Are you known locally?

Being known locally is important. It helps your customers connect with and relate to you and your business. Why? Understanding the community you live and work in is important for many reasons. Travel time, local sustainability and reputation are important if your service provider is local. There are environmental considerations too but that is not going to be discussed here. How long a business has been in the community is a good indicator of how important it is for them as a business to have and maintain a positive relationship and reputation. The smaller the community the more important it is to stay in touch with your current and potential customers.

With over 50 years in the same location and 25 plus years in business Better Plumbing is a sterling example of community commitment and customer satisfaction. We have served Milpitas residents and the residents of both Santa Clara and Alameda Counties with a commitment to total customer service.

Call us today for all of your plumbing needs and questions so you can experience the level of service so hard to find these days. And thank you for your 34 plus years of business!

Better Plumbing

(408) 263-8433

Social Media and the Service Sector... what you want versus what you get

You discover you need a professional to help you with a problem your having. Where do you turn? Consumers have a new avenue of finding professionals today which include the use of the internet and social media. Consumer websites abound with offers to help you find a professional with the expertise you need. There are profiles to read, background checks done and even customers who tell the tale of their experience with the professional you may be considering. Great right? Well let's look a little closer and see what can also be happening to influence your decision. 

When a customer endorses a professional how can you be sure it is not a relative or friend? The truth is you can't. This is why photos of the work are just as important as the testimonials are. What do the former customers say? Great price? Neat work? Quality parts? Are you sure they are saying the things that are important to you? Read carefully what message is really coming across both from the professional and their customers. Usually everything works the minute it is installed so function isn't as important as quality and craftsmanship in my opinion. 

Which sites are reliable for recommendations is up to you. I like the sites which do not charge the professional or consumer to sign up. Why? Because if they do then there seems to me a conflict of interest occurs when a professional pays to be promoted as trustworthy or "Certified" without posting how when and why they are "Certified". 

No complaints or disciplinary action from the licensing Governmental Agency is the best indication of a reliable and trustworthy professional. You can check the status of a licensed professional online. In California, the Department of Consumer Affairs which is the Administrator of the Contractor State License Board electronically gives you insight into the professional you are about to hire.  

And finally, background checks. Sounds great right? Did you know most background checks are done on the owner of the company and not the technician who will come to your home or business. If you want a background check ask the website or company to send you one on the technician coming to your home or business. And again how do you know who the background check is on since you really don't know the person coming to your home or business. Trust your instincts! If you feel uncomfortable, call someone else. The best resource for finding someone still is asking someone you know and already trust. Even then, trust.. but verify!

Finding a professional you can trust is a wonderful thing. Please be sure to tell others so they can experience quality and craftsmanship without headache and stress! Proud professionals everywhere are littered with unscrupulous and fraudulent workers posing as a professionals. Most of the time you only find out at the end of the job. So check references for larger projects to insure you are not regretting taking the "best price" at the highest cost to you, the consumer!  

What is commercial plumbing?

Commercial Boiler 

Some wonder what the difference is between commercial plumbing systems versus other types of plumbing systems. Well there are several types of plumbing designs to meet the needs of the demands made on the system. Residential, commercial, institutional, light industrial and industrial are some types of plumbing systems to name a few. Within each of these types of plumbing systems there are subtypes. Some of the subtypes within commercial for example are restaurant, office building, business park, strip mall, gas station, shopping center and movie theater to name a few. Each system has differing demands and needs placed on it. Each plumbing system requires special skills to install, service and maintain. 

Picking the right person who understands these different types of plumbing systems, subtypes and challenges of each requires a bit of trial and error. Accurate troubleshooting and long term solutions are signs you have the right person for the job. Fixing a problem before you understand why it was a problem in the first place is just delaying the problem from happening again.

Some things to think about when selecting the right plumber for your  commercial property might include how many years of actual commercial experience does this firm have, are they in it for the job at hand or will they be there in the long run, can you reach them when you need them, can you reach the plumber or do they call you when they can, does their solution involve sound long term business objectives you have with minimal problems and disruptions? 

Commercial plumbing systems have large volume demands placed on them so it is vital that selection of the professional you make meets these goals for you.

With over 30 years of commercial experience in all types of plumbing systems Better Plumbing is ready to meet your demands for residential, commercial and light industrial plumbing system designs. Call us and get a plumber on the phone immediately to address your care or concerns. We are available 24 hours a day year around to meet the demands your plumbing system requires. 

