Early plumbing leak detection needs to be a priority in California, for both home and business owners. Water pipes succumb to leaks for several reasons, primarily from corrosion.

Hansen’s Plumbing Leak Detection Specialist will preform a Non-Invasive leak detection assesment. Water dripping behind walls, under floors, and a lot of other places most people don’t notice, until significant damage is done. The longer they are allowed to continue, the damage is done.

Beside the high repair costs and water loss, there are also health risks associated with a water leak. Harmful mold and mildew, along with contaminants which can make the water harmful to consume.

Early Water Leak Detection

Keep an eye on your water bill. If it is higher than normal it can mean you have a leak. Test your water meter by turning all water and water using appliances off. Check the reading on the water meter. Check back in about 20 to 30 minutes. The meter should have the same reading and should not be showing a consumption.

Listen for any sounds of water running when everything is turned off. If you can hear it, you may have a leak.

Warm areas on the floor is an indication of a slab leak. Check for any discoloration or stains on the walls or floors. Also, look for any unexplained mold or mildew. Or if you notice a musty odor inside your home.

Because plumbing pipes are mostly contained behind the scenes, finding them isn’t always easy. That’s why it is typically more economical to have the help of a Hansen’s Plumbing professional.

Save in the Long Run

Simple leaks can quickly turn into costly problems, often times we don’t notice the problem until it’s too late. It’s important to stay up to date and vigilant with your homes or business maintenance. Call Hansen’s Plumbing today for a free estimate in California.

Ventura Roto Rooter fixes Main Sewer Line Blockage

A Ventura roto rooter will fix any main sewer line blockage. Your sewer line is one of the most vital parts of your household plumbing – and if it becomes damaged or clogged, it could wreak unwelcome issues on your property. Offset or damaged pipes could cost a lot to repair or replace. The sooner you detect a sewer line breakage or clog, the more likely it is you’ll be able to fix it with a Ventura roto rooter. Damage tends to worsen over time.

Watch out for these warning signs that your sewer line might be blocked:

SLOW DRAINING SINKS AND BATHTUBS
When you have a sewer line problem, your sinks, toilets and even bathtub might drain slowly or not at all. Multiple fixtures may be affected by this problem. For instance, if you run the washing machine and the toilet overflows or the laundry room sink backs up, that’s a definite sign of a blockage somewhere in the drainpipes – after all, the water has to go somewhere.

In addition, if you hear gurgling sounds when you flush that could be a sign of a blockage in the drain system. In fact, these noises may be an indication that tree roots are to blame for your blockage; root systems are one of the biggest culprits of main sewer line issues. So if you have a large tree near your sewer line, its roots could be the problem. This is particularly true if you have an older sewer made of clay or concrete because roots can work their way inside the pipe via the pipe joints. Tiny feeder roots find their way inside seeking moisture. Once inside, they will grow larger, acting like a net to catch toilet paper and waste until a clog forms and a Ventura roto rooter is needed.

CONSTANT NEED TO PLUNGE
If it seems you’re experiencing more toilet clogs than you used to, that’s an indication that the real clog problem might be farther downstream in your drainage system. The same is true with your kitchen sink. Is it clogging or running slowly more often than it used to? The fact is that if you have more than one slow drain in your house, or multiple slow drains, that’s the best indicator that the source of the problem is a clogged sewer. At this point you will need a Ventura roto rooter.

GET SOME HELP
A sewer clog cannot be treated with a plunger or with over-the-counter chemicals. To clear the sewer line of roots and debris, a professional cleaning is required with a heavy-duty Ventura roto rooter machine. These electric drain and sewer cleaning machines have a strong, stiff steel cable with a sharp blade on its tip. The cable spins as it travels through the sewer pipe so it cuts away obstructions. It will even shave roots right down to the pipe walls to restore full flow in your sewer pipe. If the Roto-Rooter machine can’t get through the pipe, your service technician can request a video camera inspection of the sewer pipeline to ascertain where the blockage is and its cause. A trained eye will then be able to recommend repair options to the homeowner.

