Through the decades, various techniques have been used to provide running water in homes all over the country, so sometimes a plumber finds himself needing to re-pipe an entire house.  There are still homes that have cast iron pipes, which were standard many years ago.  However, the new standard is either copper or PVC, mainly because cast iron pipes were extremely difficult and costly to fix.  Here are four reasons you might want to have a plumber re-pipe your house:

1. If the pipes in your home are more than 30 years old, you may actually save money by having it re-piped.   This is especially true if it seems like you constantly need leaks in various places fixed.  If it seems like you have one leak fixed only to have another one pop up somewhere else in the system and you have old pipes, there is a good chance that you might need to have it re-piped.
2. Sometimes the only option to repair leaks in the foundation or slab of your home is to re-pipe them.  Usually a plumber will just re-pipe the house through the walls and overhead because it is a much less expensive way to fix this type of leak.  The only other alternative is to do some major demo work, potentially even tearing down the entire house if the entire foundation is affected.
3. If your water bill suddenly increases significantly, you probably have a leak somewhere, and in the case of major leaks, you may find that it’s actually cheaper to just have it re-piped.  Water certainly isn’t cheap in most areas, and if you have a lot of pipes that are damaged, replacing those pipes with new ones may be the only way to keep your water bill from going sky high.
4. Preventing water damage to your home also saves a lot of money and stress in the long run because moisture problems can cause mold and mildew, which can, in turn, create serious health problems for you and your family.

A plumber can do various tests on your system to find out if you really do need to have it re-piped.  One of the tests they may do is video inspection of the pipes.  This will enable them to send a camera down into the pipes so that they can look around and actually see what is going on.  Leak detection is an important first step before any major decisions about your plumbing system should be made.

Many homeowners wonder what kinds of pipes can actually be re-piped, and the answer is simple.  Almost any kind of pipe can actually be re-piped.  Even sewer and drain lines can be replaced if that is where the real problem lies.  An expert who is skilled in this type of plumbing work can help you determine the least expensive and best course of action for any plumbing problem you are having in your home or business.

It is never fun to have issues with the plumbing in your home or business, but a skilled plumber can limit the amount of time you are without water and provide you with a solution that doesn’t break the bank.  It is always better to get problems taken care of sooner rather than later so that you don’t have to deal with mold, mildew, or even a much higher repair bill, simply because you took too long to have it checked out.  Scott English Plumbing is your plumber in Newport Beach; let them take care of all your plumbing needs.

Everyone has probably experienced water back-up at some point, whether it’s as simple as a clogged sink or something more complicated that requires a plumber.  But what’s even scarier is having a serious back-up and not knowing where all that water is coming from!  When water is backing up, it means that there are contaminants that are getting into your water supply.  This is a very dangerous situation that should be handled right away.  You could even be facing a fine if your plumbing system isn’t secured properly.

Here’s what to expect when you’re having a water back-up problem checked on your property:

• Make sure that the company you are using to test the backflow of your property is certified and that they test it regularly so that you know the results will be accurate.
• Usually when you need to have your backflow tested, the county will send you some papers telling you that it needs to be done.  Just send those papers over to the plumber and see if they need anything else.  Most quality plumbers will just take it from there.
• When the time for the testing arrives, you will need to turn off the water so that it can be completed.  This can take a short or long time, depending on whether there are any problems.
• The plumber then will usually return the papers to the county, although you should verify that they will do it for you.

It isn’t a bad idea to have them install a backflow preventer so that you know you will not face a fine.  This piece of technology actually keeps chemicals and bad water from going back into the county’s water supply.  It also helps you keep your family just a little bit safer.  All it takes is a quick test to find out if there is anything dangerous getting into your water supply or the supply of the county.

It is possible to have a backflow problem and not even know it, so you should always have a plumber check out any problems you have inside your home, whether it’s with an appliance or a fixture.  Sometimes the smallest problem can create major issues that just become worse and worse over time until they are impossible to fix.

You should also consider having a plumber install new fixtures and appliances for you so that you know they get hooked up correctly.  It may seem like putting in a garbage disposal isn’t that big of a deal, but think for a moment about the things that go down that disposal.  You certainly wouldn’t want any of that getting into your water supply!  It also takes a professional far less time to do these installations than it does someone who doesn’t do them every day.

