Tag Archives: san francisco

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Bay Area Weekend Plumber

Weekend Plumber? Tricks of the Trade from Your Bay Area Plumbing Contractor

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As a Bay Area plumbing contractor, we give thumbs up to those that want to roll up their sleeves and be a weekend plumber.  We get called all the time to repair what hubby or someone around the house tried to fix, but we also respect that you’re willing to do it yourself.  Here are a few tips to help you be the weekend plumber hero.

Weekend Plumber Tips and Tricks!

Emergency Plumbing Contractor Clogged Sink

Clogged Sink

Before going out and renting a drain snake, give your wet/dry shop vac a try.  Use its suction power to pull hair or gunk out of a clogged sink.  Many solutions are also available in the hardware store, that will help you unclog the sink quickly by breaking down the gunk down the drain, but a shop vac should make it even better.

If the problem persists, it could be a much deeper problem and you need a plumbing contractor at that point.  Give our Bay Area plumbing crew a call, we’re here to help, when you DIY methods have failed.

 


Leaking faucet emergency plumberLeaky Faucet (drip, drip)

Drives you crazy doesn’t it?  Most common leaky faucets are caused by deterioration of the seal.  Over time, the seal breaks down and must be replaced.  Your local hardware store can sell you a replacement seal.

Besides the faucet leaking, how about that toilet that won’t stop running!  That is probably the worst because with the sound of a running toilet, all you hear is your money going down the drain.  You’re paying for all that wasted water.

Now, we know the first thing you want to do is walk up to the toilet and jiggle that handle!  May work, but how often do you actually plan on doing that?  Stop jiggling and replace the flapper inside the toilet.  It’s an easy fix and commonly supplied at your local hardware store.


Stinky Dishwasher DIY tipStinky Dishwasher

Got vinegar?  Clean the seals around your dishwasher using a brush and hot soapy water.  The scum that builds up around the seals can get pretty stinky.  Once you’re done, run the dishwasher at the hottest setting with vinegar inside, that should clear it up pretty quickly!

We just have to mention that as a trusted plumbing contractor in the Bay Area, residential plumbing is a division within our operation.

We are the Bay Area #1 choice for heavy construction, underground construction, engineering, and drilling for residential, commercial and municipal clients throughout the Bay Area.

However, we love helping local residents and homeowners.  We consider you our neighbors and we are here for you when you need us.  Contact us for any plumbing project in the Bay Area.  No matter how big or small.  We’ve been serving the Bay Area since 1989, and look forward to serving you.  When you contact us we will confirm technician availability for your particular location.

We service the entire Bay Area including  AthertonBelmontBurlingameHalf Moon BayLos Altos HillsMenlo ParkMillbraePacificaPalo AltoPortola ValleyRedwood CitySan CarlosSan FranciscoSan BrunoStanfordWoodsideFremontMountain ViewColmaFoster CityDaly CityBrisbaneUnion CityHaywardNewarkSan LeandroFoster City.


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Trenchless Pipe Reaming Project in Daly City for a Sewer Rehab by EPS Express Plumbing

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When Daly City asked us to complete a sewer rehab in the Bay Area, the EPS Express Plumbing team was eager to comply using trenchless pipe reaming to get the job done.

What is Trenchless Pipe Reaming?

Trenchless pipe reaming can also be called pipe eating.  It’s a pipe replacement technique that removes the existing pipe and at the same time install a new pipe replacement without digging a huge trench.

Pipe Reaming Project in Daly City

“We enjoy challenging projects, we’ve been doing this type of work in the Bay Area since 1989” said Nick Bechwati, owner of EPS Express Plumbing.

The company is regarded as the best in the Bay Area for all projects involving trenchless pipe replacement for sewer, underground utilities, cable, and everything in between.  Using techniques such as pipe lining, pipe bursting, laser guided bore, micro tunneling with an emphasis on pipe reaming.

No matter what the size of the project, large or small, EPS is has the manpower and equipment required to handle it.

Pipe replacement in the Bay Area has been provided to all cities including the latest sewer rehab project in Daly City.

Daly City Pipe Reaming Sewer Rehab Highlights

There was 1700 feet of existing old 12″ vitrify clay pipe that needed replacement.  The project was managed by Nick Bechwati, our hands on owner and an entire crew that’s experienced and the best in the industry.

Using the trenchless pipe reaming technique 1700 feet of 18″ High-Density Polyethylene “HDPE” pipe was installed through the existing old 12″ vitrify clay.

A special thanks to the City of Daly City and to the entire EPS Express plumbing crew for properly organizing, and setting standards that meet stringent requirements while taking the community and the flow of traffic in the area into consideration.

