Plumbing Service

Whether it’s the shower or kitchen sink, low water pressure is a problem that might send you calling for professional plumbing services in Hershey, PA. While there are many factors that could be causing weak flow — such as trouble with your pipes or a break in the line to the municipal water supply — it often means there is a build-up of calcium in the faucet aerator. In this case, simply remove the aerator, clean thoroughly and carefully return it to its proper position.

When you have a garbage disposal installed in your kitchen sink, it’s typically a household tool you come to rely on. If your disposal is locked up, first shut off the flow of electricity at the circuit and then grab the key that comes with the unit. If you don’t have the original key, using an Allen wrench should do the trick. Insert the tool into the opening at the bottom of the disposal, turning slowly side-to-side to free up the gears.

The Most Common Reasons for Needing Clogged Drain Services
Sometimes you realize it’s slowly happening, while other times it’s like it happens all at once. Sooner or later, just about every drain gets clogged. Why? It depends on what goes down the drain, and the physical properties of the plumbing itself.

Kitchen sinks are heavily used in most homes, but they would almost never get clogged if it was only water going down the drain. The reality is, everything from grease and soap to food products, paper and plastic debris also find their way into the pipes. After a while, the result is a messy situation as water is unable to flow and starts to back up.

Bathroom sinks and tubs are just as susceptible to clogging. What’s the major contributor? Hair. No matter the type or length, it tends to cling to the walls of the drain, combining with residue from soap and oils from beauty products to build up quickly. Clogging can become especially persistent in older homes or apartments where pipes may be narrow or take more sharp turns where debris tends to collect.

Clogged Drained Services in Palmyra and Beyond
When you have a clogged drain, sometimes there’s an easy fix such as clearing it out and scrubbing away buildup. It’s also smart to be careful about what goes down your drain and utilize a more effective straining system. However, if you have an issue you’re not able to permanently resolve, it’s time to seek the help of a trusted source.

N.S. Johnson, Inc. is a local contractor providing reliable clogged drain services in Lebanon, Harrisburg, Hershey and beyond. Our experienced professionals will provide a free, no-obligation estimate and schedule an appointment at your convenience. We have decades of combined experience to completely clear your drains of blockages in a way that’s safe for your pipes, your home and your family.

Contact N.S. Johnson, Inc. today for more information or to request emergency clogged drain services in Harrisburg and the surrounding areas.

The flapper is a rubber circle found at the bottom of your toilet tank. It seals off the drain from the toilet tank to the toilet bowl, and it allows the toilet to flush when you press down on the handle. The flapper is connected to the toilet handle with a long chain. When your toilet is running, this chain can sometimes catch on another component inside the toilet tank or under the flapper itself. The only fix that’s required is reaching into the tank to untangle the chain, allowing the flapper to close.

Inside your tank, you’ll usually find a pump on the left and a floating device on the right connected to the pump with a long rod. When you flush the toilet, the water drains and the pump begins working to refill it. As water fills the tank, the float rises along with the surface of the water. It pulls up the rod and eventually shuts off the pump when the water is high enough.

Often, grit and grime interfere and prevent the float from rising high enough to do its job. Alternatively, the rod can become bent or the pump itself can fail. A simple toilet repair involves bending the rod back into place or taking a stiff-bristled brush and cleaning the area where the rod and the pump meet. On the other hand, working with a professional plumber in the Harrisburg area is the best way to correctly fix your pump.

Sediment build-up and worn edges can prevent a flapper from forming a tight seal. Replacing the part is an easy job for any plumber or DIY enthusiast. However, you may need a water filter or other adjustments to prevent flapper failure from repeating itself.

If you hear your toilet running non-stop or you’re worried about a small leak, contact N.S. Johnson, Inc. Our professional, licensed plumbers are experienced with every type of toilet repair in the Harrisburg area, and we can help you put an end to your toilet leaks.

Winter temperatures in Central PA can dip well below freezing, which causes many Harrisburg families to need pipe repair every year. As water hardens into ice, it expands and stresses the seams on your household plumbing. This leads to a variety of problems, from pinhole leaks to completely blown pipes. You can prevent your plumbing from freezing by:

• Keeping the temperature of your home above 55 F
• Insulating pipes in exterior walls, basements, attics and other exposed spaces
• Burying outdoor pipes deep enough to protect them from winter temperatures
• Shutting off your water supply and draining the system if pipes will go unused for extended periods

You may also be able to thaw a frozen pipe before damages occur. If you turn on the tap and only get a trickle of water, call a professional right away. It may be possible to heat the pipe from the exterior or the interior and remove the blockage before it causes serious damage.

Whether you have rust from local water or chemical corrosion from pouring harsh cleaners down the drain, worn areas can create leaks. While you should always have a plumbing inspection performed before buying a new home, our plumbers in Harrisburg can periodically inspect your existing property for corrosion as well.Insurance companies encourage homeowners to have their systems checked at least once a year. This is especially helpful in areas where public water has a lower pH value. However, don’t confuse corrosion with low-quality water. Often the opposite is true. Factors known to speed up corrosion include:

• High oxygen content in local water
• Water with a pH value under 8
• High temperatures

Water pressure will wear away your plumbing seals and pipes over time. Tree pipes can also work their way into pipes that are buried on your property. Whether from corrosion or erosion, we have several methods for fixing worn pipes. Reinforcing seals and applying extra layers of metal to the exterior will temporarily solve the problem, but you may eventually need to replace a section of pipe.

