Tag Archives: clogged toilet

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Plumbing Troubleshooting Tips

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Plumbing issues come in a variety of sizes. From small matters that you can fix yourself to major problems that require the aid of a trained professional, plumbing doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all solution.

However, troubleshooting the problem and finding the root of the issue can help determine a repair plan and save you time and money. Whether you have a leaky faucet or a sewer backup, here are some plumbing troubleshooting tips to get your pipes and water system back to full functionality. Brought to you by our plumbing company in the Bay Area.

Troubleshooting Toilets

The two most common toilet problems are a running toilet and a clogged toilet. A running toilet is fairly easy to diagnose. When you can hear water running when the toilet isn’t in use, chances are you have this issue.

If left untreated, a running toilet can run through over 200 gallons of water a day, causing your water bill to skyrocket. Checking the flapper valve, replacing the float, or checking the tank for sediment will often fix a running toilet.

Clogged toilets provide a more serious problem. When clogged, they can overflow and cause a mess of gigantic and often disgusting proportions. Most often, a plunger will do the trick, but if that’s not enough to amend the situation, you may need to call a plumber to snake the line.

Troubleshooting Leaky Pipes

Leaky pipes are one of the more serious plumbing problems you may face. When pipes leak, they can damage furniture, wood flooring, and wood subflooring, as well as attract pests such as cockroaches and silverfish.

Fortunately, leaky pipes are fairly easy to diagnose. To find the problem, look for puddles of water collecting beneath your pipes. If these pipes are exposed, such as in a basement, locating them is far simpler.

However, pipes located within walls often need a plumber’s touch. In cold weather climates, proper pipe insulation is necessary to avoid pipe bursts. If you don’t see insulation wrapped around your pipes, visit a hardware store to get the necessary supplies.

Troubleshooting Faucets

Perhaps the most common and easy-to-diagnose problem is a leaky faucet. These leaks are also one of the most irritating plumbing issues. Between the dripping sound and a higher water bill, leaky faucets are enough to drive a person crazy.

The good news is that figuring out the source of the problem is straightforward. Nine times out of 10, a washer within the faucet has become worn or dislodged and needs replacing. With the right tools, this is a quick fix. If you aren’t a handy, DIYer, a quick call to the plumber is just as effective.

Troubleshooting Drains, Sinks, and Tubs

Clogged drains, sinks, and tubs pose a threat to your home if they cause overflows and spillage into places susceptible to water damage. A visual inspection of the drainage will let you know if a clog is apparent. At that point, diagnosing the underlying cause isn’t as easy. In kitchen sinks, fats, oils, and food particles can cause a clog, as well as a dirty garbage disposal.

Bathroom sinks, showers, and tubs can have the same drainage problems caused by soap scum buildup and hair. Oftentimes, you can remove the drain cover and pull out the clogging offender. If this doesn’t troubleshoot the issue, a call to Express Plumbing in the Bay Area is a necessity.

Troubleshooting plumbing issues is something every homeowner must deal with at some point in time. Armed with these tips, you can find, diagnose, and treat many simple problems, but you don’t have to be a hero. If a plumbing situation comes up that’s outside of your area of expertise, don’t gamble on the well-being of your home.

Call our professional plumbing team in the Bay Area and ask us to properly diagnose the plumbing problem. An early and correct diagnosis will save you time and money.


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Avoid These Common Summer Plumbing Issues Around the House

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Fun in the sun isn’t enjoyable if you’re having to deal with summer plumbing problems! While you’re getting ready for a trip to the beach, a backyard BBQ and evening parties, if you’re a homeowner in the Bay Area, you’re never worry free.  There are always issues around the house, and plumbing issues are one of them.  Let’s get you prepared.

Most Common Summer Plumbing Issues

Clogged Toilets & Drains

With swimming comes more showers, with kids out of school, the toilets will be working double time.  Talk with your kids and explain proper use.  If you’ve got teenagers discuss the things they should NEVER put down the toilet to avoid clogs.  For the shower drains, it may be a good time to invest in a drain plug to catch all the hair.  Keep a plunger handy, just in case they do get clogged, and give us a call if you ever need our residential plumbers anywhere in the Bay Area.

Leaks in Washing Machine Hoses

Swimming, sports, showers, only mean that your washing machine will be working overtime these summers months, to prevent washing machine hose leaks, check them often and replace them before they begin leaking in order to avoid a leak in the house.  Plumbing issues can come from anywhere, you can’t stop them all, but with a little attention to detail, one can avoid a few plumbing problems from becoming bigger disasters.

Sewer Line Plumbing Problems

We are the Bay Area underground sewer experts because we get called for sewer repair and sewer replacements on a daily basis, so we know this can happen, and it does!  Whether the roots from trees expanded during the wet winter months and found their way into the sewer line or the collection of residue and hair has finally reached maximum capacity, avoid sewer line problems by not only installing drain plugs in the summer but all year long.

If you have a sewer issue, minimize the repair by hiring our trenchless “no-dig” plumbers.  We have the equipment and expertise to handle any sewer and underground pipe repair without digging.  The process is efficient, minimizes the disruption to the ground above, thus the cost and time to repair is much less.

Summer is meant to be enjoyable, follow these small tips to enjoy the kids being out of school, have outdoor fun without having to deal with plumbing issues that will drain your excitement.

We at EPS Express Pluming enjoy helping our Bay Area community and are called upon by commercial, residential, and municipal clients to provide engineering, plumbing, drilling, and building services when they need it.  We’ve been serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1989.  We look forward to helping you when you need us most 24/7 including holidays and weekends.


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3 Simple Tips to Avoid Holiday Plumbing Disasters

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The holiday season brings family and friends together, whether you’re having a few people over for dinner or out-of-town family guests that will stay overnight, here are some tips from your San Mateo trusted plumber to help you avoid plumbing disasters this holiday season.

While enjoying the holiday festivities, the last thing anyone wants to deal with is a clogged drain, cold shower, or overflowing toilets.  Let’s see if we can help you give your guests a memorable experience without any plumbing emergencies.

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Avoid Plumbing Disasters #1 – Know Your Shut Off Valves

Most homeowners aren’t plumbing experts, but you should at least know about the plumbing in your home.  Locate where the shut off valves are in and around your home, this will be the most important thing to know in case you have a plumbing emergency during the holidays or any other time.

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Avoid Plumbing Problems #2 – Trash is for the trash can

Help your guests avoid disposing improper items in the toilet or sink.  Make sure you have trash cans throughout the bathrooms and near the sink in the kitchen.  A small cotton swab down the toilet can create a plumbing disaster you don’t want to deal with, or the wrong leftovers placed in the sink can clog your garbage disposal quickly.

Avoid Plumbing Emergencies #3 – Don’t waste water

Avoid wasting water by checking all the connections outside of the home and inside.  You may want to turn up your hot water heater to ensure there will be plenty for your overnight guests to enjoy a nice warm shower.  Stick to a maximum temperature of 125 degrees.

Happy Holidays From Our Family To Yours

Happy Holidays From Our Family To Yours 

Our residential plumbing experts have been serving the Bay Area community since 1989.  We are available 24/7 even nights and weekends.  If you’re faced with a plumbing disaster you can’t handle, know that we’re here to help you when you need us most.

Our entire team at Express Plumbing in San Mateo CA wishes you and your family a wonderful holiday season filled with memorable moments and free of plumbing disasters.  


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