Tag Archives: pipe replacement

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5 Summer Plumbing Tips You Need to Know

5 Summer Plumbing Tips You Need to Know

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Summertime is one of the favorite times of the year for most people. Kids can get outside and enjoy the weather and adults can start to think about vacation time. But one thing that’s often overlooked is summertime plumbing. The summertime means more gatherings and outdoor activities, which can lead to more strain on your plumbing system. While your plumbing shouldn’t hinder your fun this summer, you should keep a few tips in mind to keep your system running smoothly.

1. Give Your Garbage Disposal a Break

Many fruits and veggies are at their ripest during the summer, so indulging (or overindulging) is only natural. However, you shouldn’t let these foods destroy your garbage disposal. Make sure you avoid putting banana peels, melon rinds, corn husks, or other hardy leftovers in the disposal to avoid any damage.

2. Inspect for Leaks Around the House

Long winters and even slightly frigid summers can wreak havoc on your plumbing and cause leaks. However, you may not notice them during the spring or early summer, especially smaller ones.

Make sure to inspect the following areas:

  • Outdoor spigots
  • Pool area
  • Showerheads
  • Pipes underneath the bathroom or kitchen sinks
  • Water heater and water softener
  • Basement or crawlspace water pipes
  • Toilets (you can do this by putting food coloring in the tank and flushing it)

3. Find Your Main Water Shut-off Valve

If you aren’t sure how to shut off your water, now is the time. A clogged toilet, burst pipe, or other issues can severely damage your home if you don’t know where to find this valve.

This valve is either a wheel with spokes (often painted red) or a valve that turns at a 90-degree angle to open or close the main water line. Hopefully, you never need to use it, but you can at least know where it is in case of an emergency.

4. Test the Sump Pump

Summer thunderstorms can put your sump pump to the test. For your basement to stay dry, you need to make sure your sump pump is in tip-top condition and in proper working order.

To test your sump pump, go to the sump and dump a bucket of water inside. Make sure it’s turned on. With the water inside the sump pit, your pump should turn on automatically. If it doesn’t or if it’s malfunctioning, you may need to replace it sooner rather than later.

5. Clean the Gutters

Gutter cleaning isn’t always associated with summer plumbing issues. However, your gutters need to be clean and clear to work correctly, especially if you haven’t cleaned them recently. Grab a ladder, remove all the debris, and you shouldn’t have to worry about any leaks in your home or basement as a result of clogged gutters.

Don’t Have Time? Call Your Bay Area Plumber

Even some of the easiest plumbing jobs aren’t always possible if you’re busy or on vacation. So if you come across a plumbing situation that you can’t handle, give us a call.

Experience combined with the most modern equipment and methods used in the industry, we can take care of a minor or major plumbing situation anywhere in the Bay Area quickly.  Our goal is to take care of your home or business so you can enjoy the summertime without worrying about plumbing.


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4 Spring Home Plumbing Tasks You Can Do Yourself

4 Spring Home Plumbing Tasks You Can Do Yourself

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Spring is finally in the air! While getting outside is probably a top priority, as a homeowner, you always have something to update, upgrade, or fix. One of those is your plumbing. Over the winter, your family and the weather can wreak havoc on your plumbing. But even if you haven’t noticed any changes in your plumbing, doing a quick inspection and completing a few simple repairs is time well spent. So if you’re feeling like Mr. or Mrs. Fix-It, but don’t have a ton of plumbing skills, here are some spring home plumbing tips you can easily do yourself.

1. Check Your Sump Pump

If your home is equipped with a sump pump, spring is the time to make sure it can spring into action when needed. To check your sump pump, follow these instructions:

  • Disconnect the sump pump from its power source.
  • Clean it.
  • Remove the pump screen and clear out any debris that’s in the line
  • Put the pump back together and test it in a five-gallon bucket of water.
  • If everything’s working, pop it back in place and you’re done.

2. Clean Downspouts and Gutters

During winter, your downspouts and gutters get hammered by weather. Plus, you can’t readily clean them when there’s inclement weather or it’s freezing outside. But once spring brings warmer temperatures, you’re ready to clean.

Hop up on a ladder to clean your gutters by hand, disposing of debris and mud in the process. To clean your downspouts, first, test them by putting a hose down one. If the flow of water seems normal, your downspout should be fine. But if you notice poor water flow, you’re going to need to clear the debris. In most cases, you can turn on the hose full blast to get rid of the clog. However, more stubborn debris may require a plumbing snake or high-powered hose.

3. Check for Leaks

This is probably the easiest task for the novice plumber. All you need to do is look around fixtures and pipes to see if you notice any leaks. If you notice some moisture, find out where the leak is coming from to see if you can repair it. If it’s over your head, hire a plumber to take care of the issue.