When the evidence suggests that your main sewer line is clogged and you’ll need a Ventura roto rooter, you should get in touch with Hansen’s Plumbing who can sort it out for you. Call Hansen’s Plumbing today for more information.

Professional Plumbers Tips For Simple Plumbing Clogs, a Snake is a Charm!

Here’s how you can use a snake to fix your plumbing problems. First let’s define what we mean by a “snake.” To professional plumbers, 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.

Plumbers Tip: Step 1

When faced with a clogged drain, 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 a tough clog won’t release with just a plunging action.

Professional Tip: Step 2

This is where the professional plumbers 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 like our Len The Plumber professionals, have special drain augers that are powerful enough to grapple with stubborn stuck clogs.

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.

Plumbers Tip: 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.

Professional Plumbers Tip: 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 in professional plumbers. Sometimes a homeowner can do more damage to their plumbing by underestimating a clog or forcing a clog deeper into the drain.

The experts at Hansen’s Plumbing 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 professional plumbers who have 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 professional plumbers who will get the job done right in California.

At Hansen’s Plumbing, it is our job to care about Ventura drain service 365 days a year. But for most homeowners, the drains only seem to be a concern when things start to go awry. Some problems are big and some are small, but you can avoid major damage by educating yourself on the warning signs that usually signal drain service is ahead.

Slow Ventura Drainage Service

This is the most common red flag and it could mean any number of things. Some blockages are caused by hygiene products, hair or other foreign objects. But some are related to drain pipe problems and those are the ones you should be concerned about. If you start to hear a slight gurgling noise when you flush the toilet, this is not something you should ignore. This is your home telling you that either your main drain pipe or one of its branches is not working properly. While you might not listen to your spouse, these words from your drains are to be taken seriously.

Service Tree Roots

If you have a tree in your yard that has been there for awhile, it could be threatening your drain pipes line. If it penetrates the walls, it could mean expensive problems for you. This is why we suggest that all of our customers have regular video inspections of their drain pipes. This will help us solve problems like tree root damage before they get out of control.

Frequent Drain Use

If you have a family of 4 or 5, odds are you are using your drains and plumbing far more than a single person would. This means you have to do drain and plumbing maintenance more frequently than others. This includes pipe inspection, drain service and informing young children of what should and shouldn’t go down the drain.
You don’t have to go at it alone. The plumbing and drain service experts at Hansen’s Plumbing have been servicing the Ventura area for years. We have seen it all and we would love to help you minimize the impact of drain and plumbing related problems.We have the best Ventura drain service.

Plumbing pipe – new construction sprinkler system
** Note: Soft Focus at 100%, best at smaller sizes

To schedule drain service in Ventura, call (805) 647-0113 or visit Hansen’s Plumbing on the web!

Unclog Drains

If you’re fighting a clog inside your sink or bathtub, or you’re feeling crushed after failed efforts to unclog drains, it’s time to reach for the elbow grease and unleash your true drain cleaning potential. Hansen’s Plumbing is here to help.

Clogged drains are a common problem. Causes could range from food getting stuck in your garbage disposal to foreign objects in the drain or a build up of hair in the bathtub.
Whatever the source, use these tips to unclog drains:

Use Your Resources to unclog drains

A clogged drain can be remedied with the tools you have in your own home. Instead of throwing out that old metal hanger in your closet, try transforming it into a drain cleaning tool. Simply straighten the hanger and bend the tip into a hook so you can grab whatever is lodged in the drain.
If the old hanger trick is failing you, reach for the plunger. Yes, your plunger can be used in places other than your toilet. Be certain your sink or tub has a few inches of water inside, and plunge away. However, make sure the plunger has water inside and not air, as this will yield more success.
Still stuck? Now’s the time to find your wet/dry vacuum. But before you start, you might want to grab a few old towels or sheets to protect the floor and furniture around you — this could get messy. Create a tight seal and get to work.

