residential plumbing Archives

31
May 23
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How do I fix a clogged drain?

Tags : how to clear a drain plumber near me residential plumbing san mateo clogged drain san mateo plumber unclog a drain

Here are some steps you can take to fix a clogged drain:

Use a Plunger

Start by using a plunger to create suction and dislodge the clog. Ensure there is enough water in the sink, tub, or toilet to cover the plunger. Place the plunger over the drain and vigorously push and pull to create suction. Repeat several times until the clog is cleared.

Remove Visible Debris

If the clog is caused by visible debris near the drain opening, such as hair or food particles, you can try removing it manually. Use a pair of gloves or long tweezers to reach in and pull out the debris. Be careful not to push the debris further into the drain.

Use a drain snake

A drain snake or auger is a flexible tool that can be inserted into the drain to break up or remove the clog. Insert the snake into the drain and turn the handle clockwise to push it further. Once you feel resistance, rotate the snake back and forth to break up the clog. Continue doing this until the clog is cleared.

Chemical drain cleaner

Chemical drain cleaners can dissolve or break up certain types of clogs. Follow the instructions on the product carefully, as they can be toxic and should be handled with care. Avoid using chemical cleaners if you have a septic system or if the clog is in a toilet, they can cause damage.

Natural Drain Cleaner

Use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar: If you prefer a natural solution, you can try using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Pour half a cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes, then flush it with hot water.

If these methods don’t solve the problem or if you’re dealing with a stubborn or recurring clog, it’s best to contact a plumber. Our team at Express Plumbing specializes in fixing a clogged drain fast. We’re well equipped and experienced to handle any size drain clog. We can fix your clogged drain quickly. Contact us today.

22
Jul 22
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Remodeling Your Bathroom? Check Out These 4 Modern Plumbing Innovations

Tags : engineering express plumbing plumbing problems residential plumbing underground construction

Remodeling a bathroom can feel like a giant undertaking and with good reason. With average costs ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, you’re investing quite a bit of your money. The good news is that you can recoup — on average — anywhere from 55% to 67% of your remodel in the increased value of your home. However, you can increase this value even more by adding a few modern touches. If you’re looking to take your bathroom remodel to the next level, consider a few of these plumbing innovations.

1. The Ultimate Shower

You may have thought a high-powered shower head was the ticket to a blissful bathing experience, but today’s innovations take it one step further. The ultimate shower today consists of multiple wall-mounted sprayers mixed with an overhead shower head to deliver a massage, full-body caress that you’re sure to love.

2. The Smart Toilet

Everything in your home is going smart, so why not your toilet? Smart toilets are one of the latest home innovations to hit the market in the past few years. While they may seem a tad overindulgent, they’re actually designed to save you money and keep your bathroom cleaner. Some of the benefits of a smart toilet include:

Automatic flushing
Sensor-enabled LED lighting that turns on in darkness
Self-cleaning options
Deodorizing features to eliminate smells

3. Touchless Faucets

Touchless faucets have been a mainstay in commercial properties and public bathrooms for a decade or so. However, the main problem has always been how well they work and constant maintenance.

But in that last decade, the technology has advanced enough that touchless faucets are even making their way into home bathroom remodels. With a touchless faucet in the bathroom, you can cut down on germs and the possible spread of illnesses, all while adding a modern upgrade to your bathroom.

4. Hidden Tank Toilets

The smart toilet is a pretty nifty addition, but if you want to save room and add a futuristic aesthetic to your bathroom, a hidden tank toilet is the way to go. Rather than the tank sitting on the back of the toilet, it’s installed inside the wall. This means that you gain more room and only the toilet seat and bowl are present in the bathroom.

While a hidden tank toilet can cost you between $500 and $1,000, they’re surprising durable, able to withstand up to 500 pounds of weight while also providing the streamlined look you might only see in expensive hotel suites.

Consider a Professional for the Tougher Parts

If you’re a DIY homeowner, calling a professional can feel like you have your tail between your legs. But with things like water and plumbing, an error on your part can turn to catastrophe. So, if you’re in doubt about any part of your bathroom remodel, make sure to call our team at Express Plumbing in San Mateo.

