Keep Your Home’s Basement Dry with these Tips

Friday, March 13th, 2020

At Oxnard Plumbing and Rooter Pros, we know there are many ways that basements can flood. Some of these problems are plumbing related and others not. In this post, we put together some handy tips for keeping your basement dry regardless of the situation.

Read on to learn more about these preventative measures:

Seal Cracks

A major source for leaks are any cracks or holes in a basement’s wall or floors. Cracks happen when homes settle, but also from water pressure from outside the home, such as from poor grading or from a slab leak. The best way to control leaks and prevent a flooded basement is to keep an eye out for cracks or holes and seal them using a waterproof mixture. Cement coatings are the most popular ways for homeowners to stop basement flooding due to cracks.

Keep Water Away from Your Home’s Foundation

Are the downspouts directed away from the home’s foundation? This is one way to make sure standing water doesn’t become a problem during heavy rainfall. Another way to make sure standing water doesn’t become an issue is to install French drains around the house. These drains take on excess water and move it away from the home’s foundation.

Install a Sump Pump

Not every home needs a sump pump. However, these devices come in handy in homes that have a history of basement flooding following heavy rainstorms. Sump pumps collect water up to a certain point and then pump it out of the house. For sump pumps to work effectively, it’s important that homeowners test the pump frequently and consider installing a back-up battery-operated sump pump to take over if the power should fail.

Stay on Top of Sewer Maintenance

A common plumbing issue that can wreak havoc on basements is a backed-up sewer line. When the sewer pipe clogs, sewage water has no place to go but backwards. When this happens, you’ll end up with a very messy situation.

We recommend homeowners have their sewer pipes inspected at least once a year. This inspection uses a small sewer camera that’s inserted into the pipe and gives plumbers in Oxnard great insight into the condition of the sewer pipe. Maybe the inspection finds blockages, or perhaps it finds other damage like cracks and roots in the pipe that require additional sewer repairs.

Along with sewer inspections, homeowners should have a sewer cleaning every year to keep debris buildup to a minimum.

A flooded basement can end up costing homeowners serious money in water damage restoration costs. The good news is that homeowners can prevent many problems by taking action now. If you need basement plumbing services in Oxnard or surrounding areas, contact Oxnard Plumbing and Rooter Pros today!

4 Best Things You Can Do for Your Plumbing System

Thursday, February 13th, 2020

Safeguarding your plumbing system now can go a long way toward preventing costly plumbing problems in the future. At Oxnard Plumbing and Rooter Pros, we want our you to always have access to reliable plumbing. Check out these tips to keep your residential pipes, drains, and other plumbing parts in great shape all the time.

Insulate Your Pipes

Although our temperatures don’t get bitter cold like other parts of the country, heat loss can still be an issue. Even temperatures in the 40s and 50s can have a profound effect on your home’s pipes. Insulating water pipes protects against heat loss that happens when water travels from the water heater to the fixture. The further the water has to travel, the more heat loss occurs.

Install Leak Detection Sensors

Wouldn’t it be nice to know if you had a leak in your house? You’re in luck. There are numerous products available that alert you to possible leaks.

These devices detect changes in water usage and water pressure. The device sends an alert to your smartphone or tablet or, the most rudimentary sensors, sound an alarm.

Anti-sweat Valves

Do you have a drippy toilet supply line? It’s common for these supply lines to sweat after someone’s taken a hot shower or when it’s very humid in the bathroom. Installing an anti-sweat valve is an easier and cost-effective way to stop water from dripping and causing puddles on the floor.

Soften Your Water

Have you noticed hard water stains in your sinks, toilets, or bathtubs? These stains make your appliances look worn and old, but when you have hard water the stains are the least of your problems.

Hard water causes sediment to build up in your pipes and can lead to corrosion and leaky pipes. While hard water isn’t going to hurt you, it doesn’t do your skin or hair any favors because the minerals dry out your hair and skin.

Installing a water softener is a great way to condition your water and prevent these minerals from causing problems in your plumbing system.

Let Us Recommend Plumbing Protection

Would you like to learn more about how to protect your home’s plumbing from unnecessary wear and tear? Our licensed plumbers in Oxnard, CA, will come to your house to discuss the various ways to maintain your residential plumbing. To schedule a plumbing inspection, contact us today!

What to Do When You Need Emergency Drain Service

Friday, January 6th, 2017

Fast-acting, local plumbers available today for emergency drain service in Oxnard, CA. A clogged drain can certainly be a pain, especially if your shower is backed up or you can’t flush the toilet. That annoyance can turn into frustration and panic when water is all over your floor. If you need emergency drain service, pick up that phone and call a 24 hour plumber. Don’t wait! Waiting to get the repair service you need, will only make the problem worse.

Have You Heard of Hydro Jet Drain Cleaning?

One of the fastest and easiest way to clear an obstructed pipe is a technique called hydro-jetting. This method of clearing blockages uses a stream of high-pressured water to scour the inside of interior and exterior pipes. The jet is powerful enough to get rid of years of buildup and, because it doesn’t use chemicals, your pipes aren’t at risk of corrosion.

Homeowners throughout the Oxnard area depend on hydro jet drain cleaning to keep their plumbing system in top condition for less. This service is affordable and works great on all kinds of plumbing systems including commercial buildings.

We’re Your 24 Hour Plumber for all Emergency Drain Service

From drain cleaning to drain repair and replacement, our licensed plumbers have the skills and tools to tackle any emergency plumbing repair you need.

Want to prevent emergency repairs? That’s easy to do with preventive maintenance services. These services are designed to identify small problems that have the potential to turn into major problems and save you money. Of course, accidents can happen and even with every preventive measure in place it’s still possible that a pipe may burst or a toilet overflows.

