Wayne NJ Plumbing Experts Give Advice On Fall Sewer Cleaning

For the homeowners of New Jersey, the autumn weather brings with it beautiful foliage. Unfortunately, as the foliage season wanes, leaves start to accumulate throughout yards, streets, and even within the sewer system. It is more important than ever that the sewer system is cleaned properly.

Summer has now come and gone, and the fall has made an appearance on the East Coast. A main attraction in the Autumn is the beautiful foliage that erupts in the trees. Inevitably, however, the colorful leaves will wither and die thus falling to the ground. This will cause many homeowners to break out the rakes and lawn bags.

While raking your yard is aesthetically pleasing, it also has other important functions; such as keeping the fallen leaves and debris away from your sewer. Dead leaves can clog your sewer potentially causing costly and messy repairs. Sewer cleaning during the fall can prevent this from happening, and contacting us can help you with that!

A Glance At A Sewer System

The sewer system is an essential part of any home’s construction. Without it, residents would not be able to enjoy the modern lifestyle they have become accustomed to. The sewer system is a set of pipes that are fueled by gravity.

When a toilet is flushed, or a tub is drained, the wastewater flows into a set of pipes that generally runs downhill. These pipes meet up with a larger sewer pipe called the main sewer line. The main sewer line runs away from the home (usually runs down the street).

As the wastewater travels, the pipes increase in size to accommodate the amount of wastewater being collected from the various buildings until it reaches a treatment plant. Another equally important component of the sewer system is the vent pipes. These pipes are connected to the wastewater sewer pipes and extend vertically through the home. Vent pipes are important for three reasons:

1. Vent pipes help maintain a stable air pressure so gravity can do its job correctly.
2. They also allow oxygen to have access to the interior of the sewer pipes which helps the breakdown of bacteria.
3. Most importantly, vent pipes release the harmful gases emitted from the wastewater to the outside versus inside the home.

The three functions above are why removing fallen leaves is so important. The gutters we see at the side of the road work as the main sewer lines ventilation system. When they become clogged with leaves and other debris, it can cause a backup into your home. This is why Sewer cleaning is essential in the fall.

The Seriousness Of A Main Drain Line Obstruction

When a home has a surface level clog, it will be isolated to the one area in particular. For example, if you have a clog in your toilet, plunging the issue should take care of it, or at the very least relieve some of the pressure.

You will notice, however, that the issue will be contained to the one toilet. When you have a main drain line clog, all of the draining systems in the home can be affected. A few things to look for are backed up drains throughout the house, water or sewage coming back into the house, and an unpleasant sewage odor coming from the drains and toilets.

All of these symptoms can indicate it’s time to have your main sewer line inspected and cleaned. It is also important to note that leaves and debris are not the only reason your main sewer line can become clogged. Tree roots, broken, sagging, and leaking sewer pipes, and inappropriate items being flushed down the toilet can all contribute to a clogged main drain.

The Effects Of Sewage In The Home

The worst possible side effect of not having your sewer cleaned is the back up of sewage in the home. Not only is this extremely unhealthy, but it can be very costly to repair and clean. Raw sewage contains many harmful bacteria that cause illness and in some cases death.

Bacteria and viruses are easily spread through sewage, and it can even affect your pets. Other harmful contaminants such as fungi, harmful gases, pesticides, and protozoan are found in sewage.

Being exposed to these for even a short amount of time can be detrimental to your health. It is especially concerning for elderly individuals, small children, and animals. There is also the added concern of cleaning the sewage after the spill.

This can be very costly to the homeowner and has potential risks itself as sewage backups can even cause a fire. To avoid this altogether, it is recommended that your sewer be cleaned annually. The fall is the best time for this as it will eliminate any added risk of clogs due to fallen leaves.

PHD Mechanical Inc Plumbing & Heating

PHD Mechanical Inc is Northern New Jersey's most trusted plumber. Offering personalized solutions since 1990, sewer cleaning is handled professionally and accurately. A leading expert in the plumbing and heating industry, PHD Mechanical Inc is available for emergency situations and regular maintenance.

How To Choose Between Copper and Plastic Piping Systems?

If we had a dollar for every time this question was asked us here in Wayne, we’d all be rich! However, as much as we would love to provide a quick and concise answer to that question, you may leave this article with other questions of your own.

However you will have more complete knowledge of how both copper and plastic pipes work, including the advantages and disadvantages of both, will only help you more accurately decide which piping system is right for your home. That’s what we hope to teach you today.

