Point-of-Use (also called “Undersink”) water filters can give you extra clean drinking water AND add value to your home.

As they name implies, the filter hooks up to the pipes under your sink and connects to a separate countertop tap.

Here are more benefits of a point-of-use filter.

• Water filters provide better tasting and better smelling drinking water by removing chlorine and bacterial contaminants.

• Point-of-use water filters remove lead from drinking water immediately prior to consumption, thus preventing this harmful substance from entering the body.

• Filtered water from a tap costs much less than bottled water.

• Water filters greatly reduce the risk of rectal cancer, colon cancer, and bladder cancer by removing chlorine and chlorine byproducts from drinking water.

• A solid block carbon water filter can selectively remove dangerous contaminants from drinking water while retaining healthy mineral deposits that balance the pH of drinking water.

• A water filter provides clean, healthy water for cooking, as well as drinking, at the convenience of tap water.

• Water filters reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disease by more than 33 percent.

• Drinking pure water is especially important for children. Water filters provide the healthiest water for children’s developing immune systems.

• Water filters offer the last line of defense between the body and the over 2,100 known toxins that may be present in drinking water.

A point-of-use water filter from Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is a healthy choice for you and your family, all year long.  Call for a free estimate today.

Phone:                  410-833-2188

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Buying a kitchen faucet used to be a pretty simple process. And sure, it still can be…provided you know exactly what you want, where to get it, and you have no interest in checking out other possibilities.

But that does not describe today’s “average” home owner out looking for a kitchen faucet or ideas in general to improve the room’s appearance and functionality. Well, if you’re one of those people looking for “more,” “new and better,” or simply “different,” you won’t be disappointed, especially when you start the research process online.
How has the faucet evolved from a common necessity into a high-art fixture with space-age engineering? Designers and marketers point out the kitchen is the center of the home; it’s the place where everyone gravitates. Walls are coming down to make way for more open-plan living, and entertaining is centered in the kitchen by design rather than by accident. The kitchen is becoming the cooking room, dining room and living room in one, and you want the nicest fixtures in the room where you spend the most time.
The hottest trends include the rise of modern, minimalist designs and utilitarian-chic faucets worthy of professional kitchens. On the other hand, there’s a renewed interest in classical cool models as well as rustic, farmhouse-style faucets.
A little overwhelmed? If so, you’re not alone. So to help you move your peg at least a couple of spaces along the game board, here are just a few examples of what’s new, cool, and maybe even just for you.

1. Sleek and Simple
Today’s contemporary faucets have forms pared down to their basic essence. These faucets are all about simple lines, chrome and stainless finishes, and a sleek look. Think sculptural silhouettes, single handles and a noted absence of extraneous ornamentation — which might make these faucets look a bit severe if they weren’t so gorgeously rendered. Modern fixtures also emphasize ergonomics with simple, intuitive functionality and convenient placement of controls. Finally, the smooth, often seamless surfaces of these faucets make cleaning them a breeze.

2. Industrial Chic

These faucets give serious home chefs (and those who hope to be) the industrial look of a professional kitchen and the hardworking features of a commercial-style faucet. These tall faucets (most are over two feet) add “high” drama to the kitchen. The substantial size of also helps balance the six-burner ranges and double-door fridges in our increasingly expansive kitchens. An industrial faucet is really versatile — it’s great for cleaning, and you can bring the nozzle wherever you need it. That includes using it to fill a nearby coffeemaker or pots on an adjacent cook top, to watering plants on the kitchen windowsill and even to reach more than one basin in a multi-sink work area.

3. Classic

Designers say they’re seeing increased enthusiasm for classic and even retro fixtures. Hence the return of vintage-style wall-mounts and bridge faucets, which harken back to a time when life – and plumbing – was simpler. And yet there’s nothing old-fashioned about today’s traditional faucets when it comes to functionality. These are retro styles with contemporary convenience, including pullout nozzles and single-handle options.

4. Old World

Equally at home in a Tuscan villa or a country farmhouse (or a home striving for the ambiance of either), these fixtures have rustic bodies with an authentic, handcrafted look. It’s a variation on the vintage look, but also ties into the current green movement with its reverence for natural materials and warm wood tones. Rustic fixtures are typically rendered in dark; timeworn finishes like oil-rubbed bronze, weathered pewter, wrought iron or antique copper.

5. Cutting Edge

The most cutting-edge faucets are absolutely architectural, with a dramatic geometry: Severe right angles keep L-shaped faucets looking sharp. U-shaped spouts form squared-off arcs. Metal pipes assume rectilinear shapes. Heads and handles sit square and squat. And cylindrical styles celebrate the shape of the circle, right down to the round knob spindles. If you are looking for individuality, you won’t have to look very far.