Ditch the Harsh Chemicals

Don’t let harsh chemicals be your last resort as you attempt to clear your clogged drain. In fact, the chemicals could even be making the clog worse if they sit atop the clog. They also pose health risks to you and those around you. Especially if you’ve already dumped chemical drain cleaner down the drain, adding other liquids could cause dangerous reactions.
Instead, opt for natural alternatives, ask Hansen’s Plumbing about environmentally friendly drain cleaners.

Call the Experts

Perhaps the problem is worse than you thought. If you’re unsuccessful in your unclogging efforts, let the experts take the reins. Besides, if you’re not careful with your own efforts, you could end up damaging your pipes or actually make the problem worse.
Hansen’s Plumbing is ready to take on your challenge. Our punctual plumbers have the tools and expertise to unclog drains and get your home’s plumbing system working properly again. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give Hansen’s Plumbing a call for your plumbing needs in California.

Santa Paula Plumbing

Prevent Clogging

Plumbing problems are thangs that everyone wants to avoid and at certain times of the year we are more prone to issues more than others. The spring time presents some challenges for your plumbing in Santa Paula. Here at Hansen’s Plumbing, we have your best interest in mind and will help in every way that we can. The best way to avoid clogs is to put a stopper over your shower and sink drains. This will catch any potentially hazardous items before they make their way down your drain and start causing problems.

Upgrade Plumbing

Water pressure is great, but it can also put some unnecessary stress on your pipes. Adding a low-flow shower head or pressure reducer can decrease the risk of pipe bursts during spring time. This is a difficult time for your plumbing in Santa Paula, and these additions will help take a little bit of the load off.  

Clean Santa Paula Sewer Lines

You don’t want to deal with sewer or drain blockages in your plumbing during a rainstorm, so it might be a good idea to get ahead. If you have municipal sewers, you should have your line snaked once a year to avoid major problems down the road. If you have a septic system, this is a great time to call Hansen’s Plumbing to have your tank pumped. This time of year just works better for all of us!

At Hansen’s Plumbing we take pride in our ability to get the job done in a timely and affordable manner in Santa Paula. We can help with drain clogs, plumbing fixtures and septic tanks so you can get everything you need in one place. If you live in the Santa Paula area, let Empire help get you ready for the spring season!

When Do You Need to Change Your Water Heater?

A deteriorating water heater isn’t an issue until you take your first icy cold shower. Now comes the big question: repair or replace? How do you know if your water heater is just acting up or burned out for good? Take a look at a few tips below to determine when you need to call Hansen’s Plumbing.

Changing your water heater is definitely something you don’t want to wait too long to do, as costly water damage can occur. Here are some signs to look for to determine if your water heater needs to be replaced.

As a rule of thumb, water heaters should be changed every 6 to 12 years. After this point it can begin having issues and start deteriorating. To avoid costly water damage, be sure to observe the signs below so you will know when to call Hansen’s Plumbing to change out your water heater.

One of the most obvious signs is when you turn on your shower and the water doesn’t get warm. Cold water is the first sign that something is wrong. If it’s an old unit, most likely you need to change it out.

Most people assume their water heater is working fine until they experience cold water. Yet, age is not the only sign that it needs to be replaced. Your water heater could be older and still work perfectly fine. It’s important to pay attention to signs that your heater is deteriorating such as leaks and a rusty color.

If your hot water is a rusty color, this is a clear warning sign that your water heater is corroding and needs to be replaced. When your tank rusts, the rust gets into the water and turns it a dirty brownish color. Yet, this also could be an issue with the public water supply or corroding iron plumbing. To test this, simply turn on the cold water. If it is the same rusty color then, most likely it’s due to an external factor.

If your tank is leaking, it’s an obvious sign that it’s time to get your water heater replaced as soon as possible to avoid water damage. Because it is usually an internal issue, it is rarely fixable and is best to replace.

If it isn’t flushed once a year, sediment builds up inside and this will eventually result in irreversible damage. When it reaches the point where water won’t drain then it can’t be repaired and will need to be replaced.

Once a year, having the heater tank flushed to remove sediment will help it last longer. Another thing to check is the anode rod. This collects corrosive elements and should be checked about every three years and replaced if needed.

