What to Do Before Calling a 24 Hour Plumber in Corona

Once you become a homeowner, you will probably discover at some point that plumbing emergencies can strike at any time. Still, do you know if the situation really requires a 24 hour plumber? At Inland Empire Plumbing, we can send out a professional Corona plumber at any hour of the day, but it may help you to know if the problem requires immediate action or if it can wait until the morning.

Imagine waking up at 3:00am to the sound of running water, only to discover your bathroom floor is covered in water. What do you do? Your first step should be finding where the water is coming from, whether it's the sink, the tub or the toilet. Once you identify the source of the water, you can turn off water to that particular fixture. If you can't find the source or you aren't able to turn off the fixture, you can just turn off the water supply to your entire home, but you'll now be without water everywhere.

Once the water is off, it's time to really assess your situation.

If it's only one item, like the toilet or sink, and you are able to turn off the water at the source, you can just wait until the morning to call for leak detection in Corona. With the fixture off and the water flow over, you can clean up the water in the area to avoid further damage. Just avoid using the fixture until you can get a plumber to take a look during normal business hours to avoid the service charge for 24 hour service.

If it's a real plumbing emergency that can't wait until morning, be ready when you make the call. Do your best to identify the source of the problem and try to figure out where you think the issue started from, what is working in the room and what isn't. The more information you can determine before calling, the more you will have to share with a plumber.

You'll want to give specific details, which will help your plumber assess the damage and determine what work must be done. You can also ask for an estimate, but remember that not everyone will give you a direct quote over the phone until the see the problem. If you know it's your sink, though, they can probably give you a good idea of what to expect. You'll also want to ask for the 24 hour service charge.

Make sure you're comfortable before agreeing to have a plumber visit. If you aren't happy with the first plumbing company you call, try another. With any luck, the problem will be relatively minor to fix and you'll be back in business before long.

At Inland Empire Plumbing, we believe in transparency and great customer service and we have qualified Corona plumbers standing by 24/7. If you're in a tight spot, give us a call and we'll get you taken care of!

Troubleshooting Your Gas Water Heater

Water heaters are usually very reliable appliances, but they do have problems sometimes that require the help of a Corona plumber. These issues may include anything from a lack of hot water to rust-colored water or a strange odor, or even water leaking around the base. Troubleshooting your gas water heater is something you can do on your own, which gives you a good idea of the cost of repairs, but you want to make sure you do it safely.


Problem: No Hot Water
This problem may be caused by one of three things: a faulty gas pilot, thermocouple or pilot control valve. Start by checking the gas pilot flame and pilot operation, then re-tighten or replace the gas thermocouple. The gas pilot control valve may also need to be replaced.


Problem: Not Enough Hot Water
One possible cause is the water heater is not large enough for the demand of your household. If this is the case, you may need to call a Corona plumber to replace the water heater with something larger. The problem may also be caused by broken dip tubes that allow the hot and cold water to mix together in the tank, or faulty plumbing crossing hot and cold connections. It may even be a problem with the gas supply or control.


Problem: Rusty Water
If your water comes out looking rust-colored, it may be caused by corrosion inside the glass-lined tank, or a sacrificial anode rod is beginning to fail. These rods will dissolve slowly to prevent rusting inside your hot water tank, so the rod may need to be replaced with a magnesium rod.


Problem: Odor of Rotten Eggs
If there's an odor of rotten eggs in your water, it is probably caused by bacteria in the tank sediment, which thrive on hydrogen gas from a decaying sacrificial anode rod. Possible solutions to this problem include contacting a plumber for Corona water heater repair to flush the water heater, treat the tank with a hydrogen peroxide solution, replace the anode rod or replace the water heater with one that has a plastic liner.


Problem: Popping Sound
If you hear a popping or rumbling sound, it's actually boiling water you're hearing. This is caused by an excessive build-up of sediment in the tank, which causes the bottom to overheat, boiling the water. The sediment must be removed by flushing the water heater.


Problem: Leaking at Base
Finally, if you find water leaking at the base of the heater, it's time to call for Corona water heater repair as soon as possible. Water around the base may be caused by a leak from nearby plumbing, a faulty temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve or a leaking tank from corrosion.

4 DIY Plumbing Projects You Should Skip

When you own a home, everything that can break down will. From the plumbing and heating to the siding and lawn, you'll find yourself constantly tackling new projects to keep your home looking and working its best. When the plumbing in your house starts to malfunction, you might be tempted to try fixing it on your own rather than calling up a Corona plumber. If you're a licensed plumber, that's definitely a great idea. If you aren't, and you don't understand plumbing completely, you might just make the problem worse. You may even end up paying a lot of money for a professional to come in and fix your mistakes.

Here are 4 common DIY plumbing projects you should skip doing yourself.


