Do Your Drains Need Cleaning?

Should You Make a Switch to Eco-Friendly Plumbing?

Water conservation has been a hot topic in California in recent years. Even with our relatively heavy rains this past winter, our drought is not considered over—and thus, homeowners are doing all that they can to save this valuable resource, including having low-flow plumbing fixtures and other eco-friendly plumbing installed.

Of course, no matter what professional Del Mar, CA plumbing services you need, it’s important that you have a qualified and experienced plumber on the job, which is where we come in! There’s no exception when it comes to eco-friendly plumbing solutions.

What Is Eco-Friendly Plumbing?

Sometimes referred to as “green” plumbing, eco-friendly plumbing reduces the environmental footprint of our actions on the environment. It includes using fixtures that lower the flow of water, thus lowering water usage, and can save as much as 25,000 gallons per year.

Products that fall under eco-friendly plumbing fixtures include tankless water heaters, Energy Star Qualified appliances, high-efficiency faucets, showerheads, and low-flow toilets.

More about These Systems

You can expect to save a generous amount of water—and subsequently, a generous amount of money—by upgrading your plumbing system to eco-friendly fixtures. For instance, while it depends on your specific water usage and how many toilets you have in your home, you should expect to save as much as 11,000 gallons of water per year! When you look at your water bills, you’ll likely notice how significant this is to your bottom line.

Toilets are not the only plumbing appliance in which you can get a “low flow” model. Low flow water fixtures are also available as sink faucets and shower heads, both of which use less water per minute than older, more traditional models.

Tankless water heaters are also a great option. The reason they help save so much water is because instead of storing water in a tank, tankless water heaters are activated on-demand, when the hot water taps are turned on in your home. The way this works is that when you turn on the hot water taps, water flows over heating elements to warm up before reaching your faucet. Plus, water savings is not the only benefit of tankless water heaters—they also take up less space, typically last longer than standard tank water heaters, and work very efficiently.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Plumbing Installations

We’ve already mentioned the water saving and monetary saving benefits there are to having low-flow plumbing appliances and fixtures installed. But did you know there are even more benefits? For instance, one of the biggest quality of life issues facing the world today is a shortage of fresh water in many countries and regions. Switching to eco-friendly options lets you do your part to help out. It’s a relatively affordable and easy way to leave the environment in a little better shape than it was before!

Lastly, and probably more applicable to most homeowners, is that many communities now offer incentives for installation low-flow and water efficient appliances and fixtures, due to their significant positive impact on the community as a whole.

When you’re looking for a trustworthy plumbing company in the greater San Diego area, turn to our team—Hire Paws Plumbing!

Why Your Water Heater Needs to be Flushed

Water heaters are probably one of the most forgotten about plumbing fixtures in a home, and yet they are a staple in any home. They provide heated water safely and effectively as easily as turning on a tap. They are typically out of sight—located in quiet corners of the house like the basement where nobody visits often, and they do their jobs pretty silently.

There’s a downside, however, to this quiet operation. When problems do arise they don’t always attract attention, and they can spread until they’re fairly extensive. In many cases, what could be a simple repair job becomes an unplanned replacement, driving up the costs and adding time as well as expense to the operation.

Can Problems Be Prevented?

Yes, many of the worst water heater problems can be prevented with one very important Carmel Valley, CA water heater service—water heater maintenance. Routine maintenance from a trained plumber will help ensure that it stays in good shape for the years to come, working as efficiently and effectively as possible. There is one maintenance task that is especially important, and that task is flushing the water tank, which gets rid of sediment that has settled in the tank.

Why Is Sediment a Problem?

This is actually one of the most common issues with tank water heaters—the gradual buildup of sediment on the bottom of the tank. While not as large of a problem as it is in other parts of the country, our soil can leave many minerals in the water, like calcium and magnesium, which is harmless to ingest, but can be harsh on the plumbing fixtures throughout your home, including your water heater. These minerals are what form to make the sediment that becomes a problem.

The reason it’s a problem is that the sediment forms an insulating barrier between the heat source below the tank and the water that it is intended to warm. Not only will this force the water heater to work harder to do its job—increasing your bills in the meantime—but the heat intended for the water will disperse along the bottom of the tank. This adds to the stress on the tank bottom considerably and can cause damages if not dealt with.

Can I Flush the Tank on My Own?

