Serving Palmdale l Lancaster l Los Angeles & Surrounding Areas
E-mail us: oscarz@doubleoplumbing.com
24 Hour Service l Closed Sunday l Lic #1099089
People call commercial plumbing services the most when there’s a problem at their homes, according to recent statistics, and businesses are no different. A busted pipe, leaky faucet, or broken toilet are some reasons people call plumbers. When there’s trouble in the pipes, you need the best plumber to handle your situation quickly. Several things to know when choosing a plumber include experience, licensing, availability, and price. It’s also important to ask family and friends for their recommendations. Here’s more on how to choose Santa Monica plumbers for your business. Experience Experience matters. A recent survey found that consumers want “knowledgeable experience” regarding customer service. Ask your potential plumber about how many years they’ve been in business. Will they be doing the job, or will they have an employee perform the work? If you want the job done right, hiring someone with plumbing experience is essential. You’ll get peace of mind knowing your plumber will use the right tools and materials for the job. Moreover, you won’t have to call another plumber to fix shoddy work. Commercial Knowledge You might have a plumbing issue that requires an expert, whereas the area is a tight fit, or the plumbing hardware is a family heirloom. Can they do the job? It’s essential to know how much experience your plumber has in doing these jobs. For example, restaurant sinks can be a tricky fix. They might require special parts and materials you can’t buy at the local hardware store. Additionally, customers, clients, and employees will use commercial equipment far more often than plumbing used at home. It has a higher risk of breakage and will require more maintenance. A clogged drain could become unblocked thanks to a residential plumber, but can they fix a complicated system, such as a sewer system, with multiple outputs and drains? It takes a commercial expert to know the difference. Lost hours due to a plumbing issue means you lose money as a business owner. You need a reliable and dependable commercial plumber to get the job done quickly so you can be back up and running. Licensing A plumbing license is required to do business in California with more than $500 in materials or labor. A plumbing license proves a plumber has the skills and tools necessary to do the job. A state board must approve applicants and must have proven plumbing experience. A license also means your Santa Monica plumber has the necessary professional standards. One of the first steps in hiring a plumber is asking for their license. You should think of it as an ID badge! Never trust a plumber who doesn’t have the proper paperwork. Plumbing Insurance It’s essential to have people fixing your pipes and faucets to have plumbing insurance. However, in California, the law is tricky. California law only requires plumbers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If someone is hurt on the job, the employee can collect against an employer’s workers’ comp policy. For example, they can receive money for injuries and lost wages. Ask if your plumber has workers’ comp insurance. The last thing you need is someone getting hurt and coming after you for injuries in an ‘on the job’ accident. Even though there are no requirements for plumbing insurance, ask if your plumber has contractor insurance. You can go after the plumber’s insurance company if the job is done wrong. The policy also protects plumbers from theft. Availability A broken pipe, water heater, or flooded basement can happen at any time of the day. Ensure to ask your plumber about their availability. You want an available plumber, whether it’s 2 AM or Sunday afternoon. Some plumbers charge extra for off-hours work. Many plumbers will tell you about their upfront pricing policy. Also, it might be better to have a Palmdale, CA, plumber do work during the off hours, minimizing disruptions to your business. Ask if working late into the night is a possibility. Price Will your plumber work by the hour, or will there be a flat rate? Many plumbers work by the hour, so it’s essential to understand how much you will pay. Discuss with your plumber if different types of jobs require a different rate. For larger projects, ask about a contract. When you put things in writing, both parties will know what to expect. In addition, the price will likely be lower than the hourly rate. Find out how you will pay your plumber. Discuss whether you will get an invoice. Bigger jobs might require a payment plan. Ask for an itemized receipt. Paperwork such as this is important for taxes. It’s also a good idea to have a history (and record) of the type of work the plumber did should you need future upgrades. Professionalism Good characteristics and professionalism are important when hiring a commercial plumber. Remember, who you hire for work at your commercial space ultimately represents your standards and qualities. Effective Communication You want a Palmdale, CA, plumber who is on time and communicates effectively. You also want someone who responds to your phone calls quickly. Problems and cost overruns mean good communication between you and your plumber. Plumbers should notify you immediately if something costs more or if they can’t get a part. In addition, if the job takes longer (or there’s an interruption), a good plumber should notify you immediately. Proper Dress There’s a good chance plumbers will work while your business is open – complete with the building’s clients, customers, and employees. You want a plumber adequately dressed. Safety Concerns Ensure that your plumber will secure the area they are working in to avoid contact with other employees. Ask others to avoid the area, so people don’t get hurt. Plumbers should come with the proper signage to close kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and walkways. Proper Tools Having the right tools for the job is important. Improper preparation means more time traveling back to their garage to gather the right tools and materials. Proper tools also ensure that your plumber does the job right. Location Hire a plumber near