If you’re looking for an underground construction, civil engineering company you can rely on, we invite you to rely on our expertise to get any size project completed in time and within budget.

EPS Express Plumbing has been serving the entire Bay Area for over 30 years including Daly City, San Mateo, Burlingame, San Francisco, Foster City, Brisbane and all surrounding areas.

We look forward to helping you with your next pipe replacement project.  If you have a civil engineering project, contact Nick Bechwati directly.


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Join our Bay Area Water Conservation Efforts – Tips for the Family

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By now, parents throughout the country are relieved from the “back-to-school” rush.  Our Bay Area water conservation efforts have been implemented since we started in 1989.

As the #1 referred and preferred Bay Area plumbing contractor.  Our company is family owned and operated, we love the community we serve and always want to educate on preventative measures and tips to save our environment and save money for our clients.

Probably, the the last thing on your mind right now is water conservation, but we must remember the importance of saving water for our environment, and if that doesn’t interest you, how about saving money for yourself along the way?

Use these tips to make water conservation a fun learning experience for the kids, and something that will teach them good habits that last them a lifetime.

 

Water Conservation at Home

Must the faucet stay on the entire time while their brushing their teeth?  Once the brush and toothpaste is in their mouth, the average brushing time is two minutes.  Teach kids to shut off the faucet while brushing their teeth, this will save water and a hefty penny on your water bill

Conserve Water at School

Hygiene is a very important part of not spreading infectious diseases at school, remind kids to wash their hands before and after recess or anytime they eat, but also remind them to shut off the faucet while they’re scrubbing their hands.

This will help in the effort of conserving H2O and will quickly become a habit they follow at home.

Make the learning experience fun and rewarding.  It’s not a matter of you “have to do this” but “you should because”.

Discuss the details with the children and allow them to participate in these efforts that will help our environment and their future.

Debora Bekins, a Bay Area residential plumbing client said to one of our plumbers in San Francisco “I took my kids to the aquarium, and explained to them how important it is to keep our environment clean and healthy so we can enjoy things like this.  We wouldn’t want all these fish not to have water anymore, would we?”

That might be a little drastic, but not far off.  Whatever works for you and your family, do it.  Get the kids involved in your efforts and they’ll be so excited to share with their friends and teachers at school.

Water Conservation Tips for Mom and Dad

Set a good example by following the same instructions given to the kids

Fix leaks quickly and don’t let them get worse.  We are a 24 hour plumber!

Water your lawn early morning or late evening

Remember to turn off the sprinklers on rainy day

Go to a car wash that recycles water instead of washing it in the driveway

Don’t run the washing machine and dishwasher until they’re completely full

According to the EPA, the average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day per home.

If you implement these small water saving tips at home, you will not only be helping the environment but will also see a drastic change in your water bill.

“Maybe you could use the savings to take a trip with the kids to the aquarium or somewhere to enjoy the beautiful nature we so well need to protect and preserve.”

Let’s share and keep this conversation going.  Do you use any other methods of conservation? We would love to hear from you and share it with others in our Bay Area community.


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Tankless Water Heater Endless Water

How Much Money does a Tankless Water Heater Save?

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On demand water heaters, often referred to as tankless water heaters only produce hot water when you need it.   There is no water storage being heated therefore you save money, but how much money does a tankless water heater save?

How It Works

A tankless water heater has no tank, so no water is being heated when not in use.  When you turn the hot water faucet on in the house, cold water travels through the unit, gets heated and delivered to you.

Generally, the hot water is delivered at a rate of 2-5 gallons per minute.

Electric or Gas Tankless Water Heater?

Gas operated tankless water heaters produce a higher flow rate of hot water than the electric ones.

If you’re in a large home, the gas fired tankless model can’t supply hot water simultaneously for multiple users like the electric one does.

Operating Costs of Gas or Electric Water Heaters

Cost and Savings of an On-Demand Water Heater

The initial cost of purchase and installation is more than you would pay for a conventional water heater, but the savings and return on investment are much better.

  • Tankless water heaters have lower operating and energy cost
  • Life expectancy is more than 20 years when compared to 10 with traditional water heaters

Tankless Water Heater Client Review

When Chris and Joan started looking at switching their traditional water heater to a tankless one, they weren’t really sure it’s worth the time or investment.

We worked closely with them and provided all the details and statistics available relating to energy savings over time.  They made their decision and the San Mateo tankless water installation happened without a glitch.  Here’s what they had to say:

If you’re in a home that uses 40 gallons of hot water daily, you can expect 24% to 35% energy savings, if you use more hot water, the savings are even more and up to 50%.