With a mix of experience, knowledge, and expertise, a plumber may cost a bit more, but he or she can make the process that much easier.

27
Apr 21
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How Do I Know if My Plumbing is Bad?

Tags : bay area clogged drain engineering EPS Inc express plumbing plumbing plumbing emergency plumbing issues plumbing tips residential plumbing

A working plumbing system is vital to the comfort of living in your home. However, you can’t simply ignore it. Plumbing requires at least yearly appointments from a professional, but sometimes you can curb plumbing issues by remaining vigilant. By keeping an eye out for these telltale signs, you can tell if your plumbing is bad and get the proper maintenance you need before it becomes a serious or catastrophic issue.

Slow Draining in Fixtures

A kitchen sink or a shower draining slowly is an obvious sign that you have a plumbing issue. Typically, this is the result of hair, food, or soap scum build-up within the area below the drain or in the pipe.

In most cases, you can fix the clog yourself. Simply remove the drain cover in your bathtub or shower and pull out the hair. In a kitchen sink, clear the food out of the pipes or run your garbage disposal. If neither of these fixes the issue, you may need to give us a call to snake the line.

Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is a common issue in older homes, especially those homes that haven’t been retrofitted with wider PVC pipes. However, a temporary lack of water pressure isn’t always an issue, as it could be the result of a water main issue.

If you consistently have low water pressure, it’s the sign of a larger issue. You may have several leaks or clogs in your pipes that can significantly reduce water pressure. Over time, this can cause more severe leakage or clogs that can cause your drains to back up. So don’t neglect this issue.

Our San Mateo plumbers use leak detection cameras and other methods to inspect the lines in your home. Identifying any potential problems early will help you fix them quickly and cost less in the long run.

Dirty Water

Discoloration of your water is another problem that homeowners often face. Sometimes, the local water company will identify this as a system-wide problem, which often results in boil orders.

If a boil order hasn’t been issued for your neighborhood or city, it could be an issue with your pipes. Brownish water is often the result of iron seeping into the line from older pipes or a problem with your water heater. If you notice blue or green water, corrosion might be the culprit. Either way, you’ll need to call us just to make sure.

Noisy Pipes

A properly functioning plumbing system should never make any audible noises other than the sound of water running through the pipes when you turn the water on. If you notice rattles, whines, or any other suspect noise, you could have bigger issues.

When your pipes make noises, it’s usually a surefire signal that you have a leak or your bleed-off system isn’t working right. Both issues are not easily fixed by a novice, so make sure to contact us as your local plumber so we can identify and isolate the problem.

Even if you’re not a natural handyman or DIYer, simply looking for symptoms of bad plumbing can protect your home and investment. Once you’ve identified any problems, don’t hesitate to call our experienced local plumbers. It could make the difference between a small issue that can quickly be fixed and a massive plumbing problem.

27
Feb 21
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Spring Home Plumbing Maintenance Tips

Tags : bay area express plumbing home improvement leaky pipes municipal plumbing plumbing problems residential plumbing

Although you may have your sights set on warmer weather or cleaning the house after a long winter, the spring season is also the perfect time to take care of your home plumbing maintenance. Not only will regular maintenance decrease the chance of more catastrophic problems, but it will also help you assess your needs moving closer to summer.

Checking the Pipes Underneath Your Home

One of the top priorities for spring home plumbing maintenance is checking the pipe underneath your home. During the winter, pipes underneath the home become susceptible to cracks and damage that can cause significant problems in the spring. Therefore, you should look for puddles of water or leaks around these pipes to ascertain the severity of the damage.

Along with water pipes, sewer lines also run underneath your home. Because of the issues caused by a sewer backup, you’ll want to inspect the sewer line every spring and drain it as necessary. Some telltale signs that your sewer line is clogged includes:

Several plugging fixtures clogged
Water backs up into a tub or shower when flushing the toilet
Drains running exceptionally slow

If you find that your plumbing is suffering from any of these, you may want to drain the sewer lane and check it for clogs. In most cases, this is more easily done by a professional. But if you have some knowledge, find the main sewer line and run a snake through it to fix the issue.

