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Q&A
What should I do to my pipes before spring in New Hampshire?
Before the spring thaw hits its peak, disconnect and drain any outdoor hoses. Insulate pipes in unheated crawl spaces or against exterior walls. The cycle of freezing near 10°F and rapid thawing puts immense stress on pipe joints and can expose weaknesses in older systems. A proactive check of your main water shut-off valve's operation is also wise, as sediment from the thaw can cause it to stick.
Are there special plumbing considerations for a rural home with a well and septic system?
Rural plumbing here is a self-contained system. The well pump and pressure tank require maintenance, and the septic system's health is directly tied to what goes down your drains. Unlike a town sewer, a failed septic leach field is a major repair. It's critical to manage water usage to avoid overloading the tank and to be mindful of what enters the drains, as there's no municipal treatment to break down solids or chemicals.
How long does it take for a plumber to get to my house out here?
From our dispatch point near the Franklin Pierce Homestead, we take NH Route 9 into the surrounding areas. Heading past the homestead on Route 9, the travel time to most homes in the township is typically 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the specific road and driveway conditions. We plan routes to minimize your wait for emergency calls.
What permits are needed for a water heater replacement or repipe in Hillsborough?
Most plumbing work requires a permit from the Hillsborough Building Department, especially for a water heater or a full repipe. As a master plumber licensed by the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, I handle pulling the permits, scheduling inspections, and ensuring the work meets all state and local codes. This manages the red tape for you, confirming the job is documented and compliant for future home sales.
Could the hilly land around here be causing my drainage problems?
The steep slopes common around areas like the Franklin Pierce Homestead directly impact drainage. Gravity puts constant stress on the main sewer line running downhill from your home. This can lead to bellied pipes where sagging sections collect waste, or joint separation from soil shifting. Surface water runoff during heavy rain can also overwhelm perimeter drains, leading to potential basement water issues.
Why do my pipes in Hillsborough keep getting clogged and dripping?
The galvanized steel pipes in homes built around 1952 are now about 74 years old. That's well beyond their 50-year functional lifespan. In Hillsborough Center, you're seeing the result of decades of internal scale buildup, which severely restricts water flow and causes weak spots. These pipes rust from the inside out, leading to frequent clogs and sudden pinhole leaks that require constant patching.
Does having a private well in Hillsborough affect my plumbing fixtures?
Yes, significantly. Water from private wells here is often acidic and corrosive, lacking the mineral balancing common in municipal supplies. This acidity accelerates the corrosion of metal components, especially in water heaters, where it attacks the anode rod and tank lining. You may notice blue-green staining on fixtures from copper pipes or premature failure of faucet cartridges due to the aggressive water chemistry.
What's happening to the old pipes in my 1950s Hillsborough home?
Galvanized steel pipe from that era suffers from joint calcification and internal tuberculation. The zinc coating has worn away over 70 years, exposing raw steel to constant water contact. This creates rust scale that narrows the pipe diameter to a pencil-thin opening, drastically reducing pressure. Final failure usually occurs as a pinhole leak at a threaded joint or a section that's rusted completely through.
