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January 15, 2014 by Curtis McQuinn Leave a Comment

Plumbers in Sonora Ca answer FAQ cont.

To add to our first post that answers frequently asked questions about plumbing in Sonora Ca we have added more common plumbing questions and the answers to each in this post. If you have further questions please don’t hesitate to call us at 209-352-4294.

Common questions for our Sonora, Ca plumbing repair service

How long do water heaters last?

The answer to this question depends on the kind of water heater you have, water quality, how much maintenance or repairs have been kept up with, and how much the water heater has been used, but on average tank water heaters last about 10-12 years. If a water softener is being used the life can be expected to be shorter. Keeping up with water heater maintenance and repair can help extend the life of a water heater. Sonora Ca plumbers from Optimized Plumbing and Piping can change anode rods, flush sediment, and adjust temperature to make sure your water heater lasts as long as possible. The lifespan of tankless water heaters can be much longer especially if they have stainless steel heat exchangers. Some of the tankless water heater models offer much better efficiency, and have up to a 15 year warranty on the heat exchanger. Whether you have a tank, or tankless water heater it is always best to keep up on maintenance, and to replace the water heater before it becomes an emergency. This will give you a chance to pick the best water heater for your needs, and not just what is on hand locally. To read more about water heater maintenance and repair check out these posts http://optimizedpiping.com/blog/water-heater-maintenance-tips-1/ http://optimizedpiping.com/blog/water-heater-maintenance-tips/ To read more about new water heater options check out this blog post http://optimizedpiping.com/blog/waterheater/

When should I replace faucets?

Most people choose to replace faucets when they develop leaks, and are in bad repair, but don’t forget the value that having new plumbing fixtures add to your home. A new sink and faucet can help make the whole bathroom or kitchen look updated, and can come with features that are a real bonus like lower water usage than old faucets, or even features like motion sensors that turn water on without even touching the faucet. These are an excellent choice if you don’t want to touch the faucet with dirty hands to turn the water on, and then touch the same dirty faucet to turn the water off. The water can even be set to come out at a certain temperature.

When should a toilet be replaced?

Toilets can last a long time especially when parts are replaced inside of the tank, but new toilets can actually flush better with less water. This can lower your water bill and prevent the hassle of a clogged toilet. Many of the new models do this by increasing the size of the trap way, and glazing it so solids move through more easily. A pressure assist toilet is another option in new toilets, which uses pressurized water to wash down what is in the bowl. Many new toilets are ordered as comfort height with an elongated bowl which is around 17″ high depending on the brand. Sometimes the most value of a new toilet is the way it makes the rest of the room look so even if your toilets still works, or isn’t leaking yet it might be a good decision to replace it before it does.

What can I do to prevent damage from water leaks, or burst pipes in my home or vacation cabin?

Flood stop valves are a good choice for many homes. Our plumbers from Sonora Ca can install a flood stop valve for one appliance, or fixture, or for the whole house. A flood stop system works by placing water sensors around the home where water would go if there was a leak. If water is sensed by one of the sensors it sends a signal to a automatic valve that is installed in the main water line. When the signal is sent the valve closes, and stops water flow to prevent water damage. Some of the systems can even dial you over the phone to alert you to the water leak so water can be cleaned up before mold starts to grow.

For any other questions or information please feel free to contact us at 209-352-4294. We offer 24-7 plumbing service for Tuolumne and Calaveras counties. We are a full service plumbing contractor who is licensed, bonded and insured. Call us for any plumbing problem! To check out our services, and service areas check out the link below.

http://optimizedpiping.com/blog/sonora-ca-plumbers/

November 18, 2013 by Curtis McQuinn Leave a Comment

5 Tips for Sonora Plumbing Repair

Sonora plumbing repair can cover a wide range of topics like: water line leak repair, repairing a broken toilet, repairing a broken or leaking drain, repairing a broken sink, or a leaking faucet, water heater repair, garbage disposal repair, or fixing frozen pipes, but in this post our Sonora, Ca plumbers will give you 5 tips that will help prevent plumbing problems, or make them easier to repair if needed.

Sonora Plumbing Repair Tip #1 Learn where emergency shutoff valves are. Nothing is worse than having water flooding your home, and not knowing how to shut it off. Learn where shutoff valves are before hand. There should be a shutoff valve by your water meter, and one closer to your home or even inside for easier access. If you don’t have a good shutoff valve call Optimized Plumbing & Piping at 209-352-4294 to install a new dependable ball valve before you have an emergency. Also you should make sure what fixtures are shutoff with the valve since there is a possibility of having more than one valve to shutoff the entire home.

