Author Archives: nicole

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Bathroom Remodel Tips When Choosing a Contractor

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Finding a remodel contractor is not enough if you’re thinking about remodeling a bathroom.  Having an experienced plumber can really help you achieve the perfect bathroom remodel you have envisioned.

If you’re getting ready to construct a new bathroom or remodel an existing one, plumbing services for bathrooms are extremely important.  A certified plumber is one that has experience specifically in new construction or complete remodels.  This experience can save you time and money.

At Express Plumbing in San Mateo, we’ve been providing bathroom remodeling services in the Bay Area since 1989.  We are well staffed with the most experienced plumbers in the industry.  Start with a free estimate, and find out about all the benefits you get when you choose a professional plumbing contractor.

Residential Bathroom Remodel

Experienced plumbers understand the important techniques required to connect to water sources in a bathroom. Sinks, showers and tubs are standard components in these rooms. These must be able to access water just as other parts of the home can. The equipment needed for these projects should be available as well. Experienced plumbers have the equipment that’s needed no matter what the application is.

Repairing Pipes

Depending on the age of your home, your pipes may need repairing. It is critical to hire plumbers with experience replacing or repairing pipes using trenchless technology. The work for these projects can be intricate.

Faucet & Fixtures Update

One of the key elements when remodeling a bathroom in your home is updating the appearance.  There are hundreds of styles to choose from, sinks, nozzles, shower heads, faucets and many other hardware accessories.

Proper planning is extremely important because the choice you make may directly affect the connections behind the hardware.  Our team of expert bathroom remodeling plumbers do the strategical planning with each homeowner to make sure your project is on time and within budget.

Redesign the Shower and Tub

Our plumbers will help you redesign the showers and tubs in your home, they turn your vision into a reality by changing the entire layout and theme of your bathroom.

As an expert contractor in the Bay Area for both new construction and remodeling projects, our plumbing company has worked closely with various parties involved, homeowners, architects, and other contractors to facilitate the process most efficient, and cost effective for our clients.

Commercial bathroom remodel

Commercial Bathroom Remodel

When we talk remodel, we automatically think in the home, but our team of commercial plumbers have installed new bathroom at commercial sites, office buildings, restaurants, and various types of businesses.

The requirements for commercial bathrooms differ from the residential application, so it’s very important for you to consider a commercial plumbing contractor that understands these stringent local requirements.

If you’re considering new construction or a remodel of any kind in your home or business, we ask you to rely on our experience and ask us for a complimentary evaluation and proposal so we can help you turn your dream into a reality within budget and on time.


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San Francisco Underground Utilities & Trenchless Sewer Upgrade

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EPS Inc. dba Express Plumbing in San Mateo is called upon for trenchless sewer replacement due to our advanced equipment, and technical expertise.  Whether it’s underground construction, new construction, residential plumbing, or commercial plumbing repairs.  Homeowners, business owners, and cities consider us the contractor of choice in the Bay Area.

Since 1989 we’ve partnered with the City of San Francisco on many projects and here are some highlights from the recent May 2016 sewer upgrade project located at the busy Embarcadero Center.

The city of San Francisco is continuously upgrading its sewer system and underground utilities throughout the area, our company partners with the city, engineering firms, and various parties involved to facilitate a smooth transition and a successful outcome for our community.

We were contracted to perform a trenchless sewer replacement in a very busy area of San Francisco, proper planning, advanced equipment and a team effort made this project not only successful, but also enjoyable.

Among other things, we replaced an existing 20″ clay sewer main with an 18″ HDPE using a custom bursting head in a process called pipe bursting, this and other advanced equipment and techniques allows us to accomplish excellent results efficiently and with quality not only meets but exceeds our clients’ expectations.

San Francisco is not the only city we serve, we provide general engineering and plumbing services in the entire Bay Area and take pride in doing so.  It’s the community we call our home, and we wanted to especially thank our city for continuing to improve our environment.


ENJOY THE PROJECT SNAPSHOTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

We’re proud to hold the title of Contractor of the Year in Silicon Valley and strive to continue providing our community with the excellence they deserve.