There are many maintenance tasks that must be performed by a professional, for safety reasons and to keep your warranty up to date. If need be between appointments, however, you could flush the tank on your own, if you have the right tools. Here are the steps to do so:

1. Turn off the gas and electricity to the water heater! (This is the most important step)
2. Open up a hot water tap in either your tub or shower, allowing it to run for about 10 minutes, as this reduces the amount of hot water present in the tank.
3. Shut off water to the tank, leaving the shower or tub tap open to prevent a vacuum from forming.
4. Open the drain valve in the water heater and attach a garden hose to it. Connect the other end to a drain or similar receptacle to hold the water.
5. Open the pressure valve at the top of the water tank to start the flow of water.
6. Wait until all the water is drained, then turn the water back on.
7. Close the pressure valve, close the drain valve, turn off your bath or shower tap, and then you can go ahead and turn the gas and electricity back on.

For expert water heater services in the San Diego area, contact the team at Paws Plumbing, Inc. See what happens when you “Hire Paws Plumbing!”

Do You Need Pressure Reducing Valves in Your Plumbing System?

What Are You Doing to Treat Your Water?

Most municipal water supplies provide a hefty level of filtration and conditioning to the water before it ever reaches the faucets in your home. And if you use ground water, you probably have your own water treatment system on site. But something many homeowners don’t realize is missing from their homes is protection from hard water, which the right Pacific Beach, CA water treatment system will resolve.

Hard water describes water which has a high concentration of minerals in it, namely calcium and magnesium. These minerals are not harmful to ingest, but can do a world of damage to your plumbing system. Hard water should be managed with a water softener as it enters the home, before it gets a chance to reach your pipes. Keep reading for signs that you’re being impacted by hard water.

Do You Need a Water Softener?

One of the leading signs that you do, in fact, need a water softener is the presence of soap scum coating your bath, faucets, and fixtures. Soap scum builds up fairly quickly when you have hard water, because the minerals prevent soap from dissolving as easily as it normally would.

Another common sign of hard water is water spots. Have you ever noticed them on glasses and dishware after doing a load of dishes? The water spots are harmless, sure, but still certainly a nuisance. They also indicate that your dishwasher is slowly accumulating wear and tear from the same hard water molecules that jam pipes and end up costing homeowners thousands of dollars.

Have you ever gotten out of the shower only to still feel unclean? This is the third sign of hard water we’re going to discuss. You may notice that after you wash your hair, it has a slimy feel to it. You might also notice this with your skin, but then when you dry off your skin may feel annoyingly raw and dry. This could, of course, be the soap you’re using, but hard water is a very real possibility. Calcium and magnesium dilute the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash you’re using, and that’s what causes this effect.

We Provide a Number of Water Treatment Solutions!

So what if you don’t have any of the above-mentioned problems, but you still wonder about your water quality? Perhaps your water tastes funny, or you’ve noticed a certain odor about it. In addition to water softeners, we provide a number of other effective water treatment systems, as hard water might not be the issue you’re dealing with—at least, not the only issue.

Reverse Osmosis: Reverse osmosis systems are the most powerful water purification systems you can have in your home. In fact, they’re often used to convert saltwater into drinking water.

UV Water Purifier: UV water purifiers kill germs, bacteria, and viruses that might be lurking in your drinking water, keeping you and your family healthy.

Water Filtration Systems: The best water filtration systems filter impurities as water comes into your home, right from the source, so that clean water comes to your bathroom and not just your kitchen.

When you find yourself in need of quality water treatment services, you needn’t look any further than our team—Hire Paws Plumbing!

San Diego Businesses Required to Have Backflow Devicestra

At Paws Plumbing, Inc., a recent mandate has been put into effect requiring that all businesses within the city of San Diego be equipped with a backflow prevention device. This is what’s used to protect potable water supplies from potential contamination or pollution caused by backflow. The city of San Diego, like many other municipalities throughout the country, is committed to ensuring the safety of the drinking water that homeowners and residents use.

If you need a backflow prevention device, also called a backflow preventer, installed on your commercial property or if you already have one, then there are some factors you should know about caring for it. For example, you should know that even with a backflow preventer, your area should be tested by a certified backflow technician. You can contact our team to be put in touch with one.

Where Does Backflow Occur?

Backflow contamination can occur anywhere that water may be pooled around a faucet or fixture, such as dirty pesticide water surrounding a sprinkler head or anywhere else that something may be submerged in water, like a sink hose in a pool of soapy water, or a supply pipe that leads into a system that could contain chemicals. The backflow prevention device is responsible for stopping water from moving into the public water supply.

There are two types of backflow—backpressure and back-siphonage. Backpressure is when the downstream pressure of water is greater than the pressure within the pipes, which can cause water to back up into the potable supply. Back-siphonage is when the upstream pressure is greater than the pressure of its destination.

