The world has been rocked by a number of significant earth quakes in the past decade, which have only increased public awareness to the need for protective services like earthquake valves.

These valves are specifically designed to react to major seismic events in major earthquake zones and prevent the kind of devastating damage that comes not from the earthquake itself, but from the broken pipes, damaged service lines, and leaking gas.

Earthquake Valves are emergency shut-off gas valves that are located on the gas arm side owned by the home or business owner. There meant to shut off natural gas lines in the event of an earthquake. As the valve detects major shaking from an earthquake, normally between 5.2 to 5.4 on the Richter Scale, it automatically cuts off gas to the home or business.

The seismic motion valve works by employing a motion-sensing ball that sits on a small ring above an opening, and detects movement on the pipe. On a normal day the ball doesn’t move and the gas line remains active, but as significant shaking occurs, the movement on the pipe will cause the ball to fall off the ring and into an orifice shutting off gas flow.

Motion sensitive valves are normally installed on the gas line before it enters your home or business and should be installed by a well-qualified contractor who will ensure proper installation and function.

An excess flow shut-off valve is a non-motion sensitive device that automatically shuts-off gas to a specific appliance when it senses a sudden over-surge or increase of gas flow, that occurs from a break in the pipe. The valve is installed at the gas fuel appliance outlet, between the shutoff valve and the connector.

If you believe you have an emergency, at the minimum you should know how to turn off the gas to your home or business. This can be accomplished by locating the shut-off valve that normally runs vertical with the pipe on the gas company side of the meter

Take an adjustable wrench, 12” or larger, and turn the valve 1/4 turn in either direction until the valve is crisscross with the pipe; repeat the process to turn the meter back on.

Because there are differences between earthquake valves and what they mean for your home or Business, it’s always a good idea to have an experienced plumber help you make the right decision. Contact our expert plumbers at Quick-Flo Plumbers & Rooter, and be at ease knowing your making the right decision.

A garbage disposal is a machine that is primarily used to shred food waste into super small pieces that won’t clog pipes. It’s smart to run your disposal regularly and to keep it clean. And it’s important to always run your disposal with running cold water, which solidifies any grease or oils so they can be grounded too.

• It clogs often (either the blades are getting dull or you need a larger disposal)
• You have to press the RESET button often
• Food takes longer and longer to grind
• The unit is leaky
• The unit is making loud noises

Slow flowing drains can be more than an annoyance, they can prevent you from using your home’s plumbing facilities. Whether the stoppage is in your sewer or drain, we’ll clear it.

Our Quick-Flo Plumbing & Rooter professionals take pride at clearing any clog, any time! We even offer routine maintenance and emergency services that include kitchen sinks, lavatories, toilets, tubs, showers, sewers, and much more…

Our current drain cleaning special comes with a Free Camera Inspection and **warranty. We proudly service the greater Los Angeles area, San Fernando Valley, and surrounding areas. So, if you’re in need of drain cleaning, your first choice should be Quick-Flo Plumbing & Rooter. Call today and We’ll Clear It Right, The First Time!

The location of the clog is important to us because it helps our plumbers know the type of clog we may be dealing with. Sinks and high drains are normally isolation clogs, while a backed-up shower or toilet is an indication of a clogged sewer line or main drain.

Most of the time a sewer and drains can be cleared with a simple snake service, but for those hard stoppages that just won’t drain, Hydro Jetting is recommended.

Hydro Jetting is a service that has a 98% effectiveness of clearing any drain, any time! The hydro jetter is capable of shooting up to 4,000 psi of pressured water into the pipe, and with its special heads, its capable of cutting roots, removing dirt, removing grease, and other particles (see Hydro Jetting page).

It’s critical that a CCTV camera inspection be performed after clearing the pipe to ensure the pipe is clean. Our professional drain cleaning technicians have the latest state-of-art equipment that allows for problematic areas to be evaluated and recorded, (free CCTV with hydro jetting service).

Over time, natural fats, oils, and grease (FOG) clog drain pipes, while tree roots entering clay sewers create back-ups. Regardless of what causes the pipe to clog or back-up, when blockages refuse to clear with an ordinary snake or when a stoppage is too far down the drain making it difficult to remove, a hydro-jetting service is recommended.

Few things in a home are as dangerous as a gas leak. An unsuspecting homeowner can receive a phone call or light a match to disastrous and deadly consequences. A broken gas line is a life-or-death situation and critical that it be fixed immediately. It does not matter if it is your fireplace, stove, or other kitchen appliance that is leaking, any of them could cause a devastating explosion.