1. Clogged Drains
If the drain is clogged with hair or something else that's easy to fix, you can try fixing it on your own without a great risk of doing further damage. If your problem is very severe, such as drains backing up throughout the house, you need to call a professional plumber in Corona to take a look. Your problem is definitely not something simple like hair and it may need professional plumbing equipment and experience, and maybe even pipe replacement.


2. Dishwasher Installation
If your dishwasher doesn't seem to be getting your dishes clean or performing at its best, taking care of the problem on your own might be a good idea. You may need to check the drain for clogs, or try cleaning the dishwasher by running a cycle with nothing but vinegar.

When you get into dishwasher installation, however, it's time to turn over the job to the pros. Dishwasher installation is a bit more complex than it seems, and there is a lot of work involved. Not only must your new dishwasher be installed under a cabinet near your kitchen sink, you also need to make sure drainage and water lines are installed correctly. One false move and you'll be left with a massive mess.


3. Pipe Replacement
Do you have a plumbing problem that requires pipe replacement? If so, call a Corona plumber. Even if it seems like an easy job to replace a small bit of pipe, you may not find leaks until it's too late. This is especially true for leaks behind your wall.


4. Water heaters and water treatments
Water treatment systems and water heaters should always be installed by a professional plumber in Corona. Water heater installation requires careful connection of gas lines or electricity as well as water lines, and water treatment systems require changing the main water lines as they enter your home. If you make even one small error, you may end up with water pouring into your whole house!

Do You Understand How Leak Detection Works?

It's true that there are some rare

leaks that are so slow they aren't detected, although many homeowners ignore known leaks, not realizing that even the smallest of leaks can waste thousands of gallons in a single year, and lead to serious and expensive damage. If water is finding a way out, experienced plumbers can use state-of-the-art equipment to find even the most concealed leaks, whether they're behind walls, in an irrigation system, under a concrete slab or asphalt or in the basement, saving you untold thousands in damage and water costs.

Detecting Leaks on Your Own

Many people have leaks without even realizing it. This problem is often revealed through increasing monthly water bills. Sometimes the problem develops over time when a pinhole leak develops into something larger, or it may come on suddenly with a burst pipe.

You may even hear the leak, rather than noticing your bill climbing. If you have copper tubing, you'll probably notice a distinct noise as copper conducts sound very well, while your faucet amplifies the noise.

If you hear a leak or find your water bill is higher than it should be, check all the valves in your home, including the hose faucets and toilets. If it's a toilet running, try turning off the supply stop to see if the sound goes away. Check your home for signs of water damage or moisture, including under the sinks and your water heater.

Isolate the Leak

If you determine on your own that you do have a leak, you can take the extra step of isolating it while you're waiting for a Corona plumber to arrive. Start by turning off your main water cut-off valve, then test it by opening a faucet to reduce pressure and drain the system.

If you hear silence at the faucet, the leak is under your home's floor. You can now control the damage by turning on water only when necessary until the problem is fixed. If the water to your home is shut off but you still hear water running, you probably have a leak in your outside water main.

How a Professional Helps

An expert technician will use a non-invasive leak detection system to locate leaks to save you money and avoid unnecessary damage to your home. Using electronic equipment, even the smallest leak can be accurately pinpointed, versus the old-fashioned trial-and-error method of digging holes in your floor and basement to locate the problem.

Electronic leak detection from the experts at Inland Empire Plumbing will save your home from unnecessary damage that's associated with hunting a leak down with jack hammers and pinpoint the exact location to complete the repairs.
Image: David Dames/Flickr

Plumbing Myths that Cost You Big Money

Conventional "wisdom" with plumbing is one of those things that may be costing you big -- you just don't realize it. You may be guilty of some of these seemingly good ideas, which may sound great but can actually be harming your home's plumbing system. Here are some common myths about home plumbing systems and what to do instead.

1. Putting Lemons in Your Garbage Disposal Makes it Smell Better

Sure, putting lemons down your garbage disposal will give you a temporarily fresh smell, but the truth is that citric acid is corroding the metal in your disposal! A much safer and more effective option is using ice to polish up the blades in your disposal. While it's loud, it works like a rock tumbler that polishes rocks. You can then power wash the scum away from your drain without running your disposal.

2. In-Tank Cleaners Keep Your Toilet Clean

Those in-tank cleaners are supposed to make chores a breeze and reduce the time you spend scrubbing the toilets. What actually happens is these cleaners simply bleach the build-up on your toilet without removing it, and the build-up will eventually cause problems and have you running to the nearest professional plumber in Corona. The trick is to use vinegar down the overflow tube instead, which actually removes that build-up for a lot less money.

3. Running Water While Using the Disposal Helps

It seems like a great idea: allow the water to run while you use the garbage disposal to make sure the waste drains. Who hasn't done this? Actually, following the waste with faucet water doesn't help a blockage that forms. A better way to do it is filling your sink with 4:1 water to waste, allowing the waste to separate and flow down better.

