Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Plumbing Services in Drexel Heights Arizona
At Drexel Heights Plumbing Pros, we believe that an informed customer is an empowered customer. Plumbing issues can be confusing and stressful, often catching homeowners off guard. We have compiled this extensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page to answer your most pressing inquiries regarding our services and general plumbing maintenance. We are dedicated to providing clarity and high quality service to the residents of Drexel Heights, Valencia West, Tucson Estates, Three Points, and Sells. Whether you have a question about a leaking faucet or a major sewer line issue, we hope you find the answers here.
If you do not see your specific question listed below, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. We are your local plumbing experts, ready to assist with any residential or commercial plumbing challenge.
General Service Questions
Do you offer emergency plumbing services?
Yes, absolutely. We understand that plumbing disasters do not respect standard business hours. A pipe can burst at 3:00 AM, and a water heater can fail on a holiday. We are a dedicated 24 hour plumber serving the entire Drexel Heights area. Whether you need a weekend plumber or an after hours plumber, you can rely on us. We offer fast emergency service to mitigate damage and restore your home’s functionality as quickly as possible. When you search for an emergency plumber near me, Drexel Heights Plumbing Pros is the team ready to respond.
What areas do you serve?
We are a locally focused business centered in Drexel Heights, Arizona. Our primary service zip codes are 85706, 85746, and 85757. However, our commitment extends to the surrounding communities. We provide full plumbing services to Valencia West, Tucson Estates, Three Points, and Sells. We understand the unique terrain and housing styles in these areas, from mobile homes to new construction, and we are equipped to travel to your location to provide expert service.
Do you serve commercial businesses as well as homes?
Yes, we are a full service provider acting as both a residential plumber and a commercial plumber. We understand that businesses have unique needs, including high volume usage and the requirement for minimal downtime. We service restaurants, retail stores, office buildings, and property management companies. From commercial water heater repair to maintaining public restrooms, we have the expertise and manpower to handle commercial scale plumbing systems.
Emergency Plumbing & Safety
What is considered a plumbing emergency?
A plumbing emergency is generally defined as any situation that poses an immediate threat to your property or your health, or that renders your home uninhabitable. Common examples include:
- Burst pipe repair: Water spraying into your home can cause massive structural damage in minutes.
- Overflowing toilet help: If sewage is spilling onto your floor, it is a biohazard that needs immediate attention.
- No hot water: While inconvenient, a complete lack of hot water can be an emergency, especially for families with young children or elderly residents.
- Sewer line backups: If multiple drains are backing up simultaneously, sewage cannot leave your home, which is a critical sanitation issue.
- Gas leaks: This is the most severe emergency.
CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING: Gas Leaks
If you smell gas (often described as a rotten egg odor), hear a hissing sound coming from a gas pipe, or suspect a gas leak for any reason, you must go outside and call 911 immediately.
Do not turn any light switches on or off. Do not use a landline phone or a cell phone while inside the building. Do not start any car parked in the garage or driveway. Any spark could ignite the gas. This is a life threatening emergency that requires urgent attention from emergency responders and your utility provider. Once the area has been declared safe by the proper authorities, you can contact us to perform a gas line repair or inspection to fix the issue permanently.
What should I do while waiting for an emergency plumber?
If water is leaking, the most important step is to stop the flow. Locate your main water shut off valve. In many Drexel Heights homes, this is located outside near the street in a meter box or near the front of the house where the hose bib is. Turn this valve off immediately. If the leak is isolated to a specific fixture, like a toilet or sink, you can use the angle stop valve located directly underneath or behind that fixture. Open outside faucets to drain the remaining water from the pipes. Move furniture and valuables away from the wet area to prevent damage.
Water Heater Repair and Installation
My water heater is making a popping or banging noise. Is it going to explode?
While it is unlikely to explode, those noises indicate a serious problem that needs attention. In Drexel Heights, we have very hard water. Over time, minerals like calcium and magnesium settle at the bottom of your water heater tank. This sediment layer traps water underneath it. When the heating element turns on, that trapped water boils and bursts through the sediment layer, creating a popping sound. This is known as “kettling.” It causes the tank to overheat and can lead to leaks. We recommend water heater maintenance to flush the tank and remove this sediment.
Why do I have no hot water?
There are several reasons for a no hot water plumber call. If you have an electric water heater, it could be a tripped circuit breaker, a failed heating element (upper or lower), or a broken thermostat. If you have a gas water heater, it could be that the pilot light has gone out, the thermocouple is faulty, or the gas control valve has failed. Our technicians can troubleshoot the issue quickly to determine if you need a simple repair or a water heater replacement.
