Last Tuesday, I waded through my neighbor Frank’s basement in Lakewood after his sump pump failed during our first heavy spring rain. Six inches of water, family photos floating by, and that unmistakable musty smell that haunts basements for months afterward. “Should’ve checked the damn thing in March,” he muttered, hauling soggy cardboard boxes upstairs. Frank’s misfortune is a reminder for all of us living along the Jersey Shore – that neglected sump pump in…
That first warm breeze of spring always feels like a promise here in Howell. As we pack away our winter coats and dream of backyard gatherings, there’s something else that deserves our attention after the long Jersey winter – our home’s plumbing. I’ve seen firsthand how those hidden pipes and fixtures, silently doing their jobs, can suddenly become the center of attention when things go wrong. Let’s talk about how to keep that from happening…