5 Residential Plumbing Services to Get Before You Sell Your Home

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A home is a huge investment for most people, and home buyers shop carefully to find homes that appeal to them in different ways. Don’t be surprised if a potential buyer asks about any residential plumbing services you have done recently. Even better, have a list of things that were covered on your home plumbing inspection, and go over them as you show the house. You want to get the most value for the property, and some simple plumbing services will help you sell for better prices.

1. Household Plumbing Inspection

Getting a home plumbing inspection is one of the most important residential plumbing services to get before putting your home on the market. It provides prospective buyers with a sense of assurance that the home is well-cared for and in good condition. And while a home plumbing inspection is not required by law in most states, it is a great way to boost the asking price.

Residential plumbing contractors will give your plumbing system a complete evaluation, from looking for problems with septic systems to checking for leaks and slow-moving drains. Since home plumbing is inspected by licensed plumbers, any problems that are discovered can be repaired right away.

2. Septic Pump-Out

Knowing that the septic tank is newly emptied is another item that can lead to a faster or more profitable sale. Since this only needs to be done at long intervals, home buyers will immediately see the benefit of having plenty of time before they need to worry about their private sewer system. The process only takes a few minutes, and experienced contractors won’t leave a mess all over your property as some fly-by-night companies may do. Depending on your local laws, you may be required to get a pump-out before putting your home on the market.

Rooter service is one of the most common residential plumbing services, but not every plumber has the equipment to perform a septic pump-out. Because of the special equipment required, some companies avoid the added investment. Look for established plumbing contractors that feature household plumbing repair and rooter service.

3. On-Demand Hot Water

Tankless water heaters have become popular in recent years, and make an affordable plumbing upgrade that new buyers will love. On-demand water heaters are installed in your hot water line, typically beneath a counter or above a ceiling. This eliminates the need for a special water heater closet, and that can be a big plus for home sales as it provides extra space that can be repurposed for other uses.

Without a huge storage tank, tankless water heaters usually outlast conventional systems by 10 years or more. And since they have very few parts that can fail, tankless systems require much less maintenance and upkeep over the years. For many people, however, the biggest attraction for tankless water hears is the fact that they can save anywhere from 10 to 50 percent on your energy bills. For large homes, you can install tankless heaters at heavy-use points to assure the family of always having hot water when they turn the knob.

Even if you choose to stay with a tanked water heater, keep in mind that they are rated for around 10 or 12 years before they should be replaced. Replacing the ones in your home and then listing new water heaters as a selling point will increase buyer interest and appeal. 

4. Trenchless Sewer Replacement

Like on-demand hot water, trenchless sewers are growing in popularity because they can be done quickly and unobtrusively. If you have to make sewer repairs before your house sells, trenchless systems won’t destroy your landscaping or leave long scars across drives and walkways. If the sewer lines being replaced are beneath the home or run under any large slabs or paved areas, trenchless sewer repair is a more affordable solution to consider.

As the name implies, trenchless sewer repair and replacement is ideal for areas that would be severely damaged by digging a ditch. Trenchless begins by digging an opening at each end of the line to be repaired and then using special equipment to bore from one to another. If you consider a situation where the sewer line extends all the way across your basement it is easy to see how 2 openings saves time, money, and resources.

5. Repair Sinks and Drains

Don’t underestimate the power of minor plumbing repairs showing big returns. Shiny new drain covers installed after professional drain cleaning creates an aesthetically pleasing appearance that buyers will take note of. But the visual aspects are only the beginning of how your sinks and drains can affect the sale. Make sure that the drains are working properly and that there aren’t any leaks under sinks, in the water heater pan, or around tubs and toilets. Faulty plumbing can literally make or break a home sale, so take a little time and bring in licensed contractors to get everything in top condition.

Professional plumbers can handle everything from replacing tubs and showers to installing a new dishwasher to modernizing kitchens and bathrooms. You do not have to renovate before selling your house, but minor alterations can lead to big increases in home value and buyer appeal. Additionally, newly installed appliances like tubs or toilets have their own manufacturer warranties that mean years of trouble-free living, and everyone needs less stress in their lives.

Plumbing is a necessary part of modern living, and you won’t get much for a home that has decayed cabinets beneath the sinks, strange odors in the laundry room, or perpetually wet spots near your septic system. For a relatively small investment, home plumbers can repair anything that isn’t working, install new appliances where they are needed, or spruce up kitchens and bathrooms with a bright new look.