Should I switch to a tankless water heater?
Tankless water heater systems are becoming very popular in Drexel Heights. Unlike traditional tanks that keep 40 or 50 gallons of water hot 24/7, a tankless unit heats water only when you turn on the tap.
- Pros: You never run out of hot water (infinite supply), they are more energy efficient, they take up less space, and they typically last longer than tank units.
- Cons: They have a higher upfront installation cost and may require upgrades to your gas line or electrical panel to handle the power demand.
We are tankless water heater install experts and can evaluate your home to see if this upgrade is right for you.
How often should I replace my water heater?
A traditional tank style water heater typically lasts between 8 and 12 years. If your unit is over 10 years old and you are starting to need frequent repairs, it is usually more cost effective to replace it. Tankless units can last 20 years or more with proper maintenance. If you see water heater leaking from bottom, it usually means the steel tank has rusted through, and replacement is the only option.
Drain Cleaning and Sewer Services
Why is my kitchen sink draining slowly?
The kitchen sink is the most abused drain in the house. Slow drainage is often caused by the accumulation of grease, fats, oil, and food particles inside the pipe. Over time, these substances coat the walls of the pipe, narrowing the opening until water can barely pass through. We provide kitchen sink drain keeps backing up solutions using professional snakes and hydro jetting to cut through the grease and restore full flow.
Can I use chemical drain cleaners to clear a clog?
We strongly advise against using chemical drain cleaners. These products rely on harsh acids or caustic bases to eat through the clog. Unfortunately, they generate heat and chemical reactions that can damage your pipes. They can corrode metal pipes and melt or warp plastic PVC pipes. Furthermore, if the chemical fails to clear the clog, it sits in the pipe, creating a dangerous hazard for the plumber who eventually comes to fix it. Mechanical drain cleaning is safer for your plumbing system and the environment.
What is hydro jetting?
Hydro jetting is an advanced method of drain cleaning. It uses high pressure streams of water (up to 4000 PSI) to scour the inside of your pipes. Unlike a traditional snake, which simply punches a hole through a blockage, hydro jetting cleans the entire circumference of the pipe. It is effective at removing grease, sand, silt, and even tree roots. It is particularly useful in Drexel Heights for removing hard water scale buildup from drain lines.
How do I know if I have a main sewer line blockage?
A main sewer line blockage affects all the plumbing fixtures in your home, not just one. Signs include:
- Multiple drains backing up at the same time.
- Water backing up into the bathtub or shower when you flush the toilet.
- Gurgling sounds coming from the toilet when the washing machine runs.
- Sewage seeping out of the sewer cleanout in your yard.
If you experience these issues, contact us immediately for sewer drain cleaning. We can use a video camera to inspect the line and determine the best course of action.
Do tree roots really cause plumbing problems in the desert?
Yes, absolutely. In dry climates like ours, tree roots are aggressive in their search for moisture. The warm, nutrient rich water flowing through your sewer pipes is a magnet for roots. They can enter through tiny cracks or loose joints in the pipe. Once inside, they grow rapidly, catching toilet paper and solids until they create a massive blockage. We specialize in removing roots and repairing the damage they cause.
Garbage Disposal Services
My garbage disposal is humming but not grinding. What is wrong?
A humming sound usually indicates that the disposal motor is receiving power, but the flywheel is jammed. This is often caused by a piece of bone, a fruit pit, or a utensil getting wedged between the impeller and the shredder ring. Turn off the unit immediately to prevent the motor from burning out. This is a common jammed garbage disposal issue. We can safely unjam the unit and hit the reset button to get it working again.
What items should I avoid putting down the garbage disposal?
Your garbage disposal is not a trash can. To avoid needing garbage disposal repair, avoid putting the following items down the drain:
- Grease, oil, and fat: They solidify and clog pipes.
- Fibrous foods: Celery, corn husks, onion skins, and artichokes can tangle around the blades.
- Starchy foods: Pasta, rice, and potato peels swell with water and create a paste.
- Hard items: Bones and fruit pits can damage the blades.
- Non food items: Glass, plastic, metal, or paper.
Why does my dishwasher back up into the sink?