If you are ever in doubt about what’s happening with your pipes or plumbing you should call someone right away.  Your pipes are running all throughout your house, so just a small problem behind one of the walls can create a huge mess down the line if it isn’t take care of early.

Scott English Plumbing, your plumber in Orange County, CA, offers quality, affordable prices 24 hours a day and seven days a week.  Their 24-hour emergency repair service will ensure that you are covered even during the overnight hours in case something breaks during an odd time of the night.  They work to make sure that all repairs are done quickly and efficiently so that you can move on with your day and don’t have to put up with having the water turned off for a long period of time.

Most homeowners don’t think much about the pipes in their home until they need a plumber.  In fact, that’s probably why they end up with serious problems that could have been caught early if they had someone do a plumbing inspection.  Here are five reasons you need a plumber to inspect your pipes:

1. You’re remodeling your home.  Any time there is a home remodel involved, you should automatically get the pipes checked.  This is true whenever you are doing anything to the house structurally, even if it doesn’t involve moving pipes.  It’s also a good idea to have an inspection done before you even start doing any work because then you will know if something is going to prevent you from getting the job done the way you hope it can be done.  And after the work is accomplished, it’s a good idea to get another inspection done if there were any questions about the remodel affecting the pipes in any way.
2. You’re building a new home or commercial structure.Building a new structure of any kind also requires a plumber to do an inspection first.  Of course it also requires them to actually build the pipes into the home, but an inspection is always a good idea before the work begins so that you know what to expect.  The plumber will determine where the pipes can go and how they will run through the structure before the walls even go up.  This should be an important part of any building project.
3. You’re buying a home.  Most home buyers realize that it’s a smart idea to have a home section done before they sign on the dotted line.  However, a home inspection usually doesn’t cover the pipes fully.  Home inspectors are trained to look for telltale signs of problems, but they don’t do complete checks of the plumbing system.  Having someone look at the pipes apart from the regular home inspection will give you peace of mind that you’re not purchasing a money pit.
4. You’re having trouble with a specific appliance or fixture in your home.  Sometimes problems with an appliance or fixture can be corrected by simply having the pipes inspected.  This is especially true if something isn’t working quite right but you can’t tell what’s wrong with it.  An inspection may be in order if the appliance or fixture mostly works but could function better.
5. You notice a sudden, significant increase in your water bill.  Depending on how your town or area charges for water, you may notice increases in your bill at certain times of the year, but if that increase is significant, and especially if it lasts for more than a month, you should have it checked out.  That water must be going somewhere, and if there is no obvious reason that you’re using more water (like filling a pool, for instance), then a plumber needs to check it.

Of course there are many different kinds of inspections that plumbers can do, so it definitely helps to have an idea of what the problem is before you give a plumbing company a call.  Let them know what the problem is and see what they advise.  You should discuss your options with an expert and learn which type of inspection would be best for your particular situation.  Inspections are a great way to stay on top of minor problems and get them fixed before they turn into major ones that are very costly to fix.

Scott English Plumbing, plumber in Mission Viejo has 15 years experience in the plumbing industry, ready to help you “make your plumbing problems go away”. Call them at (949) 293-2037 or (714) 998-9022.

It can be very tempting to try to take care of what you think is just a small plumbing problem, but one of the most valuable lessons you can learn is knowing when it’s time to call in a plumber.  There is nothing worse than realizing too late that you should have called in a professional.  You certainly wouldn’t put your home in the hands of an inexperienced plumber, so why would you even think about handling serious problems yourself?  Here are six types of jobs that you should just skip the individual attempts on and call a professional right away:

1. Replacing or moving major fixtures like bathtubs or sinks.  Moving major fixtures is a big job that requires a licensed plumber to sign off on, so that is definitely not something you should ever try to do on your own.  Replacing large fixtures like a bathtub is another major project that should be done only by professionals because of the intricacies of the task.
2. Valve replacement.  It may seem like replacing a malfunctioning valve is a small and thus, simple, task, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.  Don’t let the size of the task fool you.  Just determining the right time of valve takes a certain level of expertise.  If you do any part of this “small” job wrong, you could end up with a much larger job that will require patching a damaged wall or shower stall.
3. Gas line problems.  In most areas, you are required to hire a licensed plumber to do all work that requires gas lines in any way.  This is certainly one area you do not want to mess with the law on.  There is a good reason that they require someone to be licensed to do this kind of work.  Not knowing what you are doing could result in serious property damage and / or danger to health or even life.
4. Sump pumps or water heaters.  Probably the two most complicated appliances in your entire plumbing system are the sump pump and water heater.  These appliances do much more than process water.  There are intricate parts that require special knowledge to handle.
5. Serious clogs.  The big problem with this one is that many homeowners do not know how to recognize a serious clog when they see one.  They think that they can take care of these problems with the use of a plumber and / or a jug of chemicals that they will pour down the drain.  But if you know what to look for, it isn’t too hard to recognize a serious clog because some pretty strange things will be going on.  For example, if the toilets are backing up into the bathtub or shower, then you know there is something really bad going on that you can’t see.  Even if you have used conventional means on what appears to be a regular clog that won’t budge, you should still call in a professional because you can’t afford to risk messing up the pipes.  Just one mistake could affect the plumbing throughout your home.
6. Building permits required.  One of the greatest joys of owning a home is renovating, but if a building permit is needed to complete the job, you should always have a professional handle the plumbing.

Of course if you are ever in doubt about what the problem is or whether you should try to tackle it yourself, just skip the drama and call in a professional who will take care of it the first time.  If you are looking for a plumber in the Laguna Beach area, give Scott English Plumbing a call.

When you’re looking for a plumber, it can be very tempting to just dial the first number you find in the phone listings.  This is especially true if you have a plumbing emergency, but it is never advised that you go into any major decision without thinking through the steps carefully.

This plumber can make or break your home.  This person can fix your problem quickly and efficiently or make it worse with a simple error most experienced plumbers would not mess up.  And then you have the companies that operate on totally unethical standards, which is a whole other story.  So how do you make sure that you don’t end up with a company that fits these less than positive descriptions?  Follow these five steps:

1. Start filtering out unethical companies by finding one that charges by the job rather than by the hour.  You always want to ask this question up front because usually the bill you see for a job that was charged by the hour is much higher than one that was charged by the job.  A plumber who works by the hour is not motivated to get your job done quickly because he will get paid more for less work by simply taking as long as possible.  Just skip the drama and hire a company that charges by the job instead.
2. Verify their license number.  Don’t be afraid to ask for their license number so that you can call and verify that they are actually licensed to do work in your area.  There are very strict guidelines to follow in order for companies to be licensed, so this is a good indication of whether or not this is someone who follows the rules.  If you are concerned about seeming too forward about asking for their license number on the phone, tell them that you need it to put it on your claim for your homeowner’s insurance.
3. Ask if they offer a service warranty.  Just as you wouldn’t buy major purchases that don’t offer a warranty, so you should not hire a plumber that does not offer a warranty on his work.  That warranty may be for anywhere from six months up to a year.  If there is no warranty offered, then just go somewhere else.
4. Call around to get at least four quotes.  Most homeowners have no idea what a fair price is for the work they need done, so the easiest way to figure it out is to call around and get several quotes.  You should see a cluster around a certain price range, so beware of bids that seem far below that cluster.  This will also give you a chance to speak with someone from the company and learn if this is one you can deal with.
5. Find out what your wait time is.  Different companies have different wait times according to how many jobs they have on hand at a given time.  If you have an emergency, then you need one that offers 24 / 7 emergency service, and be sure to ask precisely what that means.  Are you going to be waiting four hours just for someone to show up?  Weigh the wait time against the cost of the job to determine which plumber is the best one for you right now.

Any homeowner can make a calm, collected decision when it comes to dealing with plumbing problems in their home if they just follow this plan.  If you are looking for a plumber in the Lake Forest area, give Scott English Plumbing a call.