Always research your contractors before you hire them. Look at online reviews, check with the local Better Business Bureau, and always insist on contractors that are licensed and insured. Not only are unlicensed contractors breaking the law, but hiring them introduces the possibility of the project not turning out as planned.

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.

Residential Plumbing Services Help You Transition to Municipal Sewer Services

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All over the country, cities and towns are expanding, laying wider roads, and improving utility company coverage in rural areas that have relied on residential plumbing services for many years. The problem is, private systems are not allowed in some areas when a municipal system is available, but municipal lines terminate at the utility’s right-of-way. The result is that homeowners are left with the responsibility of integrating their private sewer lines into the municipal lines. The upgrade entails professionally transitioning to municipal lines and needs to be done by a plumbing company with experience in such residential-to-municipal interfaces.

Municipal Sewage

Municipal sewage systems drain to a treatment facility where water can be processed and cleaned and returned to the community water supply. It is not unusual for sewage upgrades to take place during road widening or resurfacing projects because the utility company has easier access to the underground infrastructure. Unfortunately, connecting to the municipal service is generally a mandatory transition, and homeowners are responsible for the cost of transition from the street-side right-of-way to the sewer line coming out of your home. 

In contrast to a septic-based system, municipal sewer systems use modern reclamation processes that separate nutrients, waste byproducts, and water. Where a private installation returns water to the environment, municipal systems purify water using processes such as reverse osmosis. Once purified, that water is returned to the community water supply where it can be used over and over again.

Installation

For homeowners, a growing community infrastructure may extend municipal reclamation lines into your area, and then force you to tie into the utility. When that happens, you will need reputable residential plumbing services to disconnect your septic and connect to the community line. In many cases, the old septic tank is either filled in or removed. Your experienced plumbing company can help you determine what your options are based on local regulations. The length of time required for the tie-in depends on how long the line to the municipal sewers are, the type of terrain where the home is located, and similar details. Some projects are completed in about a day, while others may require a few days to complete. Your residential plumbers will be able to give you a more accurate time estimate during the initial consultation, but keep in mind that unfavorable weather conditions may create unexpected delays.

Permitting

Complying with local building codes can be confusing or even seem irrational. For example, the city or county can require you to comply with a municipal sewer tie-in, but you still have to have the job permitted and inspected separately from the municipal-side project. Well-established plumbing contractors will know the permitting requirements for your location and have the licensed staff necessary to pull those permits, schedule any inspections required by state and local building codes, and perform the work so that everything passes code inspections and the job can be completed. This may seem like a lot of steps, but plumbing codes change over the years, and older lines often have to be replaced to conform to those codes before the tie-in will be approved.

Trenchless Sewer Solutions

Municipal tie-ins typically involve using rigid sewer lines, but trenchless sewer lines can be installed for some systems. And even if local codes prevent you from using trenchless lines for the tie-in, trenchless is still an excellent way to manage replacing any other sewage lines that need to be replaced. The beauty of a trenchless sewer replacement is that new lines can be installed without disturbing concrete slabs, asphalt drives, or landscaping. Trenchless systems are especially attractive to established residences or in situations where the sewer line needs to be installed under footings or foundations. In many situations, the additional cost of trenchless sewer replacement is offset by the time and labor required to restore an area following a more traditional trenched installation

Property Restoration

With or without a trenchless sewer replacement, tying into the municipal sewer will cause some damage. Interior tie-ins will need to have the opening used for trenchless installation rebuilt, and a traditional sewer line results in repouring the entire length of the trench cut through your foundation slab. Outside, property restoration means replacing foliage, laying sod, and more. The idea is that your property looks as good or better after the sewer tie-in as it did before the process began.

The Importance of Municipal Services

Municipal water utilities are good for the community and the environment. Areas without sufficient rainfall are protected against water shortages and soil contamination, and everyone is assured of a safe, dependable source of potable water. As populations grow, the use of individual septic systems has to be curtailed to protect both public access to drinking water and to ensure a safer environment. 

Another advantage for individual homeowners is that household sewage gets treated by the utility, eliminating septic tank pump-outs, septic treatments to maintain bacteria efficiency, and drain field repair or replacement. Additionally, lawn areas that were previously protected to avoid damaging the septic tank or drain field can be reclaimed as a usable part of the property once more.

Always verify the credentials of contractors you hire, including residential plumbers. In some states, including California, all contractors are required by law to be licensed and insured. This is important for you because it protects you from fly-by-night scams, and insures your home against any incidental damages that may result from the project. 

