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What Caused Your Plumbing Problems?

February 17th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

There comes a time every now and then when you find the sink backed up or the toilet clogged and not flushing. It may seem like a small inconvenience at the time, but once you have tried to plunge the toilet or used the Drano on the clogged sink and nothing happens, that small inconvenience becomes a rather large one and one that you get to pay for the privilege of having. There are many things that can cause these problems. Just ask the people who work on plumbing problems in Vista, CA and you will likely hear some great stories.

So the question is, was your plumbing problem caused by something out of your control or was it something, although out of your control, a little embarrassing. For example, one of the most common causes of backed up toilets and sinks that cannot be solved with plunging or Drano is the random child’s toy that they sent down the drain or tried flushing.  There is also the diaper that is sent down by the child trying to potty train. It is amazing the things that plumbers find on calls like this and it sure gives them something to talk about around the water cooler at work, so to speak.

Falling into the category of not your fault and beyond the control of anyone in your home, is the eroding pipe that then allows roots from the tree to grow through it so much so that water will no longer flow through the pipe. Another of these happens when a very unlikely event occurs, such as an errant snake or rodent that gets stuck in the pipe.

As you can tell there is an almost endless amount of stories that can go around the water cooler at the shop with plumbers discussing the plumbing problems in Vista. However, they are all funny and interesting and fun to share with all the other plumbers and so it happens.

A couple words of advice if you have children in your home. Do not be embarrassed, because plumbers understand that things like this happen and they have seen it all. They can see your toddlers and put two and two together. Put plugs in the sink drains to prevent them from sending things down. Most of all, be willing to laugh it off when it does happen to you.

 

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The Most Common Water Heater Repair

February 13th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

When you have your water heater go down, the most common reason is the pilot light going out. In this case it is not really a broken water heater but simply a flame that went out. Some people can and do fix this on their own.  However, anymore than this and you should call in a professional to perform the water heater repair.

One of the main reasons you will want to call in a professional rather than attempt this on your own is because of the potential for mistakes that are costly and even dangerous. For example, there is venting on the top of the water heater that ties into the venting system from your furnace (in most cases). This venting is constructed with special double-wall material that is designed to protect you from the dangerous gases and prevent fires. However, the angle at which that is done is critical to the safety of you and your family. There must be a continuous upward angle with a minimum angle in order to ensure it will vent properly. If you do not do this you could cause carbon monoxide to vent back into the home, potentially killing everyone in the house. While it is not particularly hard to undo and redo the venting, it is important that you know some of these things to make sure that you do not have any problems after you repair the water heater. This is why you call in the experienced professional.

If your water heater goes out and you are able to determine that the issue is not the pilot light, call us and we will be able to help quickly, almost always the same day that you call. We want to make sure that you get quick attention because we know how important it is to you to have hot water back just as soon as possible. While we are there, you are more than welcome to ask questions about the repairs we are doing and even watch the whole thing. We are also going to be very honest with you and if we feel, in our professional opinion, that the repairs we are making are not going to last very long because there are larger issues with the water heater, we will let you know so that you can make the best decision. We do not want to cost you any more money than what is necessary, so when we see that the best choice may be a new water heater rather than a water heater repair, we will tell you so. Keep in mind that the average life expectancy of a water heater is 11 years – under optimal conditions. Better to replace one on your own time frame than have it suddenly go out due to a catastrophic failure.

 

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Comparison of Plumbers and Doctors

February 10th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

You may wonder what in the world plumbers have in common with doctors, but the reality is they are a lot more alike than you may think. Let’s take a little peek and make some caparisons and see if you see the same thing that we do in how well they compare to each other.

First of all, doctors spend a lot of time looking through your pipes. They want to make sure that they keep them clear. A heart doctor looks through your veins and arteries to see if there is any blockage. They then work to clear any blockage to make sure that you do not have any problems down the road. Does this not sound like a plumber? Don’t plumbers look at your pipes to see if there is any blockage and then work to see what they can do to clear the blockage so that you do not have any more problems down the road?