The Moral of the Story.

Looking for the perfect complement of form and function? Then contact Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air today for help in making the right choice along with our expert installation and related kitchen and bath remodeling services.

Phone: 410-833-2188
Click here to schedule service now

Since we spend the majority of our time indoors, it’s important and “healthful” to maintain a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. ..and that includes maintaining proper humidity levels all year long.

Inadequate Humidity Levels

Insufficient moisture in the air can lead to a variety of problems, including dry and bleeding noses, sore throats, cracked and itchy skin, breathing problems, dust buildup, static electricity, and cracks and dried-out joints in wood furniture and musical instruments. Older and less energy-efficient homes are the more likely breeding grounds for less than comfortable humidity levels.

Excessive Humidity Levels

When there is too much moisture in your home, wet air can get trapped in corners, basements, and other closed areas. You’re more likely to notice this in your bathrooms, kitchen, and basements than anywhere else in your home. In these areas, moisture frequently gathers and creates mildew that is often difficult to remove.

Condensation can also accumulate on and around in windows, causing water to drip down the window and, as a result, wooden frames to rot.

Excess moisture can provide a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold (which can be harmful to your health if left unchecked), and also makes your home more inviting for pest and insects such as cockroaches and termites.

Benefits of a Whole-House Humidifier & Dehumidifier

A combined, whole-house humidification and dehumidification system is installed inside your duct work. The system automatically adjusts itself to maintain the most comfortable relative humidity leve

ls, typically between 35 and 40 percent.

In the process, you can expect to save 5% or more on your annual fuel bill. You’ll also add greatly to your family’s indoor comfort while helping to prevent and control problems with asthma, allergies, colds and flus, and more.

Where do the energy savings come from? Cold air is dry, and in dry air, moisture evaporates from your skin. That, in turn, tends to cool you off. So, by setting the thermostat at 69° with a relative humidity of 35%, you’ll feel just as warm as you would in 72° air with 19% relative humidity.

Bottom line, you want to dehumidify your home in warm weather, and add humidity when it’s cold.

To learn more, or to request a free quote, contact the home comfort professionals at Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today.

Every home has a water heater, but many homeowners don’t really pay much attention to it provided it continues to work properly. Well, there’s a safety angle that needs to be considered here…one that pertains both to your home and family. Best of all, you don’t have to be an expert plumber to keep an eye on things. You just need to be aware of some basic water heater safety tips.

Turn it Down!
Start by lowering the water heater temperature to 120 degrees. Many plumbers may initially set your water heater to 140 degrees, a temperature that could cause scalding. Just remember to check the instructions for your particular model before adjusting the temperature control.

Check it Out!
Examine your water heater periodically. Check for water leaks which can damage your home…plus it could add up to a lot of wasted water. Check inside the combustion chamber where the flame should be burning mostly blue. The chamber should be somewhat free of dust, and the chamber roof free of rust and black soot. You should also check the burner periodically. If rust is collecting in the burner compartment, it’s time to have it serviced by a professional.

Overall, we recommend checking your water heater once a month while scheduling a professional tune-up and inspection once a year.

Clean it Up!
Keep the area around the water heater clean and clear. Dust can take years off a water heater’s life. Brooms, paint brushes and other items that commonly get stored in the utility closet can catch fire if placed too close to the combustion chamber or water heater.

Be on the Alert for Gas Leaks!
If you don’t already know how, learn how to smell or otherwise detect a gas leak. For starters you want to apply the smell test as close to the floor as possible. If you smell gas, here’s what to do next:

• Don’t turn on a light switch or touch anything that might cause static spark.
• Leave your house as immediately, leaving at least some windows and doors open.
• Call your gas supplier from a safe location outside the house.
• Turn off the main shut-off valve at the gas meter. If you don’t know what that is and want to be sure you’re doing it correctly, give us a call.

To play it even more safely, we recommend installing a gas detection meter. It will go a long way to ensuring your long-term safety.

When was the last time your water heater was properly inspected? If you can’t remember, then it’s been too long. For prompt and dependable service, with your satisfaction guaranteed, contact the plumbing professionals at Bruce Solomon today.
Phone: 410-833-2188
Click here to schedule service now

Apart from what a qualified heating service company do to help provide you and your family with warm, comfortable, and safe living conditions during the heating season, there’s plenty you can do on your own to stay warmer and keep your heating costs down.