Call Hansen’s Plumbing for all of your plumbing needs in California.

Shower Drain

Having a clogged shower drain can be a headache and a huge inconvenience. Wether you have a slow or a completely clogged shower drain, Hansen’s Plumbing is here to help. Don’t let harsh chemicals be your last resort as you attempt to clear your clogged shower drain. In fact, the chemicals could even be making the clog worse if they sit atop the clog. They also pose health risks to you and those around you. Especially if you’ve already dumped chemical drain cleaner down the drain, adding other liquids could cause dangerous reactions.Here is a simple natural homemade remedy.

Three easy steps to unclog a shower drain:

Unclogging a shower drain using baking soda will require baking soda, white vinegar, and hot water.

Measure one cup of baking soda and pour it down the drain. Immediately follow the baking soda with one cup of vinegar down the drain.
Next: Watch for a fizzing in the drain and five minutes after the fizzing stops, flush the drain with two quarts of hot water.
After: Repeat this process until the clog clears.

For a stubborn clog, try pouring a cup of baking soda and a half cup of salt down the drain and let the mixture stay in the drain overnight before flushing it down with two cups of boiling water. This should help loosen up, if not, clear that stubborn clog in your shower drain.

It’s a good idea to use this process as regular maintenance for your drains to prevent drain clogs. Perhaps the problem is worse than you thought. If you’re unsuccessful in your unclogging efforts, let the experts at Hansen’s Plumbing take the reins. Besides, if you’re not careful with your own efforts, you could end up damaging your pipes or actually make the problem worse.

Close-up of plumber hands screwing nut of pipe with wrench over plumbing tools background. Concept of repair and technical assistance.

There are some clogs that a home remedy may not be able to fix. Clogged drains that become too large for solvents can become lodged deeper in your drain than you can clear on your own. Hansen’s Plumbing has professional techniques and equipment that can get to the root of the problem in California.

Common Plumbing Problems

Research shows that homeowners, depending on the age of their home, will call a plumber once every three years for common plumbing problems! To some this may seem like a lot, but others they might get a visit from a plumber every year.
There are many different types of plumbing problems, but here at Hansen’s Plumbing, we’re always asked “is this a common problem?” Though we’ve seen a wide variety of plumbing problems from large to small, we generated a list of common plumbing problems that our technicians most commonly see in the homes they service.

List of Common Plumbing Problems

Dripping Faucets

Let’s face it, we’ve all had a dripping faucet in our home and have probably ignored it for a while! That dripping faucet not only wastes water, it wastes money on your water bill. Find out how much that drip is costing you.

Leaky Pipe Problems

While we see a lot of leaking pipes during the cold winter months, it’s also very common year-round! Most pipes will begin to leak near the joints, so keep an eye out for wet spots on the ground or ceiling. Water damage to your home can be quite costly, so leaky pipes are a necessity to fix right away.

Common Running Toilet Plumbing Problems

Did you know that a running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons per day? That’s a lot of water waste! Call Hansen’s Plumbing to understand why this internal water leak can be costly to your home.

Low Water Pressure Plumbing

A lot of older homes will experience low water pressure, but you may be asking why? It could be time for a new shower head or you could have a hidden leak in your home. However, those are just a few of the many reasons for low water pressure.

Leaking Hose Bibb

A leaking hose bibb is very common in the spring and summer. After a long, cold winter many hose bibbs that aren’t protected can crack and begin to leak. We advise our customers invest in a frost-proof hose bibb, which can reduce the chances of having future leaks.

corrosion in piping, broken pipe from water mineral erosion

Slow Or Clogged Drains

Our expert technicians warn customers to stay away from any type of over-the-counter drain cleaner! Instead, give us a call to clear the slow or clogged drain. In the meantime, call Hansen’s plumbing for maintenance tips to keep your drains moving smoothly.

Common Sump Pump Failure

A prolonged period of heavy rain can cause your sump pump to fail.  Protect your home and belongings from common plumbing problems with Hansen’s Plumbing.

