Entries Tagged 'plumbing' ↓

A series of review sites are beginning to paint a picture about consumer response to the new dual flush toilets and high efficiency toilets, that are on the market today. Although some of the sites, are dedicated to one or more of the toilets, taken as a whole the review sites present informative action about expected performance.

Consumersreports.org, summarized statistics they tabulated, which indicate that people are still preferring the 1.6 gallon flush toilets over 1.28 or dual flush toilets.

Amazon.com collects consumer reviews about toilets that they sell. Their site gave the Tot max a perfect 5/5 review score. The American Standard Champion received 4.4/5.0 stars, with the toilet receiving some complaints about problems with leaking.

Consulting Specifying Engineering CSE Magazine,. Posted reviews dating back from the end of 2007. In that year, the Gerber Ultra Dual Flush toilet was the MVP Product of the Year.

On the American Modern Living Website, a site dedicated to reviewing the American Standard Champion the champ only got 3/5 stars, on his own courtwith some people reporting problems with a leaky seal.

Consumer Search.com is a very respected consumer review web site. They listed four toilets that tabulated the most positive reviews in various categories.They reviewed the Gerber, Ultra Dual Flush Elongated Toilet, the American Standard Compact Cadet 3 FloWise,the Toto Drake CST744 and the Kohler purist hatbox. While the site praised the energy saving qualities of the Gerber, Ultra Dual Flush, they reported that the flush was a bit weak, compared to standard 1.6 gallon per flush models.

Consumer Search.com called the American Standard Compact Cadet 3 FloWise. The best water saving toilet on the market. They called the toilets 1.28 gallon flush water saving but powerful. They also praised the anti-bacterial glaze and 5 year warranty. Toilet negatives included the weak flush.

Consumer Search.com called the Toto Drake CST744, the best standard gravity assisted toilet. At 1.6 gallons per flush, it meets most state requirements. It is a good toilet for low pressure homes, it is reasonably priced for people for whom cost is an issue.

Consumer Search.com called the Kohler purist hatbox the finest designer toilet. Toilets that won honorable mention in the Consumer Search survey includedthe Gerber Avalanche, the Gerber Ultra Flush, the Toto Ultra Max, the Kohler Cimarron, the, the Kohler Cimarron and the Mansfield EcoQuantum.

A Canadian study surveyed 70 consumers who were using different types of dual flush, low flush or high efficiency toilets. The results of the study showed a slight preference in favor of the 1.6 gallon Niagara, and a slight disfavor for the dual flush Caroma. Consumer comments noted the weakness in the flush and inability of the toilet to consistently clear the bowl.

taken as a whole, the surveys indicate that consumers are not yet totally satisfied with the dual flush or the ultra high flush efficiency toilets, compared with the 1.6 gallon per flush toilets. However, the dissatisfaction compared to the 1.6 gallon flush toilets is mild. Highest consistent compliments go to Toto Max, with the Gerber Max and the Gerber Avalanche, and the Toto Drake, in honorable mention positions. Highest praise for 1.28 gallon flush toilets goes to the American Standard Champion.

Toilet manufacturers are now presenting a series of dual flush toilets onto the American scene, and the question most people have is whether they work or not. In this report, I will present several high efficiency dual flush toilets that are making the grade in online consumer reports.

Caroma was the first company to come up with the dual flush toilet.
Now they have added a new water saving feature to their toilet, an “integrated sink,” a sink which sits above the flush tank, and permits water being used for post toilet hand washing to be redirected directly into the flushing tank, for use in the next flush.

The Caroma high efficiency dual flush toilet has many commendable features It not only saves water with its dual flush action, but, as its name suggests, the solid flush uses a mere 1.28 gallons to clear the bowl. Fluid wastes are flushed out with a scant .8 gallons, yet customers are satidfied that it clears the bowl effectively.The hand washing basin is positioned above the flush tank. Cold water used for hand washing is subsequently directed to fill the tank, saving even more water. The toilet has a larger virtually clog proof trap way, and the overall toilet design is stylish, with a tall thin tank, forming the back of the toilet. The tank is not only stylish in appearance, but functional. The great distance the water must fall during the flush, adds to the power it uses to clear the bowl.

