Like everything else in your home, your pipes have a cap on how long they’ll remain functional. It can be difficult to figure out exactly what that lifespan is, especially because a lot of your home’s plumbing is hidden. Here at Hansen’s plumbing made this guide to help you determine which pipes to replace right away and which ones you can put off for at least a few years to save on your Fillmore Plumbing repairs.

Repairs Right Away

There are some materials that were used to construct pipes at one time or another that we now understand are either extremely dangerous or are prone to breakage. These pipe materials include:

Lead
Lead was one of the first materials used in plumbing in part because of its stability and its malleability. We now know that it is an incredibly toxic material that can lead to poisoning and even death. The Romans knew this well, as they were one of the main players in the creation of modern plumbing. Ancient Romans suffered from lead poisoning quite often. Due to the lead contamination in their water, and the lead plates and glasses they used. So, Lead was banned from being used in the transportation of drinking water and other uses as well.

Polybutylene
Polybutylene pipes were used extensively from 1978 until 1995 because of the low cost of materials and installation. They were even viewed as the “pipe of the future” and were looked as a replacement for copper pipes. Unfortunately, what homeowners didn’t know at the time was that polybutylene is an incredibly brittle type of plastic. That is prone to breaking or shattering which could cause water damage in your home needing Fillmore plumbing repairs.

Future Plumbing Repairs

Aside from lead and polybutylene pipes, most other materials should last a long time in your home, and without major issues. For a breakdown of the lifetimes for each material, see below:

Copper – 70-80 years

Brass – 80-100 years

Galvanized Steel – 80-100 years

Cast Iron – 80-100 years

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – 25-40

Plumber repairing metallic water pipes with manometer

If you think the pipes in your home are reaching the end of their lifetimes, then don’t hesitate to contact Hansen’s Plumbing for a consultation. We’ll help you with Fillmore plumbing repairs or if it’s time for a full repiping of your home’s plumbing. Call Hansen’s Plumbing today or visit our website to learn more about how we can help make your plumbing more efficient in Fillmore!

Between preparing meals, managing your staff, and running your restaurant, the last thing you need is to unclog restaurant drains. Whether you regularly pump your kitchen grease traps on a monthly basis or a couple months apart, problems may occur. The pipes going into your grease traps may be filling up with grease without warning. After a period of time grease in sink pipes can cause untimely backup problems. With knowledge and help from Hansen’s Plumbing, an effective plan and preparation, grease line backups can be avoided and unclogged.

Signs Your Restaurant Grease Lines Need to be Cleaned

Grease buildup in pipes is a particular challenge for restaurants. Pipes that use a lot of grease during their cooking process and who also have busy traffic throughout the day. Depending on those factors in addition to the frequency of maintaining drains all comes into play. The likelihood of a backup due to grease is common. If you’ve noticed slow drainage in your floor drains, sink drains, and even dishwasher drain this can be a sign before a backup occurs. Back-ups are the number one sign that there has been a failure of some kind in your piping system. With the right maintenance and planning, back-ups like these can be prevented, thus avoiding having to unclog restaurant drains

How to Unclog Grease in Kitchen Drains

The process of unclogging or servicing a routine cleaning of grease removal from your kitchen’s pipes is through “jetting.” Jetting is similar to a pressure washer for your drains except with special heads that are specifically designed to unclog restaurant drains. For the best results to unclog restaurant drains or plan for a routine cleaning, call Hansen’s Plumbing to coordinate the cleaning of the kitchen drain lines with your existing pumping company. Once the grease trap is pumped and clean, the pipe specialist jets the kitchen grease lines and evacuates the waste back into the grease trap.  The pumping company then simply cleans the waste from the trap and your restaurant grease system is fully cleaned. Often these types of jobs can be done at night so that there are no disruptions to business operations during the day.