Gas line repairs are usually not difficult, but under no circumstances should any homeowner attempt it! Leave it to the professionals at Quick-Flo Plumbing & Rooter as we know all there is to know about gas line maintenance and repair.

If you believe you have an emergency, at the minimum you should know how to turn off the gas to your home or business. This can be accomplished by locating the shut-off valve that normally runs vertical with the pipe on the gas company side of the meter.

Take an adjustable wrench, 12” or larger, and turn the valve 1/4 turn in either direction until the valve is crisscross with the pipe; repeat the process to turn the meter back on.

For safety, a shut-off valve is installed at every gas appliance. Rather than shutting off the gas to the entire home, you may want to shut off the gas to a particular appliance. To do so, just 1/4 turn the valve located just before the gas connector hose thats assigned to each appliance.

For fast professional service, take that next step and call the experts at Quick-Flo Plumbing & Rooter. We have the necessary experience to locate, diagnose, and quickly perform all repairs on gas leaks, making your home safe again. Remember, a broken gas line is no joke, neither is a leaky stove or other appliance. Call us and we will put you back on safe ground!

Once repairs are made, we normally call the So Cal Gas Company an hour prior to the repair being completed, as they are the only ones that can remove the lock and turn the gas back on to your home.

For the purposes of buying & selling real estate, home inspectors do only 3 things to inspect the plumbing: They check if water runs from the taps, drains empty, and toilets flush. After many years of conducting plumbing inspections, I found that most home inspectors did not have the plumbing credentials needed to advise potential homeowners if the plumbing in the house is up to code or even if sewer gases are leaking back into the home.

Are you noticing more and more water leaks popping up in your home over the last few years? Low water pressure? Or perhaps rusty discolored water? If so, it may be time to consider a re-pipe.

Re-piping is a solution that allows you to take a comfortable shower, wash dishes, wash laundry, and in fact, use all your faucets and fixtures at the same time.

While Repiping gives you peace of mind of having no more leaks develop, It also gives you great water pressure throughout your home, improves the delivery of hot water, and eliminates high water bills from wasted water. Investing in re-piping your home will be well worth the peace of mind for decades to come.

Older homes were mostly piped with Galvanized Steel, or sometimes Polybutylene that corrode and fail over time. These materials can become extremely unhealthy by allowing decay and mineral deposits to get into your potable water system, resulting in unpleasant colored water, poor water pressure, and compromised plumbing fixtures.

Galvanized Steel pipes are steel pipes that have been dipped in a protective zinc coating with the intension of preventing corrosion and rust. Galvanized pipes were commonly used for water lines in homes built before the 1960s; although they can last for as long as 60 years, the zinc over time erodes shorting the pipes life expectancy causing the pipe to fail from clogs, corrosion, and breakage.

Polybutylene is a form of plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995. Due to the low cost of the material and ease of installation, polybutylene was viewed as “the pipe of the future” and substituted for traditional copper piping. Unfortunately, polybutylene pipes were too fragile to withstand common disinfectants found in the public water supply, and over time caused mini-fracture ruptures and leaks. Polybutylene pipes are no longer manufactured or rated by US building codes, and any existing polybutylene pipes should be replaced before they fail.

After a Re-pipe you have:

• No more LEAKS!
• Excellent water pressure
• Clean water
• Quality Plumbing
• Peace of mindPositive selling point for your home

Signs you may have a water leak:

• Running water sounds when no water is being used
• Hissing or whistling sounds near water sources
• Visible cracks on walls or flooring
• Mold or mildew appearing on walls or flooring
• Sudden wet spots on carpeting or flooring
• Higher water bills than normal

Common Areas Water Leaks Occur:

• Beneath concrete slabs
• Inside walls and/or flooring
• In crawl spaces or basements
• In water lines in yards or driveways

Not sure you have a gas leak? Common signs include:

• Gas smell, often described like sulfur
• Unusual hissing or whistling sounds near a gas line or appliance
• Noticeable damaged connection to a gas line or appliance
• Dirt or water debris being blown into the air near a gas line or appliance
• Exposed pipe after an earth quake, fire, or flood

Breaks in your sewer line are not just a nuisance, but can compromise the health of you and your family. Our leak detection specialists at Quick Plumbing & Rooter are thoroughly trained professionals capable of identifying a leak, and providing permanent solutions preventing them from occurring in the future.

Causes of Sewer leaks:

Old Age – Like most man-made materials, sewer line damage can occur because the pipes are old. Overuse and harsh conditions corrode the metal, leaving pipes vulnerable to breaks and leaks.