Kohler also makes a high efficiency dual flush model. Most consumers are happy with it, however, at least one report of an inadequate or weak flush was posted on the web. On the other hand, a number of red flags have been raised about the Kohler Wellworth® Pressure Lite, which seeks to lower the gallon per flush amount to a single gallon. The plumber Tom Love, on his toilet review site lists the Kohler Wellworth as a bad toilet.

Consumers are very happy with Tot’s Aquia, their new dual action high efficiency toilet. Users praise the flush action, and no complaints about inadequate clearanace or clogging have been posted. Consumers also like the elongated bowl, which is apparently more comfortable to sit on .

In addition to the disappointing reviews of the Kohler Wellworth, Plumber Terry Love, who runs a review web site, warns about inappropriately cheap toilets. A brand that goes for 85.00, Love noted, is not likely to work. Most of the successful dual action toilet models mentioned on Terry Love’s website sell in the $350-$550 range. Models selling for under $200 have been found to be problematic.

Within the last 2 years, more and more toilet manufacturers have been coming up with models called “high efficiency toilets , which means they use 1.28 gallons of water per flush or less. While many manufacturers now make that claim about their toilets, that doesn’t prove that the toilets works properly, or that they are comfortable to sit on, or that they won’t cause clogs. So wary consumers are checking closely on consumer review sites; and are checking with their plumber, before going out to buy one of these high efficiency toilet models.

In addition to the leading competitors such as Toto, American Stand and Gerber, the market is now seeing lower priced generic “high efficiency toilets,” being pushed by large chains such as Home Depot. To give an example of the price reduction, A High Efficiency Toto model might sell in the $300 dollar range. The Pegasus at Home Depot sells for $150.00. Unfortunately, reviews on consumer sites indicate that these cheap generic “high efficiency toilets,” don’t work.

I read through reviews on a consumer review site looking at what people think about the Pegasus flapperless toilet. Most of the consumers felt that the design of this inexpensive toilet was marred. So much so that water was seeping out the back of the tank on every flush.

Many people were able to fix that problem, but then other consumers were complaining about the seat design. Because of the method of fixing the seat to the throne of the toilet, the seat was loose. Skilled DYIs were able to fix the seat problem, however then they had to face the real problem.

The reviewers’ experience points out that we must be wary of inexpensive high efficiency toilets. The story should not, however, dissuade people form shopping around for high efficiency toilets. Reviews about the Toto and the American Standard and several other HET models, have, on the whole been good. However, these toilets cost more, and will begin in the $200-$300 hundred dollar range.

The more expensive HETS work because of the sophisticated technology they are using to flush with less water. This point is illustrated by the following description of a Toto flush, taken off a consumer website:

” The primary nozzle, located at the back of the bowl, fires a high-speed stream of water that scours the rim and initiates the water’s cyclone movement. A second nozzle, located behind the first, fires a second high-speed water jet around the redesigned bowl’s concave rim, providing a 360-degree rim and bowl cleansing. At the same time, the siphon jet harnesses the accelerating power of this rapidly rotating column of water for speedy waste removal. But this enhanced technology comes at a higher price, of course.”

This is a much more complex technology than earlier toilets had. Obviously purchasing one is going to cost more money. So while recognizing that any product which has been on the market for a while, may eventually come out in a cost saving form, consumer reviews do not yet indicate this is the case with the High Efficiency Toilets. Consumers shopping for a HET that really works, should be prepared to shell out more money.

The following are plumbing code requirements for a concrete basement plumbing job. The paperwork must show where the new plumbing fixtures are located. Typical basement plumbing fixtures include bathroom sinks, bar sinks, toilets, bath tubs, showers, hot water heaters, floor drains, etc. Location of plumbing chases, (grooves in the wall to hold plumbing pipes), must be noted. New basement laundry room fixtures including any washer hose connection bibs and standpipes in the laundry room must be noted.

Pipes and drains must be installed so that the home owner, and a plumber will be able to reach all important areas, including the cleanouts, any shutoffs and mechanical joints. 18 inches of space must be free in front of all 3 inch and larger pipes, and 12 inches of space must be free in front of smaller pipes. If the cleanouts are hidden, they must be accessible enough to allow a plumber to remove the plug and clean out, “rod”, the system. Also, the cleanout plug cannot be covered over by a basement finishing material that hides it from view. Fixtures with traps underneath, e.g. “p” traps, “u” traps or “j” traps, must either be accessible via an open utility space underneath, or have a removable partition or panel, which covers the utility space in which the trap a resides.

