pristineplumb1, Author at Pristine Plumbing

How Homeowners Can Detect Hidden Leaks

pristineplumb1 on April 21, 2022

The Three Signs of a Hidden Leak

Obvious water leaks are easy to identify. For instance, a leak under the kitchen sink will be easily identifiable by the broken pipe and the puddle forming around it.

Hidden leaks are an entirely different matter. Homeowners might notice minor changes to their plumbing systems and not attribute the inconvenience to a hidden leak. Homeowners should immediately address any type of leak, no matter how big or small. Prompt attention saves water, energy, money, and frustration. Below are three ways to spot a hidden leak.

1. Running Water – But No One’s Using a Fixture

Based on a hidden water leak’s severity, one may hear dripping or rushing water behind a wall-–even if no one’s using the shower, dishwasher, or washing machine. Eventually, the sound will be accompanied by puddles, damage to the drywall, and water spots.

If someone believes there’s a burst or leaking pipe inside the home, they should first turn off their home’s water supply. If the sound stops, then this is likely a hidden leak. A homeowner’s next step should be to call a licensed plumber. A professional can assess the severity of the leak and render appropriate repairs. They may even have to cut a piece of wall to access the leaking pipe, valve, or connector.

2. Swampy Puddles in the Yard

A home could have a broken water line, sewer main, or sprinkler system if one notices:

Puddles of foul-smelling water form in the yard.
There are soft, muddy spots where one’s foot sinks in.
The sound of rushing water when standing at a certain point in the yard.

One can also check for water leaks in the yard by pushing down on the soil with their hands. If the ground collapses slightly, this could indicate a hidden leak. Outdoor leaks can range in severity. A professional can address the leak by tightening a valve or replacing a pipe in some situations. In other scenarios, the plumbers may need to dig up a section of the yard to locate and address the problem.

3. Lower Water Pressure Combined with Higher Water Bills

If one experiences less-than-ideal water pressure in their sink or shower, this could also indicate a hidden leak. Water could be escaping the system, leading to less output through the faucet or shower head. Sometimes, low water pressure can be attributed to clogs, which a plumber can remove using a drain snake. However, it could also indicate a hidden leak inside the home itself.

Poor water pressure isn’t the only sign of a water leak. One might experience nothing wrong with the plumbing system yet find themselves facing expensive water bills. The water bill could increase because of a leak since water is escaping the system, using (and wasting) more water than usual.

If a homeowner isn’t sure whether their home’s water consumption has increased, they should check their water meter. Any unexpected spikes or dips could indicate a leak within the plumbing system. If a homeowner suspects a water leak, they should immediately call a professional. The water leak repair service can explain their options on how to proceed.

Avoiding These Plumbing Mistakes in 2022 Will Save You Time and Money

pristineplumb1 on March 1, 2022

Don’t Make These Common Plumbing Mistakes.

A simple mistake can be costly when it comes to a home’s plumbing system. To avoid a plumbing emergency, homeowners should avoid liquid drain cleaners, schedule water heater maintenance, and call a professional plumber for all plumbing installations or repairs. Get 2022 started right by avoiding the following common plumbing mistakes.

Pour Liquid Drain Cleaner Down a Clogged Drain

Drain cleaning services help prevent clogged drains in the kitchen or bathroom plumbing. When a clog does occur, homeowners should not make the mistake of using liquid drain cleaners to unclog the drain.

Liquid drain cleaner contains a cocktail of extremely harsh chemicals that burn through the clog in the drain. These chemicals come with many side effects, including respiratory symptoms and skin irritation.

Often the liquid drain cleaner is not enough to remove the clog, which leaves the toxic fumes with nowhere to go but up into the house. This only serves to make a bad situation worse. Instead of using a liquid drain cleaner, homeowners should schedule drain maintenance with a professional plumber.

Forget to Service the Water Heater

Water heaters are one of the most important pieces of plumbing hardware in the modern home. They heat the warm water used daily for cooking, cleaning, and bathing. Because they get daily use, water heaters need regular maintenance.

