Frequently Asked Questions in Whittier, CA

Many home and business owners have questions about plumbing, piping issues, our services, and more. That’s why our Drainiacs team put together some common FAQ’s to help you understand plumbing and identity issues before they take hold.

General

Our regularly scheduled service hours are Monday through Friday between 7am and 6pm. And on Saturdays from 7am and 5pm.

Generally, no. Every plumbing system is so complex and so different in scope that it makes it very hard to give quotes over the phone.

As long as it is a scheduled appointment within our regularly scheduled service hours for Saturdays, no, we do not. However, we do charge a fee for emergency service on Sundays.

Yes, we do but an additional fee may apply. We do whatever we can to make ourselves available on days and times that are convenient for you and that fit well with your schedule, however appointments outside of our regularly scheduled service hours, must be approved and scheduled in advance.

Ask a customer service representative for more information.

We truly do understand and sympathize with our customers who are faced with emergency service needs, as we know how difficult these unexpected occurrences can be. None-the-less, our emergency service fees are set in place to cover our on-call technicians’ wages. These wages cover everything from normal daily wages to any necessary overtime wages.

Our prices reflect the estimated time, labor, and materials needed for each unique job site. Our technicians are trained to perform with the utmost speed and precision, but are guaranteed to provide the best quality work, and if that means taking a little extra time to make sure everything is done right, we don’t expect you to pay for it!

NO WAY! We are the only ones who answer our phones! During normal business hours, 7am to 6pm, Monday through Friday as well as Saturday 7am to 5pm, your call will be answered by our friendly office staff who is always ready to help you. After normal business hours or on Sundays, your call is forwarded to our on-call staff who is ready to help you just the same!

MOST DEFINITELY! Check out What Our Clients Say! We have been honored to serve a great deal of our clients for many years. They have trusted and followed our technicians and we are proud to offer them our continued “Unmatched Quality Through Traditional Service” that all of our clients have come to expect.

Plumbing

When faucets begin to drip or leak, it is usually the internal mechanics that have worn down and need to be replaced. This is actually a pretty quick and cheap fix, but the life of your faucets can be prolonged by gently turning them on and off rather than pulling them harshly

The biggest key is regular maintenance and inspection. Rust and/or lime buildup on pipes is a major indication of a leak. If you notice either, contact Drainiacs right away, and our expert technicians will take care of it in a flash. Keeping up with a quick maintenance inspection at least once a year can save you a lot of time, money and headaches in the long run.

Water heater leaks are usually a sign of deterioration. If your water heater starts to leak, make sure to turn the water off immediately and give us a call. Small leaks can turn into major (and costly) repairs if put off. More than likely, you will need a new water heater, but before we jump to any conclusions, a Drainiacs tech can take a look and will be able to provide the most cost effective solutions that will help.

Yes! It’s not just a problem, it’s an annoyance and it’s costing you money on your water bill every month! In fact, a running toilet can cost you an upward of $80-$100 per month extra on your water bill! If a toilet continues to run after it is flushed, this usually means that there is a problem with the internal mechanics of the toilet. Often a little jiggle of the flushing valve will solve your problem, if not, the mechanics might need to be replaced. If the problem persists, call Drainiacs right away to analyze the issue.

This is normally caused by a defective washer causing sudden increased water pressure through the pipes. Sometimes it is an easy fix, other times, not so much. Either way, give us a call so we can diagnose what’s going on. Often people wait until it’s too late, when that bang becomes a leak or a break and then they have water damage through their walls. So don’t wait!

Often you can insert a wrench into the bottom of the disposal and turn it a few times to free the jam, but DO NOT FORCE IT! You can easily cause serious damage to the disposal motor, your home electrical system, and even yourself! Drainiacs can normally fix a jammed disposal, if not, it might need to be replaced, but our expert technicians would be your best bet to help save you time and money!

There are actually quite a few reasons why your water may come out looking discolored. Chemicals in water lines can often create a rust problem when water sits idle in the pipes. Rust residue can clog water faucets, fixtures, and other home appliances as well. Broken underground pipes can also be another issue, as these pipes allow dirt and other pollutants to infiltrate your plumbing lines. Another reason for discoloration could be an increase of iron in your system. Whatever the reason, it is a good idea to have one of our expert technicians test your water for your family’s health and safety, and in order to determine what the problem is and offer suggestions on how to fix it.

