Frequently Asked Questions

According to some experts, bathroom renovation is one of the costliest home improvements you can take on. It’s not uncommon for the average bathroom renovation project to cost more than $10,000, and large master bathrooms can skyrocket to over $25,000. These prices are out of reach for the average homeowner; however, there are things you can do to improve the look and functionality of your bathroom without having to rob the kids’ college funds. Here are a few ideas. Do it Yourself As with most things, the labor cost is a significant factor when remodeling a bathroom, so the more work you can do yourself, the more money you’ll save. Even if you’re not handy, there are many tasks the average person could do to help save on labor costs such as painting, tiling, replacing faucets and fixtures, putting up towel racks and other accessories, and demolition. Recycle Materials Another significant cost associated with remodeling is purchasing new materials and parts. To save money, consider reusing or refurbishing things like the bathtub, the sink, the toilet, and your cabinets. Think Simple You don’t have to go all out and rip out the entire bathroom to get a new one. Sometimes, something simple as updating your paint scheme and adding new faucets and showerheads, and installing new towel racks can do wonders to give you an updated look. Use Cheaper Materials It’s natural to desire premium materials like granite countertops, but these materials come with a heavy price tag. If you’re on a budget, consider using less expensive materials or colors that aren’t in high demand. And, if you’re still dead-set on granite, you can get cheaper slabs with imperfections such as cracks and fissures, which will mostly be obscured by the faucet. Get Better Lighting Another inexpensive way to quickly change the look of your bathroom is by upgrading the lighting. Also, consider adding light colors to add warmth and depth to the room. If you have a bathroom that’s over 25 years old, chances are the lights are old and unsightly, so this is one quick fix that produces great results. For more bathroom remodeling ideas, contact one of our professionals for no-obligation consultation.

Many homeowners in the Coachella Valley deal with the nuisance of a constantly running toilet, but many don’t know why this happens or what they can do about it. In most instances, the cause of a toilet that continuously runs is that the flapper doesn’t close to form a proper seal. You’ve probably heard the advice to “just jiggle the handle” as a way to solve this problem. However, when the flapper fails to seal, the water leaks into the toilet and never fills up the tank to activate the floater to shut it off. The solution to this problem is to replace the flapper, which is an easy and inexpensive repair you can usually do yourself.

If you’re one of those homeowners that deals with constantly clogged drains, you’re probably wondering why this keeps happening. Here are the most common reasons why your drains clog so you can take steps to prevent it. Tree Roots If you continue experiencing clogs in your main sewer line, there’s a high chance it’s because of tree roots, which are the primary cause of clogs, especially in older plumbing. Tree roots naturally seek moisture, so if there’s even a tiny leak in your sewer line, the roots will find a way in and quickly grow into a knotted mess. “Flushable” Wipes Flushable personal wipes have grown in popularity with consumers, but are the bane of many plumbers and water treatment plants. The problem with flushable wipes has gotten so bad that many cities discourage people from using these products because of the havoc they wreak on municipal water systems. Flushable wipes are advertised as such because they can be flushed, not that they should be flushed. They don’t disintegrate like toilet paper does, which eventually causes them to gunk-up the system. If you’re set on using these products, put them into the trash instead of flushing them down the drain. Fat, Oil & Grease In the kitchen, cooking fat, oil and grease are the most common causes of clogged sinks and drains. When you pour hot cooking grease or oil down the drain, it cools and congeals to clog the pipe like cholesterol clogging an artery. Like personal wipes, you’re better off disposing of fat and grease in the trash or by putting onto a compost heap. Hair In the bathroom, there’s no bigger cause of clogs than hair. People shed a significant amount of hair every time they shower, comb, or brush. And much of that hair ends up going down the drain where it mixes with soap to form a thick, stringy mess. To guard against this, use metal mesh drain filters to catch hair and avoid cleaning your hairbrushes over the toilet. Food Another common cause of clogs in the kitchen is food debris. The only thing that should go down your kitchen drains is water, so either consider using a garbage disposal to deal with food particles or throw food waste into the trash or on a compost pile. Is Professional Drain Cleaning Really Worth It? Think about what goes down your drains everyday. Whether you’re washing dishes, doing laundry, or using the bathroom, it’s no wonder that drains clog with food, hair, grease, and dirt. If you don’t keep your drains clean, you risk the inconvenience of slow and clogged drains, which can lead to water pressure building up and eventually burst pipes. While you may think that commercial drain cleaning products are effective for solving minor drain clogs, the fact is that these products can be harmful to your plumbing, and are highly toxic. The best solution for maintaining drain and plumbing health is to hire a pro for drain cleaning. However, you may be wondering if this is worth the expense. Well, consider these benefits for scheduling routine drain maintenance. ● Regular cleaning increases the lifespan of your drains and plumbing by minimizing the damage that can accumulate over time. ● Professional drain cleaning eliminates the foul odors that rise up from your drains and make your home smell unpleasant. ● Regular drain cleaning minimizes clogs and keeps your drains running fast. ● Regular professional drain cleaning keeps expensive repairs at bay by allowing you to find and fix minor problems now before they blossom into major problems late. There’s no hard and fast rule that dictates how often you should schedule drain cleaning because it depends on many factors such as the size of your household and how often you use your drains. However, the typical rule is that annual drain cleaning is fine for most homes, while twice a year is warranted for larger homes.

