Plumbing Tips & Advice
Practical guidance from our licensed plumbers to help you prevent problems and know when to call a pro.
Sewage Coming Up in the Bathtub? What to Do Right Now
Sewage in the tub means the main sewer line is blocked. What to do right now, why chemicals make it worse, and what happens when the plumber arrives.
Tankless vs Tank Water Heater for a Los Angeles Home
Endless hot water or a lower price today? The real tradeoffs, including gas line and venting costs, hard water descaling and when a tank is the better buy.
Hydro Jetting vs Snaking for Older LA Drain Lines
Snake one slow drain, jet a line that keeps clogging from grease, roots or scale. How to tell which one your drain needs, and when a camera goes first.
Smell Gas Near the Water Heater? Do This First
Smell gas near the water heater? Get out and call SoCalGas from outside. Then how to tell a gas leak from a sulfur smell in hot water, and what fixes each.
Sewer Camera Inspection Before Buying a House in LA
A home inspection can't see inside the buried sewer line, and in LA it's yours after escrow. What a camera inspection shows and how to time it.
High Water Bill but No Visible Leak? How to Find It
A high bill and nothing wet? Rule out the bill, test the meter, check toilets and sprinklers, then find what's hidden. Plus LADWP's leak adjustment rules.
How to Turn Off Water to Your House in an LA Emergency
Water spraying and you can't find the shutoff? Where the main valve usually is in LA homes, how to turn it, what to do next and what to do if it's stuck.