Our technicians at Express Plumbing always go the extra mile.  On many occasions when they’re called for a problem, they make sure and check the various areas around just to make sure the homeowner did not miss a thing.  Just a small way of making sure we take care of our neighbors.  We’ve lived and worked in the Bay Area for over 30 years and as a family-owned business, we take pride in providing excellence.

4. Test Your Outdoor Spigots and Sprinkler System

Although outdoor spigots and sprinklers can often survive even a cold winter, you may find issues or leaks if you didn’t get all of the water out of the pipes prior to a freeze. The easiest way to determine any issues is to simply turn on the spigot or the sprinkler system. If you notice any leaks, you may have to replace the spigot or the sprinkler heads or lines.

Need Help? Call Express Plumbing

Your DIY skills as a plumber can only take you so far, even with great learning materials like websites and YouTube. So, for the more difficult jobs, it’s best to go with a professional.

Our team of certified technicians and friendly staff at Express Plumbing, you can’t go wrong.  For multiple decades we’ve helped homeowners, businesses, and municipalities achieve the impossible.  No job is too big or too small for our company, we’re experienced and equipped to complete a project efficiently and within budget.  Call us to discuss.


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home improvement plumbers

Home Remodeling Improvements You Shouldn’t Do Yourself

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Thanks to the overwhelming popularity of home-flipping, renovation, and other home improvement television shows, the do-it-yourself (DIY) remodeling craze is at an all time. And with good reason. A proper remodeling job can revamp the aesthetic appeal of your home, raise its value, or get it ready to go on the market. However, the next time you feel the urge to channel your inner Tim “The Toolman” Taylor, take a step back and call an expert. Here are just some of the home remodeling improvements you shouldn’t do yourself.

Room Additions

If you’re adding another child to the clan or you just want more room to relax or entertain, a room addition makes perfect sense. But turning your plans into reality isn’t the same.

When you’re planning an addition, there are numerous factors to consider. You have to know if the wall is load-bearing, where the pipes and wires are, and how to properly maintain the floor and new roof. In many cases, you will need an experienced contractor to perform a room addition. When in doubt about your abilities or time constraints, make a call instead of leaving it to chance.

Electrical Updates

Aside from replacing a light switch plate or a lightbulb, electrical updates are out of the question. Only skilled electricians should tackle electrical wiring or fixture-replacement jobs.

If you try to do electrical tasks without the right experience and skill set, you put yourself at risk of electrical shock or an electrical fire. An electrician can also ensure that everything is done up to code.

Plumbing Upgrades

A small leak from the faucet or a clogged toilet are no match for your DIY prowess, but any plumbing issues beyond that should be left to certified plumbers. When you try to tackle problems such as pipes or fixture replacement, you run the risk of a flood or sewage backup that can drain your bank account.

The key to a fully functioning plumbing system is preventive maintenance. By hiring a professional when you see a slow-draining sink, puddles of water in the basement, or another issue, you can avoid a plumbing catastrophe.

Major Landscaping Renovations

If you’re going to plop in a raised-bed garden, plant a new tree, or put in a few flowers and shrubs, go for it. These improvements require little expertise or labor and can add some serious curb appeal to your home. Larger jobs are another story.

When you’re planning to do a major landscaping renovation such as adding a pond, putting up a retaining wall, or building a shed, you want to make sure everything’s done to code.

Even the greatest books from the library and YouTube videos don’t always prepare you for a home remodel.

Plenty of obstacles can emerge, and juggling your job, family, and the improvement can put unnecessary strain on your life and relationships. With just one phone call, you can relax and put your trust in the hands of experienced individuals. It might cost you a little more, but you can’t put a price on peace of mind and a job well done.

Express Plumbing is a Bay Area plumbing company and a division of EPS Inc. Our company has been serving the Bay Area residential, commercial, and municipal sector.

Our plumbing technicians are experienced and can handle any plumbing and underground construction project required to get your home improvement project completed right and on-time.

If you’re looking to discuss any upcoming project, contact us today and let’s talk.


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Bay Area underground pipe repair by eps express plumbing

Cost Effective Pipe Repair or Replacement Solution

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If you own a home or business and you’ve been receiving a high water bill lately, you’ll more than likely have a leak and need a pipe repair or replacement done quickly!
Not taking care of leaks right away will only increase those bills, so there’s no time to waste and you’ll need a plumber that acts fast. EPS Express Plumbing is a Bay Area pipe repair and replacement expert. We offer solutions that meet budgets and deadlines.

Pipe Repair or Replacement?

First thing we will do is evaluate the situation and provide you with a FREE no obligation estimate. The cost will obviously vary whether it’s a repair or a complete replacement.
Unlike other plumbing companies, EPS doesn’t have to get to the pipes by digging up your lawn, tearing down the walls, or floors. We simply choose one access point and give you a cost-effective pipe repair or replacement without leaving a mess behind.