Skipping water heater maintenance could lead to a system malfunction and eventually total system failure. Two of the critical steps that water heater technicians take during maintenance appointments are emptying the water from the tank to clean out the sediment and checking for worn-out valves.

Natural mineral deposits separate into solid sediment when the water is heated inside the tank. When this sediment builds up, it causes problems for the water heater. By cleaning out the deposit around every six months, homeowners can prevent unnecessary repairs in the future.

There is a system of valves within water heaters that regulate the water flow. These valves are notorious for wearing out due to constant use. Replacing worn-out valves during maintenance appointments can help protect the system’s function and increase the water heater’s longevity.

Fix Broken Plumbing Yourself

Plumbing repair and installation can result in property damage or personal injury when not done by a qualified professional. Homeowners looking to tighten their budget may be tempted to attempt repairing broken plumbing fixtures on their own but end up spending more money in the long run when they need to call a plumbing repairer to fix the damage they have done.

When a plumbing installation is done incorrectly, it can cause utility bills to be unusually high due to the system running inefficiently. DIY installation can also void the plumbing hardware’s manufacturer warranty.

Trusting a professional plumber with installations and repairs protects the homeowner. Plumbers are required to undergo extensive training to obtain a license, and they are also required to have business insurance.

Gifts For The Plumber In Your Family

pristineplumb1 on March 30, 2019

Useful Plumber Tools To Have On Hand

There are always going to be occasions to give gifts to people in your household and there’s no reason why at least some of them can’t be practical, helpful items. While not all plumbing issues are ones you should try to take care of DIY style, when something happens, it’s important to have the right tools on hand for the project. Here are a few tools that plumbers recommend you have on hand in case of emergency so you can stop the flow of water until the plumber arrives to make the repair happen.

Pliers

Pliers with slip joints or even water pump pliers have longer handles that can grip things easier. If you’re having trouble getting a fixture to turn on or off or you can’t get your hands behind the fixture to get to the on and off switch, pliers can help you get the job done so you can take your time in calling the plumber for the repair.

Flange Plunger

Every bathroom, or at least every household, should have a flange plunger to clear occasional toilet clogs. These plungers work better than traditional shapes and they can be very helpful in a pinch. If your toilet clogs on a regular basis, even if you aren’t flushing anything but the proper toilet paper, you’ll want to contact a plumber for help.

Sink Auger

There are sink plungers as well, but this rotating drum snake can help you clean out easy clogs from your sink drains. If you aren’t able to clear things out this way, or if the sink just clogs up again a day or two later, it’s best to call a plumber in for the clearing process so you don’t damage the pipes.

O Rings And Rubber Washers

A variety of plumbing items use O rings and rubber washers and you never really know when you might need them. Keeping a variety pack on hand in an easy-to-reach location can help you in a pinch.

Adding To The Tool Chest

When you buy any of these items for someone in your house, you could add them to an already existing tool chest or create a new tool belt to make them stand out that much more. While they might not be the most romantic gifts, pairing them with something more thoughtful, like a dinner on the town or tickets to an upcoming event can make the gift feel practical and exciting all at once. If nothing else, buy them and give them to yourself if you’re the one who will most likely use them anyway.

Get More Plumber/Tool Advice

If you want to know what other tools you should keep in your home, contact your plumber for more advice. You will want to call Pristine Plumbing for any large or even moderate issues you have. But there are a few things you at least attempt on your own (like unclogging the toilet with a plunger) before you make the call.

Getting Water Leak Repair Instead Of Allowing Damage

pristineplumb1 on March 15, 2019

Don’t Put Off Water Leak Repair

Many homeowners have water leaks in their home and they simply ignore them, hoping they’ll go away or, at the very least, that they won’t get worse. But that’s about the worst thing you can do as a homeowner. Ignoring repairs that really need attention can end up causing serious damage and costing a lot more money than they would have to repair. Here are a few reasons you want to deal with water leak repair right away instead of putting it off until the inevitable happens.