Let’s Talk Pros of Copper Pipes

There are many pros associated with having copper pipes in your home. Copper is an extremely durable metal that also simultaneously creates what is known as a biostatic atmosphere, which means that bacteria find it very difficult to thrive.

Copper is also resistant to corrosion, as well as being safe to use outdoors (as it is resistant to ultraviolet rays). Another pro of using copper piping is that it is a nonpermeable material, so outside contaminants are unable to permeate through the walls and affect your water supply.

It is also a long-lasting material, so it is great for the environment as well as being a resource that is available in abundance in New Jersey. One additional pro of copper piping systems is that they do add increased value to a home, as they are the more “traditional” option (especially in older homes).

So What About Plastic Pipes?

Plastic pipes are fairly new on the market. Most plastic pipes are actually made out of a material called cross-linked polyethylene (or PEX). PEX is incredibly flexible and is also resistant to colder temperatures.

The flexibility of a PEX piping system allows for it to fit into unusually sized and shaped areas, which gives it a distinct advantage over a copper piping system. Plastic pipes also have fewer joints, which can make installation much easier.

These types of piping systems are also considered recyclable, which makes them environmentally friendly as well. They are also cost-efficient, which can be a big issue for anyone considering repiping their home.

What is The Easiest Way to Repipe My Home?

If you’re at a place where you either need to or are just considering repiping your home, you’re probably asking yourself which type of piping system would be the easiest to install. We’re here to help! In almost all cases, repiping with PEX piping system is going to be far easier in both install and upkeep.

Traditional copper pipes do last a long time, but when it comes to repiping, PEX takes the obvious advantage. So give PHD Mechanical Inc a call at (973) 492-5931 if you’re considering repiping your home or are just looking for advice on your current piping system.

We can help walk you through your options and give guidance on what will be best for your specific situation. We’re local to Wayne, and have plenty of experience in piping systems in New Jersey.

Plumbing Dad: To DIY or Not to DIY

Father’s Day is a good time to reflect on why we love our dads and appreciate all that they do for us to keep us happy and safe. Your first driving lesson, was it dad in the passenger seat keeping you calm and focused?

Or, perhaps dad was there to chase the monsters away each night? While our dads can be amazing and fill our lives with joy and wonder, they weren’t always perfect. Any botched DIY jobs come to mind?

We know there’s plenty of fix-it jobs that dad pulled off beautifully, but sometimes things are best left to the experts, like plumbing adjustments. Let’s take a look at some DIY jobs that well-intentioned fathers should stay away from.

Let the Experts Handle the New Toilet Installation

With any new toilet installation, new pieces of your existing plumbing will need to be switched out and replaced.

The necessary new plumbing for your toilet could mean a new water line, potentially a new drain or lateral connections, new water intakes, pipe rearrangement, among other things.

Why can these things present a problem? Let’s count the ways:

• Flooding
• Water main breaks
• Incorrect or unnecessary pipe placement
• Sewer Damage
• Broken new toilet
• Pipes rearranged incorrectly and leading into the wrong spot or wrong pipe

So, next time dad’s itching for a new project, tell him to leave the toilet installation to the professionals!

Leave the Duct Tape Out of the Water Leak Repair

Duct tape fixes a lot of problems, but tell dad to put his trusty roll down when it comes to repairing a leaky pipe. Water leak repairs should be taken seriously and acted on quickly because they can cause a slew of problems when they aren’t dealt with properly. Let’s look at some potential issues:

• A leaky pipe that isn’t repaired quickly or correctly can lead to increased water bills. While a leak may be small, if it’s continuously dripping, that will add up over time. No one wants a huge water bill at the end of the month!
• Mold can be a serious problem if water is leaking into where it shouldn’t be. The presence of mold can cause serious health problems to those in your home, so it’s important that leaks are addressed correctly to ensure water stays flowing where it should.
• Depending on where and how large it is, a leak can cause some serious property damage. You can see things from crumbling foundations to damaged or destroyed drywall all from the likes of a tiny leak.

If you’re hearing that drip, drip, drip, be sure to promptly call the experts in to repair it!

Please Don’t Snake the Drain Yourself

When you have a clogged toilet or pipe, it can be tempting to just snake the drain yourself; but, this can be an expensive mistake. Here’s why:

• Injury, yes injury, can happen with incorrect usage of a snake - especially a motorized one!
• If you don’t know what you’re doing, you can actually damage the porcelain of your sink or toilet. Not only can the damage look bad, but it can actually shorten the lifespan of the toilet or sink and cause the porcelain to deteriorate faster.
• Pipe damage is common with incorrect snake usage, especially on older galvanized pipe systems. With damage can come rust and a weakened pipe system which can lead to a failure of your home’s plumbing system.