Sonora Plumbing Repair Tip #2 Make sure each fixture has it’s own shutoff valve. Also if the fixtures have flex lines to the fixture they should be periodically checked and replaced because they don’t last forever. The angle stops might need to be replaced periodically as well because eventually they will stop working, and could even start dripping causing rotten cabinets and sub floors or even cause mold growth.

Sonora Plumbing Repair Tip #3 Don’t pour grease and oils from cooking down drain lines. Many clogged drains are caused by pouring grease down the kitchen sink. The grease or oil starts as a liquid when it is hot but solidifies when it cools off in the drain. The same can happen with a dishwasher drain hose if greasy dishes or pans are put in without cleaning them off first. This normally causes a dishwasher full of water after the cycle should be complete. Do yourself a favor and pour grease in a coffee can and put it in the garbage to avoid paying for a plumber to unclog your drain lines.

Sonora Plumbing Repair Tip #4 Plant trees away from drain lines (especially ones with invasive roots). Many people don’t consider drain line locations when planting trees in their yard. This is a mistake because roots can find their way into drain lines which causes blockages. These can be cleared out temporarily but many times the drain will have to be dug up and replaced. This entails digging up any landscaping in the way, and the roots of the tree infiltrating the waste line.

Sonora Plumbing Repair Tip #5 Maintain plumbing and keep in good condition to avoid costly emergency work. Many people leave their plumbing unchecked for long periods, and don’t think about it until they have a plumbing emergency. Some people will even notice a small water leak and not have it repaired until it becomes a major leak and causes damage. Leaks don’t normally fix themselves, and the most cost effective time to fix them is when they are first noticed.

Sonora Ca Plumbers from Optimized Plumbing & Piping can be scheduled for any plumbing repair work or to replace and update your plumbing fixtures. We can also show you new options for water heating that can save you a lot of money on utility bills. Call us today at 209-352-4294

We offer plumbing service for Angels Camp, Copperopolis, San Andreas, Murphys, Arnold, Mi Wuk Village, Groveland, and any other areas of Tuolumne, and Calaveras Counties.

To find out more about our Sonora, Ca based plumbing repair service go to: http://optimizedpiping.com/blog/sonora-ca-plumbers/

November 7, 2013 by Curtis McQuinn Leave a Comment

What to do if you have a plumbing emergency in Sonora California

Here are some tips from your Sonora plumbers at Optimized Plumbing & Piping for what to do in case of a plumbing emergency we hope this helps you avoid the costly damage that can be caused while water is running from a leaking pipe or while waiting for a water heater repair.

1) Turn off water at your main shutoff valve. If the only one you have is at your meter box you should have one added that is in a more convenient location, and close to get to in emergencies.

2) Turn off water heater. To do this on a gas water heater shut off the gas valve, then turn the control dial to off. On an electric water heater shut off the power supply. If you don’t turn of the water heater the heat can damage your tank or elements with out water inside to dissipate the heat.

3) Open Faucets. Open all faucets to drain the water from your plumbing system faster.

4) Flush toilets Flush all toilets to help drain water. Make sure fixtures on upper floors are open even if they don’t have water coming out, this will break the vapor block and let the water drain faster.

5) Try to locate the leak. Look for water coming from walls, or from underneath fixtures. If no flow of water is visible it may be helpful for someone to open the water valve a little bit, and somebody else to look for flowing water.

6) Call Sonora plumbers at Optimized Plumbing & Piping We provide plumbing service for the areas of Sonora, Angels Camp, Copperopolis, Groveland, Twain Harte, Tuolumne, San Andreas, Jackson, Oakdale, Riverbank, Modesto, and Merced (209)352-4294

For more info on our Sonora, Ca based plumbing repair service go to: http://optimizedpiping.com/blog/sonora-ca-plumbers/

October 17, 2013 by Curtis McQuinn Leave a Comment

Water heater repair & maintenance tips from sonora ca plumbers

Water heater repair & maintenance tips from Optimized Plumbing & Piping can help extend the life of your water heater. If you need help with your water heater please do not hesitate to give us a call at 209-352-4294.

The last few posts have dealt with what to do when you have sediment buildup in your water heater and the affects of having sediment build up in a water heater. The next question you may have is how to reduce the amount of sediment in the first place. This way you can avoid disconnecting your water heater, and tipping it side ways (this turns out to be kind of a pain in the butt). This is the question that this post will answer. Remember these tips are not needed for tankless water heaters, or instant water heaters. If you have any questions or need help with any of these steps, or after seeing the value of water heater repair & maintenance want a professional to take care of your plumbing system call us at Optimized Plumbing & Piping.