Bathtub Specifications: Bath tub specifications. The size of bathtub drains and bathtub overflow outlets is regulated, each must be greater than “1″ inch in diameter. The drain must be fitted with a stopper and water control valves must shut off when water reaches a temperature greater than 120 degree. They must be considered anti scald valves.

Laundry tubs: Each separate tub must have a drain at least 1 inch in diameter. In addition, the outlet hole cannot be left entirely open, it must contain a strainer or a crossbar, which will serve to restrict the outlet size. The outlet hole must contain a strainer and or a crossbar to restrict the outlet size.

Sinks: Regular bathroom sinks must also have a drain, which is minimally 1 inch in diameter, and they must come complete with a strainer or an outlet bar. Likewise other sinks shall similarly have a drain of at least 1 inch in diameter and a strainer or crossbars. In addition sink faucets must have a maximum flow rate of 2.2. gpm (gallons per minute), at a psi (pounds per square inch), of 60.

Toilets: Basement toilets, like toilets in the rest of the home must be low flush or 1.6 gallons per flush max. Each toilet must come with a workable flush tank, which stores the water between flushes.

Showers: Hinged shower doors must open outward, and showers which use glass doors must be made of safety glass. basement showers must use low flow shower heads, with a maximum gpm of 2.5. Water control valves must have a heat limit of 120 degrees and must be anti scald protective.

The plumber who does the installation is responsible for meeting the plumbing code requirements, and if a homeowner does a DYI installation he is likewise obligated to fulfill the code, which is designed to ensure that the basement plumbing installations will work properly, and safely.

Do you know how Crawl Space repair is done the precise way? With crawl space moisture involved?

A lot of homes have wet crawl spaces which, unfortunately, are ignored by contractors and homeowners alike; they characterize that out-of-site / out-of-mind non-liveable part that is not even considered a fraction of your home or living environment. As we study more about health in the home, the experts have learned that this is not the situation. You share the living environment with your crawlspace.

Because warmth rises up in your home, the cooler air from your crawl space is sucked up into your home, just like a chimney. Based on a standard home in the United States, the E.P.A. figures that the atmosphere in your dwelling is replaced almost every hour and about 50% of that “new air” comes from the crawl space! That simply means that the quality of air inside your home is greatly affected by the condition of your crawlspace. It might be out-of-sight and out-of-mind, but it is a enormous part of your living environment and quality of atmosphere that you and your family breathe.

Most Crawl Space contractors can offer you a complimentary inspection and estimation in making your home a healthier environment.

Features of a typical crawl space
· A damp and filthy environment
· Source of destructive mold and moisture
· Source of Radon gas inside the home
· Causes crappy air property in the home
· Breeding ground for germs, spiders, small animals in addition to termites
· Loss of warmth there by increasing heating costs
· Source of moldy smells from moisture and mold
· Source of harmful airborne allergens
· Source of sub-floor damage to the home from moisture, dry rot, and mold
How can builders solve your crawl space difficulty and create a healthier environment for you and your family?
Expert builders use thoroughly time-tested approaches to seal your crawl space and resolve the many health, foundation, and air-quality issues inherent in crawl spaces. The end result is a crawl space that is not only clean and healthy with a vapor barrier crawl space, but can even be used for storage.

Wall Reinforcements

If the walls in your basement have settled beyond normal settings, our practiced technicians can set up steel or carbon fiber beams to strengthen the foundation walls. We will inspect your walls to determine the most reliable type of beams for your reinforcement job. Both steel beams and carbon fiber wall reinforcement systems are strong and proven. All beams are installed to FHA specifications. Tie backs can also be inserted to strengthen or fix bowing, buckled or cracked foundation walls on existing structures and realign perimeter walls that have shifted. All Crawl Space service provider workmen are highly expert with a number of tie back installation procedures using top-of- the-line products.

One of the important topics in basement plumbing is the difficult task of installating a basement toilet. Putting in a basement toilet is a plumbing installation challenge .

Adding a rest room provides worth to the home, particularly if it is within the basement A basement rest room enhances dwelling house however complicates plumbing design, with extra challenges together with gravity and waste removal.