If the area is dug up just to locate a pipeline, just imagine the added cost to get it back to normal.

Our pipe repair or replacement services are offered to residential clients, businesses, and municipalities throughout the entire Bay Area. We’ve been repairing, installing, and connecting pipes since 1989.

Pipe Repair or Replacement Efficiency

We have dedicated equipment and an experienced crew to get the job done quickly. The faster it’s done, the less expensive it is for you as the client. Depending on the size of the project, many of which can be done in one or two days.

Check out our recently completed pipe repair project in Daly City, using the trenchless pipe reaming technique on 1700 feet of 18” High Density Polyethylene pipe installed through the existing old 12” vitrify clay pipe.

No matter what size project you need our Bay Area underground pipe repair team for, EPS Express Plumbing is eager and ready to help.
You can always rely on us to provide you with simple, cost effective, and long lasting trenchless pipe repair, and pipe replacement solutions.

EPS Express Plumbing is the #1 referred building, engineering, and plumbing contractor in the Bay Area among homeowners, business owners, builders, and municipalities.
Don’t let a small leak turn into a plumbing disaster, contact us quickly. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including holidays and weekends, and consider ourselves the Bay Area’s emergency response team.


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bay area plumbing problems issues emergency

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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Frequently Asked Plumbing Questions

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Here are some plumbing frequently asked questions sent to us in the Bay Area.  Our plumbers are always eager to help you find ways to avoid plumbing emergencies.  Before you call a plumber, read these common FAQ’s.

PLUMBING FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Can I Avoid a Clogged Drain?

How to unclog a garbage disposalPay close attention to what you put down the drain.  Clogged drains in the kitchen happen because people aren’t conscious of what they put in them.

Bathroom drains get clogged because of hair, soap scum and residue from shampoo and toothpaste.

Use screens to catch the hair and avoid it from going down the drain all together.  Use drain cleaner on a monthly basis to maintain your drains and keep them clear from residue.

Can I Prolong the Life of My Water Heater?

Everything has a life span including faucets, fixtures, and water heaters.  You can extend their life by having a water softener installed in your home or business.  The goal is to minimize scale build up which also damages pipes, and appliances.  If water flows efficiently without any build up, the life span is prolonged on all things plumbing in the home.

Do I Have to Replace my Faucet if It Drips?

Not always!  When a faucet is dripping, it generally means the small mechanism on the inside needs to be replaced, or repairs.

It’s something you can do yourself if you’re not ready to replace the fixture all together.  Turning your faucets on and off gently is another way of prolonging their life.

Most Popular Plumbing FAQ – Can I Prevent Leaky Pipes?

When a leak starts, it’s really too late.  It’s important to avoid it all together by inspecting your plumbing on a regular basis.  A visual inspection is sufficient, you’ll want to look for signs of rust in areas around the pipes.  This is an indication that the pipe will eventually have a crack or a leak.  A leaky pipe can cause damage and increase your water bill tremendously.  Catching the problem early and preventing it all together is the best option.

Our Bay Area plumbing company is called upon by homeowners and business owners to conduct an on-site inspection on a regular basis.  We call it “PPP” Plumbing Problem Prevention.

What to Do if My Water Heater or Pipes Leak?

san leandro plumber bay areaYou should contact our plumbers quickly.  We offer 24/7 plumbing service including weekends and holidays.  Most often when water heaters leak, it means the bottom has rusted, there’s no way to repair that, and may require a replacement.  If you cannot locate the leak, we have leak detection equipment that will pin point the source so we can repair the pipe leak or perform a pipe replacement.

Whatever you do, don’t procrastinate when there’s a leak, the damage only gets worse.

My Toilet Keeps Running, How Can I Stop it?

If you have a toilet that continues to run even when it’s not flushed, it’s best to repair it quickly.  First, it’s annoying, second it can be quite costly.  The water is wasted, but it’s like you’re literally “flushing money down the toilet”.  This is quite a common plumbing repair, and well worth your immediate attention.

This is just a a small list of the plumbing FAQ our Bay Area plumbers answer all the time.  Do you have something else you’d like to know? We’re a phone call or an email away.  Send us a message and tell us how we can help you.

Our plumbers have been serving the Bay Area since 1989.  We hire the best and most qualified technicians in the industry, rely on us for all your plumbing needs in AthertonBelmontBurlingameHalf Moon BayLos Altos HillsMenlo ParkMillbraePacificaPalo AltoPortola ValleyRedwood CitySan CarlosSan FranciscoSan BrunoStanfordWoodsideFremontMountain ViewColmaFoster CityDaly CityBrisbaneUnion CityHaywardNewarkSan LeandroFoster City, and all surrounding areas.


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