Slab Leak Repiping and Alternatives

In San Diego, most buildings use slab-on-grade construction for their first floors.  These thick concrete slabs provide a low cost, solid foundation perfectly matched to our climate. But they pose slab leak repair problems for any plumbing underneath them, whether water supply line, interior hot and cold pipes, or sewer lines.

Detection

A water leak can go undetected for quite some time, and even become fairly large, without your knowledge. But make no mistake, an un-repaired slab leak will lead to major damage sooner or later. 

If you’ve experienced an increase in water usage, sudden or gradual, that seems to have no explanation, noticed discoloration and unusual moist areas as well as hot or cold spots on floors, walls, and ceiling; or in advanced stages, mold, odors, or cracks in the walls or ceiling, it’s time to get a slab leak detection expert’s professional diagnosis.

Repair Options

Depending on the nature of the leak and the building’s plumbing, you’ll have one or more options for slab leak repair.  An ASAP professional will take the time to explain your choices and provide up-front pricing.  That way you can make an informed decision before proceeding. They may recommend spot repair, rerouting and repiping, or trenchless pipe lining.

Gas Line Repiping

If you suspect a gas leak, that’s a major emergency. Stop what you are doing and call San Diego Gas and Electric, or your local gas company immediately. Symptoms of a leak include a rotten egg smell or in extreme cases you may hear a hissing. Many leaks occur outdoors from underground lines. Here you may only notice dead vegetation, but in some instances you might see bubbling in wet areas or dirt blowing from the ground.

Listen to the podcast below and read our gas line page for things you must do right away.

Benefits of Repiping

Repiping means replacing or rerouting existing lines. Why would you need repiping? To fix chronic problems and avoid future hazards, problems, and interruptions.

Until recently, most gas lines were galvanized steel. These lines suffer from rust and other types of corrosion and generally should be replaced after 25 to 35 years. There can also be mechanical damage requiring placement sooner, from accidents, building settling, or vibration for example.

There are new techniques available that can save you money by costing less in labor and lasting longer. The latest installations may use PE pipes for underground locations and CSST or Trac-pipe for above ground locations. In some situations, trenchless installation can mean that line repiping doesn’t have to involve digging up your landscaping or breaking through floors, driveways, or patios.

• Replacing old pipes removes serious health and safety risks to you and your family
• Increases flow rates, improving the efficiency of appliances
• Improves safety measures by helping to avoid cross-contamination
• Helps eliminate waste
• When you take care of a small problem now, a bigger and more expensive problem can be avoided.

Repiping – Plumbing and Gas Lines Experts 

ASAP Drain Guys & Plumbing employs experienced plumbers who are happy to evaluate the condition of your existing piping. We are leak detection specialists, equipped with the latest equipment for detecting and localizing leaks. Our skilled plumbers can walk you through your choices and each step along the way towards solving plumbing or gas repiping issues.

Blockage in Sewer Lines

Sewer lines are frequently subject to clogs or slow draining. While build-up is not completely avoidable, there are things which contribute to it. One of the most common instances we see are problems that occur from pouring grease in the disposal at the same time as you have the hot water running.

The back up that is created from build up can lead to much bigger problems.

Alternative to Traditional Sewer Replacement

In Carlsbad during this call, ASAP installed a 2 way clean out. We discovered 2 feet of cast iron pipe that needed to be replaced.

As an experienced plumbing company be being able to offer trenchless pipe replacement, we were able to complete the job at a fraction of the time and cost, with trenchless sewer replacement.

We used trenchless lining technology to restore the pipe from the inside so that there was no damage to floors or pavement!

Another benefit of trenchless pipe replacements are that they are resistant to tree roots so you will be free form the problems of root intrusion.

Finally, ASAP tested line to confirm there were no other leaks and that the pipe was fully repaired. We buried pipe and put the bit of landscape back that had been removed

Trenchless Pipe Replacement by ASAP Drain Guys & Plumbing

As you can read about in our recent projects report, when ASAP was called for assistance in Carlsbad, an affluent north count San Diego community, we were able to utilize trenchless pipe replacement San Diego-style.

For your residential or commercial sewage or plumbing needs, ASAP is available for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are A+ BBB rated and have been serving San Diego since 2001. Learn more or contact us any time.

Root Intrusions in Sewer Lines

Root obstructions and intrusions are one of the most common and damaging problems to sewer pipelines. Because trees are always searching for water, their roots will often be attracted to sewer lines, where they can thrive due to good ventilation and a constant source of water.

Not only does this affect the sewer system’s hydraulic capacity (ability to maintain a given flow rate), root intrusion can clog or block sewer lines. This causes slow drainage, unpleasant odors due to leakage and standing water within the drain lines, and damaging overflows. 

Alternatives to Traditional Sewer Replacement

Not very long ago, it would cost many thousands of dollars, take several days, and inflict significant property damage and landscape destruction to dig and trench a sewer line replacement. Sometimes a trench would have to be dug from the property all the way out to the street.