Another comparison that you can make is the way a doctor spends a lot of time with their patient to make sure they understand what is causing them to get clogged pipes. They answer questions to make sure that their patient understands what to do and what not to do in regards to what they send down one set of pipes because that will impact all of the other pipes. A plumber does much of the same thing, only they are dealing with a client and not a patient.

There are already more similarities than you would have thought of before reading this, right? On last potential way to compare a doctor and a plumber. A doctor will prescribe some sort of maintenance schedule through medication to make sure that the patient is doing all that they can and then, with a little extra insurance to make sure the pipes are staying clear. Plumbers do much the same by educating their client about what they can and cannot send down the drain and into the pipes and then recommend a regular maintenance schedule of a drain cleaner (think medication) to help make sure that all is done that can be done to make sure the pipes stay clear.

The one area that they do not compare at all is in the pay that they get for their services. Apparently, as a society we think that the one that works on the pipes inside of humans is a little more important and needs a little more skill than a person who works on the pipes of a home. Not sure what that is about. But this hasn’t always been the case. History will tell you that plumbers, through the promotion of clean water and sewage systems, have probably saved as many lives, if not more, than doctors.

 

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Where to Store Drain Cleaner

February 9th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

Drain cleaner in Vista is something that may seem harmless to adults who know how to handle it, but to children it can be deadly. If they get a hold of it and drink it or in some cases, even get it on them, it can be a deadly killer to them. For that reason, it is important to know where and how to store it so that it is safe no matter who is in the house.

First, know that where you store the drain cleaner should be out of sight for a child. If it is in sight for a child and they want to get it bad enough they will get it. For that reason, make sure it is out of sight because the old saying of, “out of sight out of mind” really is true and really does work.

Second, be sure that you do not store the cleaner anywhere near food. No matter how careful you may be if it is near food it is going to be possible to end up with it on food that is then consumed unknowingly.

Third, it is a good idea to make sure that the cabinet it is stored in is locked or uses a childproof device of some sort. This is especially important if it is being stored in a lower cupboard. Even if it is out of sight, children could just stumble on it in a lower cupboard if it is not locked or in some way prevents them from opening it.

Some places that you may want to consider storing the cleaner would be in the garage in a locked cabinet, under the sink, if the cabinet is locked tight, in the laundry room in a locked cupboard, etc. All cleaners should be treated this way. Use drain cleaner responsibly and if it does not unclog your drain, you may need to find a professional drain cleaner in Vista, CA to use a Roto-Rooter-type of cable machine to cut through the toughest clogs.

 

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What is a Sump Pump Installation Anyway?

February 4th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

If you do not know what a sump pump installation is then you probably do not need to worry about it. However, you may need it someday so it is not a bad idea to learn more about it right now. Granted, because basements aren’t as common in California as in other parts of the country, we don’t do as many of these installations here as are done in the Midwest and Northeast, but these installations are needed from time to time in these parts.

In essence, a sump pump is a water pump designed to pump water from a sump. In this case, a sump is something that is created in the basement or lower level of a home or building so that water that is beneath a home can be pumped out. The concept is to prevent the water from coming through the basement floor and causing flooding. There are numerous reasons why this situation may occur, but the important thing is to know that it can happen and if is happening to your home you will need to have a sump pump installed in the home to prevent flooding and damage.

The concept of the installation of a sump pump is really rather simple, but it is still a good idea to have a professional plumbing company install it because they have all of the tools  and know-how that is necessary to do the job right.

The first step to install a sump pump is to create a hole in the basement floor that is large enough to create a sump. This is done by marking the floor with the pipe that will be used for the sump and then using a concrete cutter to cut the concrete. Once that is done then a jack hammer is used to break the concrete up around the perimeter of the basement where the walls meet the floor. Gravel is added to the trench and perforated pipe is laid to create a French drain that feeds ground water into the sump pit.  

The pipes are laid so that water flows to the lowest corner of the basement where the sump pit is placed just deep to allow for the pipe to go into the hole and be flush or slightly lower than the level of the rest of the floor. The sump pump installation is completed when a submersible pump is placed inside the sump pit and plumbed to discharge the collected ground water away from the house and into the nearest storm drain.

 

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Do You Call the Pros for the Plumbing Repair in Your Home?

