Everyone uses plumbing. Whether you’re a resident in an apartment complex, a taxpayer with a family to support, or a restaurant owner trying to keep things running, plumbing runs under all your activities and ensures your space is clear of refuse.

Unfortunately, not everyone manages their plumbing efficiently. While pipes and bends take a long time to degrade, they can very easily get clogged up or jammed due to high volumes of matter passing through. This kind of incident is costly and inconvenient, and often requires a plumber. But there are ways to prevent this sort of incident from occurring. When it comes to the maintenance in your building, preparation is always key.

The best way to prevent your plumbing system from backing up is hydro jetting. Hydro jetting is a maintenance procedure that involves high volumes of water being compressed into a stream and directed into your plumbing. Properly performed, this trick can clean out your hardware and make sure it’s safe for future use.

Hydro jetting doesn’t need to happen frequently. Depending on how much you use your plumbing, it may be needed one to three times a year. Restaurant owners or apartment dwellers should consider more frequent treatment, while private homes only occasionally require such maintenance. Compared to the costly disaster of a gummed-up pipe, hydro jetting is a quick and painless preventative measure.

The speed at which hydro jetting occurs is enough to clear out any gunk, with pressures of up to 3,500 pounds of force per square inch ensuring you don’t have to worry about a single spot afterward. This application of pressure can even clean out already jammed pipes and sewer systems, so even if it’s too late to prevent the incident, hydro jetting can get it over with swiftly and at a comparatively cheap price.

Why wait until the pipes are clogged before cleaning? Everything runs much more efficiently if care is taken in advance to maintain a system or network, and plumbing is no different. Simply request this service and your clogging concerns will be entirely taken care of.

Tags: Annapolis, Hydro jetting, Plumber, Plumber Maryland, plumbing maintence, Residential Plumber

Water heaters are some of the most neglected machines in the house. Even though they are supposed to have regular maintenance, many people ignore them until they break down. In the meantime, rust and other minerals accumulate in the water heater’s tank. These minerals then get into the pipes every time the hot water is used. They can discolor the water, make it smell bad, ruin its taste and cause it to stain fixtures.

Another component that needs regular attention is the pressure relief valve. This valve prevents the water heater from accumulating too much pressure. An overabundance of pressure can cause the tank to crack or even explode. Since the tank holds many gallons of water, such events can cause a disastrous mess.

Keeping the inside of the tank free of mineral buildup requires regular flushing. Flushing the hot water heater is simple in theory, but can be a big mess if you’re not prepared. At a minimum, all you need to do is turn off the water intake, open the drain cock and let the water flow out. If you have an electric water heater, you’ll need to turn off the element beforehand. Then, when the water runs clear, you close the drain and allow the tank to refill with water.

The messy aspect results from the fact that you’re releasing many gallons of water. This can be controlled by attaching a hose to the drain cock to direct the water to a more convenient location than the floor. You will also have to check the condition of the exiting water every so often, so you know when to stop draining. If it takes more than one tank of water to clear the sediment, you’ll need to repeat this process a few times.

If all of this sounds like a huge hassle, there is one way to get it done very easily: Hire a professional. You’ll get your water heater flushed, its pressure relief valve checked and all other aspects of the heater examined during the same visit. After the maintenance is complete, you’ll enjoy increased water heating efficiency and improved water quality. Once you use a professional service, you’ll never want to mess with hoses and buckets again.

Tags: Annapolis, Plumber, Plumber Maryland, Residential Plumber, Water Heater

Plumbing problems in restaurants are more than mere nuisances. They can render equipment ineffective, increase operating costs and create health code violations. Even minor leaks or slow drains can become major issues. In a fast-paced kitchen, any problem can quickly escalate. When restaurants have a plumbing issue, they should call a reliable restaurant plumber. There are several characteristics good restaurant plumbers have.

A reliable plumber will be able to respond quickly. Many times, individuals can wait a while before they receive service. This is acceptable for residential plumbing, but not for commercial business. Not only do small problems quickly escalated in a restaurant’s kitchen, but any lost time is lost money. Kitchens must run as efficiently as possible, in order to turn the maximum profit. When there is a leak, slow drain or any other issue, it must be repaired immediately.

Of course, dependability is as important as response time. It does not matter if a plumber promises to arrive within an hour. The plumber must actually come on time. Restaurants cannot afford to pay staff to wait for a serviceman to arrive. There is a trend among residential plumbers to guarantee an on-time arrival. If the plumber is late, the company will typically either provide the service free of charge or write a check to the customer. Just as residential plumbers are willing to back up their on-time claims, commercial plumbers should also guarantee an on-time arrival.

Many restaurants are either open early, for breakfast, or late, for night owls. Most restaurant business comes outside of standard business hours, and restaurant plumbers understand this. A good plumber will be willing to come day or night and offer service any day of the week.