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Did you know that a household leak can waste around 10,000 gallons of water each year? 10% of homes have water leaks that waste over 90 gallons every day. Not staying on top of routine plumbing maintenance can result in water leaks and other problems going undetected. One of the things you should regularly schedule is drain cleaning services. There might be a few drains in your house that are slow to drain, but you don’t consider them a major concern. Unfortunately, failing to act on clogged drains can result in major plumbing problems for your home. Stop trying to clear your drains using home remedies. This guide will discuss why you need to contact a professional drain-cleaning company for assistance. Save Yourself Money and Time You’ll avoid having to pay for expensive plumbing damage and repairs if you don’t have clogged drains. Staying on top of drain cleaning maintenance can help you avoid major problems, such as: Significant clogs Slow draining Issues with your septic system Burst pipes Water contamination Corroded drains You might have recently noticed that your water bill is much higher than it usually is. As we mentioned earlier, you might have a water leak that you’re not aware of. You’ll also spend less money on drain cleaners you can buy at your local hardware store. These products can be harmful to your drains and not fix the problem causing your clog in the first place. If you wait too long to contact a plumber, you might have to have your drains replaced. That means your floors and walls will have to be torn out. Avoid Using Harmful Chemicals Drain cleaners might seem like an easy fix to eliminate slow drains, but they can do more harm than good. Unfortunately, the toxic chemicals in these products can cause more harm than good. Drain cleaners give off a lot of toxic fumes. These fumes can linger after the cleaner has gone down the drain. The unpleasant smells can irritate your eyes and nose, even stinging as you breathe them in. The chemicals can also erode your pipes because they’re very caustic. They have to so they can break up big clogs. One of the main ingredients in drain cleaners is hydrochloric acid. If you use the chemical a lot, it can break down PVC systems or old pipes over time. This could cause your pipes to develop leaks. A professional drain cleaning company will identify the source of your leaks, using environmentally friendly methods to get rid of them. They have safer solutions than pouring copious amounts of chemicals down your drain. Advanced Technology A drain cleaning business can use products that you can’t find in stores. For example, they might use hydro jetting to clean your drains. This method utilizes high-pressure water to eliminate debris that’s clogging your pipes. Another method plumbers use is snaking. They insert a flexible, long rod into your drain. The rod clears anything that might be blocking the flow of water. While you can buy snakes at your local hardware store, they’re likely not strong enough or long enough to reach what’s blocking your drain. You might end up shoving the debris farther into your pipe or not reaching it at all. Plumbing companies will also have endoscopic snake cameras. These cameras are attached to the end of a special snake tool. The tiny camera has a light on the end, helping plumbers see what’s located in the pipes. Another tool plumbers have at their disposal are sink augers. Another term for them is drum auger. Plumbers use this tool to clear showers and sink drain clogs. The auger includes a steel cord that gets put inside the drain. They’ll then turn the handle to extend the cord out into the pipe. The corn pushes through and into clogs, breaking them up. While you could have a plunger in your bathroom, plumbers have specialized ones. They come in different shapes and sizes to help them with various drain-cleaning projects. For example, toilets need a ball-shaped plunger to clear clogs since it creates better pressure. Getting Rid of Bad Smells You might notice unpleasant smells wafting from your drains and sewage system if there’s a blockage. That means toxic particles are getting into the air you and your family breathe. Some of the things that can accumulate in your drains include: Dirt Hair Soap Scum Organic elements If your drains are clogged, the above items start to break down as various bacteria eat away at them. That’s what causes the nasty smells to come from your drain. These odors might indicate that you could be dealing with a bigger problem. A drain cleaning company can remove drain smells by getting rid of the clog. You don’t have to worry about breathing in toxic odors. You Don’t Know What You’re Dealing With You can’t determine what’s clogging your drains if you don’t have any experience. You might think that a clog in your shower is caused by hair buildup in the drain. A kitchen sink clog might be a result of solidified grease or stuck food waste. What material is clogging your drain determines how it should be taken care of. A plunger might be effective for clearing a sink or toilet clog. A snake tool is the best choice for getting rid of a shower clog. You might’ve accidentally dropped something down your drain, like your wedding band or earrings. That could be nearly impossible for you to retrieve. Professional plumbers have specialized tools, like drain endoscopes, that enable them to look down the drain. They can find lost items and see exactly what’s going on with your drain. The plumber will formulate a strategy on how to best unclog your drain without damaging anything. Prevent Wall and Floor Damage Overflowing water can cause wall and floor damage. If you don’t address the damage quickly, you might end up with a mold problem. On
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