Category Archives: Commercial Plumbing Tips

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cctv pipe inspection contractor bay area

Underground Pipeline Inspections with CCTV

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Out of sight, out of mind is a mantra that works in many aspect of life, but not in the world of underground pipeline inspections.

Without proper upkeep, underground pipelines become susceptible to a variety of issues, leaving your water, sewer, and utilities at risk.

Discover how Engineering Perfect Systems in the Bay Area adequately maintains the underground pipes and utilities for northern California homes, businesses and municipalities with closed-circuit television CCTV Pipeline Inspections.

No Digging Underground Pipeline Inspections

One of the most tiresome, detrimental, costly, and invasive parts of pipeline inspection is the digging. Both manual and machine digging require a large upfront budget and the destruction of land or property, even if you don’t find a problem in the pipeline.

With CCTV pipeline inspections, there’s no digging and minimal interaction with underground and above-ground components. Not only does this save you time and money, but it also provides the same results in a fraction of the time.

Quick and Efficient Preventive Maintenance

The most costly utility and pipe incidents occur when there’s a crack or burst. Fortunately, a bit of preventive maintenance in the form of CCTV can stop this from happening.

As soon as the camera is dropped into the pipe, the technician gathers visual data to see if any problems loom large. If cracks, sludge build-up, or other problems are identified, proper steps can be taken to fix the issue before it becomes a disaster.

Correct Diagnoses of Underground Pipeline Issues

Without CCTV for pipeline inspections, incorrect diagnoses of pipe issues may occur. Not only is this a costly venture, but it’s also time-consuming. Even the most seasoned plumbers, excavators, and utility workers can have trouble identifying a problem they can’t see.

CCTV pipe inspections give an up-close look at each pipe, allowing the inspector to see whether sludge, a tree root, a broken pipe, or a clog is to blame for the maintenance issue. Once the problem is accurately identified, workers can easily develop a maintenance strategy.

A Safer Alternative

When workers have to dig in the yard to get to sewer pipes, water pipes, and utilities, it poses a significant risk to their safety. One wrong move with a shovel, and they can be exposed to electrical shock, cave-ins, or noxious gases. A CCTV inspection effectively eliminates these risks while giving workers a visual close-up that’s comparable to a first-person account.

Unbeatable Accuracy

CCTV pipeline inspections utilize some of the most sophisticated technology in the industry. Each camera operates with a high enough resolution to see any current or lurking problems. Some also offer different attachments and cameras to develop a more complete perspective of the pipe’s condition. P

Powerful LED lighting affixed to the cameras also illuminate those difficult-to-see areas, giving the technician more information for a proper diagnosis. In addition, laser scanning can provide an extra layer of detail to identify any problems that aren’t possible with a CCTV inspection.

With CCTV for all your pipe inspection needs, you can take the guesswork out of maintenance, reduce damage to infrastructure, save time, and reduce your budget on overhead. That’s something that every business and homeowner in northern California can get behind.

EPS Inc dba Express Plumbing specializes in innovative solutions that serves the residential, commercial and municipal sector. We rely on our experience of multiple decades to complete projects expeditiously and without hick ups.

We are the #1 referred underground construction company in the Bay Area due to the fleet of equipment and highly experienced staff we employ and deploy.

CCTV underground inspection is one of the services we provide, if you have a project you’d like to discuss, reach out to our civil engineering team for a discussion on how EPS Inc can get it done.


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Is a Burst Pipe Emergency Covered by Insurance?

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An emergency involving a burst pipe is an unexpected financial burden to homeowners and business owners. Does your insurance cover a bursting pipe? Here is the information we found to help you avoid unforeseen costs.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, homeowners’ insurance does cover unexpected burst pipes and the damage it causes, however insurance does not cover the damage resulting from an ongoing slow leak that was left and not repaired.

How to Prevent Bursted Pipes?

There are major problems associated with a burst pipe. Even a small crack can flood your home, besides the visible damage, water damage under the carpet, wood floors and in the walls can cause mold if not dealt with immediately.

Here are a few recommendations to help you avoid burst pipes.

  • Learn More about emergency release valves.

  • Avoid frozen pipes in cold areas by properly insulating exposed pipes.

  • Prior to winter drain all outdoor pipes and faucets and disconnect the hoses to avoid bursts.

  • Schedule a yearly maintenance inspection by a licensed contractor.

When it comes to plumbing emergencies, prevention is key. Our team of plumbing technicians regularly performs home plumbing inspections, and routine evaluations to identify potential problems from wear and tear.

How to Handle a Pipe Burst?

If you experience a bursting pipe, and you do not have an emergency shut off valve, you must react quickly to minimize the damage.

  • Locate your house water valve, know where this is at all times.
  • Turn the valve clockwise to shut off the water to your home.
  • Verify the water has been shut off by turning on your water hose outside, which should stop if you properly followed the procedure.

Our Bay Area plumbing company has helped thousands of homeowners avoid emergency bursting pipes by providing regular maintenance inspections.

We have also installed hundreds of shut off valves to help them avoid water damage and repair costs if they have a pipe burst while away from home.  We are also open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including holidays and weekends.  If you ever have a plumbing emergency, give us a call and we’ll quickly help you.

Taking small steps to avoid unnecessary repairs and expenses is very important. There’s nothing more frustrating than paying for insurance coverage, have a pipe that bursts to later find out it’s not covered due to improper maintenance.

Know your insurance policy, and understand your particular coverage to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Our plumbing company in San Mateo accepts insurance claims, we will communicate with parties involved to insure a timely repair and avoid any further unnecessary costs.


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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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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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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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Tips to Prevent a Home Plumbing Disaster

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When homeowners decide to do plumbing themselves, sometimes a small issue can quickly become a plumbing nightmare.  Here are some tips to avoid a plumbing disaster.

Plumbing Disaster San Mateo

Know Where Your Home Pipes Are

When you’re doing work around the house, driving screws, and hammering nails in, or working in the yard digging for plants, you’ll want to know exactly where your pipes are in order to avoid damage and leak from occurring.

Familiarize yourself with your home simply by walking around and closely look for exposed pipes and where they lead.

Know Where Your Gas Shut Off Valves Are

During an emergency, you’ll want to shut off the gas valves quickly.  If you see a spark, vacate the property, go across the street and wait for emergency help to arrive.  Knowing where your gas shut off valves are if you smell gas can avoid a big disaster from happening.

Know Where Your Water Shut off Valves Are

There are various locations when you can quickly shut off the water to a troubled area.  For example, if your toilet or sink continues to drip water and the problem is isolated to that location, you can shut off the water directly under the sink or toilet.

But if you have a major leak, and you cannot pinpoint the source, you’ll want to know where the shut off valve is to your main.  Most are located near the sidewalk of your home, but a quick phone call to your water company, and they’ll be able to give you the exact location.

How to contact the water company in San Mateo CA

Don’t Over Tighten Faucets and Fixtures

Sometimes, a simple leak can turn into a major one because we quickly think if we tighten the faucet, the leak will stop.  Over tightening fixtures the joints will fail and a bigger plumbing disaster occurs.  So, do not over tighten anything to remedy the problem.

When our emergency plumbers in San Mateo are called out to a home, we repair the plumbing problem, but we educate our clients on best plumbing practices that will help them prevent plumbing emergencies from happening or becoming bigger than what they are.

If you’re looking for a plumber in Burlingame, or anywhere in the San Mateo area, we ask you to give us a call, we’re family owned and operated and have been serving the community since 1987.

We guarantee our work, provide free plumbing estimates, and we are the local plumber you can depend on to fix and avoid plumbing disasters from happening.


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