Putting in bathrooms and sinks in a under grade setting takes greater than a fundamental data of drainpipes and sewer lines. Transporting waste to the sewer run is challenging as a result of the gravity help that works for upstairs waste removing will work in opposition to waste stream beneath grade. Fortuitously there are a variety of choices that fall into the DIY category. New plumbing should meet code necessities, nevertheless, so do some homework and consider a master plumber for final connections.

Belowground Water and Waste Pipes For some homes, moving beneath grade bathroom waste to the sewer, septic, or sanitation line just isn’t a challenge because their lines are deep enough for add-on fixtures to benefit from gravity-assisted disposal. A name to the general public works division will decide normal sewer-line depth. Info particular to a home’s septic pipesdrains needs to be available to the homeowner. Consult a plumber or plumbing contractor to determine flow charges and whether the system can effectively remove waste from basement fixtures. If waste water drains by gravity into municipal sewer lines, set up a backwater valve to forestall sewage backup within the basement. A backwater valve may require a permit so test with your local constructing division and seek the advice of a plumbing contractor before you begin.

Aboveground Solutions Transporting rest room or basement wastewater to sewer or septic lines may be achieved in plenty of ways. Above floor options include the “upflushing toilet,” freestanding sewage-ejector programs, and composting toilets. Aboveground options are those that do not require the homeowner or installer to cut by way of any existing basement slab, resulting in lower set up costs. Upflushing toilets range in look and operation, but typically consist of a pumping mechanism hidden inside or behind the toilet. Some upflushing toilets permit further waste-producing fixtures, like sinks and shower units, to empty into them. Upflushing rest room methods are costly, however money is saved on installation costs. “Upflushing bathrooms sit on top of the ground, you don’t have to break the concrete, and servicing them is simple,” says Larry Sturm, a master plumber in Pennsylvania and owner of Sturm Plumbing, the Faucet Physician plumbing supply retailer, and UpFlushToilet.com, an internet retail store. “Tie-ins take about a half hour, and recovering unintentionally flushed objects is fairly easy.”

Macerating and Composting Bogs Some upflushing toilet systems embody a macerating or grinding function that reduces waste into smaller pieces prior to pumping, eliminating clogging issues. The Saniplus macerating toilet from Saniflo is an up flushing bathroom system with a bathroom bowl, rest room tank, and macerating unit. The macerating unit (which also homes an electrically-powered motor and pump) can be positioned within the bathroom or behind the wall, and is capable of pumping waste 12 toes vertically and/or 150 ft horizontally. The Saniplus allows for accompanying sink and bath/bathe grey water discharge as nicely, prices around $900, and is easily put in and serviced. Composting bogs are additionally viable solutions for beneath grade situations, but they are meant strictly for bathroom waste. Composting bogs require little or no water, and should be vented to the surface for the composting process to work. The Envirolet MS10 Composting Toilet runs on electricity, is self-contained, rests on the floor, and uses heat and a dual-fan system to evaporate liquids. These environmentally friendly bathrooms reduce water waste, and don’t use chemicals for the composting process. There’s a restrict to how much material will be composted in a day, so use should be monitored and the unit should be emptied. Composting bogs can price over $1,000.

Sewage-Ejector Methods The freestanding or aboveground sewage-ejector system is another waste removal choice that does not require cutting via concrete. These systems are typically housed within an enclosure, and the toilet (normally not included) sits on top. These methods are essentially mini-septic tanks. The toilet, sink, bathe/tub, and washer can drain into these holding tanks, which additionally contain the pump to discharge the waste up and into the house’s drainage lines. As a result of sewage-ejector units sit above ground, fixtures like bathrooms and showers or baths will have to be elevated about six inches to gravity-drain into the tank. The Up Jon system from Zoeller sells for round $600, but it does not embrace a toilet. Saniflo additionally sells comparable gray water and sewage-ejection systems designed specifically for bathtubs, showers, laundry items, and kitchen sinks.

Belowground Options Belowground sewage-ejector methods are the least costly choice, but are complicated to install. These tank-and-pump items are designed to take a seat in a hole within the basement floor, permitting flooring fixtures to gravity-drain into the tank. These models differ in measurement, however are usually 20 inches in diameter and 30 inches in depth. The holding-tank capacity generally ranges from 30 to 40 gallons. “The nice factor about these programs is that they arrive as a package,” adds Sturm. “It used to be that you just’d have to purchase the components individually and put it together. Now you possibly can pretty much drop it within the floor and tie it in.” Owners ought to anticipate to pay round $four hundred for a below ground system. The true value, nevertheless, is within the installation. Reducing via a concrete slab to dig the hole for the unit, in addition to the cost of any drainage pipes from extra basement fixtures, will set the homeowner back a fairly penny. “It might easily cost thousands of dollars to put in,” says Sturm. “And for those who flush something down the bathroom by chance, recovering it may be a really messy job.”