Common Water Heater Plumbing Problems

You wake up in the morning and step into the shower to feel cold water on your body — trust us, we know it’s the worst feeling! The average life of a water heater can be anywhere from eight to twelve years depending on yearly maintenance.

No matter if your plumbing problem is common or not, our expert technicians can handle anything!
To take care of your leaky faucet, clogged drain, or any other plumbing issue just give Hansen’s Plumbing a call or schedule an appointment online. We’re always here to provide you with Same Day Service, 7 Days A Week in California.

Nothing can disrupt your day like common plumbing clogs. Here at Hansens Plumbing, we’ve seen it all, from simple shower drain clogs to complete sewer line backups (yikes). We’ve rounded up some of the most common household clogs — and what you can do to prevent them.

Common Plumbing Clogs: 1. Toilet Clogs

We’ve all been here. An excess of toilet paper and, ahem, biological matter can clog pipes, especially in older plumbing systems. But sometimes, the common plumbing clogs culprit aren’t in the toilet bowl but further down in the pipes or sewer line. Clogged toilets are often a symptom of a bigger problem: clogged pipes or blocked sewer lines.
In a clogged pipe or a clogged sewer line, matter blocks the pipe. That blockage prevents the pipe or sewer line from transporting waste into the sewer system. The result? A sewer line backup that sends sewage backup through your drains. Unexplained toilet clogs are the first sign you might have a problem.
If toilet clogs are happening more frequently or you can’t pinpoint the cause of your clog, contact Hansens Plumbing. We can find and destroy trouble before it strikes — and in the case of a sewer line backup, you might not get a second warning

Common Plumbing Clogs: 2. Kitchen Sink Clogs

An overworked kitchen sink or garbage disposal are among the most common plumbing problems. Pay attention to these Kitchen sink common plumbing clogs:

• Pouring cooking oil, grease, or fat down the drain
• Dumping poultry skins (turkey, chicken) down the drain
• Throwing starchy peels and grains (potato peels, rice) down the drain
• Tossing stringy vegetables (celery, citrus fruits) down the drain
• Discarding fibrous material (coffee grinds, corn husks) down the drain
• Accidentally dropping small flatware and cooking utensils down the drain
Before you reach for liquid drain cleaners – which are often acidic and damaging to disposal lines – try these tips:
• Always have sink water running when you use the disposal.
• Before you bust out the drain cleaner, snaking a drain is the most effective solution to clearing a clog.
• Pour boiling water down your kitchen drain twice a month. This helps break down food waste.
• A combination of baking soda and hot water can add more oomph to your drain-clearing efforts.
• Don’t let clogs sit for days. Food waste will rot and eventually smell, leaving you with a stinky situation.

Common Plumbing Clogs: 3. Shower Drain Clogs

It’s no surprise that shower drain clogs make the list. Soap buildup frequently occurs in bath and shower drains (but keep an eye on sink and laundry drains too). As the soap is carried down the drain, it slowly accumulates on the walls of the pipe. Although this happens slowly, the water can back up very suddenly as the drain pipe is reduced in diameter by the buildup. On top of that, many bath products – such as salts and shower gels — are not water soluble.
Another common culprit? Hair. Your long locks can easily accumulate while showering or grooming directly over a sink. Drain plugs will help reduce the amount of hair making its way into drains, which can cut back on troublesome common plumbing clogs.

Stop Clogs in Their Tracks

What happens when common plumbing clogs just won’t unstick, even with a plunger? Rather than reaching for caustic cleaners, call Hansens Plumbing for clogs that are too tricky to clear on your own.
Composed of either a strong base or acid, liquid drain cleaner can actually damage your pipes. Drain cleaner erodes PVC pipes and metal pipes in particular. Don’t turn a small problem like a clogged drain into a total drainage system replacement.
Hansens Plumbing offers emergency drain clog cleaning as well as preventative maintenance like hydro jetting, a high-pressure steam cleaning technique that forces clogs out for good. For ultimate peace of mind, consider a plumbing Protection Plan. These plans include annual inspections to keep toilet, kitchen, and bathroom sink drains clear and clog-free.

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