February 3rd, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

If it seems like you are always out of time why not take some time to evaluate how you can change that? If you don’t, you should. The more you know about situations and the things going on around you the  more effectively you will be able to respond. One thing that you can certainly move off your plate  is plumbing repair. There is no need to take the time to do those repairs if your plate is already full. Calling in Roto-Rooter to handle this for you is something that we’re happy to take care of for you.

One of the main reasons that people do not call a professional plumbing company is because they are scared of what it might cost. However, that is an unfounded fear. When people find out the real cost they usually do not hesitate to call us in to take care of all of their plumbing needs.

The major benefit of having us come in and handle the plumbing repairs is that you will have a lot more time on your hands to take care of the other things that need to be done. You will also notice a huge reduction in the stress in your life. When you are forced to consider making repairs that you will need to learn more about and fumble your way through during this already very busy time you are adding a significant amount of stress.  Simply hiring us to come and help you with these things is something that will significantly reduce your stress load.

Of course, the largest hurdle that most men have to overcome in relation to having a professional company  in is their own ego and the fact that they know they could have done it themselves if they had enough time. Once over this feeling though, you will find that you can get used to having someone else worry about the plumbing repair issues. It is nice to not have to worry about that. Do your research, you’ll determine that we are the best company to go with and then make a decision and let’s move ahead. The more consistency that you have in the process the better off you are going to be. Having trust in your plumber is a wonderful feeling.

 

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7 Common Questions about Sump Pumps

January 28th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

Water in the basement can be an expensive headache. Not only can it destroy irreplaceable documents and belongings, it can cause structural damage that can weaken the foundation of your building. Sump pump installation in Vista area buildings can go a long way to prevent the problems of water damage. Following are some commonly asked questions that can help you determine if one if right for you If you can’t find the answers here, feel free to contact one of our Roto-Rooter reps.

What is a sump pump?

Graphic courtesy of Steamboilers.org

This is a system that consists of a holding tank and a pump. The tank is placed beneath the ground at the lowest point in your basement or below ground building level. Water flows into the tank, which usually holds between 15 and 25 gallons. The water is stored until it reaches a certain level when the pump kicks in and moves the water to a safe distance away from your house.

Where does the water go?

The water is pumped into pipes that transport it to a safe place, such as the local storm drains or a dry well.

Is it always running?

Yes and no. The tank is always collecting water, but, the motor only operates when it is needed. If you have an electric system, when the water reaches a certain level, it triggers a switch that turns on the motor. When the water is below that level, the motor is resting. If you have a manual system, you need to physically turn on the motor when you need it.

How does water get into the basement?

There are three main methods by which water gets into a basement:

  • Seepage through cracks and joints from high water tables or flood plains
  • Flooding through the cracks and joints due to heavy storms
  • Broken pipes

What buildings could benefit from a system?

All buildings that have a level beneath the ground should have a sump pump. This includes cellars, crawl spaces, and basements. While we don’t have as many basements around here as they do in other parts of the country, there are some around that would benefit from a sump system.

What types of systems are available?

There are two common setups:

  • Pedestal: This type mounts the motor on top of the tank. It is easy to service but is visible to anyone who walks past it.
  • Submersible: This type mounts the motor inside the tank. It is sealed to protect the wiring and parts from water damage. It is harder to service, but not as readily noticeable.

How can I get one?

Talk to a Roto Rooter rep who can help you with sump pump installation in any Vista home or business.

 

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2 Things to Do to Help Prevent Major Water Damage

January 27th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

When asked what you’re grateful for, many individuals would agree that running water reaches the top of the list. We enjoy the benefits of instant on and off water. However, the very fact that there is always water pressure in the pipes can lead to serious problems if an appliance or pipe breaks or gets damaged. To prevent expensive, major repairs, it is important to know how to turn off the water and take care of any plumbing repairs in your Vista home while they’re still small.

Turning off the Water Main

Every member of the house should know how to turn off the water if necessary.