Call Better Plumbing to schedule your plumbing evaluation with a no obligation inspection to see if your plumbing system could use a modernization to reduce costs, be greener to the environment, add a new level of safety for the dwelling occupants or just make minor adjustments to improve overall performance.

We can be reached at (408) 263-8433

Look forward to meeting you.

your plumber,

Cameron

Running toilet?

Ever hear a noise at night coming from your bathroom? Chances are it is the sound of money going down the drain! Toilets are the  "silent water vampires" of modern plumbing. A running toilet wastes water, energy and money. A simple leak check yearly is recommended and can be done usually very simply.





Don't let that running toilet get away from you! Put a stop to running toilet by tackling the problem with a leak check you can usually obtain free from the local hardware store or home center.

If you need help or assistance on water conservation feel free to contact me for a free no obligation estimate on fixing those leaks you may have!

Thank you!

If you have any questions or comments feel free to call me and I will be glad to help you if I can. I can be reached at (408) 263-8433.

your plumber,

Cameron

Water conservation may no longer be an option.

Ever wonder how some of the most complicated problems in life might be worked out? Water conservation is not new. The perspective this video offers is. It helps us to understand what we can do collectively to address current and future resources as a species.



Water is a resource that all human beings need to survive. Water conservation is the least we can do no matter what the cost.

Let me show you how you can do a small part in conserving this precious resource.

Is cheaper better?

A lot has been said about price. Is price all there is to consider when selecting a plumber? Well, watch this video and ask yourself that question. If you still think that cheap price is appealing let me know. I hope this has informed you as a consumer. Safety is no accident!

Should you fix that leak?

Water water everywhere....

Well not so anymore. Water, as I have said in the past, will be the next oil. Look the writing is on the wall. You now pay more for 12 oz. bottled water per gallon than gas. We can run out of oil and survive but if we run out of water then disease and death are soon to follow.

It always amazes me when I go to a customers home and find plumbing leaks during my free routine inspections I do. I will point out that these other problems should be addressed and corrected yet the customer is reluctant. Dismissing a leak is wasteful and harmful to the environment. Water, like oil, is a resource. Use it wisely and you will not have to adjust your lifestyle when a drought comes.

So how can you conserve water? The number one way is low flow toilets. Low flow toilets help each of us slow the flow and can save tremendous amounts of water each flush. Next is irrigation and landscape selection. You can consult with a landscape architect who can show you what you should plant in your particular area and don't be afraid to ask them how long or what time you should water your existing landscape.

Then comes showers and shower heads. If you have teenagers then you know how long a shower can last. It is not uncommon to let the shower run until the water is warm enough to get into but did you ever wonder how much water that wastes? Estimates are near 60,000 gallons per year per household! Wasted! A circulation pump would eliminate most of that and so would catching that with a bucket and using it on your landscaping. Shower heads can use from .5 gpm to 8 gpm (gallons per minute) So in one minute you could have taken a sixteen minute shower! Something to consider. Sewer treatment facilities are running at capacity and the housing keeps going up so conservation to control your personal costs is a prudent investment.

Finally we come to leaks. Waste with no purpose. Fixing those running toilets, dripping faucets or the newly discovered "wet spot" in the yard should be done as quickly as time allows. Bad plumbing probably accounts for most of the loss we face overall since it is a total loss and is not used by anyone. These leaks usually go unnoticed.

Prudent conservation, water saving devices and technology will help you do your part in the great water conservation effort soon to be coming to a city near you! Be ready and reap the benefits of a properly working water saving plumbing system. You will feel good for doing it and the planet will too!

If you need any help or have any questions feel free to call me at (408) 263-8433.

your plumber,

Cameron

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Backflow Prevention, what is it?

Ever see those big valves sticking out of the ground near the sidewalk and wonder what they are for? Have you heard of anti-siphon devices and wondered what they were talking about? Even though you may not know what they are they work relentlessly to protect the public health. These valves are installed on domestic water lines to prevent the back flowing of water into your fresh water supply.

Now, you may ask, when is it possible for water to flow backwards into the fresh waterline? Often, when there is a fire, firetrucks will pump the water from the domestic supply. If, during this time you are say, filling a swimming pool, the negative pressure will siphon the water from the pool and make its way back into the utilities water supply contaminating it. Same goes for when you are gardening and lay the hose on the ground and the water is drawn back into the water supply dirt and bacteria can contaminate the water supply.

