FAQ
Pristine Plumbing Inc. FAQ’s
Why do Orange County homeowners choose Pristine Plumbing, Inc. time and again when they need a reliable residential plumbing contractor? It’s because of our experience and commitment to customer service.
Since opening our doors in 2008, we’ve committed ourselves to a unique combination of high-quality work, conservation, and customer satisfaction. We know how stressful it can be to deal with an emergency plumbing situation, which is why we offer quick service with a one-hour service window for emergency repairs. We also never start working until you have an estimate and quote.
At Pristine Plumbing, Inc., we get many questions from our customers, but here are the ones that come up time and again. As always, whenever you have a question, feel free to contact us, and we’ll do everything we can to provide an answer.
Water Heaters
What’s Wrong With My Water Heater?
Most homeowners take on-demand hot water for granted — until they suddenly don’t have it. The good news is that it’s rare for a water heater to fail without warning. If your water heater is doing something it’s not done before, don’t shrug it off because it could be a sign that it’s failing. Call a residential plumbing contractor for water heater repair if you notice any of the following warning signs.
- Water leaking from the base of the tank
- Your water heater is over ten years old
- You’re running out of hot water more quickly than before
- You can’t get the consistent water temperature
- The water coming out of the faucet is murky, rusty, or discolored
- Your water heater starts making strange noises such as banging, gurgling, or popping
- You notice a sudden decrease in water pressure
Not all of these signs mean you must replace your water heater right away, but it’s good to call and have it checked out to ensure you don’t find yourself suddenly without hot water.
Drain Cleaning
Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe?
Another question people ask is, is it safe to use chemical drain cleaners. Liquid drain cleaners have long been the go-to method homeowners use to unclog drains, and while it may seem like a quick, affordable way to solve the problem, the fact is that these products often do more harm than good, and here’s why. Chemical drain cleaners use highly toxic chemicals like lye and hydrochloric acid to clear drains by dissolving hair, food, and other materials. When using chemicals that strong, imagine what could happen if it comes into contact with your skin or eyes. And, not only are these chemicals dangerous to your body, they’re harsh on your pipes too. Relying too heavily on chemical drain cleaners could weaken pipes causing them to leak. Another thing to consider is how effective these products are at clearing away clogs. Despite their dissolving power, liquid drain cleaners aren’t as effective as advertised. Many times, drain clogs are caused by broken pipes or something other than food or hair. What ends up happening is that these cleaning products fail to remove the clog, causing people to pour more and more of the product down the drain, where it builds up and causes a more significant problem. Lastly, consider the environmental impact these drain cleaning products produce. These harsh chemicals pose a significant risk to plants and animals if they wind up outside. Also, if the product eats through your pipes, it can get into the groundwater and eventually into larger bodies of water. Some people even throw away the bottles with a few ounces of the cleaning product left inside, which gets into the landfill and then into the ground. For safe, effective drain cleaning all around, call a professional plumber instead of relying on drain cleaning products.
Sewer Line Replacement
Does My Insurance Cover Sewer Line Replacement?
Owning a home comes with many risks and surprises; some are the typical day-to-day repairs and maintenance, while others hit you out of the blue with costly repairs. Repairing or replacing a sewer line is one of the latter. There are many reasons sewer lines become damaged, including ruptures caused by shifting soil, increased traffic on the ground above, or nearby construction. Also, older pipes eventually corrode and leak. Repairing or replacing a sewer line can be an expensive job, especially if it requires excavating your property to get at the pipe. Because of this expense, it’s natural that homeowners wonder if their insurance will foot the bill. While all homeowners’ insurance policies are different, in general, the average policy doesn’t include sewer line repair or replacement. Damaged sewer lines can cause property losses that range in the thousands of dollars, so if you’re on the fence, you might want to talk with your insurer about adding it to your current policy.
Gas Appliance
Why Do I Need A Plumber To Hook Up A Gas Appliance?