4. Everything is Working if Everything Goes Down the Drain

Just because it's out of sight does not mean it should be out of mind. Many foods like rice and pasta will bloat with water once they're in your pipes, causing blockages and clogs that prevent water from passing through. Without enough water to rinse it away, waste will also build up in your pipes. Always use toilets, showers and sinks the right way. Fill basins with faucet water before draining and use a hair screen in your shower to prevent hair clogs.

5. Water Pressure Regulators Always Work

Water pressure regulators are important, but you can't always trust their readings. Make sure you check your water pressure on your own because high pressure is a huge cause of leaks and continuously running toilets.

6. Soap Won't Hurt Fixtures

Be careful not to leave soap and water on your fixtures or faucets, which causes corrosion, peeling and bubbling. Wipe your fixtures after every use as soap will actually void lifetime warranties.

7. All Plumbers Know What They Are Doing

Unfortunately, just because a plumber has this title does not mean they know what they are doing or are properly licensed. All plumbers should continue receiving education and additional certificates. If the plumber you choose installs something improperly, you'll need to call someone else to fix it. Use the state boards, BBB and online reviews to make sure you're hiring a qualified, licensed Corona plumber before you make that call.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net/phanlop88

How a Small Leak Can Cost You Big

Most homeowners see a small leak in their home as a minor inconvenience and, possibly, a problem that can be put off until a more convenient time. The truth is small leaks are very serious problems that will not take care of themselves but only get worse over time. While you have no choice but immediately getting a broken faucet fixed, you may not be so quick to call a Corona plumber when you notice a small drip from your ceiling after the rain or a drip under your sink. This can come back to bite you!

1. Slow, Serious Damage to Your Home

The first way a small leak will end up costing you big is through the damage it does to your floors, walls and everything else it touches over the course of months. This damage can easily cost thousands by the time you notice and fix the problem!

2. Mold Issues

Small leaks in your home also lead to mold, a serious health hazard that can put someone you love in the hospital. If you allow the problem to go on, it may cost you thousands to have the mold professionally and safely removed once the leak is fixed and it will make your home impossible to sell until it's taken care of.

3. Poor Plumbing Performance

Finally, you may notice poor performance with your plumbing system if you have a leak. While this is the least of your problems, reduced water pressure can be a pain when you need to wash dishes or take a shower.

If you have a small leak in your home, realize that it will only get worse and bigger the longer it's ignored. As soon as possible, make that call to the professional plumbers at Inland Empire Plumbing to have the problem identified and fixed right away. You'll end up saving money in the long run and enjoying the peace of mind that comes with taking care of a small issue before it gets serious.

Image: Rockinfree/Flickr

7 Things You Shouldn't Flush Down Your Toilet

While toddlers flushing cell phones and cameras down the toilet is a big concern for many parents, those aren't the only things you should worry about ending up in your toilet. To keep your service calls from a plumber to a minimum, make sure you avoid flushing these things down the toilet.

1. Medication

Many people think flushing expired OTC and prescription drugs is a safe way to dispose of medication but all it's doing is dumping chemicals into the water system. Water treatment plants can't remove these chemicals from the water and the EPA advises that you get rid of medication by sealing it in a bag and throwing it in your trash.

2. Cat Litter

Kitty litter is a major cause of clogged pipes and even the flushable kind can cause problems. Toxoplasmosis, a parasite that's found in cat waste, can also hurt marine life and should stay out of the water system.

3. Tissues and Paper Towels

While tissues may seem just like toilet paper, they will not disolve like toilet paper does. The same goes with paper towels: every time to flush a paper towel down the drain, you're taking a risk that you'll end up with a clogged pipe and need to call a Corona plumber to come out to your house.

4. Cigarette Butts

While cigarette butts won't necessarily clog your pipes, they do introduce dangerous chemicals into the water system. Since sewage is treated and then recycled, it's important to keep public water as free of chemicals as possible.

5. Dental Floss

Dental floss is not biodegradable and it can easily wrap itself around toilet paper, which can then cause a serious clog in your pipes.

6. Food

If you don't want raw sewage to overflow into your home or onto the street, avoid flushing any food down the toilet, particularly food that's high in fat, grease or oils.

7. Hair

Hair is one of the most effective drain clogging agents and attracts oil and grease, eventually causing a major blockage.

Tips for Keeping Your Toilet Clog-Free

Do you store extra toilet paper, matchbooks or other odds and ends above your toilet bowl? If so, think about moving them to avoid anything from accidently getting flushed down the toilet. Here are some more things to keep in mind from a professional plumber in Corona:

• Keep your toilet lid down! This is the best way to make sure unwanted items don't end up in the toilet.
• While flushable wipes are designed to be fllushed, they can still clog toilets and they're made from thicker material than toilet paper.
• In-tank toilet cleaners are made with a substance that may degrade the mechanisms in your toilet so consider using a natural product or just old-fashioned scrubbing.