How To Maintain Your Pipes and Drains

Remember that everything you put down the sink, toilet, or shower ends up in your pipes. As a result, you might want to discuss the issue with your family members. Make a specific list of objects and substances that shouldn’t go down the drain, including:

Eggshells
Coffee grounds
Fat and oils
Paper towels
Paint and cleaning solutions

By keeping these out of your drains, you can avoid clogs and other plumbing issues.

Test Your Sump Pump

If your home has a sump pump in the basement, spring is the ideal time to ensure it’s in working order. To test your sump pump, dump a bucket of water into the pit where the sump pump is located. If it’s working properly, it should turn on, drain the water, and then deactivate the pump. If it fails to do so, you may need to consider replacing your sump pump.

Flush Your Water Heater

If your water heater is around 15 years old, it could be near the end of its useful life. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take the proper steps to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Inspect the bottom edge of the water heater for corrosion, flush the water heater during the summer, and check the fuses.

Not everything on your list of spring home plumbing maintenance tips are for the novice DIY homeowner. In some cases, you might require the help of a professional.

So if you notice any problems or need the knowledge of an expert, don’t hesitate to contact us at Express Plumbing in San Mateo. We have been serving the entire Bay Area since 1989. Our residential, commercial and municipal customers rely on our expertise to get the job done efficiently.

Rely on our plumbing experience and transition to summer by enjoying your home headache-free.

24
Nov 20
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Do You Know What Ends Up in Plumbing A Few Interesting Things Found!

Tags : bay area express plumbing holiday plumbing problems municipal plumbing plumbing plumbing emergency plumbing issues residential plumbing underground construction

Few people can remember the time before indoor plumbing. A time when using the bathroom meant a trip outside, regardless of the weather or temperature. But today, indoor plumbing is a luxury that many people take for granted. It makes every person’s life easier, as long as they maintain their pipes and plumbing system.

However, plumbers have plenty of amusing stories. All kinds of items end up in pipes, toilets, sewer lines, and other fixtures throughout the home, leaving your plumbing professional with tales to tell for years to come. Here are some of the best.

Strange Items in the Toilet

Plumbers already have to deal with nasty clogs and human sewage. But these natural byproducts and substances aside, they still find strange or interesting things from time to time.

Dentures

If you have to hurl, make sure to take your dentures out before doing so. One plumber in California complained about a clog, and when the plumber snaked the toilet, a pair of dentures came out. Turns out the owner of the home had a meeting with the toilet after a night of heavy drinking.

Hair…Lots of Hair

Hair is a common blockage in many bathrooms drains. But some are longer than others. On several occasions, plumbers across the country have removed hair clogs totaling more than 8 feet. That’s just gross.

Toys

Toys end up in the toilet all the time. But when kids flush them down, the weirdest blockages occur. Plumbers have reported everything from dinosaurs to rubber duckies and more.

Rings

A plumber in Ohio reported finding four class rings in one plumbing job. Going the extra mile, he returned the rings to the individuals, creating an impromptu class reunion. Few other ring loss stories have such a happy ending.

How to Prevent these Items from Entering Your Plumbing System

Prevention and good habits are a one-two punch that can prevent extra phone calls to the plumber. Some tips to keep foreign objects out of your plumbing include:

Keeping your ring in a box or safe place; never laying it next to the sink
Having a small chest or container in the bathroom for bath toys
Cleaning the hair from your drains regularly, especially if visible, or add a strainer at the drain to catch the hair.
Supervising children in the bathroom at all times

Sometimes, random items will enter your pipes even when you take the proper steps. In these instances, you can always try plumbing or snaking the drain yourself. If that doesn’t work, enlist the help of a trusted, reputable, and qualified plumber.

