Kirkland & Shaw's blog for news frequently asked plumbing questions, tips, and more.

Find out the essential plumbing secrets every homeowner needs to know to avoid disasters and save money.

Maintaining Consistent Heat During Intense Cold Waves

Don't Put That Down a Garbage Disposal Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday for many, an occasion to spend time with family, enjoy a delicious feast, and give thanks. However, this celebration of abundance and gratitude also has an unexpected side effect. For plumbers, the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year. Referred to as "Brown Friday" in the plumbing industry, it's when our team at Kirkland and Shaw Plumbing springs into action to tackle a surge in service calls.

Looking for an emergency plumber in Winchester, MA? Our professional plumbers are here to provide fast and reliable plumbing services whenever you need them. Contact us now for immediate assistance!

For water heater replacement Sudbury, MA residents can learn about when to replace a water heater and the most common signs its time for a new water heater.

​Spring Plumbing Tips Winter can be hard on your Massachusetts plumbing with freezing cold temperatures. Although winter hasn’t been too bad around Burlington and Lexington this year. Most times winter in Massachusetts makes your plumbing susceptible to freezing up, causing broken pipes and leaks. Now that spring is around the corner, it’s time to inspect your plumbing to make sure you didn’t suffer any broken pipes. Every now and again it’s good to do a quick inspection of your plumbing around the house and the change of seasons is probably the best time to do your plumbing inspection. Below we share what to inspect this spring. Visual Inspection – Visually inspect pipes for leaks that are under sinks, under toilets and in the basement. Especially where pipes are located near exterior walls as they tend to freeze up crack and leak. Clean Gutters – Sounds crazy hearing this from a plumber? But keeping your gutters and downspouts free of debris to keep water away from your house. Unless you would prefer to install and maintain a sump pump. Check Toilets for Leaks - Spring time is a good time to check for leaky toilets. Leaky toilets can be an expensive waste of water especially when it’s hard to detect a leak as toilet leaks can be very silent. How to check for leaks in your toilet, start by taking off the tank cover and add some food coloring to the tank. After about 15-20 minutes check your toilet bowl to see if the water has changed color because of a leaking tank.

Make sure your plumbing is all set for winter! Winter is here in Burlington, MA, which means it’s time for snow, sledding, and holidays. While the winter brings a lot of excitement and joy, it is also important to make sure to secure and prepare your house for freezing temperatures. Before it gets too cold, consider going through this checklist to make sure your plumbing is all set for winter.

Leaking Water Heater ​What type of leak your water heater may be experiencing can predict serious trouble. If your water heater is leaking from a relief valve or a drain valve, then that’s typically an easy fix. However, if your tank is leaking then that’s a problem! Because the tank is lined with glass and if that glass cracks your tank will leak causing the steel to rust eventually causing the tank to rupture. Usually the telltale sign that you have a crack is that you will see rusty puddles on the floor around your water heater. If you don’t replace your water heater the tank will rupture and flood your home. Don’t risk flooding! Replace that water heater now with same-day water heater replacement .

Some plumbing emergencies can be prevented by simply being careful. Below are three quick tips to prevent plumbing emergencies. Prevent Clogs Use drain covers or strainers to prevent food from going down the drain. Don't pour cooking oil down the drain. Use traps in shower drains to prevent hair clogs. Be Proactive Call a plumber at the first sign of leaks or clogs Don't wait to take action. Waiting can just make the problem worse. Take action to help prevent costly repairs. Preventative Measures Old pipes and fixtures should be replaced. Have your plumber inspect your homes plumbing for leaks. Check Your Water Heater Inspect your water heater annually to ensure its operating properly can prolong the life of your water heater.