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plumber riverside ca

Why Is My Toilet Gurgling?

When your toilet starts gurgling, there is some cause for concern. While it may seem like an insignificant problem, it is a sign that your plumbing is not functioning correctly. Your toilet may be gurgling for a variety of reasons:

Reverse Suction

When the toilet’s P-trap is pulled out of the bowl and into the plumbing system, it is referred to as reverse suction. This could be due to improper venting. Venting prevents other appliances to create backflow, which pulls air out of the toilet. This is what causes the gurgling sound. It is also possible that your vent is clogged. Leaves and other debris can build up in your vents over time, so it is important to clean these out.

Clogs

Air escaping a clogged pipe is another source of toilet gurgles. Clogs can occur in any part of the sewer line – including your septic system. Your clog can be caused by objects flushed down the toilet, sediment, minerals, or even plant roots.

Faulty Tank Equipment

If you are hearing a gurgling noise coming from your toilet, faulty tank equipment may be to blame. The float, flapper, and full system can become worn over time, causing them to malfunction.

When your toilet is gurgling, you should call a plumber in Riverside, CA, immediately. The technicians at Professional Plumbing, Inc. can solve any issue with your toilet when you call us at 951-394-7477.

plumber fixing garbage disposal clog

What to Do When Your Garbage Disposal Clogs

Garbage disposals are a great tool to have in the kitchen, but they can clog if you are not careful. While garbage disposals are designed to handle most food waste, you can sometimes encounter problems when the waste reaches the trap pipe. Not turning the water on high enough to flush the disposal while it is in use, and grinding things like egg shells, coffee grounds, potato peels, and banana peels are common causes of clogs.

Fixing a Garbage Disposal Clog

When your garbage disposal clogs, the problem is usually found in the P or S-shaped pipe located just after the disposal pipe. Here is a guide to unclogging the disposal:

  1. Place a bucket beneath the pipe and use channel pliers to disconnect the slip-nut fillings. Remove the trap and be careful of the water that will likely spill out.
  2. Next, check the pipe you removed for clocks. The sharp bend in the pipe is the most common place to discover a clog. Use a scrub brush to remove the clog.
  3. Reassembly the drain pipe and then run water through your disposal for a few minutes to clear loose debris from the system.

What if My Drain is Still Clogged?

If you did not find a clog in the removed section of pipe, it is likely in the drain arm. In this case, you will need a sink auger. If you cannot solve the issue by removing the drain pipe, call our team to repair your garbage disposal in Riverside, CA. The experienced technicians at Professional Plumbing, Inc. are ready to assist you with any plumbing issue.

How to Detect a Slab Leak Under a Concrete Floor

The pipes under your house may wear out, causing them to leak. The damage from these leaks is slow and insidious – hard to detect at first. Slab leaks can cause extremely high water bills and other expensive problems. Here are common signs that you are dealing with a slab leak:

Looking for Damage

  • The first thing you will notice is a major spike in your water bill. You may be dealing with leaky pipes if you see a huge spike from one month to the next, or if you see increases in your water bill without increasing your water usage.
  • Occasionally spikes can be caused by leaky appliances as well. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it moves from the tank to the bowl in ten minutes, you have a toilet leak, which may be the cause of the spike. Check all water-based appliances for leaks.
  • The next thing to check for is wet spots on your floors. Pools of water and warped wood floors point to water build-up beneath the concrete slab. You may also notice mold or mildew smells.
  • Foundation cracks can be a big sign that you are dealing with a slab leak.
  • Check for warm or hot spots on the floor, which may indicate a leaking pipe.
  • If any of your fixtures lose water pressure, it could be because the pipes supplying the water are broken.

If you suspect you have a leak, call our plumbers for efficient slab leak repair in Riverside, CA, and the surrounding areas.

gas burners on a stove

What to Do if You Suspect a Gas Leak

Natural gas leaks are hazardous and can result in fire, explosion, and asphyxiation. If you suspect you have a gas leak, you need to act fast.

Signs of a Gas Leak

If you have a natural gas leak in your home, you may smell rotten eggs or hear a hissing or blowing smell. If the gas leak is outside of your home, you may notice dead or discolored vegetation in a specific area or dust blowing out of a hole in the ground.

What to Do

If you suspect a small leak, open all of your doors and windows and make sure the burners on your stove are off. Check to see if your pilot light is lit. Once you have done this, call your utility company and follow any instructions they give you.

If the smell of gas is very strong, you may have a large leak. Do not attempt to shut off your appliances. Leave your house and avoid using any mechanical or electrical devices. If your car is in your garage or near your home, do not attempt to start it. Once everyone is safely outside, call your utility company.

The technicians at Professional Plumbing, Inc. can perform gas line repair in Corona, CA, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to request a quote.

gas line repair riverside ca

We Offer a Wide Variety of Plumbing Services

Being a plumber is about more than just fixing clogged toilets and sinks. As a full-service plumbing company, Professional Plumbing, Inc. provides a wide array of services for families in Riverside, CA, and the surrounding area.

Basic Plumbing – When you need detailed plumbing inspections, you can count on our team of technicians. We can perform any basic plumbing services like fixing leaks, clogs, and more.

Drain Services – Clogged drains are incredibly inconvenient, so you can rely on our drain services to get your pipes moving again in no time. We can also perform sewer line locating and sewer and drain line repairs.

Water Heaters – Never take a cold shower again when you rely on our team of experienced plumbers for water heater repair. We can also install a new tankless water heater for your home.

Slab Leak Repair – Our team can identify and repair a slab leak to help you eliminate moisture in your basement as soon as possible.

Backflow – We offer backflow testing, repairs, and installations. We also have backflow anti-theft devices for your home.

