Vuksani Service Group Archives - Vuksani Service Group

Sump Pumps Protect the Home from Floods

What Is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a device that detects rising water levels around the lowest part of a home or basement, then diverts the water elsewhere. A sump pump motor can either be submerged in water or rest above-ground–it depends on the home’s needs.

If a home doesn’t have a sump pump, its basement can flood in a matter of minutes, and there is very little that homeowners can do to minimize the damage. Before it’s too late, one should consider the benefits of sump pump installation. Doing so could mean the difference between peace of mind and thousands of dollars in structural damage.

How Do Sump Pumps Work?

There are many different types of sump pumps. Some require electricity and sensors. Others don’t use electricity to provide a backup in a power outage. However, at each sump pump’s core, here’s how it works:

Water accumulates in the area around the basement. This could happen during a rainstorm or when a sewer main backs up.
The sump pump senses the water rising in a basin, and it turns on the sump pump.
From there, the sump pump will divert water away from home. The water will go far enough away so that it won’t come back later or threaten the home’s structure.

Sump pumps are vital in places prone to heavy flooding and rainfall because sump pumps are the first line of defense against flooding.

There Are Two Main Types of Sump Pumps

pumps There are two main types of sump pumps, and they include:

Submersible sump pumps: To install these devices, a plumber will first dig a basement pit, then place the submersible sump pump inside. The motor will be in the hole and can be submerged in water. Once the pit fills with water, it’ll turn on and divert the floodwater elsewhere. This type of sump pump is typically more efficient than the other but more expensive and has a shorter lifespan because the motor is submerged.
Pedestal pumps: The motor on these devices does not go underwater. Instead, they’re either installed above or in very shallow pits. They make more noise because the motor isn’t muffled by being submerged. They’re generally cheaper to install and last longer than the other. However, they cannot withstand sediment buildup as well as submersible sump pumps can.

A plumber can assess one’s home and explain what sump pump would work best. They’ll consider the home’s location, square footage, and whether it has previously sustained water damage.

Benefits of a Having a Sump Pump

Protecting the basement from flooding is just one benefit of having a sump pump. Other benefits include:

They prevent mold growth. When a home floods, mold and mildew growth are inevitable, and over time, these growths can cause illness, destroy drywall, and compromise a home’s habitability.
They reduce property damage. Many homeowners use basements as in-home storage units, storing their bicycles, Christmas decorations, and other precious items. A sump pump can help prevent flood damage from destroying these items–some of which are impossible to replace. It also protects the home from water damage that can affect the structural integrity of a home.

Sump pumps can save homeowners time, money, and frustration in the long run.

About Vuksani Service Group

Vuksani Service Group provides the residents of New York, NY, professional services at competitive rates. They offer straightforward pricing, same-day service, on-time arrival, and 24/7 emergency repairs. Call them today for sump pump services in New York, NY.

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How to Protect the Home From Power Surges

Power Surges & Surge Protectors

A power surge is a sudden spike of high-voltage electricity that travels through the home’s electrical wiring and circuits. Power surges can be caused by a lightning strike during a thunderstorm, an electrical system malfunction, plugging in too many electronics at once, or a reset by the power company.

Overloading the home’s electrical system with electricity can be dangerous because of the increased risk of electrical fire during a surge. Power surges can also damage sensitive electronics left plugged in during the surge.

Some surge protectors can be plugged into outlets to ensure that smartphones, tablets, and computers can charge safely, but what about the electronics that are hard-wired into the electrical system? The microwave, stove, refrigerator, and dryer are just a few examples of electronics that are hard-wired into the electrical system that could become damaged during a power surge. Whole house surge protectors prevent power surges from entering the home’s circuits by diverting the electricity.

Why Power Surges Are Dangerous

Increased risk of accidental electrocution
Power surges can cause house fires
Power surges could damage the home’s electrical wiring
Repairing electrical damage after a power surge could be difficult
Power surges could permanently damage sensitive electronics

Power surges can be hard to predict. Whether a power surge comes from a lightning strike or plugging in a hair dryer, homeowners should ensure a whole house surge protector protects their home.

Electronics such as computers, cellphones, refrigerators, and microwaves could be permanently damaged or destroyed by a power surge if left plugged in without a whole house surge protector. Any sudden surge of electricity through the circuits can enter the devices and “fry” their internal systems.

Power surges are a common cause of electrical fires because as the voltage increases to dangerous levels, the electrical wires begin to heat up. Eventually, the protective coating on the outside of the wires will melt away, and the wires can start to spark. Power surges can also cause personal injury and property damage.