Having a plumbing problem in your bathroom it can be hard to decide when to try and fix it yourself or when to get help from a professional to correctly fix the plumbing problem. There are some different ways that you can use to help you decide when to give up the fight and call for help.

Here are the different ways that you can use to help you decide if you should give up trying and call for help.

One: Clogged drains – Most drains that are clogged can be easily taken care of by you but not all of them. You want to first try and get the drain unclogged first using a drain hose or cleaners to help the clog go down. If you can’t get it unclogged no matter what you try than a professional is your next step.

Two: Dripping or leaking faucets – Again a lot of these small problems can be taken care of by you. You can easily learn how to get rid of a leaky or drippy faucet and then fix it with just a few steps but if the drip or leak gets bigger than you definitely want to call a plumber.

Three: Gushing water – If you have a plumbing problem that involves gushing water than you want to first shut off your water and then call in a plumber. Most times it is not a good idea to try and fix this type of problem yourself or you could end up with a much bigger and more expensive problem.

It is always smart to let the professionals handle this type of problem so you know it is fixed right the first time around.

Four: Frozen pipes – This is something that a lot of people will be able to take care of on your own but if you find that you have tried everything you know to do and it is still frozen then definitely call for help.

Plumbers have tools and equipment that you don’t have access to that will fix this problem within a short amount of time so you have running water in your home again. Plus while they are fixing the problem they can look for other problems that may have been caused by the frozen pipes and can fix them right away also if there are any.

Now that you know these different ways to be able to determine if a plumbing problem can be fixed by you or when to call in professional help; you will be more prepared to make this decision if a problem should happen. Just make sure you decide right away so that the problem doesn’t get worse and more expensive.

Paul Rowe is a a local San Francisco plumber. His company has been doing plumbing in the San Franciso area for over 30 years. His experienced technicians will help you with your plumbing, drain cleaning, water heater and trenchless sewer line repair and replacement needs. You can relax because his experienced plumbing technicians will answer all your question and provide you with a written free estimate, before any work begins. http://www.sfbayplumbing.com

24 hour plumbers is something that everyone hopes they will never have need for but most people find that at some point in time they unfortunately will need. You need to understand the reasons why it is important to have the number handy of a good plumber that is available 24 hours.

Knowing these reasons will help you see why you can’t wait until the plumbing problem has happened and why you need to start now making sure you have access to a good plumber at all hours of the day and night now.

Here are the top reasons why plumbers who offer 24 hour plumbing services are imperative to have on hand – just in case an emergency plumbing problem should happen.

One: Plumbing problems happen at any time of the day or night – You never know when or if a plumbing problem will happen. Having a plumber’s number on hand will ensure that you can get help right away to get the problem fixed before it causes other problems.

Two: Problems can easily get worse – If you have to put off getting the plumbing problem fixed because you are looking for a good plumber to call then you can expect the problem to get worse. If this happens then it could end up costing you more money to get everything fixed correctly.

Three: Avoid a higher cost – If you have to wait and take time to find a plumber when you are having plumbing problems than you could end up with a higher cost to get it fixed. Hiring a plumber that offers 24 hour services is not going to be really cheap for sure but it will definitely be cheaper than waiting until the problem has gotten worse.

So if you want to avoid paying a higher cost later it is definitely a good idea now to take time to find a good plumber that offers 24 hour services. This will definitely be much cheaper than letting the plumbing problem go while searching for a professional to call for help so don’t delay start searching now so you can be prepared for any plumbing problem.

Now that you know the top reasons why it is important to have the number handy for 24 hour plumbers you need to start now ensuring that you have a good plumber on hand. Don’t delay finding a 24 hour plumber or you will end up with a bigger mess and bigger headaches that could have easily been avoided by being prepared with the number of a professional to call for help.

