Homeowner plumbing guide
Frequently asked questions
Do you price by the hour or by the job?
By the job. After the diagnosis you receive a written flat-rate price, and that figure stands even if the repair takes longer than expected.
Is the diagnostic fee credited to the repair?
Yes. The $145 diagnostic covers the trip in a stocked truck, hands-on troubleshooting and a written quote, and it is applied in full when you approve the repair on the same visit.
What should I do first if a pipe is leaking?
Close the main shutoff, usually where the line enters the basement, crawlspace, utility room or garage, or in the meter box at the kerb. Open a low cold tap to bleed off pressure, turn off power or gas to the water heater if hot lines are involved, then call for a same-day priority slot.
Are liquid drain cleaners safe for a slow sink?
We advise against them. Caustic cleaners rarely clear hair or grease fully, run hot enough to warp PVC traps and corrode older cast-iron or copper lines, and leave chemical water standing in the pipe. Mechanical augering or hydro-jetting clears the pipe without harming the seals.
Should I choose a tank or a tankless water heater?
It depends on household size, peak demand and your existing gas or electric supply. We size both options to your home and give a side-by-side quote. A tank under eight years old with one failed part is usually worth repairing; a corroded tank of ten years or more should be replaced.
Why do my pipes keep springing pinhole leaks?
The usual causes are a failed pressure-reducing valve letting 85 to 110+ PSI into the house instead of a safe 50 to 65 PSI, or ageing galvanised or thin-wall copper pipe. Every diagnostic visit includes a free static pressure reading.
Do you handle permits and inspections?
Yes. Repipes, water heater replacements, gas lines and backflow work are permitted and inspected as the local code requires, and the permit is included in the quote.
Can we stay at home during a repipe?
Yes. Most single-family repipes take one to three days. Access cuts follow existing framing so they patch easily, floors and furniture are covered, and the water is back on every evening.