Other Items to Keep Out of Your Plumbing System

In addition to random objects, jewelry, and toys, you should also keep these items out of your plumbing system:

Grease
Dental floss
Harsh drain cleaners
Fibrous vegetables and other food items such as egg shells, rice, onion, celery
Wet wipes (even the “flushable” variety)

Each of these items can cause a nasty clog that’s often unremovable without the help of a plumber. Therefore, it’s best to prevent these from entering the plumbing rather than trying to clear the clog afterward.

Although the above stories are amusing, they’re far less entertaining when they actually happen to you. So, make sure to take the necessary steps to keep foreign objects out of your toilet and keep up on routine and preventive maintenance. By doing so, you ensure a fully functioning plumbing system that won’t become the source of funny or horrifying plumber folklore.

With the holidays upon us, and kids at home, there’s a lot for you to handle, just know we’re here to assist when you need us 24/7 including holidays and weekends. Consider us your “always ready” local plumber.

25
Oct 20
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What Is No-Contact Plumbing During COVID-19?

Tags : express plumbing holiday plumbing problems No-Contact Plumbing plumbing residential plumbing san mateo

Critical to the infrastructure of businesses and residences, our Bay Area plumbers are still essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet many homeowners may justifiably feel uneasy about individuals in their home for an extended period of time. However, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has revealed COVID-compliant guidelines to protect both plumbers and homeowners from exposure.

By following these protocols, no-contact plumbing has become the new normal for our San Mateo plumbing crew, allowing us to make repairs and conduct routine maintenance. Paired with our own safety guidelines, homeowners should feel at ease. Here’s a glance at how we are practicing no-contact plumbing during COVID-19.

What Is No-Contact Plumbing?

In general, no-contact plumbing is a set of guidelines in the COVID-19 era that help maintain safety between homeowners and plumbers. Both the CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have presented methods to limit exposure to the virus. Some of the basic ideas of these no-contact plumbing protocols include:

Asking questions as to whether the maintenance is absolutely necessary to help limit contact between individuals
Social distancing and mask-wearing
Personal protective equipment worn
Scheduling to prevent contact between individuals

By adhering to these guidelines, our customers and employees have far less risk of exposure to COVID-19, as well as reduced fear or anxiety.

Personal Protective Equipment

Due to sanitary reasons, and company guidelines our crew is already equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we now take extra precautions. Our plumbers wear masks, eyewear, gloves, and any other PPE deemed necessary for the job. In addition, we may also include a face shield to further reduce the risk of spreading or exposure to COVID-19 where it is deemed necessary.

Scheduling

Another method of reducing exposure to COVID-19 is through various scheduling methods. In the COVID-19 era, we strategically schedule each appointment to minimize contact and offer scheduling appointments via the internet or phone to reduce contact between individuals.

If the repairs are outdoors, we make arrangements with the homeowners to schedule the service even if they’re at work.

No-Contact Plumbing Service Payment Options

While cash is king in the business world, the CDC and OSHA, now prefer no-contact payment options after service. COVID-19 can survive on paper products for 24 hours and plastic for two to three days. As a result, cash and credits cards aren’t the preferred method of payment. Instead, homeowners can now pay through various mobile payment options. Ask us about all the no-contact payment options we have to put your mind at ease.

Fully functional plumbing is a necessity in any household. Ignoring a problem until it’s too late can not only cause potentially unsanitary conditions, but also cost you two or three times the amount of the original maintenance.

You shouldn’t wait to call us as your local plumbing company when necessary. In the wake of Covid-19, our interactions may have changed when we come to provide you with a plumbing service, but by following proper no-contact plumbing guidelines, both parties can maintain safe distances without fear of exposure to the virus. That’s a win-win for both sides.

Consider us your trusted San Mateo experienced plumber. We look forward to providing you with a safe no-contact plumbing appointment when you need one.

25
Sep 20
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Seasonal Plumbing Tips for Fall

Tags : express plumbing home improvement municipal plumbing plumbing plumbing problems Plumbing Tips for Fall residential plumbing san francisco underground construction

Although you may have numerous home improvement projects that need your attention this fall, don’t forget about your plumbing. Because many problems aren’t easily seen—especially to the novice plumber—they can spiral out of control without proper care and maintenance. Even little issues such as a running toilet or a leaky faucet can cost you tons of money on your monthly water bill. That’s why you need to employ these seasonal plumbing tips for fall if you live in California. By doing so, you can resolve any issues or problems that can end up costing you a small fortune. Our team of Bay Area plumbers loves sharing tips without community that will save them from plumbing disasters and unnecessary spending in the long run. Here are a few you can easily implement this fall.