However, experienced plumbing companies are now able to complete these jobs at a fraction of the time and cost, with trenchless sewer replacement.

Trenchless sewer replacement makes it possible to restore a leaking pipe from the inside so that there is no damage to landscaping, floors, walls or pavement! Among other benefits, they are resistant to tree roots so you will be free form the problems of root intrusion!

Trenchless Sewer Replacement San Diego by ASAP Drain Guys & Plumbing

As you can read about in our recent projects report, when ASAP was called for assistance at the Mission Bay resort, we were able to utilize trenchless sewer replacement San Diego-style.

We cleared the main line through measures including hydro-jetting, then made the necessary repairs to the sewer line.

We were then able to avoid the pitfalls of traditional sewer line repairs by replacing the lining with a proprietary epoxy solution. Upon application of the solution, we tested the line and verified its clear and seamless flow.

For your residential or commercial sewage or plumbing needs, ASAP is available for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are A+ BBB rated and have been serving San Diego since 2001. Learn more or contact us any time.

Additional Questions?

For answers to common questions such as how much of the line will have to be replaced and how long does it last, see our article about Trenchless Pipe Lining.

Drain Cleaning for your Kitchen or Bathroom

Kitchen drains often get clogged by substances like grease, food and soap scum fusing, especially at bends and turns in the plumbing. ASAP uses state-of-the-art equipment to clear your plumbing completely, effectively restoring it to its original state. On the other hand, other plumbers use antiquated methods to puncture a hole in the blockage. They leave residue that you don’t know about because your water is flowing again. Now the drain will continue to clog and become blocked faster than normal.

For bathroom drains, we carefully identify the problem and use the correct tool for your specific plumbing issue. Whether its plumbing video cameras, water jetters, sink machines, locating equipment, and drum/sectional machines, our technicians arrive ASAP to unclog bathtub drains of all types.

Drain Maintenance and Repair

Sometimes, drain blockages result from more than just clogged residue, such as from damaged pipes. Our technicians can arrive promptly and inspect any damage we find. We’ll walk you through why the drain was damaged and recommend our suggested repairs. Whether for your home or business, we’ll work quickly to ensure your prompt return to normal life or work.

BioDrain Enzyme Drain Cleaner from San Diego Drain Experts

If you’d like to have your own recommended product onhand for clogged or slow-running drains, we’re pleased to offer you the opportunity to purchase own enzyme drain cleaner directly from our Amazon store. 

It’s safe for all types of pipes and is for both home and commercial use. Not only does it work on drains and sewer lines, you can use it for garbage disposals, septic tanks, sumps and sump pumps, RV and boat holding tanks… even trash dumpsters.

Experiencing clogged or slow-running drains more often than you’d like?  Our Bio-Drain Cleaner may well be your answer.

ASAP Drain Guys & Plumbing are the San Diego Drain Experts

We are A+ BBB rated and have been serving San Diego since 2001. Learn more or contact us any time.

Trenchless vs Traditional Sewer Replacement

If you have ever been through the process of traditional digging and trenching, you know that the cost of restoring pavement, repairing landscaping and relocating utilities can be many thousands of dollars.

Trenchless sewer replacement makes it possible to restore a leaking pipe from the inside. A new cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) is created inside the existing damaged line. The CIPP is essentially a new pipe which is seamless and waterproof, and there is no damage to landscaping, floors, walls or pavement!

Additional benefits of CIPPs over most original sewer line materials are that they do not corrode, are resistant to tree roots and there are no joints that can separate or leak. They resist minor seismic events and minor soil setting, and there is no buildup of calcium deposits.

Trenchless Sewer Replacement by ASAP Drain Guys & Plumbing

Our trenchless sewer replacement services can take one day or less, and can start almost immediately. Because we can avoid the massive digging, you don’t have to spend time arranging concrete demolition, trenching, etc.

We start with a video inspection to assess the condition of the line. You’ll be able to see before and after pictures of the inside of the line.

After hydro-jetting the line to remove all build up and roots, the CIPP pipe will adhere well to the existing line. We use a special 2 part epoxy pipe lining that works for HVAC plumbing, hot and cold water supply lines and sprinkler systems.

The newly created inner pipe is a long-term solution, increasing the life span of plumbing by a decade or more.

We finish with another camera inspection and final quality check for leaks.

ASAP is A+ BBB rated and have been serving San Diego since 2001. Learn more or contact us any time.

Additional Questions?

For answers to common questions such as how much of the line will have to be replaced and how long does it last, see our article about Trenchless Pipe Lining.

We’re looking to hire technicians in Southern California, Temecula Valley preferred.  We’re looking for people who are self-motivated, willing to learn, and who like working with others.  It’s a great opportunity for someone looking to start a career in plumbing.

