Favorite Plumber Sunnyvale CA

Common Plumbing Issues

Our customers often ask us about the common plumbing problems we encounter in the Sunnyvale area. Sometimes the issues are a simple fix if you are a do-it-yourselfer, other times it can be more involved.

Either way, we are here for you and ready to help in any way we can, or just to answer any questions you have, so give us a call!

Dripping Faucets

This usually involves a worn out washer in your faucet assembly that lets water leak past the shut off valve. The worn washer is usually fairly easy to fix if you know how to do it and you have a properly sized replacement washer.

But some faucets (both old and new) can be especially tricky to get access to the washer. If you are not feeling especially adventurous we are happy to help.

Leaky Pipes

Pipes can leak any time of the year for a variety of reasons, most leaks occur at the pipe joints or fittings. A leak can be evident on the exposed pipe itself, or by a puddle on the floor, under a sink, water stains appearing in the ceiling, the sound of running water, or a patch of wet ground outside.

If a leak has been active for an extended period then there is also a possibility of black mold developing, this needs to be carefully removed. Leaking pipes can be a challenge for a do-it-yourselfer, even if you have some plumbing experience.

Our plumbers are a trusted resource for assistance with this, we do it every day.

Running Toilets

Besides the annoying sound, this can be a big waste of water, up to 200 gallons a day!

Sometimes it is just the float inside the tank that needs adjustment. When the float reaches a certain height it is designed to automatically shut off the water coming into the holding tank. If that shut off does not happen then the water continues to come into the tank, but it will just flow out of the overflow spillway, that could be the sound of running water you hear. Setting the float height can be pretty tricky with some assemblies.

Other times the flapper valve at the bottom of the tank can be worn out or not seating properly.

Both of these can be fairly easy to repair with the proper replacement parts and tools. Our plumbers are here to help you anytime!

Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure can be caused by several reasons. It could be from an undetected leak somewhere.

Low pressure in older homes could be caused by hardness in the water that builds up over time inside your water pipes, this reduces the amount of water that can flow through the pipe.

It could also be something as simple as a plugged up aerator screen in your sink faucet. A buildup of sand behind the aerator screen can obstruct water flow. To fix this just remove the aerator and either rinse off the screen or replace the old one.

Our plumbing crews can diagnose the cause of low water flow pretty quickly and provide you with the appropriate solution.

Slow or Clogged Drains

This is where the experience of a good plumber is helpful to discover and correct the source of most clogs. A clogged drain can be caused by many reasons depending if it is a bathtub, sink, toilet, perimeter drain outside, etc. It can also be caused by an obstruction in the sewer line outside.

A plugged up toilet sometimes simply needs a plunger to move things along. However, a slow or clogged sewer drain can also be caused by a tree root that has found its way into the sewer pipe. Over time the root restricts the normal flow inside the pipe, and no plunger will fix that problem, we can cut the root out of your sewer pipe with a special snake.

A clogged kitchen sink could be an accumulation of debris in the trap. Also, a bathroom sink can get an accumulation of hair buildup that will clog the pipe over time, sometimes a plunger will work, often times not.

Due to the uncertainty involved, rather than using over the counter drain cleaners that can be dangerous and make a bad situation worse, we suggest that you give us a call for a safe long term solution.

Water Heater Repair

Few things are as disappointing as enjoying a hot shower when half way through the hot water runs out.

If you have an electric water heater then it could be a heating element needs to be replaced. But most water heaters use 220 volts of electricity, and they have two elements so unless you really know what you are doing, play it safe and give us a call.

With a gas water heater it could be a thermocouple or a bad gas valve, or something else. So unless you really know what you are doing this is no time to “wing it”, you need an experienced pro to help you with Sunnyvale water heater repairs, so give us a call.

Our Sunnyvale plumbers can also check your temperature and pressure (T&P) safety valve on your water heater to make sure it is working properly.

We can also check your earthquake bracing straps on your water heater. Since 1991, a California Law requires earthquake straps to be installed on any new or replacement water heater. The earthquake straps fasten the water heater to an adjacent wall and prevents the water heater from falling over during an earthquake, this a great safety feature.

Tankless Water Heaters

These are becoming increasingly popular for heating hot water on an as needed basis at the point of use. The tankless heaters instantly heat water, but only when someone turns on the hot water faucet. Therefore, the tankless heaters are generally located close to the point of use (sink, shower, etc.), so there can be several tankless heaters in most households.

A conventional water heater stores 40 to 80 gallons of water and keeps it hot 24/7, taking a lot of energy. Like many things, there can be advantages and disadvantages depending on your specific circumstances such as: floor plan, water usage, space constraints, water pressure, installation cost, long term savings, etc.

lf you need tankless water heater service, or are interested in your specific cost and benefits of installing a tankless hot water heater let us know. We can answer any questions and visit your house or business to help you evaluate your needs and the cost benefit of installing a tankless water heater system.

We Look Forward to Serving You

Thank you for considering us as your Sunnyvale CA plumber, we welcome your phone call and the opportunity to help in any way we can.

We will work hard to be your trusted favorite plumber for many years to come.