Natural Gas – Prevent a disaster when you rely on our team for gas line repair in Riverside, CA, and the surrounding areas. We also offer gas leak detection, gas line replacement, earthquake shut-off valves, and more.

Our team of experienced plumbers is ready to assist you when you need it most, 24 hours a day.

dripping faucet

4 Ways to Reduce Your Water Bill

Southern Californians are always looking for ways to cut back on water usage, both to lower their bill and to aid water conservation efforts in our desert region. Here are four ways you can reduce your water usage and lower your utility bills.

Use Less Water

We have always been told to take shorter showers to reduce our water usage, but there are other ways you can use less water that you may not think about. Check for leaks in your faucet and water heater and get them fixed as soon as possible, as leaks can waste a lot of water. You can also try turning off your faucet while brushing your teeth and filling the sink to do dishes instead of letting the water run.

Low Flow Shower Heads and Toilets

Shower heads and toilets are two of the biggest water wasters in your home. Replacing them with low flow versions can do a lot to conserve water.

Energy Star Appliances

Choosing Energy Star appliances when purchasing a new dishwasher or washing machine can help you shave a significant amount off your water bill. These appliances use water more efficiently and therefore use much less than other appliances.

Get a Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters only heat water as it is used, making it much more energy-efficient than the tank models. The qualified technicians at Professional Plumbing, Inc. can install a new tankless water heater in Riverside, CA, to keep your home eco-friendly and efficient. Contact our team today for more details.

man turning off hot water heater

Signs that Your Water Heater Needs Repair – Pt. 2

In our last post we covered three warning signs that you need to call a plumber for water heater repair. Here are a few more things you can look for that indicate a need for repairs or replacement.

Abnormal Water – Sometimes your water will take on a metallic taste, or look rusty. This is a sign that there is corrosion somewhere in the water lines. Cloudy water or water with a strange smell could be a sign of mineral deposits building up in your water heater.

Unusual Sounds – Water heaters do make noise while they are in operation, but if you hear loud popping, cracking, or banging sounds, you need to call a plumber. Mineral deposits can build up and cause your water heater to overheat and make unusual sounds.

Consider a Tankless Water Heater – If your water heater is damaged, consider replacing it with a tankless water heater in Corona, CA. With a tankless model, you no longer have to worry about running out of hot water when everyone in the family wants to shower one after the other. These water heaters also take up less space, use less energy, and are more efficient than older tank models. And since tankless water heaters are so efficient, they are also much better for the environment.

Contact Professional Plumbing Inc. today to inquire about our tankless water heater installation services.

tank type water heater

Signs that Your Water Heater Needs Repair – Pt. 1

Sometimes you don’t know that your water heater is failing until it breaks completely. Luckily, there are a few telltale signs that your water heater needs to be repaired. Catching problems quickly can prevent a water heater disaster that leaves you with no choice but to buy a replacement.

Corrosion – If you notice corrosion near the top of your water heater at the connections or the valve, this is a sign that a leak has started, but may not be bad enough for there to be visible water dripping.

Low Pressure – One of the main reasons why water heaters lose hot water pressure is that mineral deposits build up over time, blocking pipes. Your water heater could also have kinked distribution lines. Whatever the reason, if you notice a drop in water pressure, you should call a plumber for water heater repair in Riverside, CA.

Leaks – Visually inspect your water heater from time to time to make sure there are no leaks in your water heater. Ideally, you should do this once a month when you check your smoke detectors.

These are just three of the signs that something could be wrong with your water heater. In our next post, we will share more warning signs that you need water heater repair. Contact Professional Plumbing Inc. today to get a quote on water heater repair.

lit burners on natural gas stove

How to Locate and Shut Off Your Natural Gas Line

If you are doing major renovations in your home, or you suspect you may have a gas leak, you may have to shut off your main gas valve. Many homeowners are unsure of where the gas line is located, and how to turn it off. This quick guide will help you find your gas line and shut it off so that you can keep your home safe.

Location

The main shutoff valve of your gas line is placed next to your natural gas meter. This meter can be located inside your home, or on an exterior wall. If it is inside, it is usually in a utility area like a basement or your garage. It is likely near your furnace or water heater.

Shutting Off the Gas

To turn off your gas line, you will need either an adjustable or open-end wrench. Use the wrench to turn the handle 90 degrees. It should be perpendicular to your gas line. To make sure it is off, write down the numbers on your gas meter. Check back in 10 minutes to see if those numbers have changed. If they are still the same, you have successfully closed the valve.

If you are having issues with your gas line, call Professional Plumbing, Inc. for gas line repair in Corona, CA. We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services for customers in Orange County.

Signs that Your Plumbing is Failing

woman with burst water pipe calling a plumberMany homeowners take their plumbing for granted until something goes wrong. At some point, it is necessary to replace your plumbing. Depending on the materials used and when it was installed, your plumbing may be at the end of its lifespan. You should call a plumber in Corona, CA, if you notice any of the following problems:

Cracks, Corrosion, and Leaks – These are the most visible signs that something is critically wrong with your plumbing. If the visible parts of your plumbing system, like the pipes under your kitchen sink, are showing signs of wear and tear like cracks, corrosion, or leaks, it is time to call a plumber for a replacement.

Moisture Problems – Other, less obvious signs that it is time to replace your plumbing include wet or warped flooring, wet baseboards behind the dishwasher or the sink, and rust accumulating on the pipes.

Water Pressure – Decreased water pressure can be a sign of a clog in your pipes, but it can also be a sign of a leak somewhere in the line. Your plumber will be able to tell you whether you need a repair or a plumbing replacement.

Contact our plumbers in Orange County if you experience any problems with your plumbing.