Andover Household Hazardous Waste Collection

May 17th, 2012

This Saturday May, 19th is Household Hazardous Waste Collection for Andover, MA residents. If you have any of the following hazardous items and would like to dispose of them, please bring them to West Elementary School from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Waste Collection | Andover | Basnett Plumbing and Heating

Pesticides
Fertilizers
Mercury items
Lead acid batteries
Rechargeable batteries
Button batteries
Photographic chemicals
Varnishes
Solvents
Waste oil
Pool chemicals
Oil based paint

 

Basnett Plumbing & Heating provides heating, cooling, and plumbing services to MetroWest area since 1987.

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Littleton Plumbing Q/A: Why Does My Sink Backup When I Run the Washing Machine?

May 14th, 2012

Every now and then something strange happens to your Littleton plumbing that is simultaneously baffling and frustrating. Gray water from your washing machine backing up into your sink is one such problem and for many homeowners it can be an ongoing source of annoyance.

Why does this happen? To start with, know that your sink and washing machine drain lines tend to run congruent to each other. This means they combine at some point on the way to the main sewer line. So, if there is a problem after they combine, it can affect both systems.

 How to Fix the Problem

First, you must pinpoint the problem. More often than not, a washing machine backup will occur in one or more sinks during or after the drain cycle of your washing machine. This may not happen every time or it may get progressively worse. It depends on why it is happening in the first place.

If the sink doesn’t back up on its own when you do the dishes or run the faucet, the clog is probably deeper in the pipes and only responds to the large volume of water being drained from your washing machine. In either case, you probably have a clog in the drainage pipe after the two combine.

Do NOT use any chemicals to clear the clog. Not only do chemicals cause damage to your pipes, which can lead to cracks and leaks later, they are not always effective at actually removing the problem – they simply minimize it in the short term.

To solve the problem, you’ll either need to plunge the sink and hopefully clear out the clog or have someone snake the line to pull the clog out of the drain pipe. If you cannot clear it on your own, it may be a good time to call a Littleton plumber for a more in-depth attempt to fix the problem.

For any plumbing repairs in the MetroWest Boston area, give Basnett Plumbing & Heating a call!

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Plumbing and Heating Services with Integrity

May 11th, 2012

At Basnett Plumbing and Heating we maintain the principles of integrity, quality, and reliability. This is proven with each testimonial we receive from our happy customers!

Principles | Littleton | Basnett

“Highly recommend this shop. They added a tricky 3rd floor bath in an old home. Work was done right, on time, and at a reasonable price. Coordinating well with the General Contractor (me :-) on the job.”

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Littleton Plumbing Guide: Water Saving in a New Home

May 7th, 2012

New homes offer many new water saving features which older homes tend not to offer.  Water saving in a new home  in Littleton can be quite simple, considering all the new technologies which are available to home builders.  Make yourself knowledgeable about these options and when you purchase a new home watch for these.  If you are building a home, it is good to communicate to the builder which of these options you want in water efficiency.

Indoor Water Saving Solutions

Up to 70% of water usage in residences happens indoors.  A number of items that new homes tend to provide save water usage and money in the long-run.

  • Fixtures such as toilets, bathroom faucets, and showerheads offer low-flow options
  • High efficiency and low energy use hot water heaters
  • New appliances such as dishwashers and clothes washers
  • Install a tankless water heater close to the most used hot water usage areas
  • Use of an on-demand style recirculation system in combination with a high efficiency water heater
  • Install a solar water heating system to preheat water which enters the tankless water heater
  • Check for leaks regularly to ensure there is no waste

Outdoor Water Conservation

Anywhere from 30% to 70% of water usage of homes is used outdoors for yard landscaping and pool upkeep.  When designing an outdoor space, it is important to keep in mind how much water will be used for upkeep, as well as to ensure that water is saved where possible.

