How do I shut off my house’s water supply?
Almost every house in southern California has a water shut-off on the left or right side of their front porch. Usually, it has your garden hose attached.
If it is a gate valve, rotate it to the right to close. If it is a ball valve with a lever, pull it up or push it down.
*If the valve is frozen, call your water department on your water bill or your fire department.
Do you work on / rebuild floor furnaces & wall furnaces?
Yes, we do. DB Plumbing repairs and rebuilds your old floor furnace and wall furnace units. We also install new units safely and up to code to keep you toasty and warm.
What horsepower or size of garbage disposal should be installed?
¾ HP is perfect for residential use. The grinding chamber is stainless steel, the waste will be ground super fine, and it will assist in keeping your drain lines clear.
*Remember 70/30 when running disposal. 70% water, 30% food, and have your garbage disposal running when you start scraping food into it.
If I replace my tub shower valve, will I have to re-tile my shower / tub stall?
Usually, No. We can install a retrofit shower escutcheon that will cover and seal the hole we make to replace the valve in the wall. The finished product will look like it belongs.
What is the correct PSI for my house’s water pressure?
60 to 70 PSI is proper for indoor plumbing use. If your water pressure is higher, we need to install a pressure regulator. Anything above 80 PSI is a code violation, and High PSI will wear out your plumbing fixtures more rapidly.
What is the average lifespan of a water heater?
The average lifespan of a water heater is about 8 to 12 years. This can vary depending on the quality of the water heater, the level of maintenance, and the water quality in your area.
What is the purpose of a P trap?
A P-trap is a U-shaped pipe that holds a small amount of water to prevent sewer gases from entering your home. It’s typically found under sinks.
Is my gas line safe in an Earthquake?
Southern California homes are subject to EARTHQUAKES and were built prior to the automatic gas shut-off devices of today. We can retrofit and install this device to your house’s gas main. It automatically shuts your gas off in a 5.4 quake or bigger. Reset to open with just a screwdriver. Call us today to inquire.
How to test if my toilet is leaking or losing water.
Obviously, if you hear the toilet cycling or “Ghost Flushing” when nobody has been in the restroom, you are losing water.
You can also close the angle stop valve under the toilet. Check back in a couple of hours. If there is no water in the tank, you are losing water day and night.
Also, remove the toilet tank lid and add 4 - 5 drops of food dye to the tank water. After 10 to 15 minutes, if the water in the bowl is turning the color of the dead tank water, your toilet is silently losing water and money.
Do you offer maintenance programs?
Yes, we do! Drain and sewer maintenance, water heater service, annual inspections for floor and wall furnaces, and more. Just ask your friendly technician.
How do I freshen up / clean my garbage disposal?
You can turn on the disposal and run water, then add rock salt slowly and or ICE cubes. This will clean the grinding lugs and grinding chamber. You can follow that up by grinding water and Lemon, Lime, or Citrus wedges for a fresh, clean smell.
How do I get rid of hard water scale on faucets?
You will need a baggie, twist tie, and Vinegar. Fill the baggie with vinegar as needed. Place the baggie over the faucet spout so that it is submerged in the vinegar. Use the twist tie to secure the bag and let it soak for 24 hours.
Then, lightly scrub with a toothbrush and rinse.
Do chemical drain cleaners and Root killers work?
No, they do not! Chemical drain cleaners are expensive and do not work. They will destroy the zinc coating on your steel drains, accelerating the rusting of the pipe. Root killer solutions wash right past the roots and into the city lateral. To be effective, the solution would need to sit for a few weeks in a stopped-up sewer so the roots can drink the solution.
Do you install appliances?
Yes, we do! Dishwashers, ice makers, water lines for refrigerators, laundry connections- we do it all.
What forms of payment do you accept?
CASH, credit card, check, money order, Zell & Venmo.