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.

2 Types of Residential Plumbing Services Every Homeowner Is Going to Need

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Plumbing is a major part of your home’s infrastructure, and every homeowner is going to need qualified residential plumbing services from time to time. Plumbing companies do everything from tying your home into the municipal sewage mains to adding new water lines to a workshed, but the most common plumbing needs are for drains that aren’t flowing properly or sewer lines that are backing up into the home.

Some plumbing problems can be corrected by the homeowner using an ordinary plumber’s plunger, but other problems require more specialized approaches such as forcing a plumber’s snake through the line, replacing broken pipes, or installing new sewer lines.

Home Plumbing Inspections

If you have not located the source of a clogged drain or blocked sewer line, you can schedule a home plumbing inspection with your local home plumbing services company. During the inspection, workers will check your drains and P-traps, verify that your water lines are in good condition, and examine faucets and valves to make sure they are working properly. You will then be notified of the problems that have been located and can choose to repair or replace any defective parts of your plumbing system.

1. Drains and Faucets

Clogged drains are the most common type of plumbing services. From toy cars to washcloths, drains can become clogged with any number of items. Small children often put toys and other interesting things inside toilet bowls and flush them away. Unfortunately, most of these items are too rigid to go around the bowl’s P-trap, and end up getting stuck in the drain between the bowl and the sewer line. To be fair, drains can be clogged for other reasons as well, including grease buildup, broken sewer lines, and nonfunctioning septic systems.

It is sometimes difficult to identify the source of a clogged drain without a household plumbing inspection, especially when the problem is under the home foundation or somewhere outside the walls of the house. Rooter services can eliminate a majority of sewer line clogs, but some situations require more in-depth operations, up to and including sewer line repair and replacement.

Another common household problem is a plumbing valve that has stripped and no longer works properly. In some cases the water will not turn on, and in others there is always a constant drip or flow. While some faucet systems can be repaired or have washers replaced, it can be time-consuming to repair rather than replace. Some plumbing valves –specifically those used in showers or tubs- cannot be removed from the line and must be repaired or replaced in place. This requires specialized tools and plumbing experience, and should be done by a trained professional.

2. Sewer Services

Like clogs, a lot of different things can happen to your sewer lines. They can be clogged, blocked, broken, crushed, and flooded. A common problem is to have a sewer line penetrated by tree roots, at first blocking the flow of sewage, and then destroying the sewer line. Traditionally, repairing a sewer line problem involved digging a ditch, repairing the line or replacing pipe, and then  filling the trench afterward. The process was often destructive, causing damage to driveways, landscaping, and lawns. Inside the home, it was often necessary to cut out a section of your foundation slab, and then rapport it after the repair.

A more modern approach is to use trenchless sewer services. This type of repair causes less damage to your home and property, can be completed with fewer workers, and typically takes a fraction of the time to complete. Instead of a long trench, holes are dug at each end of the line being replaced and then special underground equipment is used to assess and repair the damages. Trenchless sewer lines can go straight under asphalt or concrete without causing any damages or shutting down walkways and drives.

Other Home Plumbing Services

Clogged drains and sewer lines are the most common plumbing services, but there are many others, as well. Water heater repair and replacement is going to affect every home eventually because water heaters deteriorate with time. Water lines may break or rattle in the walls. Or maybe your house is being renovated and you want to rejuvenate your bathrooms during the remodel. Even your outdoor landscape sprinklers need to be installed by qualified plumbers who can calculate the pressure requirements for each irrigation zone. 

If you haven’t had to replace a wax toilet ring yet, it will happen eventually. When the wax ring becomes damaged, your toilet may even leak directly onto your bathroom floor. The first symptom of a wax ring deteriorating is when the toilet begins to rock or wobble every time someone sits on it. Untreated, the wobble will become more and more pronounced, and eventually the rin will give way and raw sewage will begin to drain.

DIY Plumbing

There are some jobs you can do yourself, but there are also times when only a plumbing professional can solve the problem. Plumbing plungers can remove semi-rigid items that are lodged in the drain, for example, and trying to use a snake without any training can severely damage porcelain toilet bowls, separate PVC joints, or even make clogs worse. Unless you are comfortable with your plumbing knowledge, the best advice is to call a plumber and get the job done right the first time.