Reason 1: Avoid Water Damage

Sure, everyone spills a little water on the floor from time to time, but have you ever dumped a whole bucket on the couch and let it just sit there? Water can do serious damage to your home and if it seeps into the walls, gets into the ceilings, permeates the flooring and so on, it can cost a lot to clean up. Sometimes, the water can’t be ‘cleaned up’ and you have some serious repairs and replacement projects on your hands. Instead of waiting for a water leak to get worse and cause major damage, it’s best to take care of it while it’s still small and controllable.

Reason 2: Disturb Mold Growth

When you know you have a leak, that’s the time to call for water leak repair. Any time there’s water present in any capacity, you have the opportunity to start mold growth. Mold loves wet places and if they’re dark and damp most of the time, the mold will thrive. Once mold starts growing, it’s very hard to get rid of it and it can be very dangerous. Instead of letting your leak call mold growth to your home, take care of it fast and avoid those issues.

Reason 3: Pay Less Now

What will cost less: fixing a small leak in your shower fixture or replacing a burst pipe? The first option, of course. Now, not every leak is going to lead to a burst pipe, but leaks don’t generally go away on their own and they often indicate that there’s something else going on. When you get a small leak fixed, you pay a small amount of money to a plumber. If you let it sit for too long, it could cause larger issues or the deeper root of the problem could become an emergency, which will undeniably cost you way more down the road.

Call For Water Leak Repairs

You are going to be much better off getting your plumber to your home to assess and fix your water leak repair needs as soon as you notice you have a leak. Not only will those annoying dripping sounds go away, but you won’t have to worry about water damage, mold growth, and way bigger costs in the future. If you can’t see a leak, but you suspect something is up because your water bill is high or you see stains on the walls or ceilings, it’s just as important to get Pristine Plumbing to your home.

Caring For Your Bathroom Plumbing

pristineplumb1 on February 28, 2019

Preventative Maintenance On Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures

Plumbing is a part of several rooms of your house, but it’s never more important than in the bathroom. Bathroom plumbing problems can be inconvenient, annoying, messy, and even downright damaging. Water leaks or other problems can cause rot, mold, and damage to the walls and floor. It’s best to take care of the bathroom plumbing in every way possible to avoid damaging your house or having a major emergency that could have been circumvented. Here are a few things to do to keep up with your bathroom plumbing maintenance needs.

Prevent Clogs

When your bathroom plumbing pipes get clogged up, it’s hard for water to drain away from the bathroom. You might see your drains running more slowly and eventually, water could start to back up into the bathroom. There are things you can do to prevent sink clogs from occurring in the first place. First, put screens over the sink, shower, and tub drains to keep hair and other debris from going down the drain and causing clogs. Use the right plunger on toilets or sinks when you notice a small clog occurring and call for help when the plumbing seems to get worse. And watch for smells from the drain that could indicate things are building up inside.

Watch Leaks

You can tell when you have a leak in a faucet or from the shower head, but it’s not always that simple. Your toilet might be leaking inside and you won’t even know it. If you have a sink that fills up with bubbles while it drains, there could be a leak somewhere. You might notice a musty smell, or you could see water stains on the bathroom wall or ceiling. Know where your shut off valves are to all fixtures and to the house as a whole. When you have a leak, and you can identify which fixture is causing it, shut water off to that fixture until the plumber can take a look and get things fixed. It’s better to be safe than very sorry if something becomes an emergency later.

Conserve Water And The Plumbing

The harder you work your bathroom plumbing, the more repairs it will need. Conserving water can also help you give the plumbing a break. Try to restrict the amount of time you spend in the shower and shut the water off in the sink when you brush your teeth. You’re doing something good for your water bill, the environment, and also your bathroom plumbing.