Just tell dad to remember, the next time you need drain cleaning, avoid costly mistakes or injuries and just call in the pros!

Look, we’re not saying dear ole’ dad shouldn’t DIY to his heart’s content; remember when you’d find him every Saturday doing everything around the house from plunging the faulty toilet to fixing your broken bike for the millionth time?

Seriously, what would we do without our amazing dads? Just, next time the toilet explodes or the drain won’t unclog, remind your dad that it’s times like these that call for a little extra help.

Anyone out there that likes a cold bath? Or an icy shower? Not many of us do, especially in the colder months of the year. In fact, most of us don’t even want to go a day without warm water.

Water heaters might be one of the most underappreciated conveniences in our home - we don’t think about them much at all but we certainly depend on them every day.

Your Water Heater and Bathroom Plumbing

It’s really difficult to take a good shower or bath without warm water. It’s almost impossible to endure the iciness long enough to feel like you’re getting clean.

Plus, most of us have come to depend on warm water when we wash our face and enjoy the benefits that warm water has for our skin and pores.

Your water heater is what makes this essential cleaning and self-care possible. For those with standard, tank heaters, the water heater stores a supply of hot water that is ready and waiting for use in your faucets and throughout your house.

If you have a tankless water heater, you essentially have hot water “on demand” as the tank just warms the water when you need it. So, the next time you enjoy the benefits of hot water without thinking much about it, try to remember to say a little thank you to your dependable water heater.

Mobile Homes and Water Heaters

No matter how big or small your home, there’s no reason you can’t have access to reliable sources of hot water. This is true even for mobile homes. You can install a water heater in a mobile home, you’ll just want to keep a few things in mind:

• Mobile home water heaters must be HUD-approved
• Generally, these are smaller water heaters so that they will fit in your mobile home
• If you have a gas water heater it needs to be sealed combustion; you’ll also generally have the option of connecting natural gas or propane
• Your cold water inlets will be on the side (instead of the top)
• It’s important to ensure that your water heater is properly ventilated
• You must adequately secure it so that it doesn’t move

Despite a few differences, mobile home water heaters function just as other water heaters do and provide an effective and reliable source of hot water.

Home Depot Water Heaters and NO Self-Installation

If you need a water heater for your home, whether it be a traditional home or a mobile home, we don’t recommend purchasing one at the Home Depot and then installing it yourself.

To be clear, we don’t have anything against the Home Depot - in fact, we shop there some too. Rather, our concern is about the self-installation.

We highly recommend that you have a professional install your hot water heater. Doing so will ensure that it’s installed correctly, that it is safe and that you receive regular tune-ups as needed. Given the amount that you depend on your hot water heater, this is one job that is best left to professionals.

After all, pretty much everyone has a funny story about a time that they ran out of water. Share some of those with us so we can all enjoy a good laugh, and, if it happens again, call PHD Mechanical Inc immediately!

The Queen of Water Softeners?

Under Pressure? We Will Rock You? We Are the Champions? If you don’t know the band or music we’re referencing, you may have been living musically deprived because Queen is one of the top bands in the world.

However, this time of year, the song that comes to mind most is Another One Bites the Dust. That’s because Spring has officially sprung and while that is generally a good thing, it certainly means a lot of dust is in the air.

That dust, among other things, can settle into your water supply exacerbating a hard water problem. Rather than biting the dust, you could wind up drinking it if you don’t address this issue. There is a way to address the problem and that is a water softener.

Hard Water Will Rock You

Yes, we’re keeping up with the Queen puns. Hard water isn’t exactly rock but it is full of minerals, which is close enough for the point of the joke. Specifically, hard water is primarily made up of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water supply.

During Spring, in particular, you can also find environmental dust settling into the water supply, adding to the hard water problems. Hard water can cause several problems, both in your home and for you personally.

The minerals in the water can exacerbate several skin and hair conditions like eczema or dandruff, adding to the discomfort. The minerals can impact things like laundry, wearing through clothes faster, and cleaning, leaving hard water spots on your dishes or countertops. So don't doubt us when we say water filtration systems really are needed!

