Consolidated Plumbing & Heating, LLC.

02/04/2026

Cold Weather Tips ~ To help prevent frozen pipes...

Insulate pipes and faucets in unheated areas. In garages and cold basements/crawl spaces wrap pipes with insulation.

Patch cracks and holes in doors, windows and walls near water and heating pipes. Cold drafts in otherwise warm areas, can still cause frozen pipes.

Never use an open flame to thaw frozen pipes. A hair dryer is the safest tool for thawing frozen pipes. Set it on low and wave it along the pipes slowly. If the pipe has already cracked, it will leak, so make sure you know the location of your shut off valves.

Turn off all outside faucets and have your sprinkler system blown out for the winter to avoid freezing and splitting of water lines.

Disconnect and store garden hoses. Turn off the water to the faucets on the inside of your home, drain the pipes.

Never completely turn off the heat when you're gone unless the pipes have been drained and the system winterized.

Plan ahead, take these steps, but Consolidated Plumbing & Heating, Inc.'s phone number handy, just in case.

08/28/2025

Schedule your boiler check-up before the cold hits! Don't wait!
https://conta.cc/3JDJOUQ

Email from Don't Wait Until The Weather Closes In To Have Your Heating System Checked! It's Time to Schedule Your Boiler's Pre-Season Check-up! Don't wait until the first day you turn up the thermost

08/28/2025

It's Time to Schedule Your Boiler's Pre-Season Check-up!
Don't Wait Until The Weather Closes In To Have Your Heating System Checked!

We are starting basic boiler heating check-ups NOW!
Don't wait until the first day you turn up the thermostat to make an appointment!!

E-mail is the best method for contacting us.

Please include:
* Days that you will be available
* Concerns and photos if possible

If this is the 1st time we will be working on your heating equipment, please send a photo of it to ensure it is something we work on.

At this time, we are only working on conventional drafting gas, steam and forced hot water boilers.

We can refer you to companies that service 90+, direct vent boilers or forced air furnaces.

Please schedule before your equipment is needed for heat so there is time to take any required corrective measures.

If your chimney does not have a metallic liner and has not been checked in 3 to 5 years or was recently serviced and had issues, it should be checked again. Downeast Chimney Sweeps is our preferred sweep, they can be contacted at [email protected] or 781-769-2345 they book fast, so make your appointment early.

E-mail anytime, weekends and off hours. If you do not have access to email, the company phone number is still the same 781-444-2508. It is usually forwarded to my cell phone, which may limit my talking ability.

Please E-mail at: [email protected]

Equipment varies from very simple to extremely complex therefore, what is required to service them can vary greatly, for this, we are covering the basics of water-based equipment.
At 1st, I look at the system for what may stick out as problematic then start to narrow it down. Is all piping in good shape or are there leaks or holes in smoke pipe? Does the equipment draft well, is the combustion chamber full of soot or rust or other contaminants? Are the passageways clear from the gas logs right up through the chimney?
We clean what is needed then start it back up, does it light off smooth? Do the main burners kick in when they are supposed to? Does the temperature and pressure function in normal limits? Does heat circulate properly? Does the system shut down as expected? Do all safety devices appear to be in proper operation?

VERY IMPORTANT for regular boiler inspections and cleaning!!! Iems found not to be in proper order should be addressed and corrected as needed.

Most manufacturers have a schedule of service, some can be done by the homeowner most of which is just visual. Most manufacturers want a service technician to see the equipment at least once a year. In most cases it is best done off season in case serious problems need to be addressed without risking property damage from freezing weather or the inconvenience of no heat or hot water. Email us at [email protected] if you can send a photo of your equipment or give us a call to set up an appointment 781-444-2508

With Consolidated Plumbing & Heating there is a "Difference!"

04/30/2025

Have your dryer vent checked regularly. Especially in the Spring when nesting time is in full bloom!

04/21/2025

Needham!

The Water, Sewer & Drains Division (WSDD) of the Town of Needham’s Department of Public Works will be flushing water mains via hydrants on dead-end streets throughout town beginning Tuesday, April 22 through Wednesday, May 7, 2025 (weather permitting). This will take place Monday through Thursday between 11 pm and 6 am.

Although there are non-essential outdoor water use restrictions currently in place, the flushing of the Town’s water distribution system is an important function of maintaining Needham’s water quality. Having quality drinking water supersedes the restriction as it is an essential need.