Obstructions – Be mindful of what you put down your drains. Objects such as paper products, excessive food, and grease can block your pipes, causing backups.

Tree Roots – Because sewer lines are a source of water, if you have trees on your property, branches can grow towards the pipe, causing leaks, or other sewer line failures.

What to expect when you hire Quick-Flo Plumbing:

• Timely Arrivals
• Prompt Services
• Friendly Professionals
• Cutting-Edge Technology
• Clean Working Space
• Honest, Transparent Pricing

It’s not uncommon for plumbing fixtures to wear out. Sometimes a simple repair is all you need, but other times a fixture replacement may be necessary. No matter what the problem is with your sink or faucet, you can get a professional plumber to handle it quickly and discretely at Quick-Flo Plumbing & Rooter. From hand-free kitchen faucets to rainfall shower heads, installing new plumbing fixtures will brighten the look of your home.

A good experienced plumber can easily diagnose problems and come up with solutions. Whether you have faulty valve stems, a defective faucet, or just need a sink installed, our skilled plumbers specialize in all kinds of fixture repair and installations.

When hiring one of our professional plumbers, rest assure that the job gets done right the first time. Our plumbers install high quality fixtures that are made to last, while fitting every budget.

We repair and install all plumbing fixtures:

• Faucets
• Shower heads
• Toilets
• Sinks
• Tubs
• Showers
• Instant water dispensers
• Ice maker lines

When you have a problem with your toilet, whether it’s a clog that can’t be fixed with a plunger, or toilet that won’t stop running, you need a plumber, and fast.

Quick-Flo Plumbing & Rooter understands that toilet issues are one of those plumbing problems that just can’t wait, which is why we provide prompt professional assistance that you can count on.

Our team of highly-trained plumbers are able to quickly identify and correctly diagnose a problem and get to work fixing it within no time. We handle it all, from un-clogging stubborn blockages to replacing worn out parts, to installing entirely new toilets. You can count on our experts for Speedy Repairs.

Not all toilet problems require professional assistance. Some minor clogs can often be taken care of with just a plunger or something as simple as replacing a chain on a flapper. However, certain issues do call for a trained plumber, and it’s important to know the difference to avoid wasted time, money, and frustration.

It’s recommended that a professional plumber be called if you notice:

• Rising bowl water after flushing
• Leak indications or increased water bill
• Frequent clogs or plunging
• Spots or discolorations around the toilet
• Unusually low water in the bowl
• Running water sounds long after flushing
• Intermittent water running when not in use
• Hear gurgling or whistling noises after flushing

Good water pressure is something most homeowners take for granted. There’s nothing worse than coming home from a hard day’s work, just to be met by trickling water due to low pressure. On the other hand, excessively high water pressure is the most common source of stress and frustration.

From stress on supply lines to leaky faucets, damage can occur throughout the whole plumbing system. No worries, Quick-Flow Plumbing & Rooter has the knowledge and experience to identify and repair high pressure problems, without additional stress.

Many factors influence water pressure in your home. For instance, low water pressure is typically caused by old deteriorated pipes, clogged filters, clogged aerators, or plain old leaks, while high water pressure comes directly from city water mains.

However, water from city mains fluctuate depending on the time of day it is; low pressure in the day when many people are using it, and high at night as they sleep.

According to city plumbing codes, water pressure entering a home or business should range anywhere from 45psi to 80 psi. Anything below 40 psi is considered low and anything below 30 psi is considered too low; while pressures above 80 psi is too high and can become dangerous to your plumbing system.

Although low pressure is more of a nuisance than a serious problem, like some washing machines having a minimum pressure requirement, high water pressure carries a significant increase of risk for damaging pipes, joints, and fixtures, not to mention the potential for causing a flood within the home.

To reduce high water pressure, a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV), also known as a Pressure Regulator, will be needed that’s typically installed downstream of the water meter. Municipal codes require a regulator be installed when pressures above 80 psi enters a home or business, as these devices do exactly what they say, reduces water pressure down to a safe level, most are factory set at 45 psi.

Plumbing codes require that business’s and residences that have a hot water heater, and are being served by a Pressure Reducing Valve a.k.a. “regulator”, install a Thermal Expansion Tank to control internal high pressure. This is because regulators have an internal check valve allowing for water to flow in only one direction, preventing thermal expansion build-up created at the water heater to slowly flow back into the city’s water main. Thermanl expansion is created by hot and cold water being heated at the water heater, so without an expansion tank, excess water pressure will build throughout the home’s plumbing system, damaging water pipes, fixtures, and seals.