A restaurant plumber will also be able to handle any type of plumbing problem. Whether the bathroom sink is leaking or the grease trap is backing up, a kitchen manager should know one plumber who is reliable and capable. Restaurant plumbers can repair leaks, unclog drains and fix sewers. They also can replace water heaters. Seasonal establishments should use a plumber who can also winterize their equipment.

All restaurant managers should know who they will call when a plumbing issue arrives. By selecting a plumber prior to an emergency, managers can find the best plumber in their area. When comparing plumbers, the response time, dependability, flexibility and competence of the plumbers should be considered.

Tags: Annapolis, Guardian Plumbing Services protection plan, Maryland, Plumber, Plumber Annapolis, Plumber Maryland, plumbing maintence, Residential Plumber

There are some benefits to hiring a commercial plumber beyond just keeping yourself out of hot water as well, of course. A commercial plumber is used to working at a higher level of professionalism. Not to knock those who specialize in house calls or construction, just that, because commercial plumbers are used to working in high-foot traffic environments and according to business hours, they’re used to having to do their work as quickly as possible and as professionally as possible. Still, the bottom line is that you need to hire someone who knows the law and can bring you up to code, or you’re risking your own license.

What it really comes down to is code. Code and regulations. As you know, running a business means that you have to bring everything up to code, and cutting corners only costs you in the long run. Bottom line: there’s no getting around the law.

If you’re running a commercial building, it’s very important that the plumber you hire is a qualified commercial plumber. In other words, the plumber you call to fix your toilet at home might not necessarily be qualified for commercial jobs. The plumber you worked with back when you did construction might not be qualified. You need to find someone who is specifically qualified to deal with commercial plumbing jobs.

So in essence, the basic fact, the reason that you absolutely need to find someone who is qualified and licensed as a commercial plumber, is that the law demands it. The law absolutely requires that a commercial building have facilities that are up to code. Yes, the nuts and bolts are all the same. A plumber who can repair a toilet at your house can probably install one in your office, but the fact is that they need to know what a commercial bathroom needs, they need to know the code, the regulations, or else you’re just going to wind up getting hit with fees and fines in the long run.

Tags: Annapolis, Commercial Plumber, Davidsonville, Maryland, Plumber Annapolis, Plumber Maryland, Residential Plumber, Sump Pump Maintenance

Most water heaters are not maintenance free and most people don’t maintain them. This can shorten the life of the water heater and can cause dirty water to come out of your fixtures. Sediment can build up in the bottom of the water heater over time and can give the water an off color, bad odor and bad taste.

Water heaters should be flushed annually and your pressure relief valve should be checked to make sure it is functioning properly. If there is a buildup of pressure in the tank and the relief valve fails, it could cause a serious problem including flooding and in extreme cases the water heater can explode.

Guardian Plumbing Services, Inc. can repair Tankless, electric, or gas water heaters. Water heater repair is not a job anyone can do. It should only be done by a certified, licensed, and insured plumbing contractor. Our plumbers have the experience to diagnose, repair, and replace water heaters of any make and model.

Set up an appointment today and let us take care of your water heater or ask us about our annual maintenance agreement which includes maintaining your water heater.

Tags: Annapolis, Davidsonville, Maryland, Plumber, Plumber Annapolis, Plumber Maryland, plumbing maintence, Residential Plumber, Water Heater

Guardian Plumbing urges their customers and even their non-customers to prepare their pipes for winter. Though the company does like the business, it’s heartbreaking to see a homeowner disconcerted over burst pipes. More, they can be expensive to fix.

The problem is simple. Water expands as it freezes and this can cause pipes to crack. Exterior pipes or pipes in unheated places like basements, attics and garages tend to crack first. Metal pipes a well as PVC pipes can crack or burst. Pipes are kept under pressure to keep water flowing back and forth and after a while they can develop tiny holes and cracks anyway. Freezing may just be the last straw for a pipe that’s already weakened.

What a homeowner should do is insulate their vulnerable pipes in any place where they would be exposed to freezing cold. This includes the pipes under the bathroom and kitchen sinks, especially if they’re in a vacation home that’s not used for the winter. The pipes should be wrapped in a pipe sleeve or heat tape according to the instructions of their manufacturer. The below sink cabinet doors should also be kept open to allow warmer air to reach the pipes, but the garage door should be closed if there are exposed pipes in the garage. The thermostat in the house should be set no lower that 55 degrees.

If the winter is very, very cold, the faucet should be allowed to drip into the pipes exposed to the cold to keep them from freezing. Both the hot and cold valves should be turned on. If there’s only one lever that controls the water, the temperature the water should be lukewarm.