Whole House Surge Protectors

protector Whole house surge protectors are electrical hardware that electricians can install to protect the home from power surges. Compared to plug-in surge protectors for outlets, whole house surge protectors protect the entire home’s electrical system from the effects of a power surge. The whole house surge protector is designed to keep solid electrical currents from entering the home’s circuits and causing damage.

Surge protectors divert the power surge away from the home’s sensitive electrical system. This helps to prevent fires, damage to electronics, and accidental electrocutions. Whole-home surge protectors are the most heavy-duty protection from power surges.

Signs It’s Time for Whole House Surge Protector Replacement

Surge protectors do not last forever. The more power surges the device stops, the faster it may need to be replaced. It only takes one power surge to damage sensitive electronics or start an electrical fire, so homeowners need to replace their surge protector before it stops working. Homeowners can do their part to prevent the hazards of a power surge by paying attention to signs that they need whole house surge protector repair or replacement.

Professional electricians recommend that homeowners replace their whole house surge protector every 2 to 5 years. Warning signs that the surge protector may need a replacement include the device failing to stop power surges, showing visible signs of damage, making strange noises, or sparking.

About Vuksani Service Group

Vuksani Service Group is proud to provide its neighbors in New York City, NY, and the surrounding areas with dependable home services. They offer straightforward pricing, same-day service, and 24/7 emergency repair services. Call them today for a whole house surge protector installation in New York City, NY.

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April Showers and May Flowers Can Bring Serious Plumbing Problems

Common Spring Plumbing Problems

Most people don’t consider how the seasons will affect plumbing. Homeowners don’t know about other common seasonal problems except frozen pipes in the winter. This springtime is a good opportunity to teach homeowners about common plumbing problems that arise in the spring.

This short article from local plumbers is a quick guide to spring plumbing problems. With the rapid growth of vegetation in the spring, tree roots, bursts, and clogged pipes are common. Knowing what causes these problems and how to respond can allow homeowners to know how to deal with them.

Tree Roots Invading Pipes

If springtime is known for anything, it is that this is the season where vegetation grows the most rapidly. Trees and grass put out leaves and flowers in a few short weeks. These organisms need to tap into new nutrient sources to fuel this rapid growth.

Before plants put on their fabulous spring displays, something dramatic happens underground. The rapid expansion of root matter allows plants to grow rapidly in the spring.

Unfortunately for a home’s plumbing, there is limited space underground where piping and tree roots fight for real estate. As plants send out new roots in the spring, they can stress plumbing and even break into plumbing lines. When that happens, serious plumbing problems can occur.

Complications Arising from Invasive Tree Roots

The most common complication resulting from tree roots interacting with a home’s plumbing is clogged sewer lines and blocked landscape drains. Tree roots have a nasty habit of finding every opening in underground piping and quickly sending roots into the pipe.

Since the inside of the sewer line is a rich source of nutrients, the tree grows more and more roots until flow in the pipe is restricted. Whether the pipe is a sewer line or a landscape drain, tree roots can cause a total blockage to prevent water from draining and can even allow it to back up into the house.

Fixes for Root Obstruction

Plumbing repairs to fix root obstruction problems run the gamut from quick and easy to complex. The first thing a plumber will recommend to a homeowner with a root obstruction is clearing the sewer with a drain auger. A drain auger can chew through roots and remove the block. A plumber may also recommend chemical root treatments to discourage root growth in pipes after the drain auger.

The main problem with root obstructions is that they are evidence that the pipe is compromised. Even after a drain auger, the plumber may recommend repiping the sewer line and installing root barriers to prevent root encroachment in the future. This procedure will be the only permanent fix to chronic root obstruction problems.

About Vuksani Service Group

Vuksani Service Group provides dependable home solutions to residents throughout New York City. They offer same-day service, straightforward pricing, and on-time service. They are also available to take calls 24 hours a day so call them today for sewer line repair services in Manhattan, NY.

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Obvious Signs a New Electrical Panel is Needed

Signs the Electric Panel Needs Attention

The homebuilding industry has made a lot of progress in longevity. Between concrete foundations that last forever and plumbing that lasts decades, it can be easy to forget about necessary repairs every few years, like electrical components inside the home. Often electrical devices will last for many years without causing any problems, but problems can arise.

The electrical panel is one of the most important components of an electrical system in a home. To keep the home safe, homeowners should keep an eye out for problems in the electric panel. Here are a few things to look for.