Adjust Your Sprinkler System

Lawns still need the same amount of water during fall, so resist the urge to dismantle or winterize your sprinklers. Instead, use the fall to maintain your sprinkler system so it’s functional in the fall and ready to go in the spring. Remove each of the sprinkler heads and wash them to remove debris. Then, take out the nozzle body and wash them using a few drops of dish soap and water. Finally, place the sprinklers back in the ground and turn them on to remove the last bit of silt and dirt.

Check the Outside of Your Home

The fall is also the ideal time to check the outside of your home for potential problems. For example, leaves can decompose and clog gutters and downspouts, making a potential water damage hazard. You should also inspect the roof of your home for any issues, which can be done when cleaning the gutters. Finally, make certain that your downspouts are connected to the gutter so that water flows to the appropriate areas.

Inspect for Water Leaks

Often, water leaks can cause damage to homes simply because they’re hard to identify. During the fall, take time to inspect areas where you may find leaks or potential water damage. Basements are notorious for having leaky pipes, so search for any pools of water or moisture. In addition, you should inspect the areas around your toilet, bathtub, and shower. If the caulk around these fixtures is broken, water can seep into your flooring. If you find a lack of caulk, remove the old bead and put down a new one.

Take Care of Your Water Heater

As the temperatures cool, the last thing you want is cold water in the shower. Therefore, you can take a few steps to ensure your water heater is working properly. Flush the water heater to remove any residue and check your water heater supply lines to ensure that they’re free of corrosion. Express Plumbing also recommends looking into an instant water heater which is commonly referred to as a tankless water heater. Immediate hot water and big savings!

Check Your Sewer System

The threat of a sewer backing up into the home is a scary thought. Fortunately, fall is the perfect time to check your sewer system for potential hazards. Because tree roots won’t grow as fast during this time of year, you can check to see if they’re impeding your sewer line and fix them appropriately. If you have a septic tank, have it pumped during fall to ensure it works during the holidays.

By taking the time to create a fall plumbing checklist and scheduling annual maintenance, you can reduce the chances of a catastrophe—even in the mild California winter. Plus, you won’t have to worry about your plumbing system during the extensive use of the holiday season. That’s a holiday present that’s worth giving to yourself.

Our Bay Area plumbing team is always eager to assist you whether you need a repair or new plumbing installation. Contact us with any questions you have.

17
Jun 20
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Money Saving Tips with Plumbing Choices Around the House

Tags : affordable plumbing bay area bay area plumbing company clogged drains cold water coronavirus home improvement home plumbing hot water leaky pipes plumbing cost plumbing tips residential plumbing san mateo plumbers save on plumbing

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused financial hardships for many families across the country. With millions of furloughed workers and over 40 million unemployment claims, families and homeowners are searching for ways to cut costs wherever they can. One such way to save money during these uncertain times is to make sound choices about plumbing expenses. Use these tips to keep your fixtures and pipes running smoothly without breaking the bank.

Learn How to Shut the Water Off

If a pipe bursts or the sewer backs up, knowing how to shut the water off is the difference between spending $100 or a few thousand. Typically, the shutoff valve to your home is located in the basement or around the utilities on the exterior of your house. If you notice an excessive amount of moisture or a catastrophic volume of water in your home, turn the water off and call a plumber immediately.

Prioritize Your Plumbing Problems

Not every plumbing issue requires immediate attention. Others may require an emergency call to a licensed plumber. However, you’ll have to use your own judgment to prioritize these situations. If your toilet is running, you may be able to hold off calling a plumber whereas a burst pipe will need prompt attention.

