Plumbing FAQs

Yes. We give free, up-front estimates so you know the price before any work begins.

Yes. We work to get you scheduled the same day you call whenever possible, 7 days a week.

We serve Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Wildomar, Winchester and surrounding areas from our shop in Murrieta.

Yes. Murrieta Valley Plumbing, Inc. holds California contractor license #886431. You can verify any contractor's license on the CSLB website.

Yes. Our phones are answered 24/7, so you can reach us for burst pipes, major leaks and other plumbing emergencies at any time.

Most tank water heaters last about 8–12 years. Hard water, sediment and skipped maintenance can shorten that. If yours is past 10 years and acting up, replacement usually makes more sense than a major repair.

In many cases, yes. We stock common sizes and fuel types. Call early and we'll do our best to restore your hot water the same day.

Yes. We repair and replace both gas and electric tank water heaters, and we also service tankless units.

Yes. We'll look at the problem and give you a free written estimate before any work begins.

In hard-water areas like the Murrieta Valley, about once a year is a good rule of thumb. Check your manufacturer's guidelines too.

Common causes include scale buildup, a dirty inlet filter, venting issues or a gas supply problem. We can diagnose the code and fix the cause.

Often, yes. The conversion may need a larger gas line, new venting or a new electrical circuit. We'll check and give you a free estimate.

Common signs are a warm spot on the floor, a sudden increase in your water bill, the sound of running water, or your water meter moving with all fixtures off. Call us and we'll check.

Not always. Depending on where the leak is, it can sometimes be repaired through a small opening or by rerouting the line instead. We'll explain your options first.

It depends on your policy. Many policies cover some sudden water damage but not the pipe repair itself. Check with your insurance company — we can provide documentation of what we found.

It depends on your policy. Many policies cover the cost of accessing the leak and the water damage, but not the pipe repair itself. Call your insurer, and we can provide photos and a written description of the repair for your claim.

Often, yes. A reroute avoids breaking up your floor and takes the line out from under the slab permanently. A spot repair can make sense for a single, easy-to-reach leak on pipe that's otherwise in good shape. We'll explain both options.

Most single-line reroutes are finished in a day. Larger reroutes can take longer, and we'll give you a timeline with your estimate.

Usually a few small openings are needed to run the new line. We keep them as small as we can and leave them ready for drywall patching.

Generally the water district owns the line up to and including the meter, and the homeowner is responsible for everything on the house side of the meter. If the leak is at the meter itself, call your water district.

In most Murrieta Valley homes it's on an outside wall near the front hose bib, often next to the pressure regulator. If you can't find it or it won't turn, we can locate it and replace it.

We dig only where the leak is. Once we pinpoint it, the repair hole is usually small.

Most homes do best between about 50 and 70 psi. California's plumbing code calls for a pressure regulator when incoming pressure is over 80 psi.

Often 10 to 15 years, though hard water can shorten that. If your home is older than that and has never had it replaced, it's worth having the pressure tested.

Yes. High pressure strains the tank and can make the relief valve drip. A working regulator, along with an expansion tank where needed, protects it.

Both are good choices. PEX is flexible, fast to install and resists freezing and scale, which usually makes it the more affordable option. Copper is a long-proven material. We'll explain the trade-offs for your home.

It depends on the size of the home and access, but many repipes are done in a few days. We'll give you a timeline with your estimate.

Often, yes. Rerouting the leaking line above the slab is a common and cost-effective fix, and it avoids breaking up your floor.

Repeat clogs usually mean buildup further down the line, a venting problem or a sagging pipe. We'll clear it and tell you what we found.

We don't recommend it. Harsh chemicals can damage pipes and fixtures and are dangerous for anyone who works on the drain afterward.

Stop using water in the house and call us. Several drains backing up at once usually points to a main line clog.

Hydro jetting uses a stream of high-pressure water to scour the inside of drain and sewer pipes, removing grease, scale, sludge and roots and flushing them out of the line.

For simple clogs, snaking is often all you need. For recurring clogs, grease buildup or roots, hydro jetting cleans the whole pipe wall, so the line usually stays clear much longer.

In pipes that are in good condition, yes. We check the line and set the pressure for your pipes. If a pipe is damaged or too fragile, we'll recommend a repair instead.

Most homes only need it when problems come up. Homes and businesses with heavy grease or root problems sometimes schedule it every year or two as maintenance.

Recurring stoppages usually mean something in the line is catching waste: roots, a sag in the pipe, a broken joint or heavy buildup. A camera inspection shows what it is so it can be fixed for good.

It's a capped access point on your sewer line, usually near the house or in the yard. It lets a plumber clear the main line without pulling a toilet. If you don't have one, we can install one.

If you've had more than one main line backup, have large trees near the line, or are buying an older home, a camera inspection is worth it. It shows the condition of the line before you spend money on repairs.

Usually a worn flapper, a fill valve that's failing or a chain that's the wrong length. It's typically a quick, affordable repair.

It can be — a failed seal under the toilet can damage the subfloor over time. Turn off the valve behind the toilet and give us a call.

Yes. We're happy to install customer-supplied fixtures. We'll check that it's complete and compatible before we start.

Usually a worn cartridge or valve seals. We can replace the parts and get it shutting off cleanly again.

Grease, food scraps and coffee grounds build up in the line over time. We'll clear it and tell you whether the line needs a deeper cleaning, such as hydro jetting.

If the motor hums but won't turn, it's often just jammed and can be freed. If it's leaking from the body or is more than about 10 years old, replacement is usually the better value.

It's usually jammed. Turn off the power and never put your hand inside. Many units have a hex socket on the bottom to free the blades. If it still won't turn or keeps tripping, it may need repair or replacement.

A 1/2 HP unit is fine for light use. Families who cook a lot usually do better with 3/4 HP or 1 HP, which grind faster and jam less.

Usually, yes. We carry common disposals on our trucks.

Common causes are a leaking shower valve, a failed tub or shower drain seal, a toilet wax ring, or a supply line. Turn off the water to that bathroom if you can and call us.

Often, yes. Many valve repairs are done through the trim opening, or through an access panel from the other side of the wall.

Pre-filters are typically changed about every 6 to 12 months and the membrane every 2 to 3 years, depending on your system and water use. Check your manufacturer's schedule.

Yes. We repair and service most brands of under-sink RO systems.

Many plumbers aim for roughly 50–70 PSI at the home. Higher pressure can wear out fixtures and appliances faster. We'll test it for you.

Right now we focus on service and repair for existing homes, so we're not taking new-construction projects.

Often, yes. Tankless units use much more gas at once than a tank heater. We'll check your line size and meter capacity before recommending a tankless conversion.

Yes. We install outdoor gas lines with a dedicated shutoff, and handle the permit where one is required.

Yes. Our phones are answered around the clock, so you can always reach us and get help scheduled.

In many local homes it's near the front hose bib, in the garage, or at the water meter at the curb. If you can't find it, call us and we'll talk you through it.

Our phones are answered 24/7, and we'll work with you to schedule around your business hours whenever we can.

No. We focus on service, repair and replacement for existing buildings.