The purpose of water system flushing is to:

➡ verify the safe operation of hydrants and valves;
➡ remove accumulated sediment or mineral buildup in our water mains;
➡ maintain overall water quality;
➡ restore or help maintain chlorine residual throughout the water system; and
➡ continue maintaining a clean, safe water supply to our customers.

Please note: water flushing may result in a temporary discoloration of the water, as well as a possible temporary reduction in water pressure. Water discoloration is not a health risk. The WSDD recommends restricting your water usage during this period. The discolored water may stain your laundry, especially white materials, as well as the possible staining of plumbing fixtures. Therefore, please avoid doing laundry during the flushing period (Monday through Thursday, 11 pm to 6 am) and certainly while such conditions exist.

Prior to washing clothes, the WSDD advises you check the cold water for possible discoloration. If the water is discolored, let the cold water run for a minute or two to begin clearing the system. If the water does not clear at that time, try again later. As the Town cannot guarantee that the possibility of discoloration won’t occur, please check your water carefully prior to doing laundry and inspect the laundry after the wash cycle, before it’s placed in the dryer.

The WSDD appreciates your patience as they work to maintain the quality of the drinking water in Needham. For more information, please visit www.needhamma.gov/hydrantflushing. For questions please call 781-455-7550.

04/20/2025

Ladies and Gentlemen, children of all ages STEP RIGHT UP and reserve your circus tickets today!

04/20/2025

Oven / Cook top clearances and purchase considerations.

This happens far too often - we take a call "We just got a new gas range / cook top - Can you hook it up?" There are several things to consider before you make a purchase -

First, most appliance companies will take the existing away if it's disconnected when they get there, they will uncrate and place the new unit in front of the opening, this greatly reduces the chances floors will be damaged.

Also, having Consolidated take care of disconnect before, helps to smooth the process. Please have the installation manual on hand for the actual appliance going in. We can review the required MA Code clearances for cabinets, walls, vent hoods and microwaves (if you have a microwave vent hood, have the instructions for that available also) suspended above the cooking surface. A little pre-planning can reduce a lot of problems if it is found there are items within the clearance areas.

While it's not a guarantee that all items will be accounted for, we have been able to reduce unexpected circumstances such as cabinet removal or bringing in contractors to install unsightly fireproofing.

Some people say "I bought the same make and model of what we have now", Manufacturers often keep the same model number but use serial numbers or dates of manufacture to separate changes to the model.

Building codes have changed and in some cases the item was never installed to specification and or never inspected to be in compliance. Insurance companies can refuse claims if the proper inspections were not made by officials or the appliance was not installed per specification. So remember to check ahead of purchase and delivery that you have the proper documentation and have a review of existing conditions. www.consolidatedph.com email [email protected]

01/19/2025

Cold Weather Tips ~ To help prevent frozen pipes...

Insulate pipes and faucets in unheated areas. In garages and cold basements/crawl spaces wrap pipes with insulation.

Patch cracks and holes in doors, windows and walls near water and heating pipes. Cold drafts in otherwise warm areas, can still cause frozen pipes.

Never use an open flame to thaw frozen pipes. A hair dryer is the safest tool for thawing frozen pipes. Set it on low and wave it along the pipes slowly. If the pipe has already cracked, it will leak, so make sure you know the location of your shut off valves.

Turn off all outside faucets and have your sprinkler system blown out for the winter to avoid freezing and splitting of water lines.

Disconnect and store garden hoses. Turn off the water to the faucets on the inside of your home, drain the pipes.

Never completely turn off the heat when you're gone unless the pipes have been drained and the system winterized.

Plan ahead, take these steps, but Consolidated Plumbing & Heating, Inc.'s phone number handy, just in case.

http://www.consolidatedph.com/hints.html

03/14/2024

If you need to contact us email is best [email protected] We do not regularly monitor FB messenger.

01/15/2021

Boiler roll out

Atmospheric Boilers are just that - open to the atmosphere. There are basically two points at which products of combustion can spill, out of the draft hood which is typically odorless colorless carbon monoxide and highly poisonous, or out of the combustion chamber which can include the flame itself rolling out. Modern boilers have thermal switches that shut the boiler down should these events happen. Annual boiler cleanings and regular chimney sweep inspections and cleanings can greatly reduce or even eliminate this issue. Typically boilers that are pre 80's do not have spill safety switches and the best course of action is to replace these pieces of equipment that are also very inefficient and most likely are or will be in need of major repairs anyway. www.consolidatedph.com email [email protected]