A tankless water heater is energy efficient but that energy efficiency can be better optimized with proper installation and maintenance.

There are many factors to consider, therefore it’s important to hire an experienced tankless water heater contractor that understands the various fuel types, local climate, building code regulations, safety issues when dealing with gas operated water heaters.

Express Plumbing in San Mateo CA has over 25 years of experience in new installations, maintenance, and plumbing repairs.  We’ve worked with apartment complexes, residential homes, commercial businesses, and municipalities throughout the Bay Area.

If you’re ready to learn more about on-demand hot water heaters and want to get a no obligation, complimentary estimate, give us a call or request a quote.

We’ve been serving the Bay Area since 1989, we take pride in providing excellent service throughout the area.  We would love to help you save money and get your home energy efficient with a tankless water heater installation.

Complimentary Tankless Water Heater Estimate

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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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Average Cost of Hydro Jetting in San Francisco Area

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Slow sewage lines or clogged drains? Hydro jetting commonly referred to as high pressure jetting is used by our San Francisco professional plumbers to quickly remove the blockage and build up.  It’s effective and efficient.

About the Hydro Jetting Process

We begin by determining the location of the problem first using a video camera inspection, this will quickly pinpoint the location.  A combination of a snake and Hydro jetting may be used if tree roots are involved in the blockage.

The snake will break up the particles in the blockage, while the high-pressure water jetting clears the drains completely and removed any remaining particles on the interior walls of the pipes.

Average Prices of Hydro Jetting Plumbing Services in the San Francisco Area courtesy of HomeAdvisor.

 

High Pressure Drain Cleaning Vs Snake

Hydro jetting is very common with commercial plumbing projects, especially restaurants.

In a residential home, the process works great for removing sand, silt, and build up in clogs such as hair and other grease and food particles.

Using a snake to unclog a drain only breaks up the particles and leaves the buildup on the interior walls.  The high-pressure process of hydrojetting can completely clean the pipes which a snake cannot compare to.

Benefits of Hydro Jetting to Clear Drains

Time is money.  The quicker a project a completed, the less costly it is.  The high pressure drain clean process is environmentally friendly and avoids the use of chemicals to clear the drains.

The hydro jetting machine can release high pressure of 7000 lbs per square inch to clean your clogged drains or sewer lines quickly and without and problems.

Our expert Bay Area plumbing technicians provide drain cleaning services in the San Francisco area to both commercial and residential clients.

We’re equipped and experienced to handle your plumbing needs no matter how big or small.  Rely on our experience to help you the next time you need a hydro jetting contractor in the Bay Area.


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Common Summer Residential Plumbing Projects

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Every year you may encounter major or minor home repair and plumbing issues. Depending on the age of your home, some issues might be larger and quite costly.

summer plumbing projects bay areaMany homeowners opt to embark on summer projects early to address these issues. Plumbing projects are those that affect your everyday life inside or outside the home.

Some projects you can do alone, and others will require a professional plumber to handle.  If any of your projects need us, schedule your free estimate early by giving us a call.  We serve the entire Bay Area including San Francisco, Alameda County, San Mateo, Burlingame and all surrounding areas in the Peninsula.

Here are a few of the common plumbing projects our residential clients have requested.

Installing a Hot Water Heater

Express Bay Area Plumbing Projects

24 Hour Service – 7 Days a Week

Hot water heaters are one of the most important appliances in the home. They are instrumental when it comes to heating cooking and bathing water. When these appliances malfunction, they can cause all sorts of problems. Leaks are just one issue you may have. Installing a new hot water heater requires specific expertise.

Give us a call for a free estimate on a new traditional water heater or tankless water heater installation. Learn more about investing in a tankless water heater.

Pipe Replacement

Older homes often have plumbing components that are outdated. There are instances when plumbing pipes require replacement. Our Bay Area experienced plumbers know what pipes are needed for your plumbing system.  We are the experts in trenchless pipe replacement, ask us all about it by giving us a call for a free estimate.

Upgrading Plumbing Hardware

Faucet and fixture replacements are probably the top requested calls.  You may choose to replace them because you don’t like the look anymore, or because they’re no longer functioning.

Replacing a bathroom or kitchen faucet is easy, but if not professionally done and well installed, you may end up with a leak and a more costly project.  Repair and Maintain things early to avoid plumbing problems.

Experienced plumbers are those that are certified to work in this industry. They have the expertise required to fix plumbing problems. At Express Plumbing, we’ve been serving our Bay Area neighbors since 1989.  We only hire experienced plumbers, and we guarantee your satisfaction with every plumbing project we perform.


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