Unclog restaurant Drains

It’s easy to overlook grease to build up in your restaurant’s kitchen drains while running a fast paced restaurant. Unclog restaurant drains and regularly cleaning your kitchen grease lines can be obtainable with the right maintenance, planning, and scheduling. Avoid backup emergencies due to grease build-ups today by calling Hansen’s Plumbing in Ventura County.

When you finally decide it’s time to do a bathroom remodel, but don’t know where to start. The road to that perfect bathroom is not so straightforward, especially if you embark on it with little planning. There are numerous, yet equally important, factors to consider as you plan your bathroom remodel. With the proper due diligence, your new bathroom will feel every bit as sweet as what you just envisioned. Hansen’s Plumbing is here to help you every step of the way.

Here are a few things to consider before begin your bathroom remodel:

Hash Out Your Bathroom Issues

If you’re looking to improve your home, bathroom remodeling is a great place to start. However, the sake of your wallet and schedule, it’s important to determine what you want. If your plumbing is still performing well but your tub’s acrylic is cracking, there are cheaper solutions. Fitting it with a tub liner will address your issue without having to commit to a full-scale remodel. Conversely, a pristine tub means nothing if the water filling it is yellowed from rusting, depreciated pipes. In that instance, wholesale bathroom remodeling may be in order.

Consider the Needs of Others

The best advice can be applied to virtually every aspect of life. If you’re not the only one using your bathroom, it’s important to gauge your family’s visions of the perfect bathroom. If you have elderly or handicapped family members living with you, take their needs into account. Discuss what kinds of safety or accessibility features they might require.

Determine Your Exact Budget

You may not know how much your bathroom remodeler will charge, you should know how much you’re willing to spend. and, even further, how much wiggle room you have to cover the cost of the unexpected – a harsh reality when you remodel your bathroom. Take your time zeroing in on that rock-solid figure, subtract labor costs once you have a good idea what they’ll be from your initial consultation, and use the remainder to prioritize which aspects of your bathroom need the most attention.

Scheduling and Sequencing

When you’re creating your project schedule, account for more than just installation time. You’ll also have to concede time for less-obvious tasks like purchasing, shipping, and custom fixture construction. Also, tackle your remodeling tasks in a logical order. If you plan on ripping out your walls and plumbing, take a step back. Wait to install your replacement tub until the end to avoid any undue damage from tools or debris.

Take Exact Measurements

This part certainly doesn’t make bathroom remodeling fun, but not doing it will make your project even less rewarding, at least as it unfolds. Measure the dimensions of your bathroom and fixtures and have them at the ready during your consultation. It’s also important to know where your plumbing and electrical wiring are oriented, especially if you’re opting for the D.I.Y. approach.

Bathroom Remodel

For many, the bathroom is a personal sanctuary to decompress from daily stresses, so it makes sense if you believe you’re the best one to remodel it. However, it’s important to remember that, whether you’re looking for a one-day bathtub replacement or a full-scale remodel, there are many details to consider and plan for. Executing a flawless D.I.Y. remodel is a personal triumph, for sure, but it’s rare to completely avoid any and all setbacks.

Hiring professional and experienced contractors can greatly reduce the likelihood of setbacks, thus preserving your schedule and budget. To learn more about our bathroom remodel services, call or visit Hansen’s Plumbing to connect with one of our specialists in Ventura County.

Drain clogs and wastewater backups will bring your plumbing system to a halt. Whenever it’s time for Santa Paula drain cleaning service, you need a local plumber you can trust—you need the experts at Hansen’s Plumbing!

When you contact us for Santa Paula drain cleaning services, here’s what you can expect during the service and what you can do to prepare it.