Landscaping:

  • Properly plan and design the landscaping
  • Limit grass and lawn to 40% or less of landscaped areas
  • Choose plants and flora which are regionally appropriate
    • Group plants according to similar water usages
    • Use native plants and those which have low water needs
    • Schedule efficient irrigation
    • Use fixed-spray sprinklers on lawn
    • Use drip or micro irrigation on plants, flowers, and bushes
    • Water during cooler times of day to ensure little evaporation due to heat
    • Do not over-water, it can harm plants just as much as not watering enough
    • Use mulch to prevent evaporation of water near plants, and to keep weeds away
    • Keep the yard properly maintained and the soil healthy with fertilizers

Pool:

  • Use a pool cover when the pool is not in use; this can save 30% to 50% of water which is wasted through evaporation
  • Keep the pool temperature a few degrees lower, the higher the temperature of the water the more evaporation occurs
  • Plant a windbreak of tall foliage to prevent wind from whipping water out of the pool
  • Check and fix leaks regularly
  • Clean pool and pool filters regularly to prevent backwash

Whether indoors or outdoors, water saving in new homes is quite easy, and while some options mean spending some money initially, the long-term savings on water month over month and year over year are quite significant and worthwhile indeed. If you have any questions about upgrades you can make to your Littleton plumbing, give Basnett Plumbing & Heating a call today!

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Rinnai Tankless Water Heater: Up to $925 in Rebates!

May 2nd, 2012

Purchase a Rinnai Tankless Water Heater between May 1st and July 31st, 2012 and receive up to $125 off in rebates. Receive up to $800 in rebates on qualifying water heater from GasNetworks. Get a $125 rebate for any Ultra Series Tankless Water Heater from Rinnai and an $800 rebate from GasNetworks on that same model! Get a $75 rebate on any Luxury Series or Value Series Tankless Water Heater from Rinnai and a $500 rebate from GasNetworks on that same model.

With a tankless model you can enjoy endless hot water, lower energy bills, longevity, space savings, and ENERGY STAR approval. Call Basnett Plumbing and Heating for all your On-Demand Tankless Water Heater needs! Get more information on the Rinnai rebate, and the GasNetworks rebate.

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Littleton Plumbing Repair Tip: What to Do if a Pipe Bursts

April 30th, 2012

If you live in a cold climate, you are more likely to have experienced the disaster of a frozen pipe bursting. There are other causes of burst pipes, so rest assured you are not alone; plenty of homeowners have had to face a burst pipe as well.

When this happens, there are three fronts on which to attack the problem: stopping the flooding, repairing the pipes and preventing future bursts.

Before doing anything else, you need to stop the flooding in your house. Start by turning off the water supply, either to that pipe or to the whole house. It doesn’t matter which, as long as it’s shut off. Turn on cold water taps around the house to drain remaining water from the pipes. Turn off the water heater. This will at least prevent the flood damage from being too extensive.

Get a sump pump and or some absorbent material to start sopping up the water that leaked into your home, then call a Littleton plumber. The pipe and fitting will need to be replaced, and some adjacent ones may need to be as well, so the best solution here is just to call in a professional rather than try to do it yourself. The last thing you need is another burst pipe.

Finally, prevent future breaks in pipes by implementing some of these strategies:

  • Insulate your pipes
  • On cold days, keep your pipes warmer by opening up doors to the attic or basement
  • When going away in the winter, shut off the water supply and drain the plumbing system

By keeping your pipes as warm and insulated as possible, you decrease the likelihood that the water within will freeze, potentially causing a leak or break in the pipe. Burst pipes are not necessarily completely preventable, so it is important that you now know what to do if and when a pipe bursts in your home.

Water damage, especially flooding, can cause serious trouble in your home, so everything you can do to prevent and mitigate the risk is a good step. For more advice on how to deal with emergency plumbing repair in Littleton, call Basnett Plumbing & Heating!

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Westford Plumbing Tip: What You Need to Know About Water Heater Leaks

April 23rd, 2012

A leak in your Westford home’s water heater can be a big or small problem depending on where the leak is, how severe it is and whether it requires repair or replacement. Here are some things you should know about water heater leaks that will help you determine who to call and how to act.

 Where Is the Leak?

Step one is to determine where the water is coming from. Look for leaks around the fittings and valves attached to the device. If one of them is loose or if you see water dripping from a connection, it can probably be fixed relatively easily. However, if the leak is coming from the body of the water heater, you may have a ruptured tank which is a sure sign of a bad water heater that needs to be replaced.

 Draining Your Tank

Once you identify the leak, turn off the water supply to the tank and prepare to drain it the rest of the way. You should also disconnect the power from the device. If the water heater is gas, I recommend you call a professional who is certified to work on gas appliances. For electric water heaters, you still want a professional Westford plumber, but the next step here is to simply turn off the breaker to stop electricity from flowing to the device.

They will drain the tank next, using the bucket to capture the water as it is released. Once the tank is empty, it is time to tighten your fittings.

