Calling Us
4 questionsWhat should I have ready when I call?+
Your address, what you're seeing and when it started. Note whether water is still running and whether you've shut anything off. A photo on your phone helps you describe it.
Do I need to be home during the visit?+
Yes. An adult needs to let us in and okay the work. If you can't be there, a family member or property manager can stand in.
Can a renter call you for a repair?+
Yes, you can call. Most repairs in a rental need the owner's approval, so bring your landlord or property manager in early.
Do you install water softeners?+
No. Water softeners aren't one of our services. We handle drains, sewer lines, water heaters, leaks, gas lines, repipes, sump pumps and faucets.
Emergencies
5 questions
What counts as a plumbing emergency?+
Water you can't stop, sewage coming up into the house, no water at all, or a gas smell. A slow drain or a dripping faucet can usually wait for a regular visit.
Where is my main water shutoff?+
In most Clovis homes, it's near the front hose bib or where the water line enters the house. Some homes also have a shutoff at the meter box. Find yours before you need it.
How do I shut off water to one fixture?+
Look for small oval handles under the sink or behind the toilet. Turn them clockwise until they stop. That isolates the fixture while the rest of the house keeps running.
Is a running toilet an emergency?+
Usually not, but don't ignore it. A toilet that runs nonstop can waste a lot of water. Close the shutoff behind it until it's fixed.
My shutoff valve won't turn. Should I force it?+
No. Old valves can snap or start leaking when forced. Use the next valve upstream, such as the main shutoff, and call us to replace the stuck one.
Drains, Toilets and Sewer
6 questionsWhy does my toilet gurgle when I run the sink?+
Gurgling means air is being pulled through the water in the toilet. A partial clog in a shared drain line or a blocked vent are the usual causes.
Why does my drain smell like sewage?+
Often the trap under the drain has dried out. Run water for a minute in drains you rarely use. If the smell stays, there may be a venting or drain line problem.
What should never go down a garbage disposal?+
Grease, coffee grounds, eggshells, bones, and stringy foods like celery and corn husks. Rice and pasta also swell and can clog the line.
Are flushable wipes safe for my pipes?+
They can cause clogs. Many wipes don't break apart the way toilet paper does. They catch on rough spots and roots in older sewer lines.
Where is my sewer cleanout?+
It's usually a capped pipe near the foundation or close to the property line. Don't open it during a backup, since sewage can spill out under pressure. Call us instead.
What's the difference between a drain line and a sewer line?+
Drain lines carry water from each fixture inside the house. The sewer line is the single larger pipe that carries all of it out to the street main.
Water Heaters
5 questionsHow often should I flush my water heater?+
Most manufacturers suggest once a year. In hard water areas like Clovis, regular flushing helps clear the sediment that builds up in the tank.
What temperature should my water heater be set to?+
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends 120°F for most homes. It saves energy and lowers the risk of scalding.
Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs?+
Bacteria in the tank can react with the anode rod and make a sulfur smell. Replacing the anode rod or flushing the tank usually fixes it.
Why does my hot water run out so fast?+
Sediment buildup, a failed heating element or a broken dip tube are common causes. Sometimes the tank is just too small for the household.
Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm with a gas water heater?+
Yes. California requires CO alarms in single-family homes with a fossil fuel appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage. A gas water heater counts.
Leaks, Pressure and Water Quality
5 questionsHow do I check my toilet for a silent leak?+
Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait without flushing. If color shows up in the bowl, the flapper is leaking.
What does a pressure regulator do?+
It lowers the water pressure coming in from the street to a safe level for your pipes. Pressure above 80 psi is generally considered too high for a home.
Why is my tap water cloudy?+
Usually it's tiny air bubbles. Let a glass sit for a minute. If it clears from the bottom up, it's air and harmless.
Will hard water shorten my water heater's life?+
It can. Minerals settle as scale in the tank. The City of Clovis reported average hardness of 116.4 ppm in its 2023 water quality report.
How do I protect outdoor pipes on cold Clovis nights?+
Clovis gets occasional frosty winter nights. Cover hose bibs, insulate exposed pipes and disconnect garden hoses before a freeze.
Gas Lines
3 questionsCan you move a gas line for a new range or dryer?+
Yes. We extend or reroute gas lines when you move or add an appliance. The new section is pressure-tested before the appliance goes on.
Can I switch from an electric appliance to gas?+
Often, yes. It depends on whether your gas line and meter can supply the extra load. We check the sizing before running a new line.
What is a sediment trap on a gas line?+
It's a short capped pipe near the appliance that catches debris before it reaches the controls. Plumbing codes generally require one at gas appliances.
Pipes and Fixtures
2 questionsHow can I tell if my home has polybutylene pipes?+
Polybutylene is a flexible plastic pipe, usually gray, installed in many homes from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. Check near the water heater and under sinks.
When should I replace the supply lines under my sinks and toilets?+
Replace them if you see bulging, rust, kinks or damp spots. A burst supply line can release a lot of water fast.