Our company only hires the most qualified and experienced plumbing technicians in the industry and they along with our hands-on owner Nick Bechwati are the reason for our success and the success of our projects.

We value your support in the community and ask you to contact us if you’re in need of commercial, residential or municipal engineering or plumbing support.


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Common Summer Residential Plumbing Projects

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Every year you may encounter major or minor home repair and plumbing issues. Depending on the age of your home, some issues might be larger and quite costly.

summer plumbing projects bay areaMany homeowners opt to embark on summer projects early to address these issues. Plumbing projects are those that affect your everyday life inside or outside the home.

Some projects you can do alone, and others will require a professional plumber to handle.  If any of your projects need us, schedule your free estimate early by giving us a call.  We serve the entire Bay Area including San Francisco, Alameda County, San Mateo, Burlingame and all surrounding areas in the Peninsula.

Here are a few of the common plumbing projects our residential clients have requested.

Installing a Hot Water Heater

Express Bay Area Plumbing Projects

24 Hour Service – 7 Days a Week

Hot water heaters are one of the most important appliances in the home. They are instrumental when it comes to heating cooking and bathing water. When these appliances malfunction, they can cause all sorts of problems. Leaks are just one issue you may have. Installing a new hot water heater requires specific expertise.

Give us a call for a free estimate on a new traditional water heater or tankless water heater installation. Learn more about investing in a tankless water heater.

Pipe Replacement

Older homes often have plumbing components that are outdated. There are instances when plumbing pipes require replacement. Our Bay Area experienced plumbers know what pipes are needed for your plumbing system.  We are the experts in trenchless pipe replacement, ask us all about it by giving us a call for a free estimate.

Upgrading Plumbing Hardware

Faucet and fixture replacements are probably the top requested calls.  You may choose to replace them because you don’t like the look anymore, or because they’re no longer functioning.

Replacing a bathroom or kitchen faucet is easy, but if not professionally done and well installed, you may end up with a leak and a more costly project.  Repair and Maintain things early to avoid plumbing problems.

Experienced plumbers are those that are certified to work in this industry. They have the expertise required to fix plumbing problems. At Express Plumbing, we’ve been serving our Bay Area neighbors since 1989.  We only hire experienced plumbers, and we guarantee your satisfaction with every plumbing project we perform.


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2015 Contractor of the Year Insuring Excellence

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It’s common knowledge in the Bay Area that when a municipal contractor is needed, EPS Inc. dba Express Plumbing is the #1 referred engineering and general contractor.

Since 1989, Express Plumbing has partnered with municipalities and public works departments around the Bay Area to insure that projects are completed within budget, meeting stringent requirements, and time constraints.

quality guarantted

In 2015, the American Public Works Association (APWA) Silicon Valley Division named EPS Inc. dba Express Plumbing contractor of the year.

“We love the Bay Area, we’re blessed to work in a place we call home and do what we love most” says Nick Bechwati, the owner of Express Plumbing.

The company was established in 1989, but Nick Bechwati got into the plumbing business at a very young age following the footsteps of his father before him.

As a trusted plumber in San Mateo, they serve the entire Bay Area by offering advanced plumbing, drilling, and engineering techniques that save clients time and money.

This Bay Area Plumbing company has a wide range of residential, commercial, and municipal plumbing services combined with over 30 years of experience and the most advanced equipment available in the industry.

bbbBechwati stated that their continuous efforts include customer service improvements, training, and only hiring technicians that have 5 years of experience in the industry.

“We want all our clients to be happy, the biggest reason for our success is our clients and word-of-mouth referrals”

Like any business, companies strive to achieve excellence in customer service, failures do occur but as long as the company is willing to address and remedy the situation by properly training its employees, that makes a company one you can trust.

24 HOUR PLUMBING SERVICESWith many commercial and residential projects already scheduled, we would not be surprised to see EPS Inc. dba Express Plumbing achieve contractor of the year multiple years in a row.

If you need any plumbing service in the Bay Area, call us for a complimentary evaluation, free quote, and immediate service.  Our emergency plumbing services are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a live operator to help you.