1. Water Main Outside: Outside is the city water meter, usually near the curb is encased in a concrete, metal or plastic box below ground level. To access the water main valve, you will need to lift the lid. Turning off the water requires a water key. The specific type of key is determined by the type of valve you have. Some keys are shaped like a two-pronged fork, while others are more like a lug wrench. Shutting of the water here will turn off all the water to the building as well as any irrigation pipes that are connected to the city water. If you have separate irrigation water, turning off this valve will not turn off your sprinklers.

2. Water Line inside the House: Some homes have a water line shut-off valve inside the house. It is usually located in the basement and should be kept free and clear of obstructions. This is the easiest and quickest way to turn off water to the entire house. However, it will not turn of the water to the sprinklers or any outside faucets not connected to the house.

3. Individual Appliance Valves: Individuals appliances that use water, such as water heaters, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, washing machines, etc., all come equipped with their own shut-off valves. If you are having a problem with one of these, you can stop the water flow to that particular item and leave the water running in the rest of the house.

Plumbing Repairs

Always be on the alert for any plumbing problems. Little things such as leaky faucets, wet floor around the base the toilet, or damp cabinets all indicate there is a plumbing problem. If these go unaddressed, not only will it waste gallons of water that you have to pay for, but it can also cause major damage to your floors, walls, furniture, or belongings. Call Roto-Rooter early to take care of these plumbing repairs in your Vista home before they become major problems that can cost a lot of time and money.

 

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Finding the Best Faucet Repair Company

January 20th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

When you have a leaky faucet and you have determined that you would like to hire the best company around to perform the faucet repair, how do you go about that? There are several ways that you can approach that, but here are the steps we would recommend.

  1. Hire Roto-Rooter from the beginning. Okay, maybe that is not a real step to you finding out that we are the best plumbing company, but we already know it and can just tell you. If that does not work for you, then skip to step two.
  2. Pull up Google and do a little searching to identify the companies in the area that can fix your faucet. It should not take very long to start to see all of the companies in the area that you can consider.
  3. Visit each of their websites and find out what services they offer. Make sure that they offer to fix faucets and other plumbing repairs. Eliminate the companies that are installers only.
  4. From your visits to their websites get a sense of what you think of each of them from that first impression. Make some notes if you need to as you visit each site.
  5. Now that you have looked at all of their sites and have a first impression of each along with some facts about them, go looking for reviews. Find out what others have had to say about them. When reading these reviews they should be on a website other than the company’s website that you have already visited.  You should also remember to look past the emotions in the review and look for the facts.
  6. Narrow your list of potential companies down to the ones you like the most and then call each of them. Ask them to estimate the time it will take for them to come to your home and any other details you can think of. The key is not in the answers they give, though those are important. The key is in the way that they answer and how they treat you. The company that not only has the right answers, but answers your questions with the right attitude and that makes you feel the most comfortable is the company you should hire. That is the best faucet repair company as far as you are concerned. Of course, after all of those steps we are confident that you will end up back to at step one.

 

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Finding Results to Plumbing Problems

January 19th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

When you need to have some quick resolution to your plumbing problems you should hire a professional company to come in and take care of it for you. It will be a lot quicker than you trying to take care of the problem yourself. It will also be done to a professional standard and come with a guarantee.

It is not always easy for a man to admit that he needs to hire someone to do something that he thinks he knows how to do himself, but in the end it may be the best thing that he can do when he needs to see results quickly with the problems he is having with his plumbing in his house.

Once a man is able to finally let go and have a plumber come into the home and take care of a problem it may become much easier for him to hire other service professionals.

Professional plumbers have a lot of experience with cleaning out clogs, fixing leaky faucets and installing things like garbage disposals. Because of their experience and repetition in doing this all of the time they are very quick at it. They have learned all of the steps to take, in order, and the tools and parts that they will need. They can deliver fast results because they do it all day every day. This is the same as any of us in our own jobs.

If you need to find a plumbing company to come in and take care of the plumbing problems that you are having you can do one of a couple of things. You can make life easy and just hire us. No research required, there are plenty of testimonials from people all over the country who have used Roto-Rooter and will vouch for the quality of our work and our professionalism. You can also take a long time to do the research online to find what your options are and learn as much as you can about each of them so that you can make the best decision on who to hire. The key is that you let go of the pride and decide to hire a professional companythen follow through and make that it happen. You will be glad that you took this approach and you will see the quick results that you need. After all isn’t your time worth something?