• As a technician you’ll receive on the job training; no experience is required.
• You’ll join a dedicated professional team.
• You’ll receive a generous benefits package.
• We’ll provide everything you need to do the job.

Veterans are especially encouraged to apply.

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ASAP Drain Guys & Plumbing is  A+ BBB rated and have been serving San Diego since 2001. Learn more or contact us any time.

Our financing as provided by banks is frequently at interest rates well below credit cards.  It can be interest free for as long as 24 months in some cases.  That should provide more than a little stress-relief for you.

You can use the financing for any plumbing work we do that falls within the allowed loan amounts.  It’s typically used for repipes, major leak repairs, pipelining, sewer line replacement, and remodeling.

Benefits of Financing

• It’s easy to sign up.  You just scan your drivers license and an app automatically populates the loan application.  You add your social security income, annual income, and email address.  It can take as little as 1 minute.
• Approval rates are high.  There’s no credit score requirement, but a score of 640 or more is typical.
• If you’re approved you still have the option to decline the loan.
• You can finance anything from a minimum of $3,500 to a maximum $65,000.

Terms and Conditions

Although an application can take just a couple of minutes, it pays to study your options before making a final choice.  There’s two main options.

• An interest-free “promotional” period of 6, 12, 18, 24 months, and in some cases longer.
  • You pay no interest if the full amount (plus any origination fees) are paid before the promotional period expires.
  • If you don’t you’ll owe interest (commonly 5 to 24%), accumulated from the date the loan originated along with the remaining balance.
• A payment plan with a reduced rate APR (annual percentage rate).
  • Interest rates range from 0 to 27 % with terms of 5, 7, 8, 10, and 12 years.
  • You can pay the loan off early without any added prepayment fees.

Financing Tips

We look out for our customers.  Here are a few points you should keep in mind.

• It’s wise to crunch the numbers for your options, considering both the total amount of interest you’ll pay as well as how much the monthly payments need to be.
• Be as sure as you can be that you can pay off the deferred interest option within the promotional period if you choose this option.  Otherwise you could end up paying a high interest rate over a long period.
• These loans don’t pre-qualify, so the “hard credit pull” can have a negative effect on your credit score.
• Don’t forget your options such as various types of bank loans, including home improvement loans and second mortgages.  You might qualify for a Federal Housing Administration Title I Loan.  And if you have excellent credit you might apply for a 0% interest credit card offer.

NOTE: This blog post is for your introductory information.  It’s your responsibility to read and understand the details of any actual offer.

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ASAP Drain Guys & Plumbing is  A+ BBB rated and have been serving San Diego since 2001. Learn more or contact us any time.

As reported by CNN a high-rise apartment building in Hong Kong (Hong Mei House) has been evacuated as a precaution due to several cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections.  That is viewed by some as extreme, but there were important clues the virus could have been transmitted through damaged or improperly modified pipes.  The reported cases were above and below one another, and in at least one apartment the vent pipe had been disconnected and left open.  Transmission might have been through other vectors, such as elevator buttons, but in a densely populated area there’s good reason not to take any chances.

What’s the Problem?

Why are those clues important?

All drains and toilets connect to a sewer line.  You might not know it even exists, but that line has a vent pipe that goes up to the roof to get rid of odors and harmful sewer gasses.  In a high rise building those sewer and vent lines run vertically down to ground level or below.  If everything’s functioning properly there’s no problem.  But any openings can release gasses and disease organisms that may have entered from a sink or toilet (COVID-19 may be present in feces), allowing viruses to become airborne again.  Especially with a bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan pulling in air.  Health officials determined that this was actually a significant source of transmission for SARS.

What’s the Risk?

With the potential to become a pandemic, the Chinese government is taking aggressive measures to contain the corona virus outbreak.  Related to the common cold, this coronavirus spreads is more easily than SARS or MERS, but fortunately far less deadly with mortality rates ranging from less than 1/4% nation-wide to just under 5% in Wuhan  itself.  Plus it’s far less contagious than measles.

So for those in the United States it’s always good practice to follow flu-prevention measures such as hand washing and putting the toilet seat down before flushing.  But there’s no reason for panic or extreme measures.

What You Should Do About Coronavirus and Plumbing

There are also some things you can do to make sure your plumbing is up to grade as a precaution against infections diseases in general.  A plumbing inspection with attention to drain, sewer, and vent lines is always a good idea.

Have you noticed a U-shaped pipe under a sink?  U-traps (sometimes J-traps) hold water that forms a seal between the sink and the drain line and vent.  With only occasional use or a leak there might not be any water there to do the job.  So for rarely used sinks, tubs, and showers as well as floor drains and toilets run some water from time to time.  And if you smell a foul odor coming from these fixtures it’s time to call a plumber.

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ASAP Drain Guys & Plumbing is  A+ BBB rated and have been serving San Diego since 2001. Learn more or contact us any time.