What Happens During a Drain Cleaning Service Call

Ask some questions. To get more background on the history of your home and your plumbing system, we’ll ask a series of questions. These include whether or not you’ve had drain or plumbing problems before and, if so, what those were.
Set a clear agenda for the service upfront: We do this so that you fully understand the diagnostic process, the drain cleaning service, and the camera inspection.
Perform diagnostics. We’ll test your plumbing fixtures and inspect the location of any backups. This step helps us decide what equipment is best suited for the job at hand.
Set up for service. After establishing clear access to the service area, we’ll put down drop cloths to protect your home.
Run the drain cleaning machine: This is when the cleaning happens! With our machine, the sewer line will be cleared of holding sewage. If, however, we believe the clog is outside or the line cannot be cleared, we’ll recommend an immediate camera inspection to determine the severity of the problem.
Test your fixture. Once the sewage has drained out of the sewer line, we will run several fixtures simultaneously to test flow.
Conduct a final camera inspection. After cleaning your drains and clearing your sewer line, we’ll do a camera inspection to identify the cause of the clog. This may uncover damaged or broken sewer lines, in which case our plumber would recommend sewer line repair or replacement (so you don’t continue to experience drain and sewer line problems).

The average drain cleaning service takes about 1 to 2 hours to complete.

If, during your Santa Paula drain cleaning service, we discover sewer line damage that requires excavation and replacement, we’ll work with you to schedule the sewer line replacement service.

Prepare for Drain Cleaning Service

Before a plumber comes to your home to clean your drains, here’s what you can do to prepare so that the service goes as smoothly as possible:

Make sure there is a clear path from the front door to the access point: This path needs to be at least 3 feet wide to allow room for our drain cleaning equipment.
Remove items around the affected fixtures and access point: The plumber will need easy access to these, so remove personal items from these areas. For example, you’ll want to clear out items under sinks that are having backups.
Remove sewage waste. If there are several inches of sewage in the work area, contact a remediation company to have it removed before your plumber arrives. The plumber may not be able to diagnose and fix the problems if the access point is buried in sewage.
Be aware that drain cleaning may not be a permanent solution: In fact, if you have a damaged pipe or your sewer system gets heavy use, drain cleaning will not be a permanent solution. Defects that impact the flow of sewage are progressive, and they will eventually lead to complete sewer system failure. Similarly, continuous abuse of sewer systems will cause continuous backups, and it may even contribute to pipe damage and defects.

Schedule Santa Paula Darin Cleaning Service Now: Contact Hansen’s Plumbing

The experienced plumbers at Hansen’s Plumbing are ready to provide fast, efficient drain cleaning service in Santa Paula. Whether you’re dealing with your first major clog or you keep having sewer line backups, we’re the team you can always count on!

Faucets are an indispensable part of a home structure and keeping them in a good working condition is imperative. A leaky faucet not only disturbs sleep and adds to the water bill but also causes an inconvenience that might range from annoying to catastrophic. The typical causes for a leaky faucet include corrosion, mineral deposit on the internal parts, or defective gaskets, o-rings, or washers. Luckily, most faucets that leak can be fixed by homeowners if they have the right tools and some basic knowledge of plumbing. Ignoring a faulty faucet can turn a simple repair of $200 into a $1,000 plumbing replacement project. Besides, a dripping faucet leads to a waste of over a hundred gallons of water every month.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency reveals, “On an average, leaks can cause almost 10,000 gallons of wastage in a home every year, and this amount is sufficient to fill a swimming pool. The most common issues of leakage are a dripping faucet, leakage in toilet flappers, or leaking valves, all of which can be easily fixed. However, among these, the most prominent leakage issue is caused by a dripping faucet; fixing one can save almost 10% of a homeowner’s water bill.”

What Causes Your leaky Faucet?

There may be several reasons behind why your faucet is dripping. Below we review some of the most common causes of a leaky faucet.

Problem in the Faucet ‘O’ Ring

A stem screw is used to hold the handle of a faucet in place. This stem screw includes a small disc attached to it, known as the O ring. This is an integral place where dripping can occur. However, the O ring can become loose or wear out over regular use, causing the faucet to drip near the handle. Replacing the damaged O ring will fix it if this is the issue. This problem occurs specifically in cartridge faucets.