 

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7 Common Water Heater Problems

December 14th, 2011 by pabrams

Like any other appliance, problems often arise with water heaters. Listed below are seven common problems and basic solutions for water heater repair in your Vista home.

  1. Sediment builds up in the bottom. Over time it is natural for sediment to build up in your system. How fast it builds up depends in large part on how hard the water is that you use. Naturally, the harder the water, the more sediment will be left in the tank. Sediment in the tank should be removed on a regular basis. Leaving it there will cause your tank to rust out faster than it should. To remove the sediment, follow the instructions in your owner’s manual. Be sure to unplug it from its power source and turn off any gas. Keep the area well-lit so you can see what you are doing. Be cautious. Not only is the water hot, but the pipes can be hot, too. You may wish to have it done by a Roto Rooter professional who is trained to safely and efficiently perform the job.
  2. Not enough hot water. This is a common problem if the tank is not big enough to meet the needs of all the people who use the hot water. A good rule of thumb is to have a tank that holds 15 gallons per person. If you have a large group, this may not be possible, and you may have to stagger usage.
  3. Another reason for not enough hot water. If the tank is large enough and you still don’t have enough hot water, you may need to check and adjust the temperature controls. The lower the temperature, the more hot water is used when you manually adjust on the water in cases like showering or hand washing dishes. 
  4. Rusty tank. Unfortunately, if you have a rusty tank, there is nothing you can do but buy a new water heater. If you need to buy a new one, purchase an energy-efficient heater to save you money. 
  5. Leaky or corroded valves. If water is leaking out of your unit where the valve is located, you don’t need to replace it. A simple water heater repair in your Vista home is sufficient and will prolong the life of your system. 
  6. Dirty water. If you are getting dirty water, this is a sign that you need to drain, flush, and refill you water heater. 
  7. Noisy water heater. This is another indicator that it is time to drain, flush, and refill your tank. Be aware, though, that some noise is natural.

 

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Cleaning and Usage Disposal Tips

December 13th, 2011 by pabrams

Though small and not visible, the garbage disposal is a favorite kitchen appliance. Garbage disposals can last for a long time with proper care and maintenance. Recommendations from Vista plumbers fall into three categories: things to do, methods for cleaning, and things to avoid.

Things to Do

Use cold water when you are using your disposal. Too much hot water can add to the heat of the appliance and may cause it to overheat. Moreover, hot water melts fats and greases. When they are in a liquid state, the fats adhere to the blades of the appliance and can build up over time.

Use the disposal often. Run the disposal every time food is put into the drain. This will prevent the food from decaying and smelling. Moreover, continual use keeps the blades from rusting.

Keep spoons and other utensils out of the sink when using the disposal. The utensils can easily slide down the drain and into the rotating blades. Not only does this ruin your utensils, but it is hard on the blades as well.

Methods for Cleaning

One of the favorite methods for cleaning a disposal is to grind up orange, lemon, or lime peels. It is best to cut the peels into smaller pieces when putting them into the disposal since they are hard to grind.

Another great method for removing sludge is to grind up a disposal full of ice cubes with about a cup of rock salt. When you do this make sure you have the cold water running, too.

A third effective method for removing grime and bacteria is to dump baking soda down the drain and pour vinegar onto it. The natural chemical reaction is safe and fun for kids to watch.

Things to Avoid

Don’t stuff your disposal full of food before turning it on. Rather, turn on the device and the running water first. Then cut the larger chunks, such as melon rinds, into smaller pieces and feed them in small portions into the appliance.

Avoid fibrous, starchy, or hard items. Fibrous items, such as celery stalks, onion skins, or egg shells, can tangle around the blades and make them jam. Starchy things like potato peelings will mesh together and cause your blades to jam or even clog your pipes. Hard food items don’t grind very well and can damage the parts or cause them to get wedge. These include popcorn kernels, seeds, bones, and nuts.

When food is jammed in the blades, don’t reach your hands into the appliance to try and free it. Instead, use pliers to pull it out or call a Vista plumber to come and fix your appliance.

 

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