Everyone will have need for a plumber at some point in their life because leaks do happen.  However, every homeowner should take steps to protect themselves and their investment by having a basic understanding of how the plumbing works and what to do in the event of an emergency to prevent damage from becoming a massive amount of damage. Here are five basic things every homeowner should know how to do:

1. Turn off the water – Even if you don’t take the time to learn anything else, this is the one tip that you can’t afford to skip.  Every homeowner should know precisely where the water shut-off valve is and how to turn it off.  This means that men should show their wives where it is also in case something happens and they’re not home.  Turning off the water can save your home from becoming completely flooded if something terrible happens.
2. Repair faucets that are leaking – Most homeowners have no idea just how much money they are sending down the pipes every single month simply because they have a faucet that is leaking incessantly.  Sometimes all you need to do is replace a washer.  Keep the manual whenever you replace a faucet so that you know how to handle this simple repair if you need to.
3. Septic tank inspections – This piece of maintenance is probably one better left to professionals, but it is definitely up to the homeowner to call someone in to check it out.  About every three years, you should have a plumber come and take a look at your septic tank.  It will need to be cleaned if there is too much scum inside of it, so you don’t want to forget to do this.  A clean septic tank is less likely to back up and cause a big smelly problem inside your home.
4. Annual pipe inspections – These inspections are rather simple.  Just go around and look for any leaks.  Pay attention to all of the pipes you can see.  If you see any rust, deposits of minerals, or corrosion, there is a good chance that you have found a leak, even if there does not seem to be any moisture there at that moment.  Also be sure to have a plumber come in to do regular leak detection procedures just to make sure that nothing is leaking in an area where you can’t see it, like behind a wall or in the floor.  These invisible leaks are the most dangerous because they just get worse and worse until you have thousands of dollars’ worth of damage on your hand.
5. Drain the water heater – The water heater is a vital appliance in your home and also one of the most expensive, so it stands to reason that you would want to keep it in good operating order for as long as possible.  The easiest way to extend the life of your water heater is to open the drain valve located toward the bottom of the unit and let the water drain out until it is clear.  This usually is about five gallons, so it will take a bit to drain.

It always pays to have a professional help you with any plumbing maintenance questions you have.  Some people learn better by being shown how to do something, so don’t be afraid to ask your plumber to show you how to do some of these things.  This will also allow you to get to know him a little bit and learn if this is someone you would want to call when you have a serious problem.

Scott English Plumbing is a trusted plumber in the Irvine, CA area.

Everyone is going to need a water heater repair at some point, but the easiest way to put that eventuality off for as long as possible is to keep up with regular maintenance on it.  The water heater is one appliance that you certainly don’t want to malfunction because it tends to do so at the most inconvenient times.  You could be standing in the shower and suddenly experience an ice cold or scalding hot spray!  Here are six things you should be doing regularly to put off water heater repair for as long as possible:

1. Every year, check the pressure relief valve.  Every water heater is different, so you may have to check the manual to find out how to do it or call in a plumber who does water heater repair often.
2. Two times a year, drain some water out of the unit.  Use a bucket to catch all the water that comes out.  It will be full of sediment, and if you don’t drain the water regularly, then that sediment will stay inside the unit and cause serious problems if it is allowed to build up over a long period of time.
3. Check the insulation around the unit every few months.  It is always a good idea to wrap your water heater with insulation, especially if it is an older unit.  This will help keep the water warm so that the system does not have to run as much, thus lowering your electricity bill a bit.  Every time you check the insulation, make sure that it has not slipped and started to block the air inlet or the exhaust vent, which could cause a fire.
4. About every six months or so, check the temperature gauge.  Consult with a professional to learn the best setting for your unit, but in general anything above 120 or 140 degrees Fahrenheit is too high.  You could be wasting electricity and increasing the likelihood that if a malfunction happens, scalding water instead of ice cold water will be the result.
5. Look closely at the exhaust stack about once a year.  Just do a visual scan to make sure that all of the connections are secure and that there do not seem to be any leaks.  Look for signs of corrosion and rust.
6. Flush the water heater about once a year or more often if you have water with a high level of minerals in it.  It is advisable that you have a professional help you with this because it can be quite a complicated process, depending on which brand you have.  This step should happen in addition to draining the unit every six months because flushing it will clean it out more thoroughly thus extending the life of the unit and also making it work more efficiently.