Sediment control ahead of time can reduce the amount of time you spend cleaning sediment out of your hot water heater, and extend its useful life. This goes for electric water heaters, and gas water heaters. Softening water is normally done when a well is present, but softened water can also reduce the sediment accumulation in your water heater. The trade off for this is the anode rod will need to be replaced at least twice as often as normal water conditions. Drinking and cooking with softened water is also not recommended for those who should restrict salt in their diet. This is because salt is added to the water to remove other minerals.

The temperature that the water heater is set at can also affect how much sediment ends up in your tank. Sediment builds up the fastest at temperatures over 140 degrees F, so your water heater should be set at 130 degrees F or lower. The bacteria that causes Legionnaires disease can grow in a water heater at temps between the temps of 86 degrees F and 115 degrees F. So the water temp should be above 120 degrees F to prevent this. This leaves you with an ideal water heater setting of between 120-130 degrees F.

Most water heaters come from the factory set at 120 degrees F. Sometimes people set them much higher to extend the amount of hot water available. This could cause scalding, and more sediment buildup. Sometimes water heaters are set low to conserve energy. This lowers the amount of hot water you can draw from the tank, and could cause bacteria growth in the water heater. The actual temp of the water coming out of a faucet can be checked and used to adjust the water heater but normally the factory settings or best. If you have problems setting the water heater to the right temperature call water heater repair & maintenance experts at Optimized Plumbing & Piping.

Reducing sediment in an electric water heater can be done with the selection of the right heating element. The low watt density type water heater element has a larger surface area to heat the water, so it doesn’t need to get so hot which reduces the amount of sediment created.

High water pressure which is in many areas of Tuolumne County and Calaveras County can also cause excessive sediment buildup in your water heater. A pressure reducing valve should be added to reduce pressure before entering your home. This will also save your plumbing system from excessive wear.

Call Plumbers in Sonora CA at Optimized Piping today to talk to a Sonora CA water heater specialist at 209-352-4294

We provide Sonora plumbing service for the areas of Tuolumne, Soulsbyville, Twain Harte, Mi Wuk, Columbia, Sonora, Jamestown, Groveland, Copperopolis, Angels Camp, Murphys, Arnold, San Andreas, Jackson, Oakdale, Riverbank, Modesto, and Merced.

The plumbing services we provide include water heater repair & maintenance in Sonora , tankless water heater install, plumbing fixture replacement, leak repair, repiping, hydronic boiler install, hydronic heating, radiant heating, winery piping, food processing piping, plant piping, pump installation and any other plumbing or piping work.

Plumbers in Sonora Ca from Optimized Plumbing & Piping drive this service vehicle for all water heater repairs. — Plumbers in Sonora Ca from Optimized Plumbing & Piping drive this service vehicle for all water heater repair & maintenance calls.

October 12, 2013 by Curtis McQuinn Leave a Comment

24 hour emergency plumbing in Sonora Ca

When you hire a plumber in the Sonora Ca area be sure to choose one with 24 hour emergency plumbing service. These situations can be stressful, and overwhelming so you will want a plumber who responds immediately. Optimized Plumbing & Piping has Sonora, Ca plumbers on call for 24 hour emergency plumbing for the areas of Tuolumne, Calaveras, and Stanislaus Counties. We are proud partners of plumbers 911 emergency plumbing group so when you call us you know that the plumber being sent out has at least 10,000 hours of on the job training and formal school training. They will also be background checked, and drug free to ensure the safety of you, and your family. Nothing is worse than wondering what kind of person will be showing up for your emergency plumbing service while you and your family are having a plumbing emergency.

Get help immediately

Emergencies can happen any time with plumbing, there is no planning, or waiting for the right time. When you have a problem we can be there to take care of it for you.

Prevent Damage

When you have a major water leak it causes damage to your floors, walls, and furniture. The damage can add up very quickly so if it happens after normal business hours you will need a 24 hour emergency plumbing service. If you start trying to find plumbers who answer their phone after 5pm or any time of day on the weekends you will soon see the benefit of knowing which Sonora plumber to call. We aim to be there for you in times of emergency…if you don’t hesitate to call we won’t hesitate to serve you.

Call Optimized Plumbing & Piping at 209-352-4294 for emergency plumbing service in the areas of Sonora, Angels Camp, Copperopolis, Groveland, Twain Harte, San Andreas, Jackson, Oakdale, Riverbank, Modesto, and Merced

To find more information on our Sonora, Ca based plumbing repair service go to: http://optimizedpiping.com/blog/sonora-ca-plumbers/

Call Now 209-352-4294