Back-siphonage can happen when something suddenly causes the supply pressure to spike, like the use of a nearby fire hydrant. If pesticide-contaminated water had gathered around the sprinkler heads on your commercial property, then this could end up back in the public water supply.

Testing Requirements

While backflow testing requirements vary city to city as well as the type of commercial property and plumbing system it is, most parts of the country require this testing once a year. Even without those requirements, we’d recommend scheduling this testing once a year regardless. If you backflow preventer were to fail, then potentially polluted water can move back up through the pipes and contaminate the city’s water supply.

Part of the reason testing is so imperative is that a backflow assembly is comprised of many mechanical valves and other various components. And just like any other mechanical system in or around your commercial property, these valves can fail and leave the potable water supply susceptible to pollution.

Backflow preventers are designed to make it so water can only move in one direction. The water that enters through the backflow assembly can contain enough debris to damage the valves. Even the smallest amount of calcification or debris can keep the entire system from functioning as it should.

To schedule the installation or service of your San Diego, CA backflow prevention device, or for backflow testing, do not hesitate to contact the team at Paws Plumbing, Inc.

Don’t Let Your Bathroom Suffer from These Plumbing Mistakes

Is your bathroom aesthetically pleasing to the eye? Is it as functional as it could be? Or maybe you’ve found yourself having trouble getting around it comfortably. Depending on your response to these questions, you might be considering a bathroom remodel, which of course means new plumbing installations or retrofits.

For this type of job, it pays to work very closely with a qualified and experienced Del Mar, CA plumber. Planning and preparation are vital with any type of installation, but particularly during a remodel. In fact, there might be factors you haven’t even considered yet, that could lead you to make plumbing mistakes—especially if you attempt any part of the process on your own without the assistance of a pro.

Look at Practicality Before Visual Appeal

If you’re remodeling your bathroom, chances are you want to do so because you don’t like how your current space looks. That makes sense—remodeling gives you a great opportunity to change the aesthetics of your bathroom. However, don’t let the desire for a great looking bathroom overshadow the obviously practical needs of the space.

After all, what good is a bathroom if you can’t easily access and use your shower, sink, and toilet? You need appropriate counter space for your toiletries. You’ll want to make sure you plan for your daily needs in your bathroom before starting a remodel project—and a professional plumber will help you do so.

Square Footage Has Its Limits

An experienced and wise plumber can do a lot with a little bit of space, allowing you to fit the various plumbing appliances and fixtures that you desire into a traditionally crowded room. However, every space has its limits, and your bathroom will reach those limits.

Working with one of our plumbers will help you determine how many of your goals you can reasonably meet. We’ll help you prioritize a list of features you want in your bathroom so that you can push the things you really need for the space, instead of things that are “just nice to have.”

Avoiding Common Bathroom Remodel Mistakes

When homeowners choose to skip hiring a pro in favor of doing their plumbing remodel installations on their own, there are a number of things that can go wrong. We’re not just saying this for dramatic effect. Rather, we would like you to at least consult with a professional before starting a job of this caliber so you aren’t left disappointed, with a half-finished bathroom remodel, or an ineffective bathroom later on.

• Incorrect Measuring for Toilet Placement: This may seem like a no-brainer, but toilets actually come in various sizes. And in your bathroom, there’s a measurement called the rough-in, which must be adhered to. The standard in U.S. homes today is 12 inches, but that doesn’t hold true for older homes, which can range from 10-14 inches.
• Improper Drain Venting: Ventilation is essential. Your sink trap can get sucked dry, resulting in a loss of barrier between your bathroom and sewer system. Without the right drain venting, the awful smells from your sewer line will quickly make their way into your home.
• No Slope in the Shower Floor: The masonry on your shower floor must be slanted correctly in order for the water to drain properly. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with perpetual standing water in your shower at all times, which leads to unhealthy mold and mildew growth.

Ready to call a professional for your bathroom plumbing installations? Hire Paws Plumbing! Reach out to the team at

Paws Plumbing, Inc. today.

How to Reduce Your Water Bills

Can Video Inspection Really Protect Your Pipes?

At Paws Plumbing, Inc., we know that one of the biggest obstacles with plumbing problems is that they are typically hidden from view, given that most of your plumbing system is hidden from view. Therefore, it can be difficult for you to detect a leak or blockage until it grows severe enough to start showing noticeable symptoms.

And when you do spot signs of a plumbing issue, the source of the problem may be very far away from the visible symptom. It’s for this reason that investing in video pipe inspection from a professional La Jolla, CA plumber is beneficial.