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Sewer Line Problems – Tips To Avoid Tree Roots in the Sewer Line

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The most common clogged sewer line repairs are the results of tree roots finding their way into the sewer line.  It seems almost impossible to avoid this situation underground, but here are some tips to help you avoid costly sewer line repairs.

Although Express Plumbing specializes in sewer line problems and repairs, we believe prevention is the best policy and this is one of the reasons we are the #1 referred sewer line experts in San Mateo and all Bay Area cities.

Locate Your sewer line

It’s best practice to know exactly where the lines are in your yard and around your home, before you start digging or planting.  Homeowners and business owners can easily find the exact location of underground utilities by contacting the local public works department or the national “Call Before You Dig” 811 number.

Choose Sewer Line Safe Plants

If you’re planning on planting around your home, and you’ve located your sewer lines, try to choose plants that are safe for your sewer line and do not have expanding and overgrowing roots that will reach the distance.  Limit the amount of plants you place close to your sewer line location to avoid sewer line plumbing problems.

tree roots sewer line problems

Here are a few trees to avoid placing over your sewer system.

  • Australian acacias
  • Ash
  • Beech
  • Birch
  • Cypress
  • Elm
  • Eucalyptus
  • Maple
  • Mesquite
  • Mulberry
  • Pepper Tree
  • Poplar
  • Sycamore
  • Willow

If roots have already invaded your sewer line, you may have a problem that needs addressing immediately.  Sometimes the roots from a neighbor’s home will encroach onto your sewer line and this will require you to work closely with the neighbor to address the problem.

Catch  Sewer Line Problems Early

sewer line camera inspectionClogged drains happen all the time and for different reasons, but if you notice you’re having a continuous problem with drains clogging, it may be time to look closer and avoid a bigger plumbing problem.

Frequent Overflowing toilets are also another sign that it may be time to have a regular sewer line inspection done.

Our San Mateo plumbers perform sewer line repairs in the Bay Area frequently.  We also help many homeowners avoid costly sewer line repairs by providing a sewer line inspection service.

It’s important to know what’s lurking in your sewer lines and a video camera inspection can help us catch small plumbing problems before they become a serious plumbing emergency.


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Tankless Water Heater Endless Water

Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth The Investment?

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Installing a tankless water heater initially costs more than the traditional water heater, so before making a decision, a homeowner or business owner wants to make sure a tankless water heater investment is worth it.

tankless water heater installers

Without a doubt, tankless water heaters are more efficient, and save on energy costs.  According to the U.S. Department of energy a tankless water heater can be 24 to 34 percent more efficient than the traditional tank water heater, but that percentage will vary depending on your daily use.

Unlike the traditional tank style water heater, there is no tank, and water is immediately heated when you need it, so there’s no need for your gas or electric to continue running and heating water.  The hot water is generated on demand and this minimizes the utility usage.

How do tankless water heaters work

Are Tankless Water Heaters Gas or Electric?

This is very common question.  These water heaters have increased in demand, and there are many options and styles to choose from.  A tankless water heater comes in natural gas, propane or electric.

Whole House Tankless Water Heater

A whole house water heater can supply hot water to multiple outlets in the home; they usually run on gas or propane, and have a higher flow rate than electric water heaters.

Point Of Use Water Heater

Some homeowners with large homes will install a whole house water heater, but in addition install a point of use water heater for specific appliances that demand a lot of hot water.  The point of use tankless water heaters are usually electric and only deliver to a specific outlet.

All our clients find tankless water heaters to be efficient, they are compact and do not take up much space.  Yes, they do cost more than the traditional water heater, but you’ll want to balance the cost of your unit with your ongoing operating costs.

Our Bay Area plumbing company specializes in advanced plumbing repair and installation techniques to help you save money whether you need residential or commercial plumbing services.

Our tankless water heater installers are professional and experienced to help you become energy efficient and save on operating costs with a new tankless water heater installation in the San Mateo area or anywhere in the Bay area.

Get a Free Tankless Water Heater Estimate

REQUEST A QUOTE NOW


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Why is Video Inspection of Sewer Lines So Important?

