Don’t DIY These Plumbing Problems!
“DIY” – you’ve probably heard that term. It stands for “Do It Yourself,” and it’s a popular concept these days – especially during this challenging economy. There’s even an entire television network dedicated to DIYing your home. Taking care of household repairs and fix-ups yourself can be very beneficial, but sometimes the most beneficial thing you can do – for your wallet, your home and your sanity – is to let a professional perform jobs that really require specialized knowledge and skills. So, how do you know which jobs to take on yourself and which to leave to the pros? Here are just a few.
Fixture Installations – Performing installations yourself may seem like a money-saver, but you can find yourself in over your head very quickly. When an installation attempt goes wrong, it often costs more money to have it fixed by a professional than it would have cost to hire the professional initially. If fixtures like sinks, toilets, water heaters and dish washers are installed incorrectly, you could find yourself with anything from small, undetectable leaks to a full-blown flooded home.
Hot Water Heater Installations, Maintenance and Repairs – It’s especially important to have professionals install and maintain your hot water heater. These appliances must be connected to natural gas and water lines with air-tight seals. If your hot water heater is not installed perfectly, you risk exposing your home and your family to natural gas leaks, potential flooding and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Sewer Problems – Sewer issues pose a potential health hazard. If you have sewer problems, it’s best to hire a professional plumber who is trained to deal with hazardous waste. Keep in mind, not all Orange County plumbers are licensed, and not all are trained to deal with hazardous waste. We at Barker and Sons meet both of these criteria. We are specially trained to fix sewer problems without exposing your family to harmful waste and bacteria.
No matter what, if you have to wonder whether a job requires a professional, you should probably err on the side of caution. Do-It-Yourself projects can be rewarding, but when the safety of your home and family are in question, it’s best to hire someone who is trained to do the job right. As always, Barker and Sons plumbers in Orange County are happy to help you determine the best options for your plumbing problems. Feel free to call us anytime!
Sewage Lines In Orange County….What Can Go Wrong
We often take things for granted if they don’t affect one of our five senses. If we can’t see, hear, feel, taste, or smell a problem, why worry? The sewage system is one of those areas that’s often overlooked but is a very important part of your home. It’s important because it removes waste, foul odors, and harmful bacteria. If a sewage drain backs up, it can flood your home with harmful waste. If it leaks outside, it can seep into soil, hurt wildlife and cause a quite a “stink” with your neighbors….literally.
What can go wrong?
Because a sewer line runs underground, it can be easily damaged by tree roots that break through pipe joints. It can also get clogged by debris that other household drains wash into it.
Signs of trouble?
One sign is a musty, foul odor outside your home or a puddle of water that’s formed where the sewer pipe from your home connects with the city’s sewage system. Signs indoors include gurgling noises in your drains, improper draining in showers or sinks, or bubbling in your drains or toilet. If the water is coming back up from your drain instead of flowing down, you likely have a clogged sewage line. In addition, beware of rat holes in your yard. Rats like to dwell in sewage systems, and they may be able to enter your home from the broken sewer line and through your toilets and sinks.
Why inspect sewage lines?
If a sewer line is damaged, then the pipe may need to be excavated-this can be a very expensive project. So it’s a smart idea to have your sewage lines inspected regularly to catch any problems before it’s too late. Barker & Sons offers non-invasive inspections that include a camera inspection of your sewer line.
How can sewage line problems be fixed?
Cleaning sewage drains may sound like a nasty process. However, Barker & Sons’ services include Trench-less No-Dig solutions, Bio-Clean (Green Cleaning), and high pressure water jetting to get sewer pipes open and flowing. Our repair and replacement of sewer and drain pipes is backed by a full warranty.
If you believe your home is having sewage problems, give us a call. Barker and Sons plumbers in Orange County can give your sewage line a thorough inspection and help protect your family and your home from dangerous and damaging sewage spills.
Barker and Sons Plumbing Earns Coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award
Barker and Sons Plumbing has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the businesses rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service and health providers.
“Only a fraction of the businesses rated on Angie’s List can claim the sterling service record of being a Super Service Award winner because we set a high bar,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “The fact that Barker and Sons Plumbing can claim Super Service Award status speaks volumes about its dedication to consumers.”
Our owner, Michael Barker, says, “Getting an award based on customer reviews is the best honor we can get. We realize that making our customers happy is the key to our success. We are so grateful that our customers took time to write a review based on their happy experience with us.”
Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their clients and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines. Ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2011 Super Service Award logo next to business names in search results on AngiesList.com.
Angie’s List collects consumer reviews on local contractors and doctors in more than 500 service categories. Currently, more than 2 million consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to help them make the best hiring decisions.
Got Water Line Problems? Some helpful Tips.
Water nourishes us, helps bathe us, and keeps the community of Orange County beautiful. And when it’s not usable, it’s hugely disruptive. Here are some common water line problems and solutions you can implement to solve them as fast as possible:
- Burst Pipe: This is a major problem; in fact, it’s the biggest and needs to be solved immediately. If your pipe bursts or starts to leak, turn off the main water supply ASAP, and call us. This will ensure normal water service will return to your home.
- Noisy Pipes: This isn’t as huge of a problem as a burst pipe. However, it can lead to much larger problems down the road if not dealt with. Typically, there is air in the pipes which can create a very loud banging sound. If this is happening to your pipes, the best and simplest solution is to shut off the water supply and empty your pipes completely. Then, you can fill them back up to remove the air build-up.
- Water Pressure: There are several different reasons why you may be experiencing low water pressure – from a small leak somewhere to an issue in the incoming water supply. If you notice low water pressure, it is important to call a plumbing professional to examine the issue and offer possible solutions.
- Sediment in the Pipes: Sometimes, you’ll experience a sudden surplus of residue, corrosion, or other debris in your water. This is most likely due to an aging pipe. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that your pipe will burst, it can be a sign of possible glitches in the future. Build-up from hard water or erosion can both be major problems if not fixed immediately.
Water line problems can range from minor troubles to major disasters that compromise your entire home, but they all are equally important. If any of the above happens to your water line, don’t waste time. Turn off the water supply and call Barker and Sons plumbing in Orange County right away.
Request Appointment
• Immediate Response
• Guaranteed Service• Family Owned & Operated
• Residential & Commercial
Online Savings
Simply print and present
to your service technicians.
See Coupons.714-466-9565
Location / Service Areas
Serving Orange County and surrounding areas for over 28 years! 
What Our Customers Have to Say
"Thank you for the work you did on our home. Your guys were neat, clean, and very nice to work with...
Read More.Connect with Us