Have Things Checked Out

Bathrooms are connected to sewer lines and if there’s ever an issue, the last thing you want is a backup into your house. It’s in your best interest to have your sewer system and bathroom plumbing checked over by a professional plumber every year so you can ensure things are running efficiently and effectively. Plumbers like the professionals at Pristine Plumbing will notice small things like leaks and can take care of them before they become much larger headaches.

Reasons To Have An Emergency Plumber In Your Contact List

pristineplumb1 on February 15, 2019

Keep That Emergency Plumber Number On Your Phone

Emergencies happen. While you can prepare as much as you want, you can’t predict when something is going to happen. A lot of people have an ICE phone number programmed into their phone so if something happens, whoever gets to their phone will know who to call. ICE stands for “in case of emergency.” It makes sense to be prepared. While not every emergency will have you needing someone to make calls for you, there are emergencies within your house that you should prepare for as well. You might, for example, have the number for poison control on your fridge, just in case. You have taught your kids how to dial 911 in case something happens. And so forth. Along those lines, it’s only practical to find and hire a plumbing company and program their number into your phone. Here are a few reasons to move forward with that plan.

Reason 1: Save Time When Emergencies Arise

When a pipe bursts or a toilet is overflowing, time is of the essence. Instead of spending time looking up emergency plumbers and then trying to get one on the phone, you could have the plumber on their way within minutes. When emergencies happen, calling the plumber right away is in your best interest. Even a little time saved can cut back on the amount of damage you accrue.

Reason 2: Check Out Plumbers Beforehand

When you have an emergency happening around you and you need a plumber, you’ll type emergency plumber into your search engine and call the first one that pops up. It’s a dire situation and you need someone right away. But if you think ahead and check out plumbers before an emergency occurs, you can feel good about the choices you are making. You have time on your side and you can look over their website, read reviews, get an understanding of their services, and know what you are getting when you need to work with them.

Reason 3: Form A Relationship

Emergency plumbers are there to help you when something happens and you need someone right away, but if you use a plumber you have a relationship, you can get even better service. Find a plumber that maintains plumbing systems, fixes leaks, and works in emergency plumbing. That way, they know your home well and you have someone to call when something goes wrong. That relationship can take you a long way in emergency situations.

Look For Emergency Plumbers Today

Before your pipe bursts, your toilet overflows, or the sprinkler system explodes, you need to have a plumber in your phone, ready to call at any time. With any luck, you’ll never use the number—or at least not for an emergency. But you’ll sleep better at night knowing you have someone to call and know just what to do if something happens that you don’t expect. If you need to find that emergency plumbing services in Orange County to type into your contact list, look into Pristine Plumbing.

Differences Between Residential And Commercial Plumbing

pristineplumb1 on January 30, 2019

Getting The Commercial Plumbing You Need

Pipes are pipes, right? They all operate the same way, whether they are in a home or a business. While that is somewhat true, residential plumbers and commercial plumbers serve two different purposes. If you have a commercial operation, you need commercial plumbing and the right plumber to care for it. Here are some of the main differences between residential and commercial plumbing to help you tell them apart.

Structure Size

One of the most obvious differences between a home and a commercial building is the size of the structure. Homes are usually smaller than commercial settings. They also usually have quite a bit less plumbing. Houses will have plumbing in the bathrooms and kitchen, but commercial buildings may have several bathrooms, all with many fixtures, and several kitchens as well. They usually have an increased demand on those fixtures as well based on the number of people who frequent the building on a regular basis rather than just one family.

Multiple Locations On Multiple Floors

While homes sometimes have two levels with bathrooms on each, commercial buildings have the potential to have many levels with plumbing on all of them. Gravity is a huge deal where plumbing is involved, and water pressure is important for buildings with lots of levels. A good commercial plumbing company will understand all of that while a residential plumber may not.

Specific Problems

Residential plumbing has variations of the same issues, for the most part. Those include things like backed up drains, leaking faucets, and toilet troubles. Commercial plumbing, on the other side, faces wider issues that have to have solutions. Plumbers not only need to know the basics, because what happens in a home can happen in a commercial building too, but they also need to be up on current codes and prepare for things that can’t or don’t happen typically in homes.

