Not Just Another Sales Call

So the other day we got a call from a local insurance company and at first we thought it was just another sales call, but as I was fighting the urge to hang up the representative said that “I don’t think plumbers in this area are ready for what’s coming.” and immediately I thought; what? we can handle whatever she’s talking about and more let me see what she’s talking about. So let me give you the info she gave me that got me thinking she may be right and share our plans to be prepared, and how you can plan for the future as well.

Last year there were 327,648 water damage claims in California alone and the average cost is $9,633. Give and take this cost the insurance industry in California over 3 BILLION dollars which is obviously the companies would like to bring this number down if at all possible. According to the rep they will implement new requirements to be able to get new insurance policies or renew an existing one. This wonderful lady who called was not selling us on anything and I’m sure was only wanting to inform us so she could continue bringing in new customers because these new rules will and have stopped people from being able to obtain a new policy.

She told me about the two big changes coming down the line and I feel for a lot of us because the one that scares me the most is that if you want to buy or renew on a home that is 25 years young they will require you to hire a licensed plumber to replace all the plumbing in the home, she didn’t specify water or sewer but hopefully just the water line. Even then it will cost our customers $6,000-$15,000 out of pocket to just get the water lines replaced. This makes sense because PEX water lines are warrantied for 10 years and copper is warrantied for 25. The other requirement is to install a Moen Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff valve at your meter. This new devise can reduce up to 90% of annual household water waste and prevent 60% of unforeseen water leaks that can cause catastrophic water damage to your home. Now this devise we are proud to say that we are familiar with and encourage everyone to install as soon as possible.

Funny story, me and my family went to a 49ers game about 2 years ago and came home to a flood caused by a tiny water line in the attic that fed a swamp cooler and it wasn’t a week into the demo that our supplier asked us if we knew about the Flo by Moen devise, we brushed it off and then about another week later we had another incident that could of been worse than it was if my wife were not home. So I am convinced of the necessity of this type of product; I like the peace of mind.

Came home to this mess after the game,,

at least the 49ers won

Now this was one insurance company out of many although I’m sure the rest will follow in their foot steps if they have not already. So I agree with the insurance rep who called, WE(the plumbing industry) ARE NOT READY, I feel we are so busy as it is and to now have replumb everyone’s homes whether there’s a leak or not will be very difficult. But we have made arrangements to invest in about 100 Moen Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff valves this first quarter of this year to be prepared. We will come up with a common price to help our customers out and move right into getting these devices installed.

Please follow the link below to learn more about these units and make an informed decision.

https://www.moen.com/flo

Francis F./MPC

Septic and Leachfield Repairs

We get these calls all the time, someone will call and tell us that the septic guy failed their system. Meaning they ran a water hose down the exit pipe of the septic tank and water returned in part or all together. This in their eyes is a failed system and if you're trying to sell your home it puts a real wrench in the process, pun intended. The video shows that we've gone a step past that and located the DBox with locating equipment and retested. Unfortunately we came up with the same conclusion from the Dbox; but, we located the issue soon after and were able to get the system working again. When diagnosing a septic system and specifically the leachfield it's imperative that we locate the Dbox and test from there. We can see if water is coming and going from there, we can see if the leachfield pipes are taking water equally, or if the system has an issue from the Dbox to the field. Sometimes locating the Dbox takes a little more effort than normal. If we can't push past a section of "D" line due to collapse or roots in the system we may have to excavate the line with equipment. Alot of times we end up adding a new Dbox as we do this since we are already in a good position to do so. One thing we would like to recommend to EVERYONE with a septic system is to add a Dbox riser so you can gain access to the Dbox and test without having to locate and excavate the box every time you want to test. If you need a leachfield test after a failed septic inspection or just need to know if your system is working correctly give Modern Plumbing Co. a call and get a good hand on the job. Give us a holler and we'll get you figured out; but, do us a favor and call us before there's a big mess. ( ;

Francis F./MPC

Septic Services Offered:

• Inlet tee and outlet tee repairs

• Septic tank locating

• Septic tank lid excavation

• Septic tank evaluations

• Septic tank replacements

• Septic tank abandonment and city sewer hookups.