DRAINS & SEWERS

There are many causes of drain clogs including root intrusion in your drain pipes or outdated and broken pipes, but the most common reason for drain clogs is due to human negligence. In the kitchen, hardened grease and fat from cooking, food scraps, and small kitchen items are usually the culprit. In the bathroom, fallen hair, residue, and soap fragments are normally to blame. Toilet, bathtub and sink backups are generally caused by flushing of non-disposable items such as wipes, paper towels and feminine waste products. Just be more aware of what goes down your drains, and if a clog does appear, be careful. Although liquid drain cleaners can sometimes offer a quick fix to the problem, using them too often can cause bigger problems to your drains in the long run. To prevent any future clogs, make sure to dispose of grease and fat from cooking in the trash, fit all of your household drains with strainers or filters to catch all of those unwanted particles from going down the drain and make sure not to flush any non-disposables down the toilet.

When roots get in your pipes they continue to grow and begin to clog the pipes by catching all of the debris flowing from your home to the main sewer. This causes reduced flow through the pipes which in turn causes drains to run slower, eventually causing a complete blockage. Often the roots will expand causing pressure to build on the crack or in the joint which normally results in pipe breaks and total collapses, which can sometimes require extensive repair and/or replacement. Certain pipes made of certain material, such as clay, are more prone to root invasion than others, so when building new, or replacing pipes, it is good to know what type of material is being used. Our expert technicians would be more than happy to help you with any of these issues.

Hydro-jetting is when water is streamed down your drain or sewer lines at different degrees of pressure to help remove residue and buildup in your pipes caused by years of use. It is normally the quickest, most cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly method of drain and sewer cleaning.

Most sewer lines display several warning signs when they experience a clog or blockage. If your plumbing system experiences any of the following, contact us at Drainiacs for professional plumbing services:

  • Slow-draining fixtures
  • Gurgling noises coming from drains
  • Foul-smelling odors
  • Overflowing toilets and drains
  • Sewage backups

Homeowners can prevent sewer line clogs and backups by performing the following:

  • Scheduling regular sewer line inspections
  • Obtaining sewer line cleaning services
  • Properly disposing of paper products, grease, and non-degradable substances
  • Replacing outdated sewer lines
  • Installing a backflow valve

Of all the FAQ’s we receive, this is one of the most common.

Most sewer pipes last between 60 to 100 years before requiring a replacement. However, if you experience any of the following, you may need to replace or repair your sewer lines:

  • The sewer lines are 60 years old or older.
  • The lines experience frequent clogs.
  • Tree roots penetrate the pipes.
  • The sewer lines burst.
  • There’s pooling sewage along your home’s exterior.
  • There’s poor fixture drainage.
  • Your home has extensive water damage.

Sewer lines emit several signs once tree roots intrude or penetrate their structure, such as:

  • Gurgling shower drains and toilets
  • Pooling water or sewage along your property
  • Foul-smelling odors
  • Slow drainage
  • Sinkholes

Contacting a professional plumber to assess your sewer lines is the best way to resolve tree root intrusion. We offer several services that can remove intrusive tree roots and restore your sewer lines’ performance, structural integrity, and more.

Sewer gas odors can indicate several plumbing issues that require professional servicing. It’s best to contact a professional plumber to uncover the source of the odor and fix any problems plaguing your piping system.

Sewer line repair and replacement prices fluctuate depending on the project’s complexity, size, difficulty, and more. Most homeowners insurance policies view sewer lines as “other structures” and pay 10% of your home’s insurance coverage. For example, if you insured your residence for $600,000, insurance will likely pay up to $60,000 for sewer line repair and replacement services.

However, every insurance policy provides different coverage, so always assess your coverage before committing to a specific service.

Homeowners shouldn’t attempt DIY sewer line repairs. It’s incredibly complicated and often causes more harm than good. Always contact a professional plumber to handle any sewer line repair, replacement, or maintenance projects.

Need more answers than this FAQ's page provides? Call Drainiacs at 562-543-3887 to schedule service in Whittier, CA.