Leaky Corroded Faucet Valve Seat

A valve seat serves as a connection between the faucet and the spout in the compression mechanism. Accumulation of water sediments can cause the valve seat to corrode, thus, causing leakage around the spout area. Make sure that you clean the valve seat regularly with the help of a professional plumber. Call Hansen’s Plumbing.

leaky & Worn Out Washer

This is one of the most common causes behind a dripping faucet. During each use, the washer is forced against the valve seat, and this constant friction causes it to wear out. As a result, dripping is noticed around the spout. Dripping caused by worn-out rubber washers can be mended by replacing the washer. This type of leak is found in a compression faucet.

Improper Installation of Faucet Washer

Often, if the washer is not installed properly or is not the right size, thus, it can cause a leaky faucet. We suggest hiring a professional plumber to help you install the washer properly, allowing you to say goodbye to your leak.

Leaking water drops from old rust and stained faucet, Save water concept old tap

If you need assistance with a leaky faucet in Ventura County, call the professionals at Hansen’s Plumbing at (805) 647-0113.

The drain clog and the slow drain are, unfortunately, basic problems for plumbing systems that can never be completely banished even with a Ventura Commercial Plumber. Whether you’re a local business owner or a commercial property owner, you may need to schedule drain cleaning or other major drain and sewer line repairs through a Ventura Commercial Plumber. But a clogged drain shouldn’t be a regular occurrence. And you shouldn’t see water backing up through drains when you run the washing machine, or water come up through a shower drain the nearby toilet is flushed. These indicate bigger clogging issues in the sewer line—and that’s when a pipeline inspection is the best option with a Ventura commercial plumber. Here at Hansen’s Plumbing, we have a Ventura Commercial Plumber ready to help you with any and all of your plumbing needs.

Pipeline Inspections: The Commercial Plumber’s Best Friend

In the bad ol’ days of plumbing, trying to figure out what was going wrong in a residential or commercial sewer line took plenty of guesswork. Even the best plumbers could guess wrong, making it necessary to try a few times to discover the best way to fix the problem. This often involved digging. Thanks to modern pipeline inspection equipment, a plumber can rapidly discover what’s gone wrong by looking at the pipeline from the inside. There are many benefits to using this technology:

Plumber Inspections Are Fast!

Trying to diagnose the trouble with a sewer line can mean a lot of trial-and-error. Pipeline inspection equipment cuts down on how long it takes to discover what repairs or cleaning needs to be done to fix the sewer line. All the plumber must do is insert a fiber optic cable with a digital camera and LED light at its end down into the clean-out for the sewer line. The plumber can then see the pipe from the inside on monitors and have answers in only minutes.

Ventura Commercial Pipeline Inspections Are Accurate!

There are many different potential problems with sewer lines: tree root infiltration, extreme corrosion, the build-up of solid debris, sagging pipes, and FOG (grease, fats, and oils). Each requires a different repair solution. A pipeline inspection gives a plumber an exact diagnosis of the trouble and the best way to deal with it. (And this helps make the process go even faster.)

Commercial Plumber Pipeline Inspections Are Clean!

Before video pipe inspection services became common, the brute force method of finding out what was wrong with a sewer line was to dig down to the pipe itself. Not only did this take up time, it made a mess across the property as well, and it meant extra work to re-landscape the area after the work was done. Pipeline inspection equipment goes in laterally—no need to dig at all.

Two water pipes in ground pit trench ditch during plumbing under construction repairing.

Only Allow a Professional Commercial Plumber to Inspect the Pipeline

No matter the size of your home or business, it’s vital that you only permit a licensed plumber to handle inspection of your property’s sewer line. The equipment is not only too expensive for you to purchase just for this one job, it also requires extensive training to operate correctly—not to mention be able to do the repair work necessary afterward. Rely on Hansen’s Plumbing for great pipeline inspections in Ventura

Having a plumbing issue is the last thing anyone needs, especially in the summer season. Encountering Oxnard clogged drains before you head off to the beach or host a summer BBQ can put a damper on your summer plans. Hansen’s plumbing is here to take the stress out of Oxnard Clogged drains and get you back to enjoying your summer. Before you get stressed out by Oxnard Clogged drains, we’ve listed out some simple steps that can fix your plumbing issues.