If all else fails and the pipe freezes anyway, the homeowner can open up the faucet that serves it and wrap the pipe in towels soaked in hot water. Or, they can use a hair dryer to thaw the pipe out. The homeowner should never resort to a blowtorch or any other sort of violent heat, no matter how long they believe the hair dryer or the hot towels are taking. Eventually, the pipe will thaw and water will flow.

Tags: Davidsonville, Frozen Pipes, Maryland, Plumber, Plumbing Emegency, Residential Plumber, Winterize Pipes

Why do you need a Guardian Plumbing Services protection plan?
Our service contracts are designed to save you money on your water bill and protect you from costly emergency repairs. A dripping faucet can waste 2500 gallons a year and a leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day which will not only increase your water bill, but also increase your gas or electric bill if it is a hot water faucet.

We will check for leaky faucets and other components that will keep your plumbing running as efficiently as possible. Our service contracts reduce the number of emergency calls by revealing potential problems that can be corrected before causing major plumbing repairs. No one wants an inconvenience to your business, your customers, or health department citations.

When an unexpected problem does occur, our service contract customers will receive first priority repair attention and are not required to pay after-hours or weekend emergency rates, but only pay regular labor rates. If a repair is necessary, you will receive a 10% discount on all parts and materials. We will not perform any repairs without first getting your approval.

For our annual visit we are flexible and will call you to set up an appointment to suit your busy schedule, so that you can, if you want, be present during our inspection. This annual visit will be done within 30 days of the signing of the contract.

Tags: Annapolis, Guardian Plumbing Services protection plan, Maryland, Plumber Annapolis, plumbing maintence, Residential Plumber

-Don’t pour liquid grease or oil down the drain.
-To clean and deodorize your garbage disposal cut up a lemon and grind with ice.
-Open and close your valves once a year to ensure that they are working.
-Avoid using caustic drain cleaners and try using a plunger first.
-To dissolve soap and greasy materials in your drains, you should pour boiling water into you drains once a month.
-Do not pour coffee grounds into the sink, throw them in the trash.

Check back for more tips.

Tags: Annapolis, Davidsonville, Helpful Tips, Maryland, Plumber, Plumber Annapolis, plumbing maintence, Residential Plumber

Thank you for your service over the past years. On two occasions, Guardian Plumbing came to our rescue when my wife was home alone. On one occasion, the basement was flooded and it was late at night: a scary situation for anyone to have to deal with by themselves. “John” not only fixed the problem, but he helped my wife clean up the mess. John was a true professional as well as extremely kind and reassuring.

“Tina” has also been of fantastic assistance from the front office, helping my wife schedule emergency service when our sump pump was having issues.

Of all of the service providers we’ve dealt with during our years owning a home in Annapolis, MD…Guardian Plumbing stands at the top of the list when it comes to customer service and precision labor.

We recently sold our home and are leaving the States to serve with the U.S. Army overseas. We passed your name, number and a glowing recommendation to the new owners should they ever have need for your services. Regards and Best of Luck for Business Success.

David and Aida Carstens

“It seems that if something is going to go wrong, it will happen at the least opportune time. And so it goes for churches as well. Parkwood United Methodist Church has had several of those surprise plumbing problems that could have potentially required us to close our doors until they were repaired. However, with the quick response and professional work of Guardian Plumbing, we have never had to do that! Each time we have had an emergency, they have been able to make the necessary repairs so that we could open our doors and worship God, with thanksgiving.”

Parkwood United Methodist Church

Tags: Annapolis, Customer Testimonials, Maryland, Plumber, Plumber Annapolis, Residential Plumber

A clogged drain is something that will inevitably happen in any home. It does not matter if it is a large several story home or a small apartment. Plumbing is something that should always be working properly in the home, so a clogged drain will require immediate attention and is best left to a professional. If problems are not remedied, they can quickly become quite serious.

The average homeowner is often not familiar with things that need to be taken care of when there are plumbing problems. There are a number of different things that may be seen in the home that would require calling a licensed plumber.

If water ever gets backed up in a bath tub, sink or toilet there is most likely a major clog. Water needs to freely flow through the plumbing system, so any time that standing water is seen, there is most likely a major problem. Even if you are able to get the sink to drain, having this much standing water should be looked at by a professional plumbing service. They will be able to appropriately diagnose and correct the problem.

There are a wide variety of drain cleaning products on the market today. The problem with these products would be that they do not completely remove clogs out of the system. There is often buildup that can be left on the walls of the pipes. This buildup needs to be removed for proper water flow. The only way to completely accomplish this would be through the services of a licensed plumber.

There are certain things that can be done by the average homeowner. When it comes to plumbing problems and clogged drains, it is best to leave this to the professionals. With the proper and correct care, one can be reassured that everything was fixed correctly.

Tags: Annapolis, Clogged Drains, Davidsonville, Maryland, Plumber, Plumber Annapolis, Residential Plumber