A dripping faucet or running toilet can lead to major water bills, and having a clogged drain can be a real nuisance and hard to clear. For a seasoned professional like Joe, these issues are easy to solve.

Joe first started doing sewer drain cleaning and general plumbing repairs 30 years ago. “A buddy of mine had a plumbing business, and as soon as I graduated high school, I started working with him in the summers and in between college breaks. I just always stuck with it, even when I was working other jobs.”

In 2022, he founded Garden Snake Drain Cleaning in Warren to service the local area. “We pretty much cover the whole 78 corridor from Short Hills to Bridgewater. I’m a local guy, so I see a lot of my customers in the supermarket and around town.”

One of the things that sets his company apart, he says, is that he and his team never try to sell anyone something that’s not needed. “I'm a terrible salesman,” says Joe. “Unlike some of the big, well-known companies out there where their repairmen are trained to sell the second they walk in the door, I’m just there to do the job that they need at that time. My motto is, ‘If it’s not broken, don't fix it.’  My guys don’t get paid on commissions.”

He also doesn’t ask for any payment until the job is done and the customer is completely satisfied. Garden Snake Drain Cleaning even offers free water pressure tests. “It’s important to do certain preventative maintenance because while I'm there, I can address it and make people aware of issues that could in the future become problematic and damage major fixtures.”

Much of his business comes from referrals. “I think it comes down to the fact that I'm honest. We're not there to make as much money as we can and then never see you again,” says Joe. “I'm also all about setting expectations, so I’m not going to take on a job that I know I can't do.” If that does happen, he’s happy to refer homeowners to other licensed plumbers whom he works with and trusts.

While some people just call a handyman to repair minor plumbing issues, Joe doesn’t recommend it. Many are not licensed, bonded, or insured. “Plumbing is not a hobby, so you don't want the guy who's doing your trim molding and hanging doorknobs messing with your plumbing pipes. There's a reason why people go to school to learn this trade. Plus, I'm up on the latest and greatest technologies.”

One of his big pet peeves is when he sees work that was done incorrectly. “You can see where someone was just rushing to get the job done. I take pride in my work, and when I do something, it's right. My pipes are level. My buddy taught me the right way to do things, and he wouldn't accept anything else when I was working for him. That’s the work ethic that I always maintain.”

Next time you need plumbing repair and/or a drain cleared, call Joe at 908-403-1844. “I will call you back,” he says.