To learn more about all residential drain cleaning methods, give us a call and speak with a friendly Oxnard plumber!

2 Kinds of Toilet Leak Repair

Friday, January 6th, 2017

Licensed, area plumbers available now for toilet repair in Oxnard, CADo you need help fixing a running toilet? Is you toilet consistently clogged and hard to flush? There are a few reasons why you may need toilet repair. Sometimes it is as simple as changing out the flushing mechanism, while other times it may require replacing a faulty seal. The good news is that rarely does toilet repair mean you have to replace your toilet. Only cracked commodes need to be replaced.

Here are two of the most common reasons we’re called for toilet repair service.

Worn or Broken Interior Parts

A toilet is one of those plumbing components like faucets and sink drains that are used continuously throughout the day. With that amount of wear and tear, it’s not a huge surprise that interior parts can become stressed and break. When the toilet’s flapper isn’t working correctly, you may notice that the toilet runs nonstop or flushes intermittently even when not in use.

Replacing interior parts is simple and takes no time at all. Savvy DIYers can visit their local home improvement store to buy replacement parts. If you’re not handy or don’t want to bother, give a plumber a call to help you out.

Leaky Toilet Seals

Older toilets or those installed incorrectly may develop leaks at the base of the commode. This problem is usually caused by a worn toilet seal. When this seal isn’t replaced, it can lead to rotting floor boards and expensive restoration repairs. Replacing a toilet seal isn’t something for the average homeowner to attempt. It’s better to call an experienced plumber to assist you with this toilet repair.

When you need toilet leak repair in Oxnard, call local, trusted plumbers for affordable service. At Oxnard Plumbing and Rooter Pros, we’re always here for you not matter what the job may be.

Chemicals that Cause PVC Drain Pipes to Melt or Soften

Monday, October 24th, 2016

Same-day drain cleaning in Oxnard, CA today by your friendly, neighborhood plumbers.One of the most common methods that homeowners use to clean drainpipes is pouring chemicals or very hot water down the drain. However, it is important to know that PVC pipes melt at 176 degrees F. Therefore, avoid cleaning your PVC drainpipes with hot water because it may cause the pipes to melt or soften. At Oxnard Plumbing and Rooter Pros, we know the safest way to clean all types of drainpipes including PVC, steel, and plastic among others. In addition, we provide quality drain cleaning services to residents of and surrounding counties at some of the best rates in the industry.

Types

Oxidizers, acids, and caustics are examples of drain cleaners that can cause PVC pipes to melt or become soft. Sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid are the active ingredients of acid cleaners. Oxidizers normally have sodium hypochlorite while acidic drain cleaners usually contain sodium hydroxide or lye.

Heat

Chemical reactions involving hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and sodium hydroxide can generate significant amounts of heat. For example, reactions involving lye can generate heat that can reach boiling points. Chemicals contained in drain cleaners can be corrosive, but what really causes PVC pipes to melt or soften is the heat produced by the chemical reactions.

Most people worsen the problem by using more than one product to clean their drainpipes. Hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid generate heat when mixed with water. Our trained experts know how to safely mix chemical cleaners and dilute them to minimize their effects on drainpipes.

Oxidizers

Chemicals in chlorine bleach or sodium hypochlorite do not cause PVC pipes to soften or melt. This means that oxidizers and caustic soda can be used as drain cleaners without damaging your drainpipes. However, oxidizers can react with materials blocking your drainpipes when they come in contact. Enzymatic drain cleaners contain living organisms that can eat up all the materials blocking your drainpipe.

Oxnard Plumbing and Rooter Pros has been providing drain cleaning services to residents of Oxnard for many years. Visit our facilities today to learn more about our wide range of drain cleaners.

3 Ways to Find the Best Emergency Plumber

Tuesday, July 19th, 2016

Emergency plumbing in Oxnard, CA, 24/7 by local plumbersPlumbing emergencies can happen at any time of the day or night. While you may spend days or weeks planning a home remodeling job, scheduling a family vacation, or planning a holiday party, you don’t have the same luxury of time when choosing an emergency plumber .

Emergency plumbing problems can cause water damage to your home and be a safety hazard for you and your family. That being said, you don’t want to just choose any plumber because you’re face with an unexpected situation. If you live in Oxnard, we can help you out. But, if you’ve stumbled upon this page by accident and you live in Ohio, well we can’t really get to you today. What we can do is guide you to find a plumber in your area who will fix your plumbing emergency fast.

Here are 3 ways to find the best emergency plumber near you!

Choose a Plumber Who Gives Onsite Estimates

Be wary of companies that quote prices over the phone. In today’s world, instant gratification is something we automatically expect. However, getting a price quote over the phone isn’t always accurate and can end up costing more money in the long run. At Oxnard Plumbing and Rooter, we never give pricing over the phone because every situation is different and may warrant a different approach to repair.

Pick a Plumber Available 24/7

An emergency needs to be addressed right away. You don’t have time to wait until morning for a plumber to arrive at your home when raw sewage is flooding your bathroom floor. A licensed plumbing service that has a crew of technicians available on demand is what you need.

Cheap Isn’t Always Better

The problem with the cheapest plumbers is that you may not be getting quality work. Two months down the line you may find yourself in the same situation and need to pay more to fix a problem that should have already been corrected. At Oxnard Plumbing and Rooter, we pride ourselves on our unbeatable prices not because they’re always the cheapest, but because their the best for the quality of work we perform.

If you have a plumbing emergency in Oxnard, give us a call and we’ll get a plumber to you in 90 minutes or less – guaranteed!