Cut Your Costs on Plumbing Fixtures

Sure, a toilet with a heated seat or a showerhead that pumps out high pressure is nice to have. But if a budget toilet or regular showerhead will suffice, don’t spend the extra money on a luxury. You may also find that cheaper fixtures use less water, saving you even more cash on each flush or shower.

Go With PVC

Whether you suffer a plumbing disaster or you just need to update the pipes in your home, opt for PVC. PVC pipes, or polyvinyl chloride pipes, are a type of plastic pipe that cost up to one-third less money than traditional aluminum or copper piping. In addition, PVC pipes are flexible and can expand if your pipes freeze. As a result, you can avoid the disaster of a burst pipe while putting more money in your wallet.

Switch to Cold Water

Heating the water accounts for a huge portion of your monthly utility bill. Therefore, you can cut costs by making the transition to cold water. You can use cold water to wash your clothes with the same results as warm water. In addition, a cold shower is a great way to relax after a long day or give you the eye-opener you need to get the day started right.

Check Your Home for Leaky Pipes

Leaky pipes can cause your water bill to spiral out of control. So each month, check your basement, crawl space, and other areas of your home for leaks. Not only will this lower your water bill, but you can catch certain problems before they become catastrophic.

While you can use these tips to cut costs on plumbing issues, some situations require the attention of a qualified plumbing expert. Our plumbers in the Bay Area have been serving the community for multiple decades. While we resolve plumbing issues, we focus on providing money-saving tips to our residential clients to help them long term.

15
Apr 20
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Emergency Response Plumbers Covid19 and Beyond

Tags : bay area covid 19 from plumbing covid19 essential plumbing essential plumbing services plumbing emergencies plumbing emergency plumbing issues plumbing misinformation plumbing rumors residential plumbing san francisco san mateo sewer problems shelter in place

The spread of Covid-19 across the globe has already fueled an abundance of misinformation and rumors. From fake cures to hoaxes, these incorrect tidbits circulating the internet have caused more panic and hysteria. One such rumor is the idea that coronavirus can spread from person to person through plumbing systems, especially in high-rise buildings. However, modern plumbing codes have made such a scenario nearly impossible.

Extra Strain on Plumbing

Because of shelter-in-place orders and other restrictions designed to curb the spread of Covid-19, many residential plumbing systems are under high strain. Although this may increase the chances of sewage backups and other plumbing issues, modern plumbing fixtures and practices exponentially limit the chances of the spread of disease.

The Spread of Covid-19 Through Plumbing Rumor

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, was a viral infection that spread throughout the globe in the early 2000s. Because of the severity of the pandemic and its potential to cause mass fatalities, Covid-19 has been routinely compared to the SARS outbreak. However, one particular instance has caused members of the public to become concerned about the spread of Covid-19 via plumbing systems.

In 2003, defective plumbing caused SARS to spread through a high-rise housing complex in Jordan, leading to 300 infections and 42 deaths. This event has caused rumors that Covid-19 can spread similarly. Such information is 100% false. Due to improved plumbing practices and codes, such an outbreak is impossible in the United States. Despite the unlikeliness of the spread of disease in the United States, other countries that don’t follow codes may increase the chance of Covid-19 transmission via plumbing.

The International Plumbing Code

Developed by public health experts and engineers, the International Plumbing Code (IPC) sets the mandatory minimum requirements for plumbing system installation in the United States. Updated in 2019, the IPC protects the residents, workers, and inhabitants in residential and commercial buildings by providing safeguards against raw sewage, contaminated water, and the spread of disease.

The IPC covers:

Backflow prevention.
Anti-scalding devices.
Wastewater management.
Pipe sizing.

By addressing these issues, every building in the United States has a level of safety that ensures citizens won’t contract any disease as a result of using their plumbing.

Express Plumbing a division of EPS Inc. has been serving the Bay Area for multiple decades. We focus on preventative care measures and work with local municipalities to rehabilitate existing systems, residential and commercial partners throughout the South Bay. This effort avoids emergencies from arising and we are the emergency response plumbers to rely on. We simply get it done!