If your water heater is more than 10 years old, it is definitely advisable to have a new one installed.  The technology that was in use 10 years ago is nowhere near as efficient as what’s used in today’s units, so you will likely find your electric bill greatly reduced after replacing it.

One of the more eco-friendly options available now is the tank-less water heater , which doesn’t heat water constantly.  It heats up the water as you use it, so no energy is being wasted on simply keeping the water hot when no one is using it.

When you do get into a water heater problem that requires a plumber, call Scott English plumbing to handle all of your water heater repair problems in Orange County.

Most homeowners who have found themselves in need of a plumber have, at some point, probably thought about just fixing it themselves.  After all, plumbers are very expensive, and surely you could do just as good of a job, right?  And when an emergency arises, you need a fix right away, so doesn’t that mean you should handle it?  Certainly not!  In most cases you will probably end up doing more harm than good.  Here are four reasons you should call a plumber rather than just try to fix it yourself (with “try” being the operative word):

1. Time – If the situation is just a minor plumbing issue, you may be tempted to put it off “until you have more time.”  But what does that even mean?  When are you going to have the amount of time necessary for that particular fix?  Most people have their own jobs; it just doesn’t make sense to take time from your day to fix something that should be delegated to someone who actually knows what he is doing.  Your lack of experience will actually cause the job to take you even longer than it would a professional, and you’ll be bumping your head against the pipes in frustration as you try to figure it out.
2. Know-how – The average homeowner probably has no idea to fix pipes or leaks.  Even if you have some basic knowledge about plumbing, you probably shouldn’t be poking around someplace where you don’t belong.  It is far better to call in a professional who has seen problems of all kinds, from run of the mill to the extraordinary.  You could have a bigger problem than you think, and even if you don’t, refer to number three…
3. Money – Fiddling around with something you don’t know how to fix will likely cost you a lot of money in extra repairs.  Just consider for a moment how much it would cost you to get a basic problem fixed.  Now multiply that according to what happens when you attempt to fix it, only to make the entire situation even worse.
4. Loss of use – If you put off fixing the problem or try to fix it yourself and fail miserably, you will likely end up with the pipes in your home being down longer than they would otherwise.  If you call a plumber with an emergency, he will come right away, but minutes count when you are talking about plumbing situations.  The bigger the problem became while you were trying to fix it, the longer it will take a professional to fix it.  Consequently, your home won’t be backing up and running at full capacity for a while.

Many homeowners sit on the fence when wondering whether they should call a plumber.  Even those who really are qualified to fix a basic problem wonder where the line is.  If there is a potential that you will do more harm than good, just call a professional right away.  If time is of the essence, get a professional in there, pronto.

You just can’t be too careful when it comes to plumbing or pipe problems in your home.  A house is an investment that should be protected and treasured.  You don’t want to risk getting water damage because you thought you could fix something.

Scott English Plumbing is a trusted Dana Point plumber .They offer 24 hour emergency service, electronic leak detection, sewer and drain cleaning, and slab leak detection and repair.  They also work on flat rates, so you know that you will not end up overpaying for a Dana Point plumber.

Video sewer inspection involves putting a camera down the sewer lines in order to see whether there are any major clogs or leaks.  This process is especially useful in determining whether old pipes are causing problems.  Old pipes are made in sections that are three feet long and connected.  Each one of those connections creates a weak spot that could break, especially as the pipes age.  Old pipes are typically made of either cast iron or clay, although these materials have been largely replaced by copper or PVC today.

One of the biggest problems with underground pipes is tree roots piercing the joints between pipe segments.  This can create a huge leak or blockage which requires major work, especially since it is located underground.  Video sewer inspection is the easiest way to inspect underground pipes to look for leaks or blockages caused by tree roots or aging of the pipes.  It is also the least invasive because it requires no destruction of your property just to look and see what’s going on.