More Pipes, More Leak Options

Homes have plenty of pipes, but they are rather limited because they only have so much plumbing. Commercial buildings, on the other hand, have a lot more pipes included because there are a lot more fixtures. There may be bathrooms on two different sides of the building and on different floors. When a leak occurs, there are a lot more pipes to check during water leak detection. Those pipes have to be treated in the right manner so as not to cause more damage.

Finding A Commercial Plumbing Company

If you have plumbing issues at home, a residential plumber can take care of it for you, without a problem. But you may have to call a different company when commercial plumbing issues come up in your place of business. Residential plumbers specialize in home issues while commercial plumbers can take care of a larger size and variety of issues that can occur within a commercial system. Luckily, Pristine Plumbing has both residential and commercial plumbers on hand to help you with either issue you might be having with as little inconvenience as possible

Hiring A Well Rounded Plumbing Company

pristineplumb1 on January 15, 2019

A Versatile Plumbing Company Will Help The Most

When you have a plumbing issue, you want to call a plumbing company and have them come by and fix it as soon as possible. While most plumbers are able to take care of a leaky toilet or a backed-up drain, it’s nice to have a plumbing company on your call list that can do just about anything you need. What are some of the skills you should watch for in a plumbing company? Here are a few to pinpoint:

Emergency Plumbing

You never know what’s going to happen or when, but you can be certain that plumbing issues will only arise at inconvenient times. Because, really, are there convenient times for plumbing issues to occur? If you need a plumbing company when a pipe bursts or in another emergency situation, you need to know you can get ahold of them at all times. Choose a company that has emergency plumbing options available any time of the day and any day of the year.

Outdoor Plumbing

While you think of your plumbing as something that goes on within the walls of your home, you have outdoor plumbing as well. Whether you have an underground sprinkler system or an outdoor kitchen, having a plumber around that knows that area of plumbing can come in very useful if you were to have a problem.

Water Heater Issues

Your water heater is an electrical appliance that also deals with water. It’s not a unit that was meant to last forever, as much as you’d like for that to be the case. When you have something that needs repairs or you need the appliance replaced completely, having a plumber who can do that makes the job really simple.

Bathroom And Kitchen Plumbing

While many plumbers can do both of these things, it’s good to know the plumbing company you work with has experts in both. Bathrooms have showers, sinks, and toilets and their plumbing can be complicated. Kitchens have sinks, dishwashers, and refrigerators that are often hooked up to pipes. Having an expert in the field if you are remodeling can give you peace of mind about the project.

Water Leak Detective

Plumbing companies should think of themselves as detectives when it comes to water leaks. Sure, some leaks are obvious if you have a dripping faucet, but other leaks like to hide and only show water damage on the ceiling or higher water bills as clues. Your plumbing company should be able to find and fix the water leak, wherever it might be located.

Getting A Plumbing Company To Do Anything You Need

Whether you have a blocked drain, a water backflow, or a toilet main line issue, the right plumbing company can deal with it for you. It’s a lot better to have one company in mind so you only have one call to make, no matter what the plumbing problem may be. Put Pristine Plumbing on your call list for any plumbing problem you have, residential or commercial, large or small.

How Sewer Camera Inspection Services Can Help You

pristineplumb1 on December 30, 2018

Sewer Camera Inspection Services Save Headaches

The absolute last thing you want is for something to go wrong with your sewer line. Imagine what a mess you could have in your home if things back up. It’s one thing to have a pipe burst and cause water damage. It’s quite another thing to deal with a sewer backup and the smells and bacteria that follows. Instead of just waiting around to see what happens next, consider sewer camera inspection services to save yourself issues later on.

What Are Sewer Camera Inspection Services?