Your dishwasher drains into your garbage disposal (or the sink drain tailpiece). If the disposal is clogged or full of food, the dishwasher water has nowhere to go and will back up into the sink. Alternatively, if you just had a new disposal installed and the dishwasher is not draining, it is likely that the “knockout plug” inside the disposal was not removed during installation. We handle dishwasher hookup plumber services and can resolve these integration issues.
Pipe Repair and Leak Detection
How do I know if I have a hidden water leak?
Hidden leaks, often called “slab leaks” or wall leaks, can be tricky to spot. Look for these signs:
- A sudden, unexplained increase in your water bill.
- The sound of running water when all taps are turned off.
- Damp or warm spots on your floor (especially concrete slabs).
- Mold or mildew growth on walls or baseboards.
- Cracks in your foundation or flooring.
We use electronic leak detection equipment to pinpoint the source of the leak without tearing up your home unnecessarily.
What causes pipes to burst?
Pipes can burst for several reasons. In Drexel Heights, high water pressure from the municipal supply is a common culprit. If the pressure is too high, it stresses the pipes and joints. Corrosion in older copper or galvanized steel pipes can weaken the metal until it fails. Shifting soil can also physically snap a pipe. While freezing is less common here, a sudden winter freeze can burst exposed pipes. We offer burst pipe repair and can install pressure regulators to protect your plumbing.
What is the difference between PEX and Copper piping?
When we perform repiping services, homeowners often ask which material is better.
- Copper: Is a proven, durable metal that resists bacteria and UV damage. It is rigid and soldered together. It is more expensive but lasts a long time.
- PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene): Is a flexible plastic tubing. It is resistant to scale buildup and corrosion. It is cheaper to install because it requires fewer fittings and less labor (it can be snaked through walls).
Both are excellent choices. PEX is often preferred for repiping existing homes due to the ease of installation, while copper is often used for main water lines and outdoor plumbing.
Why do I have low water pressure?
Low water pressure can be caused by a variety of issues. It could be a failing pressure regulator valve, a hidden leak in the main water line repair needs, or mineral buildup (scale) inside old galvanized pipes that is restricting flow. If the low pressure is isolated to one faucet, it might just be a clogged aerator. If it is the whole house, it is a systemic issue. We can diagnose the cause and provide a solution to restore strong pressure.
Plumbing Fixtures (Toilets, Faucets, Showers)
My toilet keeps running. Is this a big deal?
A running toilet might seem like a minor annoyance, but it can waste hundreds of gallons of water a day, significantly impacting your water bill. It is usually caused by a worn out flapper valve that is not sealing properly or a faulty fill valve. These are relatively simple and affordable repairs. Contact us for toilet repair to stop the waste.
Can you fix a dripping faucet?
Yes, we handle leaking faucet repair for all types of faucets (kitchen, bathroom, tub, laundry). A drip is usually caused by a worn out washer, O-ring, or cartridge inside the faucet handle. In Drexel Heights, hard water often damages these internal components. We can replace the parts to stop the drip. If the faucet is old or corroded, we may recommend a faucet installation to update the look and function of your sink.
How does hard water affect my plumbing fixtures?
Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. As water evaporates, it leaves these minerals behind as white, crusty deposits (scale). This scale can clog showerheads, ruin the finish on faucets, and damage the internal mechanisms of toilets and valves. We can recommend water softening solutions and provide maintenance to clean and descale your fixtures.
Contact Us
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can contact us to schedule any of our services. Whether you need drain cleaning, water heater repair, or emergency plumbing, we are ready to help. We do not use online forms; we prefer to speak with you directly or have you reach out to coordinate service.
What if I have a question not listed here?
Please reach out to us! We are happy to discuss your specific plumbing situation. Plumbing systems can be unique, and we love solving problems. We are the best plumbing company for personalized service and expert advice.
We look forward to serving you and keeping the water flowing in Drexel Heights, 85706, 85746, 85757, and beyond.
Contact us today.
Service Areas and Zip Codes
Primary Location:
Drexel Heights, Arizona: 85706, 85746, 85757
Service Areas:
- Valencia West: 85757
- Tucson Estates: 85713, 85735, 85746
- Three Points: 85736
- Sells: 85634
Plumbing Pro Services
Committed To Flowing Water & Peace Of Mind
Reliable plumbing solutions for residential and commercial needs. We ensure your pipes, drains, and fixures are working perfectly.
We Deliver Expert Results
Don’t gamble with your plumbing. We combine years of experience with modern technology to deliver lasting repairs and installations. Our team respects your time and your property.
- Fixture Installation
- Leak Detection
- Modern Diagnostics
- Drain Cleaning