Here’s how the process of video sewer inspection works:

1. It all starts with a service truck that has a generator and a compartment for recording and monitoring of the video camera as it goes through the pipes.  The truck typically will be parked over the place where the pipe can be accessed, which may be at a manhole or other access pipe.
2. The camera is attached at the truck’s rear to a cable and winch, which is used to lower it down into the pipes and then retract it at the end of the inspection.  A tractor is lowered just into the pipe and the camera is sent down into the sewer lines.
3. The truck operator sits inside the back of the truck and watches the video images from the camera as it is fed through the sewer lines.  He also operates the camera, sending it further and further down or retracting it at the end of the process.
4. In some cases, pipes may be too small for the tractor to be used.  Instead a piece of equipment known as a fish is used to pull the camera along the length of the pipe.  When it’s time to retract the camera, a rope is used to simply pull it back.
5. As the video goes through the pipelines, the operator is analyzing what he is seeing, although the inspection is also recorded so that it can be referred to later if there are any questions about what the camera saw when it was going down the pipes.
6. Any problems within the pipes that were detected during the inspection are then corrected.  Easy fixes include overgrowth of roots, which can be taken care of with a piece of equipment that has a rotating blade on the end of it.  It gets sent down the pipeline until it reaches the place where the roots are overgrown and can then be used to cut the roots off so that they will flush right down the sewer.  Another easy fix is the use of a chemical that actually reduces the growth of roots in the pipes.
7. Major problems may include excavation and repair of pipes, sometimes requiring replacement of old pipes.  In some less severe cases, a fabric liner may be pulled through the pipe to line it instead of excavating.  This liner is inflated and then turned into a hard surface through the use of chemicals.

If you’re looking for a company that does video sewer inspection in Orange County, give Scott English Plumbing a call.

As a homeowner, it is only natural that you want to handle as many of the problems with your home as you can, but sometimes you just have to call in a professional plumber.  If you aren’t sure exactly what’s wrong or how to fix it, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.  But even for homeowners who are quite handy and have actually fixed minor plumbing issues in the past, there is a line in the sand that should only be crossed for professionals.  Here are six situations when a professional plumber should be called in to handle it:

1. Valve problems – This is one of those issues that sound much easier than it really is.  A valve may be a tiny piece of the overall system, but its small size doesn’t mean that it’s not complicated.  Simply trying to find the right valve can be challenging, and even something that seems like a small error can result in holes in your wall and major leaks that cause mold and mildew.  This is a small job better left to a professional.
2. Building permits required – In most cases when a building permit is required, something major is being done to the home.  There is also a higher level of accountability here.  Any time you’re going to be moving the plumbing around or changing out any major fixtures, you definitely need a professional.
3. Bathtubs – Probably the biggest job in a bathroom remodel is putting in a new bathtub, and the sheer size of this job definitely requires a professional plumber.  In addition to the simple size of the job, you could also face a nearly endless list of things that could go wrong.
4. Water heaters or sump pumps – If you think dealing with leaky pipes is difficult, you can multiply that difficulty by about a thousand when dealing with major water appliances like sump pumps or water heaters.  In addition to dealing with pipes and plumbing, you also have to know the darkest details about how these appliances work.  This one is definitely better left to a professional.
5. Gas lines – In most parts of the country, a licensed plumber is required in jobs that have anything to do with gas lines.  Gas line problems can result in issues that are much more serious than damaged property.  You could be talking about lives, so this is definitely a time to get a professional in.
6. Big blockages –So there are small blockages and big blockages, and if you’re in doubt about what makes a blockage a big one, don’t worry.  You’ll know it when you see it.  In fact, you may not realize at first that there is even a blockage, but you will notice some very strange things going on.  When the toilet starts backing up into the bathtub, you know that there is a big blockage that needs to be taken care of.  Most homeowners can use a plunger or chemicals to clear a smaller blockage, but if you’re having trouble clearing one of any size, even if it seems small, get a professional to come in and take care of it.  The plumbing throughout your home is connected, so if you push or pull a pipe the wrong way, you could damage the system elsewhere.

You just can’t be too careful when you’re dealing with any kind of plumbing problem, so when in doubt, get someone who knows what they are doing.  Hire a plumber in Costa Mesa from Scott English Plumbing to handle all of your major plumbing problems.