Paul Rowe is a a local San Francisco plumber. His company has been doing plumbing in the San Franciso area for over 30 years. His experienced technicians will help you with your plumbing, drain cleaning, water heater and trenchless sewer line repair and replacement needs. You can relax because his experienced plumbing technicians will answer all your question and provide you with a written free estimate, before any work begins. http://www.sfbayplumbing.com/

When you are having fixtures plumbing problems it is definitely a good idea to know the important steps to take for getting these problems fixed. Before you learn the steps you need to know exactly what fixtures in your home that you can have plumbing problems with so you know what to watch.

Here are some of the most common plumbing fixtures that most homes have and that anyone can have problems with and need the help of a professional for.

- Toilets

- Sinks in the bathroom and kitchen

- Utility sinks

- Showers

- Bathtubs

- Water hose connections known as hose bibs

- Dishwasher terminal valves

These are just a few of the most common fixtures that are found in homes and that you can easily have plumbing problems with. Now that you know what fixtures to watch for problems you need to know the important steps to take to get it taken care of immediately.

Here are the most important steps that you need to do so you don’t end up with bigger plumbing problems.

One: If the problem is a small one then you want to try and fix it yourself. This may take a little time for you to research how to fix it right but a lot of the plumbing problems that you have can be easily fixed if you are willing to learn how to do it correctly.

Two: Find a friend or family member that has some knowledge of plumbing to see if they can show you how to fix it; maybe they will even be willing to do it for you so you don’t have to learn how to do it.

If all else fails then you want to move on to step three so you can ensure that the problem gets taken care of right away and doesn’t get worse.

Three: If the problem is too big for you to fix or you just don’t know how to do it even with research; then you need to call in the professionals. Don’t delay in calling a plumber or the problem could end up worse than what it is now and will cost more money to fix it.

Now that you know the most important steps you need to take you can easily avoid bigger plumbing problems. Just be sure you have the number for a professional handy if it comes to that because otherwise the problem will get worse and will cost you more to fix it. Being prepared will help you save money.

Paul Rowe is a a local San Francisco plumber. His company has been doing plumbing in the San Franciso area for over 30 years. His experienced technicians will help you with your plumbing, drain cleaning, water heater and trenchless sewer line repair and replacement needs. You can relax because his experienced plumbing technicians will answer all your question and provide you with a written free estimate, before any work begins. http://www.sfbayplumbing.com/

When you have problems with plumbing sinks it is important to know where you can go for help to get the problem fixed right away. There are a couple of different ways that you can use.

You just need to decide which way is the best one to use for each particular plumbing problem that you happens. Here are the best ways to use to for help when needed with plumbing issues.

1. Fix the problem yourself – Many people prefer to fix their plumbing problems themselves. Before you will be able to do this though you will have to take time to learn how to effectively fix whatever problem is happening.

You can get online to help you learn how to fix the problem. You can also go to a local home store near you that has someone who can easily show you how to fix the problem with just a few steps.

Some home stores will offer classes that will teach you how to fix certain things but you will have to check to see if this is offered in your local area.

2. Friends or family with plumbing experience – Do you have a friend or family member that has experience fixing plumbing problems? Then why not ask them to help you or show you how to fix it since you know this person and know they can be trusted to help you get it fixed right.

3. Call in a professional plumber – If all else fails and you can’t get the problem taken care of on your own then it is time to call in a professional plumber.

Many people try to avoid calling for help because it can get expensive but you have to remember also that letting a plumbing problem get worse can cost you even more money than hiring a professional would.

Take some time to find and compare plumbers so you can find the one that offers you the plumbing services you may need for a good price. Comparing plumbers will help you save money on using a professional because you will be giving yourself time to find the one that offers you a good deal for good quality work.

Now that you know where to go for help with plumbing sinks problems; you will have no problems getting it fixed right away to help you avoid even bigger problems. Always have a professional’s number on hand in case all the other avenues to get it fixed fail. That way you can get them in your home right away so you know the problem won’t get worse but will instead be fixed right from the start.

Paul Rowe is a a local San Francisco plumber. His company has been doing plumbing in the San Franciso area for over 30 years. His experienced technicians will help you with your plumbing, drain cleaning, water heater and trenchless sewer line repair and replacement needs. You can relax because his experienced plumbing technicians will answer all your question and provide you with a written free estimate, before any work begins. http://www.sfbayplumbing.com/