Here’s our “top 10” list:

1. Set your thermostat at 68 degrees F during the day and 60 degrees F at night. You can save 3% on your heating costs for every degree you reduce the temperature below 70 degrees F.
2. Clean or replace furnace filters monthly. Clean filters will help your heating system run more efficiently and improve your home’s indoor air quality.
3. Inspect windows and ductwork for any air leakage. If you do feel air leaking at duct joints, use duct tape to seal them. Winterize windows with weather stripping (for all movable parts) and caulk (for non-moving parts). Eliminating these leaks can reduce heating costs up to 10%.
4. Use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans sparingly. Leaving them on too long will suck away a tremendous amount of household heat.
5. Keep heating supply and cold air return registers clear of draperies and furniture to maintain proper air circulation.
6. Keep drapes and shades open during the day to let the sunshine in; close them at night.
7. Dust or vacuum radiator surfaces frequently. Dust and grime impede the flow of heat.
8. Keep lamps, TVs and other electrical appliances away from the thermostat. Heat from these appliances is sensed by the thermostat and could cause your furnace to shut off too soon and restart frequently.
9. Dress warmly to help retain body heat. Wear closely woven fabrics. Dressing in layers retains more heat than a single thick piece of clothing. If you’re still cold when the thermostat is set at 65°F this winter, you’re not wearing enough clothes.
10. Keep garage doors closed in the winter. An open garage door is just a giant hole that sucks warm air out of your home and lets cold drafts in.

Of course, any time you need professional assistance for ongoing maintenance, expert repairs, or recommendations on a new or replacement heating system, Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air is always ready to answer the call.

Phone:                  410-833-2188

Click here to schedule service now

Summer is ending and cold weather is right around the corner. In order to fully prepare for winter, it’s important to schedule a home heating system tune-up and inspection. These serve to improve the efficiency of your system while helping to safeguard your family’s safety.

No matter what type of system you have – oil, gas, electric, radiant, etc. – a tune-up and inspection performed by a licensed technician will help ensure winter-long indoor comfort, lower utility bills, and greater system reliability.

What’s the best way to get your heating system up and ready for the long, cold months ahead. Simple: just contact the professionals at Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air today…and consider it done.

We look forward to our next opportunity to serve you.

Phone: 410-833-2188
Click here to schedule service now

Murphy’s law tends to tell us that if something can break, it will, and it will do it at the worst possible moment.  Plumbing issues tend to follow this law.

And while your natural inclination might be to call a plumber before you do anything else…not so fast! There’s a few things you can do to both locate the problem and prevent it from getting any worse.

1. Locate the problem – Do you hear the sound of running water?  If no one in your home is using any water that could be a problem.  Follow the sound and do your best to locate the source of the issue.  If the toilet is overflowing, turn off the water lead to that toilet.  If the problem is restricted to one place, the simplest first step is to turn off the water to that item or area.  If you can’t pinpoint the source of the problem, another alternative is to turn off the water to the house.
2. Determine the extent of the problem - Is the problem one leaky faucet or has the issue spread to several rooms?  Also, how far has the damage gone?  Answering these questions will help you determine what needs to be done next.  If it’s the middle of the night, answering these questions will also help you determine if the problem can wait until morning.
3. Talk to your water company – Is your plumbing problem a result of an issue your water company had?  Especially in older, more established neighborhoods, your local water company may be in the process of improving out-of-date pipes. If you know they’ve been working in your area, find out if your home may be in the path of the work in process.
4.  Do your research – Unless you have a plumber you know and trust, take a few minutes to do your research.  Instead of trusting the coupon in your mail, make sure you check out the reliability and expertise first. Many plumbing companies come and go; be sure to find and trust one with integrity and will be there to help you know and into the future.

It’s easy to take your air conditioning system for granted.  After all, who wants to hold their breath every time you turn it on, hoping it will work?

So for now, go ahead and simply enjoy the cool, comfortable air.  But to make sure it stays that way, have your system tuned up and inspected each and every year.  Of course, even that won’t prevent it from breaking down sooner or later.

Air conditioning systems, like all things mechanical, simply aren’t built to last forever.  That begs the question:  “How do I know if I have a repair need OR that it might be time to start shopping around for a replacement system?”

Actually, there are four common warning signs that we’re happy to share with you.

1.  It’s not keeping you cool.  When your air conditioner is running and blowing but the air is not cool, it probably  means that your systems needs refrigerant or something’s gone wrong with your condenser.  The condenser’s job is to cool air as it recirculates it by drawing air over itself and then blowing it into your home.  Refrigerant leaks are less serious and usually easier to fix.

2.  Not all your rooms are cooling evenly.  If you have some rooms that are cooling and others “not so much,” there could be a problem with your duct work.  It could be as simple as a crack or tear, but it’s still something you want to take care of right away since escaping air is cooling areas of your home that don’t need it.