Back flow devices and anti-siphoning devices prevent this from happening. With back flow devices if a negative flow occurs the valve "checks" or prevents the flow of water when the pressure coming into your supply is lower than the pressure already past the valve thus preventing an equalizing or back flow situation. This is usually accompanied by what is commonly called dumping. This occurs when the water is released from the relief valve it is a sign that a back flowing has attempted to occur.

Anti-siphon devices are somewhat the same although they usually are installed on landscaping supply lines and hose bibs. These prevent back flow by opening and allowing air to enter the line when a negative pressure situation occurs.

If you have any questions or comments about installing or maintaing your backflow devices feel free to call me at (408) 263-8433.

your plumber,

Cameron

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Pex pipe as an option

Recently I went to a customers house who had a water piping leak. This was not the first leak I repaired for this customer, it was the second. I fixed the leak and the customer started to inquire about re-piping their entire water system inside their home. They asked about options. I informed the customer that because of their locale they were limited to either copper or steel pipes in the home. Cpvc or pex had, by the locale, been rejected by way of an addendum to the Uniform Plumbing Code. When the customer asked why, I suggested they call the locale and ask. Now please don't get me wrong this is not knocking either steel or copper both of which I have installed, at the customers request, for years. Both are good, quality materials in their respective environments and for differing reasons. With this in mind the water in this area is particularly aggressive for both copper and steel. This is the focus of this particular segment.

Why pex?

I don't think one material is better than the other until water conditions are considered. With the addition of chloramines in public and private water supplies combined with already aggressive water I am noticing a new phenomenon of piping failures in the metals. I can't say I'd recommend replacing failed materials with more of the same failed material. Pex is not new it has been used extensively in Europe for years and is taking the plumbing market by storm. But buyer beware it is not the save all solution for every application. The key to pex, in my opinion, is how it is joined and how it is installed. There are quick connections that incorporate "O" rings that may react with the water, there are plastic inserts that may be subject to failure (see quest piping) there are installation standards that can and will cause problems if they are not followed. My idea of a quality install would incorporate the following practices. Pex pipe with brass inserts, pex bend supports, a home run from a strategically placed manifold system and copper stub outs. One hot or cold pipe from manifold to one fixture. A manifold can be installed in a wall with a manifold box and gives the consumer access to conveniently turning off the water in one central location within the home or garage. If you would like to talk to a live person about pex, have questions or just are curious visit http://www.pexsupply.com/ they have a live chat feature and will answer questions about pex you may have for your particular application. Pex should be installed by a professional plumbing contractor.

Consult with your local building department before considering pex to insure it has been adopted, if it hasn't ask why not and inquire about the steps you would need to take to get a variance. If you have a failed water system you may get one depending on the locale you live.

Call me if your interested in knowing more or would like an estimate for installing PEX or Pex related products for you at (408) 263-8433

your plumber,

Cameron

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Repair or Replace?

Drip, drip drip.

That old faucet is leaking again or maybe you hear the toilet running. You can remember you fixed it, you just can't remember when; it doesn't seem that long ago. So the real question is should you replace that plumbing fixture or just rebuild it again?

There are several factors that will help guide you through the process of deciding.

First, when was the item made. Old parts are becoming harder and harder to obtain for replacement. If you wait to change the fixture you may have no choice the next time it fails. This may pose a serious problem depending on the time and the nature of the repair. It is better to plan a change out than have to do it right then and there unexpectedly.

Second, if your not in need of a fixture right now you can start browsing the plumbing isle at the local home center and budget for one that stikes your particular taste. When the time comes you can get the fixture you have already decided you want.

Third you can get a fixture from your plumbing professional. They may or may not have the fixture in stock. The advantages of this choice is the plumber will usually guarantee the fixture against defects for at least a year and most new fixtures come with a limited lifetime guarantee.

Whatever you decide, the fact that water is becoming more and more precious should also guide your decision making process. Old fixtures send more water down the drain and that is wasteful and harmful to the environment.

Choose wisely and look for a name brand you recognize and you can get a great fixture that will give you years of problem free service like the one your replacing.

Call me if I can help at (408) 263-8433

your plumber,

Cameron

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Valves are for emergencies, will yours work when you need it?