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Unfortunately Sewer line plumbing problems tend to come up when we least expect them, but knowing how to handle the situation best can save you lots of money and time. Sewer lines are often the issue, and a video camera inspection can quickly pinpoint the area needing the most attention.

What is a sewer video camera?

Before you get excited send your iPhone down the drain to take a video, it’s important to note that a video camera for the sewer line is a specialty camera generally used by professional plumbers and not available on the open market for the general public. We use it more, so it’s worth the investment.

Why have a sewer line video done?

Let’s just say it won’t be a YouTube hit, but it will minimize the hit on your pocket. Here are some very common reasons why we get called out to perform a video inspection of sewer lines in the Bay Area. This is just a few examples and not a inclusive list of reasons.

  • A real estate transaction may require an inspection on older homes
  • Homeowners lost something of value down the drain and want to locate it
  • A block or clog in the drain that’s in the sewer line and must be located

“A little rat decides to visit during a video inspection”

Sewer line video inspection cost?

Our San Mateo plumbing company always provides a free estimate, so you’ll always know the cost upfront. The exact cost will vary depending on the length of the pipe, location, difficulty in performing the task, and location of the sewer line.

Benefits of a Real-Time Sewer Line Video Inspection

A big problem can be created from a small one if you’re not dealing with an experienced plumber, trenches are dug up, pipes are cut and simply a big mess is created that you don’t want to deal with emotionally or financially.

Real time sewer line inspections save you time and money by taking the guess work out of the equation.

In fact our plumbing company has the advanced equipment needed to perform multi-directional sewer line inspections. We can reach tough places, and our advanced equipment gives your real-time inspection.

Like most home repair problems, catching issues early is very important, so the more you maintain the plumbing the less problems you have in the long run, but if ever you have a lateral line obstruction, sewer repair or installation, you can rely on our San Mateo area plumbers to get it done right the first time. We’ve been your sewer line experts since 1989.


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Bay Area Residential Plumbing Leaks and Repairs

How Proper Plumbing Maintenance Prevents Emergency Problems

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While we apply the principle of regular maintenance in every part of our life, we tend to dismiss it often when it comes to our home plumbing maintenance needs.  We call a plumber when we need one, but a few preventative steps can avoid emergency issues from even coming up in the first place.

Bathrooms and kitchens are not the only spaces affected by plumbing issues, there are other parts of the house that are impacted.

Regular checks are the best way to avoid costly repairs. These can be done seasonally by an experienced plumber. Plumbing inspections are significant when the home is older and has dated hardware. During these visits, a plumber can pinpoint potential problems.

Our expert plumbers perform small repairs before they become a big issue or spread to other areas in the home.  Here are the top 3 costly plumbing repairs you can avoid.

1 – Water Heater Repair

Water heaters can malfunction for various reasons. Age is one of the top reasons for these problems. It can cost more than $500 to have this work done. If leaks have resulted because of your water heater, other problems may arise. Depending on the location of the heater, leaks could cause flooding. When water heaters are not working, it is impossible to get hot water in the home. This affects both bathing and cooking.  Our Bay Area plumbers specialize in tankless water heater installations as an option to the traditional water heater.Why You Should Hire A Professional For Water Heater Services 2

2 – Septic Tank Repair

Problems with a septic tank can be not only costly but complex. This type of repair requires expertise and equipment. It is important that you hire a plumbing company that can accommodate this work. Indoor plumbing is limited or interrupted with septic tank repairs. This may be a timely repair that could put your home at a standstill.  You may want to consider a septic to sewer conversion.

3 – Installing Pipes

The problem with your home’s plumbing may point to its pipes. There are instances where entirely new pipes are required. If considering new piping, you’ll want to save on time and money by looking into trenchless technology which cuts the amount of time it takes and does not disrupt the surface since no digging is involved, this means less cost is spent on repairing the surface above

When you maintain your home’s plumbing, you extend its life. The function of the home is impacted by proper plumbing. It is important to address issues like leaks as soon as they occur. These are problems that can lead to bigger issues. Regular maintenance is a good way to protect your home and the belongings it stores.


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Why is Pipe Insulation so Important?

