation, replacement, repair, or maintenance.

10 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value for Resale

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Despite being in the midst of a pandemic and high rates of unemployment, the United States housing market is booming. Low interest rates have created a spike in home sales as more people switch to remote work and don’t need to worry about being close to the office. If you’re one of the many homeowners looking for more space, increasing the value of your home can be the first step to a quick sales turnaround.

Which home improvements add the most value?

According to Remodel Magazine’s 2019 report, the top ten home improvements for ROI (return on investment) are:

  1. Garage door replacement – 97% ROI
  2. Manufactured stone veneer – 94% ROI
  3. Minor kitchen remodel – 80% ROI
  4. Wood deck addition – 75% ROI
  5. Siding replacement – 75% ROI
  6. Entry door replacement – 74% ROI
  7. Vinyl window replacement – 73% ROI
  8. Grand entrance – 71% ROI
  9. Wood window replacement – 73% ROI
  10. Composite deck addition – 69% ROI

While these comprise the top ten recoups you’ll get for your investment, there are cheaper options to improve the look, feel, and value of your home to potential buyers.

Cheapest Home Improvements

Improving your home before putting it on the market doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg! These simple improvements will help increase the value of your home.

In the Kitchen

Many prospective buyers love natural light, but if your kitchen doesn’t offer much in terms of windows, draw attention to your lighting fixtures instead! Installing new lighting (such as pendants) is a simple and inexpensive way to brighten a space and make a small room feel larger.

Fixture upgrades are a small way to increase your home’s overall value. Installing new fixtures can make your entire kitchen look newer, and adding features like an on-tap water filter or new garbage disposal will increase the value for prospective buyers who are looking for those features and want to avoid a post-sale renovation.

In the Bathroom

According to Zillow, 26% of sellers make some improvements to their bathrooms before putting their home on the market. Small, cost-effective updates can make your home more appealing to buyers.

  • Water pressure. Good water pressure is a great asset to your bathroom. Make sure the water pressure is at a good level before putting your home on the market.
  • Refresh the decor. Outdated tile floors and stained wallpaper don’t create an inviting atmosphere in your home. New tiles or a splash of color on the walls can give your bathroom a more modern look and feel. According to the 2018 Zillow Paint Color Analysis report, “Homes with light blue or blue-gray bathrooms sell for a $2,786 premium.”
  • Recaulk instead of replacing. Renovations on a budget require creativity. If you’re not in a place where you feel you can replace the bathtub, simply deep clean and recaulk for a fresh look!

Don’t Forget the Small Repairs

Seemingly small plumbing issues can affect your home’s value, so it’s important to make sure everything in your home is in good working order before you put it on the market. Fix any hidden leaks that could lead to pest problems or water damage and schedule a sewer pipe inspection to check out the condition of your home’s plumbing before a buyer asks to do so.

Keep an eye out for these seasonal plumbing issues as you’re readying your home for the market:

Fall and Winter

Colder weather affects more than nature! Freezing temperatures cause the metal of your water heater tank and piping to expand and contract—which can lead to major problems down the line. If you’re planning to put your home on the market in fall or winter, schedule a plumbing inspection and have your plumber your home for leaking water heaters, broken water lines, or roots in your drain lines.

Spring and Summer

April showers bring…flooding in the basement? Melting snow and rain can cause flooding in your basement—have your plumber check the status of your sump pump after winter to prevent this issue.

Summer means backyard BBQs and trips to the beach. While great for making memories, you should be cautious of which food scraps you’re throwing down the drain to avoid clogging or ruining your disposal. Make sure to shake off as much sand as possible when returning from the beach to prevent slow clearing drains blocked by sand and other debris.

Get the most value for your home and sell in record time when you prepare every area of your home for resale. Contact Mallick Plumbing & Heating for any plumbing repairs, inspections, and replacements you may need to get your home on the market! Call our team at (301) 804-6759 to schedule an appointment today.

Items You Should Compost Instead of Putting Down Your Garbage Disposal

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The kitchen garbage disposal is an invaluable piece of equipment in any home kitchen. It makes dinner clean up easier and cleaner with very little effort on your part. Unfortunately, they aren’t miracle machines. There are certain types of foods that can’t go down the garbage disposal without either harming the blades or motor of the garbage disposal or causing clogs further along your pipes.

Luckily, many of these same foodstuffs can be used in an eco-friendly compost pile. We’ll explain what items you may want to consider composting rather than letting them muck up your plumbing!

Banana Peels

Peels in general have a lot of fibrous material, which can get easily caught in the blades of your garbage disposal. It’s going to take a long time for your garbage disposal to cut these up and it will probably end up just getting entangled in the system.

This is where composting comes in. Peels of all sorts have a lot of great nutrients for composting. All of the vitamins and minerals may not be enriching your body but can enrich the soil. At least something will benefit from your leftovers, right? Pro tip: slice up those banana peels before you toss them in the compost pile!

Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds can be a huge waste. Think about it. Every morning you may be making coffee from those grounds and they go directly into the garbage. You should never put these down your garbage disposal because coffee grounds like to clump together when in water. If it doesn’t cause problems for the garbage disposal itself, it will cause clogs further along the system.

Luckily, just filtering water through your coffee grounds doesn’t completely strip them of the enriching vitamins and minerals which compost piles love.

If you need drain cleaning services or garbage disposal repair, just give us a call at (301) 804-6759 or fill out an online contact form to schedule an appointment. Our pros are trained in cleanliness and will exercise the utmost care and caution while assisting you.

Your Guide to Sink Styles

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If you want to remodel your bathroom or add to your home, you have a lot of style decisions to make. How is everything going to fit together? What is going to stick out to guests? How can I make the room function well? One of the most important things you’ll consider is the presence of your bathroom sink! You will have to use that faucet every single day after all! It needs to make sense from a functional and stylistic perspective. We want to walk you through the thought process we recommend and give you some pros and cons so you can decide what sink is best for you!

What are the Choices for a Bathroom Sink?

It may be easiest to focus on the bathroom primarily. Here you have a little bit more wiggle room to go with aesthetics over pure functionality. With your kitchen, you’ll need to weigh what you need out of it for cooking and cleaning purposes and might not want to go with an overly stylized sink. For example, you’ll need a garbage disposal system on your kitchen sink.

Drop-in Sink

These types of sinks are cheap to install and quite common. They are named after the way they are installed. Essentially, you will have an empty space on your countertop where the sink can be placed in. The weight of the sink is help by a lip around the sink that sits on the vanity.

The pros of this are that it’s simple and can be uninstalled fairly easily. On the negative side of things, things can get caught underneath the lip, which may be potentially unsightly.

Undermount

While the drop-in sink rests on top of your vanity, the undermount sink is mounted underneath the countertop. This is not as simple as an installation as a drop-in. You’ll likely need the help of professionals for a well-done installation. It’s important to consider the type of countertop you have. You’ll need a sturdy enough vanity so that it can be screwed-in effectively. This can be considered a con because it can limit your design choices.

Vessel Sink

If you want a minimalistic, sleek, modern design, you will appreciate the vessel sink. The whole basin will sit atop your countertop, so it will really stand out. Feel free to experiment with different materials such as stone or even ceramics. This style can go a long way to making your sink stand out in your bathroom.

Kitchen Options

Here we’ll discuss the more functional side of sinks. Your kitchen needs to be functional or you will never use it. If you’re installing a sink, don’t set yourself back. Go for functionality!

Double Basin

You probably don’t want or need a huge restaurant-style kitchen. You’re going to have to make do with one, maybe two sinks. This means you need to maximize what your sink can do. This is where the double basin sink comes into play. Since there are two bowls in this sink, you can effectively separate dishes to make your dishwashing simple and straightforward.

Workstation

A workstation sink is the best of the best. You’ll find this type of sink in professional kitchens. If cooking is your passion, you may want to consider this choice. It’s going to be big and have everything you need to effectively separate items in your sink while having a great faucet as well. Of course, these cost a bit more because they can be quite intricate. However, maybe it’s the right choice for you!

The plumbing experts at Mallick Plumbing & Heating have you covered for all of your home plumbing needs. If you’re interested in a water softener system, give us a call at (301) 804-6759 or fill out an online contact form!

Why Backflow Prevention is So Important

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What is Backflow?

Backflow is the simple process of unwanted water flowing in the opposite direction than it should. This is a general term that can apply to many situations in plumbing, but your mind is probably zeroing in on the most obvious one of a toilet tank filling with dirty water.

Why is Preventing Backflow So Important?

It probably goes without saying, but we trust our water to be potable, or drinkable. Backflow is one of the most common ways water can become contaminated and not fit for human consumption. This is so important that nearly every building has some sort of plan or mechanism in place to prevent backflow from poisoning the water supply.

What Causes Backflow?

Unlike many plumbing problems, there are only a few limited causes of the problem. One is backpressure. This is when the pressure pushed water back up the system where it shouldn’t be. This can occur from a variety of reasons, from ventilation issues to improper drainage.

The other main cause is back-siphonage. This occurs when pressure is too low on the supply side. In this case, dirty water can be pulled back and cause contamination.

How Can We Prevent Backflow From Happening in the First Place?

The construction of backflow prevention valves and devices is centered around potential risk. We don’t want to waste time protecting an area of your plumbing that has no real risk of causing problems. So first, there is a risk assessment and then proper precautions are installed.

One of the main ones is using an air gap. You may be surprised to learn that air is used throughout your plumbing system for various reasons and backflow prevention is one of them.

The other is a check valve. While an air gap is required during construction, often it is not adequate to prevent backflow. This is especially the case if there are factors that were unaccounted for during construction.

The plumbing experts at Mallick Plumbing & Heating have you covered for all of your home plumbing needs. If you want to prevent backflow from poisoning your water, give us a call at (301) 804-6759 or fill out an online contact form!

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