Dim Lighting

The first sign of an ailing electric panel is dim or flickering lighting. To determine if this is a problem, sometimes a homeowner will need to check light bulbs or switches to rule them out as the source of the lighting deficiency. When these two things are ruled out, the electrical panel is to blame.

Lighting that dims or flickers due to a problem with the electrical panel is usually caused by bad connections. For electricity to flow through the panel, tight metal-to-metal connections are necessary. When connections are loose or corrupted by corrosion, electricity is impeded. When the problem gets very bad, the next item on this list could be the result.

The Smell of Electrical Fires

Electricity is a dangerous utility that has taken humans hundreds of years to understand fully. Now there is a better understanding of electricity's hazards. One of the main hazards that electricity still presents is fire, with nearly 12,000 electrical fires reported every year.

Electrical fires have a distinct odor, usually described as a metallic scent. Often the smell is accompanied by a burnt rubber or plastic smell due to damaged insulation in burnt wiring. If electrical fire smells are perceived anywhere in the home, it is a serious problem. However, if the problem is in the electrical panel, the problem is more serious due to the amount of power surging through it. If evidence of an electrical fire is present in electric panels, quick replacement is the safest option.

Outdated Equipment or Old Age

Electrical panels should be made of modern materials. Modern electrical panels are called “breaker panels” for their circuit breakers. If homes are still equipped with fuse boxes, it is good to opt for electrical panel replacement to bring the house up to modern standards.

The average electrical panel is expected to last around 30 years. After 30 years of constantly having power flowing through it, it can start to have problems, so it is a good idea for homes over 30 years old to start thinking about upgrading the electrical panel. New models are more reliable, but they are also essential for protecting the home and ensuring the safe delivery of electricity.

About Vuksani Service Group

When homeowners across all five boroughs need professional electrical services, they trust the experts at Vuksani Service Group. They provide straightforward pricing, and same-day service, and are available 24-hours a day to help in an emergency. Call Vuksani Service Group today for electrical panel services in The Bronx, NY.

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Giving Home Electrical Systems a "Green" Makeover for St. Patrick's Day

Learn About Going “Green” with Sustainable Home Energy Sources

Homeowners who do not have anything green to wear this St. Patrick’s Day can make up for it by giving their home’s electrical system a “green” makeover. To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, our electrical experts discuss the different types of sustainable energy sources, why homeowners should switch, and which type is the best. Keep reading for a complete overview on switching to sustainable energy for modern homeowners.

The Types of Sustainable Energy Sources

There are more than just solar panels for homeowners to choose from when it comes to “green” energy systems. Homeowners should consider solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass fuel as options for giving their home an eco-friendly upgrade.

Solar power works by turning energy from the sun into electricity. On the other hand, wind power uses the motion of air to turn wind turbines and generate kinetic energy. Hydroelectric energy uses flowing water to turn a turbine, similar to wind power.

Geothermal energy transfer systems turn heat from the Earth into electric power for the home. Heat transfer systems also help to cut back on energy spending drastically. Biomass fuel is an eco-friendly, sustainable fuel alternative made from natural waste products from construction sites.

Benefits of Renewable Energy

Keep energy bills low
Protect the environment
Receive funds from government incentive

Homeowners who are considering switching to renewable energy to help protect the environment, but do not want to spend an arm and a leg to do so, will be happy to learn that there are several government rebate incentives that they can take advantage of. The government rebate programs will help homeowners be able to afford to switch to sustainable energy for their homes.

The price of utilities is rising around the globe, which is another incentive for homeowners to integrate sustainable energy sources into their home’s electrical system. Using less power can help cut back on unnecessary spending.

Everyone should do their part to reduce the environmental impact of human life to prevent the deadly effects of climate change. Switching to sustainable energy and being mindful about practicing sustainable habits at home can go a long way in reducing the home's ecological impact.

How to Pick Which Sustainable Energy to Use

Out of the five types of sustainable energy discussed in this blog post, solar panels are by far the most popular. Solar panels are affordable, easy to find, and easy to install. They can be placed on top of the roof of most homes. Solar panels are accessible and can be used in almost any living situation.

Wind power is another popular option for homeowners, but for wind turbines to work, they need a lot of space for installation. Wind power requires a more difficult installation and more frequent maintenance than solar power. Geothermal power is great for some homeowners, but it only works efficiently for homes in warm to temperate climates.

About Vuksani Service Group

Vuksani Service Group is a trusted local plumbing, HVAC, and electrical home service provider in Brooklyn, NY! Their team of friendly home service providers is dependable, trustworthy, and fully licensed. Call them today for electrical repair in Brooklyn, NY!