• Septic tank repairs & replacement

• Leach Field Inspections & Repairs & Replacement

• Septic System Maintenance

• Escrow Inspections

• City Sewer Hook Ups

• Excavating and backfill

• Septic System Abandonment

“Modern Plumbing was able to locate our septic tank and distribution box to figure out that our leachfield had a couple issues. Hit a couple roadblocks with the other guys and we are grateful to have found this company. Ty, five stars all the way. ”

— George O.

Our Customers Are Our Neighbors

When we start a job for a customer we need to look at the full picture. We become lifetime providers and want to upgrade any system older than 30 years and 10 years for fixtures and appliances so it lasts another 10 to 30 years(service calls add up and are so inconvenient).

A customer's perception of us is priority; they need to know we have they're backs, that's why there is always a recommendation and resolve to their problems. We have to complete a job even if that means rescheduling, calling, emailing, or texting the customer with updates on what needs to be done next, that customer becomes your next door neighbor.

Francis F./MPC

Why, When, How, & Who should Repipe my Home?

     Time is money when you have a water leak in your plumbing system especially when it's on the hot side of your water system, it can add up fast. Even worst if its where you can't see it; like, right under your feet underneath your house. Water damage due to leaks were the 2nd most common home insurance claim in 2017 next to natural disasters according to State Farm Insurance's 2017 Claims Report. We see it all the time, we get calls normally after a customer gets their utility bill or all of a sudden their running out of hot water. The worst is when someone goes away or goes to sleep and finds a huge mess from a busted pipe.

     So lets go over the Why, When, How, & Who should repipe your home.

     The Why? I think we gave some good reasons why; but, another couple reasons would be water quality and fixture preservation. Old pipes, especially galvanized pipes have so much rust built up inside of them it causes damage to fixtures by allowing debris into the water you're possibly drinking. So the age of the pipe and fittings, the quality of your water, and the potential for leaks are all good reasons why you should repipe your home.

     The When? The lifespan of metal water pipes run from 30-50 years depending on water quality. So if you have a house built before 1980 your system is out of date, if you haven't thought seriously about repiping now is the time.

The How? The how is a little harder to explain due to the complexities of each house’s layout and connections to each fixture and component. But the real question is with what, what product should you replace your old system with. Now that's a little easier and simpler to answer, you want to install the most modern and up to date tubing or piping and fittings out on the market. One's that have been trusted and proven by industry experts. As of writing this PEX tubing and fittings are the standard, we carry and use the best system out there(Rehau), its expanding and contracting system is pretty much bulletproof. Out of the dozen plus repipes we've done this year, all of them are 100% leak proof and two of them have drastically improved their water quality with whole house filters.

The Who? That's a no brainer, Modern Plumbing Company is the one to call. Number one reviewed and 100% qualified, we have the tools, knowledge, and resources to get it done. You may say that we are a little biased and in a way you may be right but we have seen the effects of poor workmanship and subpar material and it always costs the customer more money in the long run. Whether it was due to lack or planning, not knowing a qualified company, or trying to save a cent to spend a dollar we have seen people spend thousands of dollars to do it twice. With that said we've given you enough worries and concerns and would love to help in any way. Watch for leaks, do your homework, and keep your family safe. Remember you can always text, call, or email us with any questions or to set up a free in home estimate and evaluation of your system(comes with a free water pressure test).

Francis F./MPC

TEXT A QUOTE

      Our TEXT A QUOTE is revolutionary and brings getting a plumbing quote at the touch of your finger tips. Just text us your info. (name, address, phone #, and email) along with a description of your plumbing problem and as many detailed picture as you can and we'll send you a quote via email. Remember the more detailed you are the more detailed we can be.

     Since we decided to actually answer the phones ourselves and get rid of the call center it's been a challenge to answer simple questions and give estimates over the phone while finishing jobs we are working on at the moment. But technology has caught up and now we can do this via text and still get our work done for the day.