How to Avoid Covid-19 Misinformation and Rumors

Before believing any social media-based information, online articles, or other word-of-mouth, you should conduct a background check of the idea in question. Snopes and FactCheck.org are two of the more reputable options online for identifying truth and misconception regarding Covid-19. In addition, you should always seek out information from reputable sources, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as well as the official web pages or social media accounts of local, state, and federal governments.

Contracting Covid-19 is a concern of many Americans. But by maintaining proper social distancing guidelines, following shelter-in-place procedures, and ignoring untrustworthy news sites, you can separate fact from fiction. By doing so, you can eliminate unsubstantiated fears and use your toilet, shower, and sink without fear of coronavirus contamination.

As an essential plumbing service provider in the Bay Area. We continue to service our municipal, commercial and residential customers. We’ve advised our employees to follow the public health authorities’ guidance regarding hygiene, social distancing and personal travel, and we’ve reinforced existing company policy encouraging employees who exhibit flu-like symptoms to stay home and consult with a medical professional.

We are here to serve our community as always and you can rely on us as your Bay Area emergency response plumbers.

19
Sep 19
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Cable Systems Installation Without Digging

Tags : commercial plumbing eps engineering municipal plumbing plumbing residential plumbing underground cables underground construction underground engineering underground utilities

Underground cable systems are very common. Whether a repair is needed, laying new cables, or building a new property, the process of digging trenches for electrical, plumbing, and sewer. telecommunications or gas lines are cumbersome, time-consuming, and expensive.

Thankfully, trenchless technology is taking the hassle out of laying cables and pipes. Discover how this technology is revolutionizing underground cable systems, saving you time and money in the process.

What Is Trenchless Cable Laying?

Before the introduction of horizontal directional drilling, laying cables wasn’t easy. To install any sort of subterranean cables, contractors had to dig a trench to house cables.

This process often required ripping out concrete or blacktop, followed by a strenuous digging process by hand or machine. Today, several trenchless technologies are making trench-digging obsolete.

Horizontal Directional Drilling

One of the most common trenchless technologies is horizontal directional drilling. To complete this task, workers bore a hole in the ground at a predetermined angle, using a transmitter to guide and steer the drill below the ground.

After drilling the initial hole, the process of reaming enlarges the hole to the desired size. Finally, the cable or pipe is attached to a lead and pulled through the length of the hole.

Microtunneling

Microtunneling is another type of trenchless technology that excavates and removes soil while simultaneously installing the pipe. Controlled via a remote by an operator, this pipe-laying technique is becoming more and more popular.

Pipe Bursting

When you need to replace or repair old pipelines, few trenchless methods work as effectively as pipe bursting. To complete this task, workers use a machine that pulls a larger-diameter pipe through the old pipe. This breaks the original pipe, putting the new pipe in its place.

These aren’t the only types of trenchless technologies available for both residential and commercial applications, but they’re gaining popularity as more and more companies and consumers turn to these methods for cost savings and efficiency.

Saving Time and Money

Traditional methods of laying underground cable systems are wholly inefficient, pricey, and inconvenient. Not only do you incur the labor expenses of digging the trench, but you also have to consider other costs. Demolition of existing concrete is an expensive venture, compounded by having to lay new concrete upon completion of laying the underground cable systems.

If you aren’t considered with concrete, you should also consider the sunk cost of replacing your landscaping. Even small trenches can wreak havoc on your yard. Not only do you have to add in the cost of replacing grass, bushes, mulch, or trees, but you also have to deal with an unsightly yard that destroys your curb appeal.

Because trenchless technologies don’t require digging or excavating, the entire process is far less time-consuming. This saves you on labor and equipment costs. Plus, many trenchless providers charge solely on the length and diameter of the pipe, eliminating hidden and unexpected costs as a result.

Whether you’re building a new home, replacing existing lines, or repairing a cable system, trenchless technology gives you a practical, cost-effective way to get the job done right.

Express Plumbing is a division of EPS Inc. We service the entire Bay Area with our team focusing on the most advanced techniques, proper planning, and implementation to get the project done quickly and remain cost-effective.

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Tag Archives: residential plumbing

May 23

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