If you think there might be an issue with your sewer line, or you want to find out everything’s okay for sure, Sewer Camera Inspection Services are a good idea. Trained professionals come to your home, put a camera into the pipes, and check out blockages and leaks in an advanced manner. This technology lets professionals see what is blocking the pipes and where without the need to dig around to find the issue. They can assess your home’s needs without causing any damage. When you get Sewer Camera Inspection Services, you can then get the right repairs and save money because you’ll know just what repairs are needed. After these services are complete, you might hear a number of recommendations for repair.

The Hydro Jetting Option

Hydro jetting is high-pressure hose that cleans out the pipes. Any clogs or build up within your pipes will effectively be blow out. You can get rid of years of buildup with just one session. If you have any blockages, the sewer camera inspection will see it and the hydro jetting can then clear it out. The process is also gentle and won’t damage the pipes in any way. It’s also safe for the environment and your water lines since it doesn’t use any chemicals. You can get rid of grime, build up, and clogs quickly in this manner.

Trenchless Sewer Line Repair

You might dread sewer line repairs because you assume the professionals will have to dig a trench in your yard to get to the part that has to be repaired, but that’s not always the case. With this option, your plumber will go beneath the surface to replace pipes within the sewer line without digging anything up. The process is technical, but effective and something professionals can do for you if the situations are right.

Get The Answers You Need On Repairs With Sewer Camera Inspection Services

The sewer camera inspection is definitely the way to go when you suspect an issue, but aren’t sure where it originates or what it is. The plumbers at Pristine Plumbing can help you figure out exactly what’s going on without digging anything up or trouble shooting a number of elements. It’s easy to see the problem at hand and recommend the exact right solution for it, whether that’s hydro jetting, trenchless repairs, or something else. You can move forward with repairs knowing they are the right course of action for your issue.

What Kitchen Plumbing Services Might You Need?

pristineplumb1 on December 15, 2018

Keep Abreast Of Kitchen Plumbing Needs

The kitchen is the heart of any home. It is the place where people gather and spend time with one another, but it’s also very important to the overall function of the home. If you have problems with any piece of kitchen plumbing, it’s important to get help with those right away before they become worse. As your home ages, plumbing issues are going to arise. It’s best to keep an eye on the plumbing situation in the kitchen so you can get repairs done sooner rather than later. Here are some kitchen plumbing services you might need at some point.

Sink Repairs

You use the kitchen sink on a daily basis to wash dishes, rinse fruits, clean your hands, and do a number of other things. Sinks can get clogged or start leaking and dripping water, which is a huge waste. You might need help unclogging the pipes, repairing a leak, or completely replacing the faucet. Getting those things done as soon as you notice a problem can help you prevent bigger issues from turning into real emergencies.

Dishwasher Help

The dishwasher is something you rely on to cut back on the amount of time you have to spend washing dishes yourself. It’s a great way to sanitize things before you use them again as well. If your dishwasher has broken down, it can be really frustrating. Or, if you have a kitchen without a dishwasher and it’s time to install one, you want it done right. You can get installations or repairs done with ease with the right plumbing company.

Water Lines In The Fridge

Your fridge keeps your food cool and safe, but it also often dispenses water. You can get fresh water right from the fridge and that water line goes into the ice maker to create ice for you as well. When the water isn’t coming out, you might need some repairs to the water line that goes into the fridge. At some point, it might even have to be replaced. If you’re going from a fridge without water to one that has that feature, you may even need a water line installed before you make the switch.

Kitchen Plumbing Plans

If you are on the verge of putting together a kitchen renovation plan, you definitely need a plumber in on the very beginnings of those plans. If you’re moving any plumbing around, the plumber will need to be a part of your decisions so you can make sure the process is done correctly so the rest of the renovations can move forward.

Getting Kitchen Plumbing Repaired

When you need repairs to your kitchen plumbing, either in the sink, the dishwasher, the fridge water line, or another location, the professionals at Pristine Plumbing are here to help. Kitchen plumbing is too important to mess around with DIY options that might or might not go well. Contact the experts and get the jobs taken care of quickly and effectively.

Low Monthly Payment Options

24/7 Emergency Service

(714) 397-5954