Here’s how you can use a snake to fix your plumbing problems.
First let’s define what we mean by a “snake.” In the plumbing industry, a snake is also called a drain auger. This long, bendable metal coil can either be used manually or it comes in a power version.

Step 1

When faced with Oxnard clogged drains, your first offense is a good plunger. Creating a good vacuum and then forcing air into it with a plunger, is often all you need to do the trick. However, every once is a while tough Oxnard clogged drains won’t release with just a plunging action.

Step 2

This is where the plumber’s snake slithers in. The snake, which is usually about 1/4 inch think, is made to extend down into the drain to reach the root of the clog and push it forward. Plumbing experts at Hansen’s Plumbing, have special drain augers that are powerful enough to grapple with stubborn stuck Oxnard clogged drains. Homeowners can get their hands on plastic models that are capable of getting rid of difficult hair clogs, but aren’t strong enough to crack piping if used too forcefully. It’s important when using a plumbing snake to have a bucket on hand to collect the cause of the clog. It’s also advisable to wear protective goggles especially if you’ve already poured a chemical drain cleaner down the pipe.

Step 3

To use the snake, slowly feed the snake down into the drain and use the crank to move it deeper. As the snake meets the clog the rotation of the coil will help to break up the clog and also entangle it in the coil so you can pull it out with the snake.

Step 4

Detach the debris from the coil and run the faucet or flush the toilet to make sure the drain is completely clear.
If you’ve struggled to clear a clog, and your snake is coiled up hissing in the corner, it’s time to call Hansen’s Plumbing. Sometimes a homeowner can do more damage to their plumbing by underestimating a clog or forcing a clog deeper into the drain.
Our Len The Plumber experts have professional-grade augers that can powerfully clear a clog that a common snake won’t touch.
Occasionally, a clog comes with some pipe issues that require advanced tools. If that is happening at your home, you need the expertise and experience of a company who has the advanced tools to diagnose the problem and get the job done. The Len The Plumber team can accurately diagnose your plumbing problem with a video pipe inspection. Call Hansen’s Plumbing for all your plumbing needs in Oxnard.

Summer is almost everyone’s favorite season, and about that time for plumbing pipe service. People go on vacation, kids are home from school, and there’s something to do every weekend. Everyone can’t help but feel good from all the vitamin D they’re soaking up. Among all the other things that happen during the summer, there are also changes to your plumbing ecosystem happening every year. Warm months can be hard on your plumbing. The heat and activity put your pipes and fixtures under new and varied strains. The best way to handle these new strains are to be prepared for them with a plumbing pipe service. Check out the most common summer plumbing issues and how to address them.

More people in your home leads to more stress on your plumbing system.During the summer, there are more people at home all at once. Kids are out of school and home more often, and usually less cognizant of plumbing best practices than adults. Pay closer attention to common plumbing problems like clogged drains, garbage disposal best practices, and the like. This attention can help you keep small problems from getting big in the face of increased summer foot traffic.Having a plumbing pipe service will prevent many problems from occuring.

Outdoor plumbing fixtures commonly develop rust, cracks, and leaks during off months. It’s high time you check on your outdoor plumbing fixtures. This includes looking at outdoor faucets for cracks and leaks, your gutters for back-ups, and sprinklers. Sprinklers especially. If you water your lawn or have kids at home, your sprinkler is likely a close friend during the summer. They can cause a lot of waste if they’ve developed unnoticed cracks or leaks during the cold months. Fix them with a plumbing pipe service early in the season so you can enjoy them without upping your water bill later on.

