Plumbing FAQs for Long Beach, Los Angeles & Orange County

Common Plumbing Questions and Answers

Explore our FAQ section for answers to common plumbing questions. Whether you need information on plumbing maintenance, emergency services, or specific plumbing issues, our expert team has compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you.

What is plumbing work?

Plumbing work is the installation, maintenance, and repairing of, all the parts of construction that relate to water. This means that heating, sanitation, water supply, cooling, and even domestic appliances, all need a plumber to fix them, should they go wrong.

Why is plumbing so important?

Without access to constant clean drinking water, the health of the public would be at risk. Without the sewage being removed from the streets and homes, our health would be impacted. Plumbers protect us against the diseases dirty water holds.

What are the different types of plumbing?

There are eight main types of plumbing services. These are water supply maintenance, sanitation services, gas plumbers, drainage plumbers, roofing plumbing, heating, cooling and ventilation plumbing, fire protection plumbing, and irrigation plumbing.

What are the main types of plumbing systems?

There are three main types. The first brings water into the construction project, be it commercial, industrial, or home. They deal with potable water systems. There are those plumbing systems that take water out of the construction, we call these sanitation drainage systems. The third are called stormwater drainage systems and these deal with carrying rain away from a building, to protect its integrity.

Do plumbers need a license?

Yes, all plumbers must sit a state held exam to get certification to practice. If your potential plumber isn’t certified, they cannot hold a license. If they don’t hold a license, they are operating illegally and probably don’t have valid insurance.

Can you do plumbing yourself?

DIY plumbing isn’t a good idea. It is expensive to repair the damages water leaks can cause. You might even cause more damage with bad plumbing if you don’t know what you are doin

How much does plumbing cost?

 It depends on the job. A plumber will charge anything from $20 – $150 per hour spent at your place. They often have a surplus call-out charge, so they get paid whether there is a big job or not. They will then charge for any parts or extra hours they spend on your job.

If plumbing a full new house, the cost can range from $7,000 to $16,000 – or more, if it is a large project. Having pipework replaced can also be expensive since you will need to rip out parts of the home to get to the pipes.

Does insurance cover plumbing leaks?

 Normal homeowner’s insurance should cover you for leaking pipes, but you should always check at the outset of your policy. If the leaking damage is caused by floodwater, this may be a different case.

What types of plumbing pipes are best?

Copper plumbing pipes are used often because of their hot and cold retention properties. Copper is antimicrobial, strong, and is less likely to become corroded than other metals.

What’s the difference between plumbing and sanitation?

Sanitation is a type of plumbing. It involves ensuring wastewater is safely and effectively removed from the home. Plumbing involves all the water-related constructs in the fabric of your home.

What are the most common plumbing problems in a household?

Leaking taps, blocked toilets, clogged drains, and broken garbage disposals are the most common American household plumbing problems.

How long does a plumbing job take?

It depends on The Plumbing job required. If it is a leaking tap, then no more than a half hour. If the whole tap needs to be removed and replaced, more like an hour or two. If your whole house needs re-plumbed, then a few days or weeks.

What is an emergency plumbing service?

An emergency plumbing service comes to your aid when the waterworks in your house are dangerously out of control. They also handle basic plumbing tasks, but they often operate outside of normal business hours. If your plumbing job can’t wait, they will come out to you.

What are the types of plumbing services?

There are three main types of plumbing services. Usually, you get commercial plumbing services, residential plumbing services – like the team at the Plumbing Squad – and service and repair plumbers, like emergency plumbers.

What do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Plumbers use a special device called an auger, or flat sewer rod, to unclog drains. This is sometimes nicknamed a plumber’s snake. They will feed this down through the blockage and may also apply a dense drain cleaner to help the process along.

What are the best drain cleaning products?

Again, this depends on the blockage. Specialized products for hair are often best in the bathroom. In the kitchen, grease busting drain cleaner should be used. If you want a natural solution for a mild blockage, mix vinegar with baking soda in the drain and watch it fizz.

How much drain cleaner should I use to unclog a drain?

You should always follow the instructions on the packaging. Keep in mind that drain cleaner is often toxic to the environment, so excessive use is not advised. If the blockage hasn’t gone away after a full bottle, call in the plumber.

How can I prevent clogging in my drains?

You should have your pipes professionally cleaned every few years to prevent clogging in your drains.

Why does my water look yellow?

Yellow water emerging from your taps is often a sign of rust. This is one of the classic signs that your pipes may need replacing. Call us, on (866) 324-9553 to get an estimate on cost of re-plumbing your home

Difference between hard water and soft water?

Hard water and soft water are determined by their chemical makeup. Hard water has high amounts of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. It is advisable to boil it before drinking. Soft water contains a little more salt than hard water, making it cleaner and safer to drink.

What do we do when our water pressure tests low?

First of all, make sure the main water shutoff valve/s is open fully. If modifications have been made to the valve, get ap lumber to look at it and work out a pressure that you are happy with.

How often should I have my sewer lines checked?

You should have your sewer line checked once a year, then cleaned out once every 2 years, to make sure you stay blockage-free.

My water bill is up, how do I check for water leaks?

You should check your water meter for water leaks. Turn off the water at the main shutoff valve and watch the meter. If the needle is still rising, then there is a leak somewhere in the system. A plumbing service will be able to pinpoint that leak if you call them.

What should I do after a flood or sewage leak?

You should throw out any fixtures, fittings, or furniture that is water damaged. This is known as water damage mediation. You should then call in a specialist water damage repair service to remove the water and treat any damages.

When should I replace my main water line?

If your water line is made of galvanized steel then it should last between 20 and 50 years. If your water line is made of copper, then that increases up to a potential 100 years. Most people don’t change their water line unless it is essential, since it is buried under the property.

How do I fix my sewer line?

You should call a plumber. They will be able to unclog or repair your sewer line using advanced techniques. They may use pipelining to create a resin pipe inside the old one, so that no removal is necessary. Digging up your entire sewer line is difficult otherwise.

What do I do if roots get inside my lines?

The plumber’s snake, or auger tool can be sent down the line to cut the roots out. This can only be done by a professional residential plumbing service.

How do I fix my jammed garbage disposal?

Try pressing the reset button on the underside of the system. If this doesn’t work, trying to flush it through with water. If you are still stuck, you should refer to the instruction manual. Do not use a drain cleaner. Call in a residential plumber for best results.

Can I use drain cleaner in my garbage disposal?

Absolutely not. Your garbage disposal system is not made of the same materials as your pipes are. Using drain cleaner could damage the system as a result.

How do I unclog a toilet?

Try using a plunger, first. If it doesn’t work, try using a cup of baking soda and a half cup of vinegar to loosen it up. If this still doesn’t work, adding bleach and letting it sit for a few hours may help. Otherwise, call a residential plumber for help.

Why is a foul smell coming out when I flush my toilet?

Usually, this means a backflow of air up the pipe when you flush. Normally this would be sealed behind the toilet, but if the toilet seal is a little worn, this smell can be a result. Call a plumbing service to help.

Why is water not running into the toilet tank?

If there is no water running into your toilet tank, it may be a water pressure issue. Check the line for leaks and ensure the water shutoff valve is completely open.

Why is my toilet leaking?

This is most often caused by the seal under the toilet failing. Try repairing the seal or call in an emergency plumber if the leak is excessive.

Still Have Plumbing Questions?

If you can’t find the question and answer your are looking for regarding plumbing services, please use our contact form or call us at:

(866) 587-3482