3.  Soaring energy bills.  If your system is at least 10 years old, chance are it’s cooling at no better than a 60% rate of efficiency…which means for every dollar you spend to cool your home, 40% of it is a wasted expense.  By contrast, today’s higher efficiency units run at efficiency rates up to 95%.  Over time, energy savings alone can pay for a replacement air conditioning system.

4.  Strange noises.  If your system sounds like a runaway train, the best idea is to turn it off.  Actually, the most common source of noise is from a broken fan motor.  Or, the bearings could be wearing out in the motor.  Whatever the source, it needs to be looked at by a qualified technician.

And speaking of qualified technicians, your friends at Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning are on hand to help you with all your home heating and cooling needs.  So if you spot or hear sings of trouble, it’s Bruce Solomon to the rescue…on the double.

Phone: 410-833-2188

Contact us today for answers to your questions or to schedule service

Every time your pour a glass of water, boil a pound of pasta, or wash your kiddies in the tub, you want to BELIEVE that your water is of the highest quality.

First, the good news.  While about 95% of all household water contains some degree of contamination, most of it is not harmful to your health.

One of the most common problems is “hard water,” just as one example. Water is considered hard if it contains high levels of calcium and magnesium.   If you’ve ever seen drinking glasses washed in hard water, you’ve probably noticed the milky haze that won’t rinse away. Or you’ve seen the whitish scaly deposits on your faucets, shower doors or tea kettle.  What’s worse is the damage these deposits can inflict by causing scale to build up inside your pipes, faucets and appliances such as water heaters, washing machines and dish washers.

The problems caused by hard water are not limited to plumbing and appliances.  Hard water affects laundry with increased detergent use,faster fading of colors – or yellowing of whites – and shortened fabric life.  Bathing and showering in hard water will dry out and dull skin and hair.

Things get a little trickier when the subject becomes chemical contamination…that’s were health risks come into play.  Chlorine, radon, pesticides, industrial waste…just a few chemical problems you definitely don’t want to mess with.  The fact is, there are umpteen known water contaminants. Click here to see the official list as compiled by the federal EPA.

Pregnant women, children, seniors and individuals with immune system problems are typically the most susceptible to water contamination.  Still, purified water benefits everyone AND helps save you money with fewer plumbing problems and a reduced reliance on bottled water….more about that in a future blog post.

For now, click here to learn more about the most common water problems and what Bruce Solomon can do to make them disappear…for good.
Phone: 410-833-2188

Contact us today for answers to your questions or to schedule service

Whether you’re buying or selling a home – or simply performing a little “due diligence around the house” – summer time is a great time to check for signs of plumbing problems in the making, or problems that might already exist.

So, from all your friends at Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, here are several things to look for while summer is still in swing:

Check around the base of the toilet for signs of water damage (i.e.; rolled vinyl, black or white stains).

You can also check for floor damage by straddling your toilet and rocking back and forth on both feet.  If your floor feels spongy or soft, there’s probably water damage.  If so, it’s only going to get worse until you take corrective action.

If it’s taking your toilet longer to flush than normal, the drain line is probably blocked.

Moving over to your bathtub and/or shower enclosure, press on the walls where they come in contact with the tub or shower.  If the wall feels looser there than anywhere else, that could also indicate rotting wood.

If you’re noticing a sustained drop-off in water pressure from any of your faucets, the cause could be calcium and mineral deposits in your water lines.  A water filtration system can help fix the problem before the line further decays and eventually cracks.

Check the date of your water heater. The first four numbers of the serial number on the water heater are the month and year. Any heater over 15 years old is a candidate to be replaced.  To be sure, contact Bruce Solomon for our very thorough water heater tune-up and inspection service.

Take a few minutes to tighten your garbage disposal and appliance connections…and while you’re at it, check for any water leaks.

At the same time, check your washing machine hoses for ruptures.  Another way to test for water leaks is to turn the valves on and off.

Grab a flashlight and have a look inside your cabinets.  Signs of water damage include warped cabinet bottoms or staining.  At the same time, have a look under the sink for signs of drips or leaks.

Finally, it’s time to take your inspector cap and have a look outside.  If you spot standing water or areas of your lawn that are soft and spongy for no apparent reason, water could be leaking from a damaged sewer line and may contain waste from the home. Standing water is not healthy for children or pets, and it’s a breeding ground for insects and germs.

Plumbing problems…who needs ‘em?  Certainly not you.  At the same time, if you spot anything that looks even a little bit fishy, call us and we’ll come out and have a look.  After all, the most important plumbing service we offer is prevention.

Phone: 410-833-2188

Contact us today for answers to your questions or to schedule service