Plumber tools and pvc plastic tubes on the bowl in bathroom. Plumbing repair service. 3d illustration

Gas or sewer line disturbances due to summer planting. June, July, and August are an ideal season for gardening. Whether you’re planting tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, or squash – you have to pay attention to where it’s going. Gas and sewer lines are frequently located in your yard. Know where they are before you dig and make sure you’re not about to cut into any pipes with your shovel.
No matter the time of year, day of the week, or hour of the day, Hansen’s Plumbing has your back. Call us when you need help protecting your home’s plumbing in the summer, or any other time of year in California.

The internet is a powerful resource. You can learn how to play the guitar from online tutorials, get the fastest, first-hand coverage of breaking news, and stay in touch with those we love even when we can’t see them in person. While the internet is an amazing asset to our culture, it does have its limitations. If you’re trying to become an expert plumber in just a day’s time because you want to clear a pipe it’s time to call a plumber near me. We discourage DIY efforts in almost any context when it comes to your plumbing. That’s because this system is so complex that it needs professional care. If you’re looking for a plumber near me to help you with your plumbing then make sure that you contact our team at Hansen’s Plumbing.

Signs You Need a Plumber Why You Should Call a Plumber Near Me

So now you’re probably wondering, “Do I really need to hire a plumber near me?” The answer is yes! We know that this may seem a little biased coming from a team of professionals, but trust us, we see the aftermath of a lot of DIY attempts and they’re bad. You can do some real damage to your plumbing system. You might think that you’re saving yourself money by doing this, but in reality, all you’re really doing is making the path to finding relief with your plumbing system much longer than it needs to be.
As a homeowner, you probably have the necessary tools to fix a partial clog, but we can assure you that you don’t have a professional grade hydro-jet to clean your draining system. Our professional plumbers combine their expertise, education, and an extensive number of tools to fix your drain problems in a snap.

Plumber with set of tools repairing sink in kitchen

When in doubt, call a plumber! Schedule an appointment in Ventura with our team here at Hansen’s Plumbing today.

Since bathrooms receive more daily use than other areas in your house, it makes sense that they would occasionally need shower repair. Thankfully, a plumbing contractor can help you find the cause of a leaky shower so you can save money in the long run. Continue reading to learn the 3 signs you need bathroom shower repair. For more information, call Hansen’s Plumbing today.

Clogged Shower Drain

Does your bathroom sink drain slowly? A clogged sink can make water drain slowly so it appears to be standing. Most of the time, a clogged sink drain can be fixed with a pipe snake or drain cleaner. If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to call Hansen’s Plumbing as soon as possible. A break in the pipe could be stopping water from draining properly.

When you own a house, it’s important that you fix plumbing problems as soon as possible. A clogged shower drain is more than just an inconvenience—it can also leave a bad impression on friends, family, and other guests.

Dripping Shower

A dripping shower can cost you money in the long run if it isn’t repaired by a plumber. While a leaky shower may not seem like a high priority, each drop of wasted water accumulates over time. The sooner you schedule leaky shower repair, the less water you’ll waste.

Sometimes a dripping shower can be a sign of a larger problem. If this is the case, don’t wait until you need an emergency plumber to call. Unresolved plumbing problems can lead to water damage and mold if not fixed as soon as possible. For example, a dripping shower could be a sign of high water pressure, which adds stress to your entire home’s plumbing system.

Low Water Pressure

Turn on you shower and watch how much water freely flows. If only a trickle of water is able to escape, you most likely have low water pressure. Low water pressure not only makes it difficult to use the shower in your house, but can be a sign of clogged pipes. A pipe bursting can also lead to low water pressure, as well as water damage.

If you suspect your home has clogged pipes, you’ll need to contact local plumbers as soon as possible. A contractor with experience in home plumbing will be able to find the cause of low water pressure so you can avoid expensive repairs.

Contrary to popular belief, high water pressure isn’t preferable to low water pressure. High water pressure adds stress to your house’s plumbing and can decrease the lifespan of dishwashers and other appliances. Signs of high water pressure include leaky showers, banging pipes, and running toilets.

Call Hansen’s Plumbing for a free estimate in California.