The most common solution people use to deal with clogged drains is to purchase a drain cleaning product to pour down the drain. They’re fast, easy, and cheap. However, you’ve probably heard that these products are harmful to your plumbing, and while you may think that’s just a way to get you to hire a plumber, the truth is these chemical products are highly toxic and in many cases corrosive. Relying too heavily on drain cleaners to clean your pipes can cause them to corrode from the inside out, which means you’ll have to replace your drain lines eventually, which is labor-intensive and expensive. The better solution for dealing with clogged pipes is to be mindful about what you put down your drains and to schedule drain cleaning with a professional drain cleaning company.

The typical water heater lasts between 10 and 15 years, and while you can extend the lifespan of your system with routine maintenance, once your system reaches the upper end of its life, it’s prudent to plan on replacing it soon.

Today’s hot water heaters come pre-set from the manufacturer at 120°F. Older hot water heater models can be set at medium. In gas models, the thermostat dial is usually located on the front of the gas valve. On electric models, the thermostats are generally found behind the panels on the side of the tank. The temperature can be adjusted. Ideally, you want the temperature to be hot enough to minimize bacteria growth, but not hot enough to provide a serious safety hazard. Just keep in mind that the electricity should always be turned off prior to performing any water heater maintenance to prevent shock.

The pressure relief valve should be tested regularly and replaced as needed. The sediments should be flushed out yearly. A functioning anode prevents the water heater from rusting. We recommend having the anode checked once every two years.

Roots tend to grow in the direction of moisture. Over time, the roots can infiltrate the drain line and fill the pipe. The roots then collect toilet tissue and other debris, eventually causing a complete blockage. If allowed to continue to grow, the roots can increase pressure at the joint, breaking the pipe.

Because the drain line runs underground, it can be difficult to locate the source of the problem. Our plumbing technicians use state of the art equipment, including inline drain cameras to view the inside of the drain line and identify the specific area causing the trouble. This allows us to find and repair your drain problem without damaging your property.

Mineral deposits collect on shower heads and faucets, causing the white color. To get rid of mineral deposits:

• Pour a cup of vinegar into a plastic bag
• Secure the bag over the shower head with a twist tie
• Allow it to soak overnight
• Scrub the deposits with a toothbrush.

Odors result from a buildup of food debris. Put ice cubes and lemon peels in the disposal and run for 30 seconds, add liquid detergent while the disposal is running. Turn off the garbage disposal and allow the cold water to run for 30 seconds longer to rinse the disposal.

This problem can be caused by the lack of an air cushion. To solve the problem, turn off the water supply at the main valve. Turn it on again and make sure all faucets are shut.

We provide reliable plumbing installation and repair in Palm Springs, Indio, Palm Desert, Thousand Palms, Cathedral City, La Quinta, and throughout Riverside County and the Coachella Valley.

We require months or years of rigorous training before our plumbers are allowed to complete plumbing repairs or installations on their own. We are a licensed plumbing contractor with a commitment to excellence. Our technicians attend regular technical education and training programs to stay updated on all new and emerging technologies in our industry. In addition to professional plumbing training, our technicians receive training in communications, sales, marketing, and finance management. Our technicians are drug-free, neat in appearance, mindful of their speech, and always respectful of your property.