Non-Invasive Plumbing Inspection

When you encounter any troubles with your plumbing, or even with your sewer line, the last thing you want is a plumber coming into your living space and tearing it apart as they seek out the source of the issue. When you hire professionals, equipped with video pipe inspection equipment, there’s no need to worry about this. Our plumbers have the skill and experience needed for using this equipment successfully, so there’s no reason for you to be concerned.

How Does Video Pipe Inspection Work?

For a professional plumber, video pipe inspection is a simple concept. Essentially, we have a flexible rod that’s easily fed into your drain or sewer lines. On the tip of this rod is a small video camera. This is used to send a live feed of images back to a monitor that our plumbers will review in real time. We can also store this footage if needed.

Although this process sounds pretty simplistic, it’s imperative that you have professional plumbers complete it, as we know how to use this equipment properly and navigate your plumbing system successfully. It’s also not exactly helpful to view the footage gathered if you have no idea what to do with the information.

The Advantages of Video Pipe Inspection

We wouldn’t be telling you about this service if it didn’t offer some very tangible advantages to our customers. Using this type of equipment and investing in this service is helpful in a few ways. The first is that it helps diagnose problems with your drain or sewer system to start with.

If you have a specific symptom, like backed up or sluggish drains, there’s not always a black or white answer to the problem. When we use video pipe inspection equipment, we’re able to peer into your entire drain and sewer system to ascertain exactly what the problem may be.

Additionally, we can pinpoint the exact location of your plumbing problem’s source, and we can use the equipment after we fix the problem to make sure the work was thorough and you won’t find yourself facing the same problem soon after. Utilizing video pipe inspection equipment in following up on a job enables our plumbers to measure the success of the work that was done on your plumbing system, and helps to determine if any further work is necessary.

Paws Plumbing, Inc. is your trusted plumber for detecting, locating, and fixing leaks and other plumbing problems. Contact us today to “Hire Paws Plumbing!”

Store-Bought Drain Cleaning Solutions Are No Solution

Store-bought liquid drain cleaners aren’t hard to come by. You can get a bottle of them in pretty much any grocery store or hardware store, right where you’ll find any other cleaning solution. The companies who produce these solutions put a lot of time and money into marketing these products as the standard for drain cleaning and resolving stubborn clogs, but the fact is they are simply not as effective as these companies would lead you to believe.

No experienced and trained plumber will ever recommend these “solutions” as a method for drain cleaning in Encinitas, CA. That’s because store-bought drain cleaners aren’t effective, they are harmful to your plumbing system, they’re very toxic, and they’re bad for the environment. Keep reading to learn more!

They’ll Never Work as Effectively as They Say They Will

Drain cleaners are sometimes referred to as drain openers. This is actually a more appropriate name for them. That’s because they don’t actually clean your drainpipes. Rather, they eat through a portion of the clog to enable water to flow through again. But, the debris of the clog remains in your pipes, meaning the clog will just reform.

They’ll Actually Damage Your Plumbing

So, how do these solutions actually eat through a clog, anyway? Well, with acid. If that sounds bad, it’s because it is. That acid can have a negative impact on the metal or plastic of your drainpipes. Drain cleaner chemicals often remain within the pipe after they’ve been used, leading to corrosion of the pipelining. The heavier the clog, the worse it is, because it means the chemicals sit longer within your pipes.

The Chemicals Are Toxic

You can make a safe bet that if liquid drain cleaners use acid to eat through clogs, then they are probably pretty toxic. Obviously, you wouldn’t want to ingest it, but it can even be an irritant for your skin or your eyes. That’s because of the lye and sulfuric acid in these bottles. In fact, the EPA identifies these cleaners as a major household toxin. Even the vapor in the air after putting these chemicals down the drain is harmful and can burn your eyes.

They Harm the Environment

After you’ve used these drain cleaners and throw away the plastic bottle, it ends up in a landfill—and it’s rarely fully empty. The residue inside them sticks to the walls, and once in a landfill, the chemicals will begin to seep into the ground and even the groundwater.

What Does Safe and Effective Drain Cleaning Look Like?

For safe and effective drain cleaning methods, you needn’t look any further than our team. We use the best professional drain cleaning methods, whether it’s using a standard drain snake to remove the clog or hydro-jetting for more stubborn problems. Neither of these methods will harm your plumbing, but both should only be performed by a trained and experienced plumber, to avoid injury or damage to your plumbing.

Contact Paws Plumbing, Inc. for dependable plumbing services.