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Applications of pipe insulation are often overlooked and misunderstood by homeowners. They never understand how important pipe insulation is when it comes to plumbing. However, if you knew where and how to use pipe insulation, you would not only end up increasing the face value of your house but also improve the overall energy efficiency.

energy efficient

There are a large variety of materials for pipe insulation. You can find pipe insulation in either polyethylene, rigid foam, rubber, glass or mineral wool. The purpose remains the same in every type of insulation. Take a look at the following advantages of pipe insulation, regardless of the type of materials employed:Why You Need Water Backflow Preventers 2

Thermal Insulation In Cold Weather

Imagine taking a shower in extreme cold weather and you notice that there is no hot water. This is a worst case scenario that can happen during the cold winter months due to the bursting of pipes. This would then result in taking a cold freezing shower. Pipe insulation can help prevent such accidents and also save you from the crippling repair and cleaning costs that follow thereafter.

Pipe insulation allows for the smooth flow of water by slowly transferring the heat to the much colder environment outside from the pipes, preventing the liquid from freezing up. Therefore, it is also important that during installation of pipe insulation, immense care is taken to avoid any gaps that might expose the pipes to external cold air.

Providing Warmth Within The House

Pipe insulation is quite handy during the cold winter months as it brings a new option to the table for keeping each room in your house warm and cozy. This means that no matter what the temperature is outside, your house can stay as warm as you want. Insulation pipes make it quite sensible for application due to ever increasing heating and fuel prices. If you use sleeves to clad the pipe, you can insulate your cold and hot pipes quite effectively and deal with any damage caused by extreme temperatures.

Energy Conservation

Efficiency of the water heater can be greatly improved with the help of pipe insulation. The amount of heat lost within the surrounding environment is greatly reduced. The reason why it is hard to retain hot water without the insulation is because pipes can generally bleed heat out into the surrounding areas creating a drop in the temperature of hot water.

To sum it up, a good pipe insulation can help you improve the overall efficiency of your house, save energy and save hundreds of dollars spent every year on energy bills. It is important that you do not ignore the small wear and tear of the insulation pipes as they may turn out to be a big expense for you one day.

We’ve been providing quality plumbing and engineering services in the Bay Area since 1989.  We take great pride in giving our clients information that will help them save time and money.  If you have other home improvement ideas you’d like to share, let us know and we’ll be happy to mention you when we do.


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Trenchless Solutions vs. Traditional

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When you need a new sewer line or a plumbing repair it’s important to know the facts about trenchless solutions vs. the traditional methods.

Traditional Plumbing Repairs

A traditional plumbing repair may require exposing the pipes along an entire trench or line in the backyard or front yard.  There are also many occasions when the pipe or sewer you’re trying to repair is under the house or an area that’s difficult to reach.

In order to reach the location, digging is required, this tends to create a big mess up top that will also require repairing after the work is done underneath.  Whether it’s concrete or dirt, grass, and flowers, it has to be put back.  More work means a longer period of time, and more money.

trenchless repair vs traditional repair main replacement

Trenchless Vs. Traditional Plumbing Repairs

Trenchless means exactly the way it sounds “trench less”, this means any plumbing repair or installation is done without any digging.  Advanced equipment allows the contractor to get to the point of repair or installation without creating a large dug up area that will need follow up and repair.

Trenchless solutions are used at our San Mateo plumbing company for all repairs and new installations. We promote methods that not only save time, but also save our clients money.

Besides time, and money, when you choose trenchless solutions you’re protecting the environment.

We’ve been serving the Bay Area since 1989.  Our company has helped thousands of home owners with trenchess sewer replacement and trenchless plumbing repairs.  We’ve been labeled the “No dig” plumbers in San Mateo.

If you’re in need to a plumbing repair or a new line installation, you owe it to yourself and your budget to find out about the advanced plumbing techniques available to you in the Bay Area.

Schedule a free consultation, we’re happy to give you a quote that won’t cost you a dime, and answer all your questions about trenchless solutions vs traditional plumbing methods.


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Express Plumbing
307 N. Amphlett Blvd San Mateo, CA 94401
Phone: (800) 246-6425 $246 - $6425
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