Valves are used for every sort of plumbing emergency and maintenance. There are several types of valves. I will deal with the types most people use in day to day life. First, do you know where to turn off the water for your building in case of an emergency? The type of valve you have will also determine the success you will achieve when trying to do so. Gate valves the kind of valve you turn the handle repeatedly will seize if they are not properly maintained. Cheap construction grade valves usually never work in a pinch. There is an alternative to these types of valves. A simple ball valve. Yes a ball valve, if it is the right type, can be a life saver in a pinch. Its use is easy, just a lever on or off. Be sure to ask if the valve is a full port which means it does not restrict the flow rather it allows the full opening of the pipe to pass through the valve body. Angle stops, those little valves under your sink you never notice until you have a leak, also come in quarter turn ball valve styles. These valves should be replaced every time the fixture is replaced to ensure they will work in an emergency. The valve on your water heater could also be switched to a ball valve for emergencies. These are the most typical valves you would use in your building. Get familiar of the locations of the various valves on your building and maintain them so they will work when you need them.

your plumber,

Cameron

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One way to select a plumber...

You need a plumber, now! Water is coming out everywhere and that smell! Where that’s coming from you're afraid to ask.

So how do you select a plumber? What criteria should a person use? Here is some friendly advice from someone who has over 30 years in the trade. Remember your real estate is usually the largest investment you'll make in life. Do you really want to let just anyone in there? No! If they aren't licensed you could fall victim to criminals who prey on owners who don't check out who they hire. There are those who use someone just because they answer the phone. Really that's all they have to do. Some look for the best "deal" they can find thinking no one is really qualified that does the work. Some go to the good old stand by, the same guy who has been doing the work for them all these years. Sometimes it pays to look around for who is the most qualified for your particular task. Drain clearing is pretty standard stuff if all you want is the water to go down. If you want to know why it stopped up and how to prevent it from happening so soon you may want to consider someone who has a video inspection system. Maybe you would benefit by using enzymes to combat sludge build up. So you see there are as many ways to clear a drain as are those interested. Think about some of the consequences of hiring someone unqualified or just plain too lazy to learn the new technology of plumbing. Plumbers install gas lines, waterlines, drain lines, tankless water heaters, sewer lines and automatic gas shut-off valves et. These are the tools by which modern man combats the spread of disease. Plumbing that does not meet current minimum standards endangers the occupants of the dwelling and the public at large. So mix it up. Ask around before picking up that phone book. Ask yourself if you would let that person you hire touch everything you put in your mouth or on your body. The plumber brings you water you drink and the showers you take. If the answer is no then call someone else.

By the way, how many things are wrong in this photo? Go ahead and post your response.

your plumber,

Cameron

Finding it hard to replace that older toilet?

Think using that old toilet is wise? Old toilets consume large quantities of water and work no better at removing waste. Since they were first introduced the technology of low flow toilets has improved. Low end construction grade brands continue to give low flow toilets a bad name. Well known brand names are available for a modest price and can be installed quickly. The enviroment and resources are saved. Costs are recovered by the reduced water consumption. Its a win win situation!

Call me today and we can discuss how you can enjoy new low flow toilets in your home or building today.

I can be reached at (408) 263-8433

your plumber,

Cameron

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Tankless hot water heaters ARE for everyone!

Plumbing rarely has new products that excite and amaze people. One such new and exciting plumbing product is the "tankless" water heater. Several brands and models to choose from insure a competitive maket for the technology. Indoor, outdoor, single or multiple water heating unit configurations means using less energy and space. These units come with special features such as remote thermostats for comfort control. Special pumps can be added to recirculate for immediate hot water. Prices vary and the cost may be expensive but recoverable. With the price of energy going up why heat all that water while your away at work or sleeping?

Call me today and we can discuss if installing one or more of these units is the right choice for you.

I can be reached at (408) 263-8433

your plumber,

Cameron

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Waiting for hot water?

Can you save money and the environment?

Today we look at the real cost savings of recirculated hot water for retrofit homes. The system does not require a new circulation system to be installed since it utilizes existing plumbing and a special valve that comes with the pump to circulate the water. The comfort pump saves an average home between 16,000 to 38,000 gallons of wasted fresh water a year. Water that is quickly becoming the new "crisis" commodity. Using less water means less sewer treatment work for the City utilities, less fresh water wasted, less work on the environment of treated water and savings for you! This particular model uses less energy that a 25 watt light bulb and has a timer so you can set it to run at the hours you need it most. Considering the condition of your water heater the cost to install is modest and return on investment is assured.

So call today and we can set up an appointment to see if we can save you money as you help save the environment in which you live! (408) 263-8433.

your plumber,

Cameron

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