Hiring a professional is even more important when it comes to plumbing problems inside your walls or above ceilings. These spaces are also commonly used for electric wiring, and a mistake in cutting through the drywall could cause accidental electrocution.

Every homeowner is going to need residential plumbing services occasionally. It is pretty easy to accidentally dig over a plumbing or sewer line, and exterior lines are vulnerable to tree roots penetrating the pipes as trees grow. Valves wear out. Plumbing is important for your family’s safety, convenience, and health, so make a habit of hiring a plumbing service as soon as a problem develops instead of waiting on a small problem to create a major issue.

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.

5 Commercial Plumbing Services That Improve Your Business

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Plumbing is a critical aspect of business operations. No matter what niche your company represents, your staff, clients, and suppliers are going to be using the plumbing, and some companies rely on water as a major part of the process. As you will see here, there are many ways that commercial plumbing services will save you money or even improve your bottom line.

1. Drains and Pumps

Clogged drains and sewage pumps that aren’t working efficiently lead to a wide assortment of workplace incidents. Slip-and-fall injuries, water-borne bacteria, and respiratory problems have all been associated with problems that could have been prevented by regular commercial plumbing services.

2. Emergency Plumbing Issues

If a water line bursts, it can threaten electrical systems, inventory, carpeting, and more. Having a commercial plumbing contractor on call has the potential to save you thousands of dollars on a single call. Even more to the point, getting a plumber on-site as quickly as possible may be able to avert the need for other repair companies such as electricians, remodeling contractors, and more.

3. Restroom Maintenance

Research has shown that restrooms in disrepair are a common workplace complaint. With commercial plumbing maintenance, repairs are made quickly, fixtures and appliances that aren’t working are replaced or repaired, and your restrooms will be more resistant to rodent and insect breeding, mold and mildew, and more.

4. Business Expansion

When businesses grow, their plumbing demands increase as well. Commercial plumbing contractors can help you make the transition into a new location– or the construction of a new building– easier and cleaner. During new construction, it is often imperative to have running water available on the job site, which means your plumbing contractors are among the first work crews needed in the project.

5. Specialty Plumbing

Whether your company uses equipment with individual water requirements or you oversee a factory where eyewash stations are required by law, you will need professional plumbers to handle your specialized water installations.  When you have a commercial plumbing company on contract, they are able to get new installations completed faster because they are already familiar with the plumbing layout of your building.

Commercial plumbing is a broad field, licensed and regulated in the state of California to assure customers of code compliance, safety, and in-depth working knowledge of the tasks they perform. Plumbing maintenance and other plumbing services contribute more than you may realize, including impacts on attendance, performance, health, and morale.

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.

My Water Isn’t Getting Hot. Do I Need Water Heater Repair & Replacement?

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Your water heating system is not especially complex, but it does involve some specialized components that are designed specifically for use in the water heater repair & replacement industry. A trained home plumbing inspector will know what to look for based on whatever problem you are having. As an example, let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons for the lack of hot water and what solutions are available.

Begin With a Plumbing Inspection

Plumbing inspections are an important part of household plumbing, including water heater repair & replacement. The plumbing contractors will locate and diagnose any plumbing situations and provide you with the options available. You may not have to replace the water heater, and some repairs can be made in only an hour or less.

Heating Elements

The heating element is a special component that is inserted into the water heater and is directly controlled by the thermostat. When the thermostat falls below the set temperature it activates a switch that causes the heating element to warm the water surrounding it in the tank. All 3 of these parts, the thermostat, the switch, and the heating element, can be replaced, but it should also be cautioned that an aging water tank can also cause heating elements to become corroded or blocked.

Plumbing Blockages

Over time, old pipes can become clogged with mineral buildup that prevents your hot water from flowing properly. This leads to less hot water reaching the faucet. As old water tanks begin to break down, they can contribute to the clogs by adding rust or other corrosive byproducts to the water flow. Depending on the location and age of the pipes, you may have to have the water heater or some of your home’s plumbing replaced.

Valve Repair and Replacement

Most water heaters have valves at the intake and output connections to the tank. Valves that are only partially open or not functioning correctly have the effect of reducing water pressure and apparent water temperature. Some types of water valves can be repaired, but it is much more common to simply replace a failed valve. Repairing a valve requires more time and labor to rebuild than the cost of a new one. 

There are other reasons for not having hot water, including things like a tripped circuit breaker or broken connection. All of the possibilities will be examined during your home plumbing inspection, options will be provided, and you can select the one that seems the most appropriate for the situation.

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.