Water Softeners Can Avoid Keeping Your Pipes Under Pressure

There are easy solutions to address this hard water problem. The solution is a water softener system, which you can install for your house. Simply put, a water softener removes the dissolved amounts of calcium and magnesium in the water. This is done using a resin bed that the hard water passes through.

Acting as a filter, an ion exchange happens which leaves the now soft water free of minerals. The system does need occasional maintenance but that is generally just recharging the resin bed. Normally done with salt, this is a simple process that allows your water softener system operating like brand new again.

Water Softener Costs Are The Champions of Saving Money

Certainly, the set up of a water softener system has an associated upfront cost but, in the long run, it has the potential to save you a ton of money.

Systems and setups are totally varied, including options for manual or automated resin bed regeneration, and they can be based on the severity of the hard water problem.

However, hard water can eventually cause buildups in your pipes, leading to costly repair bills and your system running less efficiently. Setting up the water softening system now can save you the nasty surprise of a big and unexpected repair bill.

It may sound like a crazy little thing but you will certainly love your water softening system. Ok, the Queen puns have probably been exhausted for now. Seriously, if you feel the need to address a hard water problem, a call to PhD Mechanical, Inc. is a fantastic first step. Simply call (973) 492-5931 and an expert will be happy to help.

It’s unlikely that you’ve ever turned on your faucet and brown sludge poured out. However, that doesn’t mean your potable water hasn’t ever been contaminated!

There are many times that you could have chosen to not drink out of the faucet or avoided illness due to your immune system, but some people aren’t so lucky.

Backflow preventers, when they are the best plumbing tools, will help keep old wastewater from flowing back into your home. It is an important subject to know and think about before it ever comes up. We are going to talk to you about backflow and its prevention! Keep reading for more information!

Backflow Explained

It isn’t uncommon for our customers not to know what backflow is, how it is caused, or how we can stop it. In order to understand the importance of it, you must first understand what it is.

Backflow is the undesirable reversal of wastewater contamination from floods, sewers, and even fire suppression systems.

It all can be blamed on the differences in air pressure between two plumbing fixtures. The problem of backflow occurs when there is a drop in pressure in one tank, which allows liquids to flow back into the potable water pipes.

Air Gaps & Backflow Prevention

Air gaps as backflow prevention are a simple, effective, non-mechanical way to prevent backflow.

This typically involves readily available materials being fashioned to meet the fixture’s needs and allow for a literal gap of air between the potable water and wastewater.

Although a kitchen sink isn’t the perfect example, it can work to help you visualize this process. When you turn your kitchen sink on, the water flows from the faucet to the drain.

If the drain gets clogged up, the sink will fill with water and eventually overflow. It is important that non-potable and potable water never come into contact with each other due to contamination issues. Because the backed up water in the sink can’t defy gravity and flow upward, the wastewater will never mix with the potable water.

Pressure Vacuum Breakers

Typically pressure vacuum breakers are a backflow preventer that is part of your irrigation system. Similarly to air gaps, their main purpose is to keep contaminated water from reaching potable water through your outside water lines.

There are two main parts that make up a pressure vacuum breaker: the vented chamber and the valve. This type of backflow preventer is typically installed at the highest point in your yard near the water source.

The valve keeps the air inlet closed when there are normal conditions but when the air pressure becomes greater than the water pressure, the chamber opens, closing the valve to prevent backflow.

Which Backflow Preventer Should You Choose?

There are a number of backflow preventers on the market and these are only two of them, they can keep you all year with clean water.

The important thing to remember is that they all serve the same purpose but do it in different ways. This means that some backflow preventers will cost more while others cost less, and some are considered to be more or less reliable.

The easiest way to decide on a backflow preventer is to discuss your options with a plumber who certifies and tests these devices.

Making The Right Call

We recommend you consult with a plumber before you choose and install a backflow preventer. We also recommend you take the time to get to know the company that you will be working with to ensure that they are honest, well-trained, and highly-skilled.

If you’re not sure what company that is, consider calling PHD Mechanical Inc! When you’re ready to ensure backflow never flows through your faucets, call PHD Mechanical Inc. We will take care of all your plumbing and backflow needs!

When shopping, most people look for the best deals possible and find sales for the cheapest price. Others might consider extremely high prices the mark of ‘true’ craftsmanship. Unfortunately, one situation can mean shoddy work while the other can mean you’re dealing with a dishonest retailer. This theory is the same for plumbing companies.