At N.S. Johnson, Inc., we have special methods for dealing with plumbing issues deeply located in exterior walls, underground or in the foundation of your home. However, you may benefit from rerouting your plumbing system to avoid future problems.

Serving Hersey, Harrisburg and the surrounding areas, the team at N.S. Johnson, Inc. works to provide you with the most efficient service available. Our licensed, registered professionals will make sure your home is protected against common problems, especially during the winter. Contact us for a no-obligation estimate for pipe repairs today.

On most sump pumps, a tethered or floating switch determines when the unit turns on. These can easily become stuck or wear out, preventing your sump pump from working when it’s needed the most. You can periodically trigger your switch to make sure it’s still in service.

We strongly recommend having a battery-operated back-up unit for use during times when your power goes out. Keeping water out of your basement during a storm will make a tremendous impact. Storm water can be contaminated with chemicals, refuse, and both human and animal waste. A well-working emergency pump will help protect your home and everyone in it.

Selecting the wrong size of sump pump for your property will have disastrous results. A pump that’s too small won’t be able to keep your basement dry, while a pump that’s too large will burn itself out in record time. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Sump pump installation for your Harrisburg home depends entirely upon your location and the landscaping around your home.

A sump pump moves water away from your foundation, but sometimes the line responsible for moving the water gets clogged. In the Central PA area, we also have an issue with discharge pipes freezing and bursting on occasion. Adjusting the pitch of the pipe is often enough to solve the problem, which is another reason why correct installation is essential to protecting your property.

Sump pumps aren’t the sturdiest machines, and they’re made of many parts that can break. Yearly maintenance is important to make sure your unit is functioning throughout the winter and spring. Running a cycle of vinegar through your system can help remove buildup and shows you whether your unit is functioning. This should be done once a year, and a total sump pump cleaning should be performed once every five years to ensure sludge and grime don’t stop your system from working.

More often than not, a dead disposal is simply without power. Homeowners can easily mistake this situation for a dead unit. Before scheduling garbage disposal repair in Harrisburg, be sure to check three areas: the unit plug-in, the breaker for the outlet where it’s connected, and the reset button on the base of the unit under your kitchen sink.

This is the classic sign of a stuck flywheel. These blades quickly chop up small bits of food, making them easy to flush through your drain system. These can also get stuck on dried gunk. Often, just running water for 15 – 30 seconds while switching your unit off and on will solve the problem. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to cut the power. Insert a small Allen wrench into the bottom of the unit, and try to twist the blade free.

Unfortunately, a garbage disposal is only intended to handle small bits of solid food. It’s not a blender, and trying to dispose of whole, uncooked carrots or stringy celery can create a serious problem. You may be able to use a long set of tongs to remove the blockage, but stay away from the blades. Instead, cut the power and consider hiring a plumber to clear the trap or take the disposal apart.

Poor quality garbage disposals may develop leaks in their construction or at the point where they join with the sink. A professional is usually the most qualified to make these repairs. If the water is coming from the disposal’s connection to the drain line, however, you may be able to replace the gasket on your own.

Non-food stuck in a disposal makes quite a racket, but there are other reasons your unit might be making noise. First, check the mounting screws underneath the sink, as they can become loose over time. If that isn’t the problem, it’s best to call a plumber. A flywheel might be broken or the motor could be going out. In either case, replacement is your best option.

N.S. Johnson, Inc. is your source for plumbing help in and around Harrisburg. We offer quick service, even during emergency hours. You can also get a no-obligation, free estimates before we get started on any repairs. The next time you need garbage disposal service, replacement or repair, contact the professionals at N.S. Johnson, Inc.

Rubber washers can shift and break down after extended use. In fact, a bad washer is the leading cause of leaky faucets. Thankfully, they’re relatively simple to switch out. Many homeowners can manage this task on their own, and professional plumbers complete this work in record time. O-rings face similar problems, but they don’t require maintenance nearly as often. If you wait to make these types of repairs, you’re more likely to lose money and aggravate the leak in the process. However, if you wait too long, you’ll have a constantly running sink to contend with.

Certain causes of dripping faucets are quick fixes. Simply take a small screwdriver and tighten the bolts in your faucet construction. Sometimes, especially when your faucet has seen a lot of use, the screws or bolts need to be replaced to stay tight.

Most of the sediment found in your water supply is filtered out by the water heater, but homes with low-quality water may also need a whole-home filter. When ignored, sediment builds up in all of the nooks and crannies of your plumbing, including faucet spouts. This build-up can eventually lead to corrosion. Protect your hardware by installing a water filter or by speaking with a plumber on how to keep your faucets clean. Leaky faucets plague all homeowners at one time or another. If you don’t have the time or the tools to correctly repair your faucet, one of the licensed, registered plumbers at N.S. Johnson, Inc. can help you fix your dripping sink or tub. Contact us today for a free estimate on sink repairs and faucet repairs in the Harrisburg area.