     Do remember though if you have an emergency call, text, leave a voicemail, and email if you have to and we'll get to you ASAP. Again pictures are really helpful to know what is needed for the project. But please remember DO NOT TEXT & DRIVE. 

DO text, DON'T text & drive.

Septic Tank & Leach Field Design, Repair, & Installation

     "Septic drain fields, also called leach fields or leach drains are used to remove contaminants and impurities from the liquid that emerges from the septic tank. A septic tank, the septic drain field, and the associated piping compose a complete septic system. The septic drain field is effective for disposal of organic materials readily catabolized by a microbial ecosystem."  Wikipedia

     It is important for you to keep and maintain a well designed and functioning septic system. You may find that the in some instances that's easier said than done. Roots, collapsed pipes, grease, and other factors may come into play where you find yourself with a tub full of waste water while scratching your head asking yourself what to do.

     First off Call Us to schedule a free estimate and second we will contact your authorized authority to locate existing plot plans which will help us with the planning process. It may be just a blocked sewer lone before the septic which is $140 to clean out with a sewer snake through an existing cleanout.

Note- A common issue in the tank and drain to the tank is the "Septic Sanitary Tee" located in the tank and connected to the entrance and exit of the septic tank. Cost- $450.00 plus parts.

     If the pipe is not blocked we locate the septic lids and check and test the septic tank levels and drainage to the distribution box. This is another common issue that can be easily fixed and repaired by either replacing or cleaning out the distribution line.

     Now the next step will determine if the system is going to be able to be repaired or has to be replaced, and that is testing the D Box it's self. Here is where the system starts to leach into the soil. Follow this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG-Y5hK9Ytg to see a failing leach field test in action. 

      No fears. Modern Plumbing is here to help and in most cases able to save a system instead of replacing the whole system. Take a look at our new adjustable track mini excavator to replace and repair sewer and leach field pipes.

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Water Regulator? I know,,, what is a regulator? Let me tell you, it can save you some money.

       What is wrong with High Water Pressure?
High water pressure, which is generally considered anything above 60 lbs., has some advantage, such as in firefighting systems or a car wash. However, in the home plumbing system, it can be damaging because water, with a strong "push" behind it, can erode or wear away many materials and cause leaking water heaters, banging water pipes, dripping faucets, dishwasher and clothes washer noise and breakdown, and leaking water pipes. Therefore, water flowing at a rate in excess of that necessary to satisfy normal fixture or appliance demands becomes damaging, wasteful and reduces the life expectancy of equipment in the system.
       I know you want to play fireman and
have your shower like your local car wash; but, resist. A car wash is alot cheaper than a water leak.

       As a policy Modern Plumbing Company performs a pressure test on our customer’s water system any time we touch the system to insure proper working order and to limit damage to the water system and its components due to high water pressure. If your system tests above 80 psi it is above the recommended and required limit by state and local code UPC 608.2 EXCESSIVE WATER PRESSURE. See our UpFront page to find our UpFront Water Pressure Test to test your pressure and secure your place among the sane and safe.

Written by Francis F./MPC

New Tankless water heater is now more affordable

         In the past our customers have been turned off by the price of tankless water heaters no matter how many facts we put in front of them in regards to how over time it pays for itself. Noritz(tankless water heater manufacture) has changed the game with the new EZTR40. Finally a direct tankless replacement for a 40 and sometimes 50 gallon tank that can be installed in about the same amount of time as a tank type water heater cutting the cost of installation in half. The timing could not be better with the upcoming NAECA regulations changing and eliminating some storage type water heaters.

       These units allow us to use the existing venting, water, and 1/2' gas line of a typical storage type heater as is with little adjustments to the plumbing. We are real exited to introduce these units to our customers. Follow this link http://www.noritz.com/products/eztr40/ to see this unit for yourself, call (530) 921-9092 for a free estimate, or purchase directly on our UpFront page under UpFront Tankless Retrofit Water Heater.