If a plumber is offering what seems to be the ‘deal of a lifetime,’ there is very little chance that he will do excellent work. If a plumbing company seems extremely high-priced, they may be selling something you don’t need to just a complete scam artist. At PHD Mechanical Inc., we strive to provide excellent services at fair prices!

Leaky Pipe Repair

Anytime there is a leaky pipe in your home, it is essential to have it repaired quickly. Leaky pipes are not expensive to repair, especially when you add the cost of fixing drywall, and then labor.

The sooner you call a plumber to repair a leaking pipe, the less time will be spent fixing it and the less damage is done. This fact alone can save you a decent amount of money.

Another reason to consider calling a plumber ASAP is that mold and mildew will begin to grow. Not only is the mold remediation process expensive, breathing in mold can be harmful. Calling PHD Mechanical Inc first can help you avoid the need for mold specialists entirely!

Relief From Clogged Drains

Clogged drains just seem to sneak up on people. You may notice that water is draining slower, or maybe less water pressure and overflowing toilets.

Typically, these are signs that get people to realize there’s an issue. However, if nothing is done and a clog becomes severe, it can potentially crack a pipe! It may be tempting to get rid of the clog yourself with either a drain snake or drain cleaners--don’t!

Drain snakes are great when used by professionals but can do damage to your pipes otherwise. As far as chemical cleaners go, these products are dangerous to your pipes, the environment, and your health--steer clear! When you call a plumbing company, chances are they will recommend a drain snaking service (done professionally, of course).

This service is effective at removing clogs near the surface of the drain. If the clog is stubborn or out of reach, hydro jetting may be recommended. Hydro jetting is simply using water at high pressures to blast away any clogs. This service varies in price based on the severity of the clog as well as the type of drain.

Don’t Ignore Dripping Noises

If you are constantly hearing your faucet drip, you might find it annoying but not be too concerned about the issue. There are three main problems that a leaky faucet can cause and the first is raising your water bill.

For a slow leak, you might only see a $20 per year increase, but for a faucet with a faster drip, the bill can jump by more than $200. Next is the issue of mold and mildew.

Depending on the drip and where it is coming from, this could be a breeding ground for mold or mildew meaning extra cleaning work. Just because you don’t see the mold or mildew, doesn’t mean it isn’t there--if it’s hidden, it may become a costly problem as mentioned above. Finally, faucets are water-friendly, but they aren’t made to be wet constantly.

A drip left unfixed will probably cause you to replace the faucet prematurely. To avoid all of these problems, you can easily call us, PHD Mechanical Inc.

It’s the middle of the night. You’re sound asleep and all of a sudden you hear a loud BANG coming from inside the walls. CLANG. There it is again. Visions of men in hockey masks fill your head.

Before you go patrolling through your house with a flashlight and a whiffle ball bat, remember -- what you’re hearing is probably just your plumbing system.

It might be time to schedule a plumbing inspection to put an end to these dramatic, horror-filled and sleepless nights.

Water Lines Whistle When in Use

Once again, your house is beginning to sound like something from a Vincent Price movie. Whenever you run the tap or flush the toilet, there’s a high-pitched whistling sound, almost like a screech.

Of course, there could be a monster lurking in the pipes, or, more likely, you may have the water pressure turned up too high. Another possibility is that there is a blockage of some sort that needs to be flushed out.

If you call a licensed plumbing professional to perform a plumbing inspection, they may flush out the pipe using water, air or another method. It is helpful to note the age of the house, when you first noticed the whistling sound, whether the whistling occurs when only the hot water is on, only the cold or both, whether your home uses a water pressure tank and so forth.

Hot Water Causes Knocking or Banging

Waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of banging, clanging pipes is not the best way to start your day; it’s like waking up in an Edgar Allen Poe poem.

Even if you logically understand that what you’re hearing is simply the heat running through your pipes, it’ll get your heart rate up.

The sound of a banging pipe in the middle of the night will wake even the heaviest sleeper. As you know, sleep is of the utmost importance in terms of your overall health, happiness, and well-being, not to mention your productivity at work.

It is not unusual for heating pipes to make banging, clanging and knocking sounds, particularly in older homes. The banging sound that you hear could be a number of things. For example, you might be hearing the sudden closing of a heat valve.

So, while banging sounds may not indicate that something is wrong per se, that does not mean that the problem cannot be eliminated. Call for a plumbing inspection so that a licensed professional can inspect your heating system and devise a solution so that you can sleep soundly at night.