We know many DIYers out there balk at the notion of hiring a professional to do something as basic as hooking up a gas-powered appliance. However, there are legit reasons to hire a plumber for this task, and here’s why. Safety While gas is used safely for millions of homeowners, the fact is that it’s not worth the risk of improper appliance installation. If you install a washing machine incorrectly, the worst is that you have a water leak to clean up. With gas, you risk carbon monoxide poisoning and fire. When dealing with a highly combustible substance such as gas, you’re much better off letting a pro do the job. Know-How You can indeed save a few bucks by installing a gas appliance yourself, but setting up new lines leading to the existing line is a challenge, and you must figure out how these additions will work with your appliances. Professional gas fitters have years of education and experience, and appliance installation is generally a breeze for them. Plus, because they have the training, you are guaranteed that the appliance is installed without endangering your family or home. Guarantees If you install a gas appliance yourself and something goes wrong, or you end up damaging the plumbing, you’re on the hook for the repair. Most reputable plumbing companies guarantee their work, and if something goes wrong, they fix it at no cost to you. So, while you may be able to get by installing a gas appliance yourself, for best results and to guarantee the health and safety of your family, trust the experts to handle it.
Clogged Toilet
How Can I Stop My Toilet From Clogging?
Most homeowners are probably familiar with that feeling of dread and panic that overcomes them as their toilet begins overflowing after flushing it. Fortunately, most toilet clogs are easy to prevent if you know why they happen in the first place. Here are a few tips for keeping your toilet in tip-top shape. Go Easy On The Toilet Paper If you or a family member likes to use a lot of toilet paper, it’s probably one of the reasons you have as many clogged toilets as you do. While toilet paper is designed to dissolve in the water, it doesn’t dissolve right away, so when you overload the system with too much, you end up with a wad that can’t pass through the drain. If you insist on using a lot of toilet paper, try multiple flushes during usage to ensure it all goes down smoothly. Don’t Treat Your Toilet Like A Trash Can Too many people look at the huge drainage hole in their toilets. They think they can flush down anything that will fit, including food, personal wipes, paper towels, feminine products, soap, and anything else you can imagine. While you might be able to get away with this a few times, if you make it a regular practice, you’ll eventually end up with a clog. The only things that should ever get flushed down the toilet are human waste and toilet paper, and that’s it. Anything else you need to dispose of should go into the trash. Keep The Lid Closed Young children become fascinated by the toilet once they discover they can put something in, push the lever, and watch it spin down the drain. If you have young kids, keep the lid closed and secure so they can’t experiment by seeing what they can flush down the drain next.
Tankless Water Heaters
Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth It?
While tankless water heaters have been around for years, they’re now gaining popularity in America as people look for new ways to be more environmentally conscious and save a few bucks on their energy bills. Unlike standard water heaters that continuously reheat water in a storage tank until it’s ready for use, tankless water heaters superheat the water with gas or electric coils as you need it. So, while superheating the water does use more energy, the water doesn’t have to be reheated again and again like a standard water tank, making these systems more efficient and using less energy overall. If you’re on the fence about a tankless water heater installation, here are a few advantages to consider. Instant Hot Water Instead of waiting a few seconds or longer for hot water to start flowing, tankless water heaters superheat the water almost instantly, which means you don’t have to wait. Longer Lifespan One of the most significant benefits of a tankless water heater is that these systems last much longer than their tank-style counterparts. With routine maintenance, it’s common for a tankless system to last up to 10 years longer than the average water heater. Lower Cost To Operate While it’s true that tankless water heaters cost more to install at the outset, you save money every month during operation because these systems are much more efficient than standard water heaters. Some reports show that tankless water heaters are up to 22 percent more efficient than standard models, which can save you hundreds of dollars annually. If you’re still on the fence about a tankless water heater installation, call one of our experts for a consultation.
Quotes
Do You Give Quotes Over The Phone?
All jobs require an in-depth approach. We like to set up a time where one of our technicians can visit with you and provide you with a free no-obligation estimate.
License
Are You Licensed?
Yes, we are licensed and insured.
Technicians
How Do I Know The Technician Will Do A Good Job?
Our technicians are specially trained and believe in the quality of their work. We feel that the customer should be treated as we would like to be treated ourselves. If at any time you have a comment about a technician, please call our office and speak with a representative.
Residential and Commercial
Do You Do Residential And Commercial Work?
Absolutely! Our team is fully trained in both residential plumbing and commercial plumbing. We also work with our local suppliers for up-to-date product training.
Commission
Are Your Technicians On Commission?
No. We are a family-owned and operated company and prefer to keep prices on a regular pricing structure.
Property Management Companies
Do You Work With Property Management Companies?
Yes. We offer on-call services to everyone. We carry all of the insurance requirements needed.
Estimates
Do You Charge For Your Estimates?
No. We offer free estimates. There are no hidden fees.
Methods Of Payment
What Methods Of Payment Do You Accept?
We accept all major credit cards, checks and cash. We also offer easy financing options. Payment is due upon job completion.