 Fixing the Problem

Assuming this is a fittings or valve problem, your plumber will loosen any fittings that appeared to have leaked, repair the plumbing thread and retape the pipes, finally tightening the fittings back into place. The pressure valve may need to be replaced as well – now if it is necessary.

Before reapplying the electricity to the water heater, your plumber will reattach the water supply and turn it on to check for leaks. If it holds water, you are lucky and your water heater’s tank isn’t leaking. Next they will reattach everything and turn it back on.

If you notice the leak continues, you should call Basnett Plumbing & Heating as it is likely the glass inside your tank has cracked or is leaking. Most of the time, this cannot be repaired and means you need a new water heater installed.

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Harvard Heating Question: How Much Electricity Does a Gas Furnace Use?

April 16th, 2012

“How much electricity does my gas furnace use?” might sound like silly question. In fact, electricity is necessary for several important tasks as part of your Harvard gas furnace’s operation.

Lighting the Torch

Gas is the fuel that fires the flame that heats the air that warms your home, but electricity is the spark that lights the gas.  The flame is not roaring all the time or just ignites spontaneously.  Think of the athlete igniting the Olympic torch.

A low voltage electric signal from the thermostat opens the valve that controls the amount of gas flow and therefore the flame.  A solenoid coil in the valve senses gas and ensures flame to prevent an explosion or leakage, then opens wide to let the heating begin and shuts down when the desired temperature is reached.

Blown Away

All that heated air must be moved through the ductwork and distributed room to room to create the comfort and this is done by a motor-driven fan which is the largest use of electricity in a gas furnace.  The motor turns on and shuts down according to the relationships between flame, heated air and the thermostat setting.

Known as a draft inducer, a second fan is employed to remove the toxic fumes that are the residue of the burned gas.  These fumes which can be deadly are usually pushed through a PVC pipe to the exterior and released safely into the atmosphere.

Sum Total

The amount of electricity used to ignite the flame is very small, phased through a low-voltage impulse wire, nearly too small to even show on your meter.  Most of the electrical energy contributing the critical role of powering the two fans in gas furnaces adds up typically to less than 600 watts at any given time or about the same as a few light bulbs.

While gas furnaces are much more efficient and less costly than any kind of electric heat, they are useless (and even dangerous) without that little bit of electrical help.

If you have any questions about your Harvard heating system, contact Basnett Plumbing & Heating today!

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Helpful Tips from Basnett Plumbing & Heating

April 13th, 2012

MetroWest | Honeywell | BasnettPrepare for emergencies with natural gas and propane powered generators.

Basnett now supplies and installs natural gas and propane powered generators to protect your home during any powerloss situation.
Wondering how to select a backup generator for you home? Check out this useful chart!

FREE cold weather kit with purchase of Standby Generator

Hidden Ways to Save Energy

While many homeowners are increasingly more aware of ways they can save energy and lower their bills, there are plenty of energy-saving tips that are not as well known. Making a minor change or improvement, such as installing a new thermostat, can make a difference. Even if you’ve just installed a new high-efficiency AC unit, here are some ways you can maintain its performance levels and save on energy bills.

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Ductless Vs. Central Heat Pump Systems

Installing a new heat pump system in your home is a significant investment and decision; however, there are many options on the market today, including high-efficiency and ENERGY STAR models. All the different models should be researched before making your choice. Here’s some helpful information about the pros and cons to both ductless and central heat pump systems.

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SAVE with a $500 Rebate on Ductless AC Mini Splits

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Welcome to the team Nancy!

April 11th, 2012

Recently hired Customer Service Ambassador, Nancy Wojtas, coordinates the daily schedule and dispatching of our technicians, ensuring customer satisfaction. She assists with administrative tasks and project completion, aiding in the accuracy of our customer and vendor master files.  Nancy is goal oriented, versatile and enjoys sharing her sense of humor. Welcome to the Basnett team!

Basnett Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is a family-owned business. Since establishing the company, Basnett has achieved strong growth and a strong reputation with customers. Basnett believes in being involved in the community and supports local clubs and organizations.

Our technicians are professionally trained and certified in virtually all facets of plumbing, heating & AC. At Basnett Plumbing, Heating & AC all our service technicians receive ongoing training to keep up with the latest industry trends and products. Since 1987, our goal has been to earn the trust of MetroWest home and business owners.

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