Your Kitchen Sink Gurgles as it Drains

When you run the water, does it gurgle as it drains? Typically, gurgling drains are caused by debris or obstructions in the venting system. Air is being forced through water in the drain trap, resulting in the gurgling sound.

Sometimes, trapped air will rise to the surface then the rest of the home is quiet, delivering yet another Edgar Allen Poe moment.

If you’re dealing with gurgling drains, it’s the right time to schedule a plumbing inspection, so that a licensed professional can figure out what is obstructing the drain.

No matter what mysterious noises you’re hearing, it is of the utmost importance that you keep the plumbing at your home in good working order. Call the pros over at P.H.D. Mechanical today for all your plumbing issues or to schedule a plumbing inspection.

Something we use on a daily basis but don't necessarily pay attention to is the plumbing system in our homes. We rely on this network of water pipes and sewer lines regularly as we go through our day-to-day activities. It delivers cold and hot water, along with eliminating waste, which is a key part of our lives.

Taking care of your home's plumbing system can prolong its life and prevent disasters which come with costly repairs. If you want to avoid calling a plumber, here are a few easy steps you can take toward maintaining your plumbing system.

Keep Drains Clean

Clogs are amongst the most troublesome home plumbing problems. If enough debris gets flushed down, it can accumulate in your drains and form blockages.

This can lead to water leaks and even burst pipes, which can cause water damage and leave you with an expensive repair bill.

Be sure to use a sink strainer in your kitchen sink to prevent food particles from entering the system, and never flush cooking grease or oil down. These substances are liquid when hot but can turn solid when cold.

Balance Water Pressure

High water pressure feels nice when you're under a shower and can help when washing dishes, but it puts stress on your plumbing system and increases the chance of a burst or leak.

Pipe joints and fixtures are forced to work harder, which makes them more vulnerable to damage. If your water pressure is above 85 psi, consider hiring a plumber to find a solution.

One thing to remember is low-flow components don't affect the pressure within the pipes, only the amount of water dispensed.

Use Hair Blockers

Perhaps the worst culprit of clogs in our homes is the hair we shave or shed in the bathroom. Simply by the action of applying shampoo in the shower, follicles tend to fall and get washed down the drain.

If you shave in the shower or above the sink, all of that hair likely goes down the drain as well. Keep them clean by purchasing hair blockers or screens.

They will catch large hairs before they can be flushed down. Be sure to clean them regularly so they can remain effective.

Follow Local Regulations

Every city and town has laws regulating every plumbing component in your home.

These are designed to meet your needs and maintain your plumbing system.

Check with Wayne, NJ services to see how they may affect you.

Conducting a plumbing project for your home can be an exciting prospect. It's an opportunity to improve your quality of life and feel a sense of accomplishment when the job is done. Something homeowners may not realize, however, is the number of things that require a plumbing permit. Many plumbing tasks that seem small time may involve getting through some red tape first.

It's okay; we're here to help explain the importance of plumbing permits and why cities require them in the first place. Here are some expert tips for getting a plumbing permit in your city.

How Can a Permit Protect Me?

It might seem like a hassle, but one of the primary functions of plumbing permits is to protect homeowners who embark on these jobs.

Permits will earn you the help and goodwill of reviewers and inspectors who may need to approve different stages of the project to ensure you're complying with local plumbing codes and zoning laws.

On top of that, a plumbing permit may be required to as proof of compliance with sanitary and safety concerns, which covers potential problems with property lines and adjacent buildings.

If you're caught working without the proper permits, you may be penalized with a fine and run into trouble if you try to sell your home. Also, without city approval, you miss out on the assurance that your project meets code, a minimum safety requirement.

When Is a Permit Needed?

This depends mostly in the size of the project, but there are some exceptions. If you're doing something simple such as replacing a toilet, no permit is needed.

On the other hand, if you plan to make changes to the plumbing itself, you will likely need permission. Projects that commonly require a permit include repiping, drain line replacements, sewer line replacements, water heater installations and anything to do with relocating plumbing.

Another important thing to remember is permit requirements may be different in each municipality. Some places may need permits for you to perform certain tasks while others don't. Be sure to check with Wayne, NJ offices before proceeding.

How Much Does a Permit Cost?

Cost of acquiring permits may depend on the city, nature of the project and type of building you're working on. Local governments commonly charge between tens and hundreds of dollars.

Some may change the amount depending on how many fixtures you plan to install while others offer bundles and charge extra for items beyond the threshold. Others might even ask for an application fee.

If you feel lost or need a hand, you can always check with a Wayne plumber to assist you.