Rooter Experts can cater to your company’s specific needs, whether it is an emergency, a full installation, or for regular inspections.

We offer pipe, toilet, sink, and water cooler installation for your business. If you are considering updating your plumbing or need to meet new minimum standards of operation, our technicians have tons of experience.

Apartment and Rental Plumbing for Landlords

If you are a landlord, you know how important having a reliable plumber can be. When renters have a plumbing issue they need resolved, it is your responsibility to pay for the service. Also, you need to make sure that the plumbing is up to code before a new tenant can move in. Because of this, it is best to develop a working relationship with a plumbing company.

If you are located in Los Angeles or Ventura County, you should strongly consider Rooter Experts. We have been in the business for over a decade and have fostered apartment plumbing deals with other landlords. In return for your return business, we can work out some structure that is beneficial to both of us. And of course we provide quality work that ensures showers, sinks, and tubs are flowing smoothly.

Outdoor Plumbing and Trenchless Inliner Service

Outdoor plumbing can be some of the most difficult to identify and fix because it isn’t as simple as noticing a leaky pipe. Most outdoor issues are underground, where the only warning is an unexplained muddy spot.

If you find that your water is discolored or tastes funny, you may have a burst pipe outside and require trenchless inliner services for your business. Contact a commercial plumbing company, like Rooter Experts, and have them come out to investigate. If we notice a problem, we can perform trenchless inliner services, where we dig two holes in the ground and construct a new pipe within the existing one. This creates minimal damage, reduces cost and time, and will fix the problem.

For more information, call us at 888-395-7117

Garbage Disposal Problems

• Your garbage disposal is strong, but it can be weakened. Don’t substitute your disposal for a trash can or compost bin for discarding waste, because it will wear down over time. Stringy items like celery, chicken skins, and banana peels can get wrapped around the blades, rather than being properly ground up.
• Hopefully this is common knowledge, but you MUST run the water while using the disposal. It flushes food particles that could otherwise clog in the drain. Run it for 15 seconds before and after using the disposal.
• Here is a helpful cleaning hint: toss some ice cubes into the garbage disposal. Although it will sound loud and frightening, it is actually cleaning and sharpening the blades. Add some dishwashing detergent for a better clean.

Sink Maintenance

• Never pour grease or oil down the drain. These liquids congeal, or get hard, when cooled and could cause the sink to clog. Instead, pour them into a plastic container, let it harden, and scrape it into the garbage.
• Clean the aerator: sediment builds up in the aerator, which can cause the water pressure to decrease. Unscrew it from the faucet and clean it with a soft brush and vinegar.
• If you smell a strange odor, you need to investigate possible sources of the problem. Old and rotting food can grow mold, which is known to be related to respiratory problems. The longer you take to unclog a drain, the worse it becomes.

Los Angeles Plumbing Company

For more advice from Rooter Experts, your local Los Angeles plumbing company, read our weekly blog posts with bathroom and kitchen plumbing tips. Check out this hilarious post from last week about the Worst Plumbing Experience. Follow us on Twitter for updates @RooterExperts

Okay, where to begin… My friend Mark told me about his experience from two years ago while renting an apartment out in North Hollywood. I won’t say anything about where it took place or who was involved, in order to keep everyone’s identities safe, but I will say that we all had a good laugh when we heard about this.

Mark actually had a very good relationship with his landlord. He never showed up unexpected, he respected boundaries, he understood when Mark needed an extra week with the rent check, and he was great at fixing any problems when they occurred. Perhaps a little too good, it would turn out.

The landlord planned to stop by the apartment to pick up the rent check in early May 2010, which was no problem for Mark. But earlier that morning Mark noticed that his bathroom faucet was dripping and leaking from the base. He figured, no problem, I’ll wait and tell the landlord when he arrives.

So the landlord shows up, collects the rent check, and hears the issue. Now Mark wasn’t really concerned, but the landlord has an obligation to fix any plumbing problems in the apartment. This old man sort of freaks out and tells Mark it is too late to hire a plumber. Mark assures him its fine and he can wait until morning or even until the weekend, but the landlord insists on getting it fixed.

After thinking it over, the landlord remembers that one of his tenants in his Van Nuys apartment does some freelance plumbing and has helped in similar situations at that apartment. The two locations are a 10-15 minutes drive, so he calls up the man. This tenant’s son answers the phone, says his dad broke his arm at the construction site where he works, but he can come by and take a look, for which the landlord thanks him profusely.

About 45 minutes later, the plumber’s son arrives stinking of booze. There is no doubt he is drunk, and Mark is regretting this decision. What should be a simple fix takes over half an hour and when Mark looks in the bathroom it is covered in dirt, grease, and grime. But the landlord thanks the drunk young man as he is leaving.

Of course, I try the faucet and it is no longer dripping, but instead is SPRAYING all over the bathroom. I yell to the landlord, who takes one look in the bathroom and takes off sprinting for the drunk guy.

Luckily, he catches him and brings him back to redo the repair. This time, it takes over an hour and the floor, sink, toilet, and mirror have somehow gotten even dirtier. But I make sure to test the faucet and it is in fact fixed, although the warm water doesn’t seem nearly as hot as it should be. The landlord and drunk guy leave, but it is shortly after midnight and Mark has work tomorrow.

Los Angeles Plumbing Company

The moral of this story is to not use an amateur plumber who may or may not be intoxicated (in this case, he definitely was). Rooter Experts is a professional Los Angeles Plumbing Company that will show up promptly at your residence and do a thorough job, the first time. Don’t be like Mark, hire someone who can get the job done right.

Follow Rooter Experts on Twitter @RooterExperts

Blocked Shower Head

When the shower head gets clogged, the problem is usually lime deposit. This is not good for the shower head, or your human head. A simple solution is to fill a plastic bag with white vinegar and rubber band it around the head of the shower to soak overnight. If this does not solve the issue, you may need to replace it.

Watch your Drains

Showers are one of the top culprits of clogging that we see, but they are also the most easily preventable. Simply purchase a drain cover to catch the hair that get tangled and knotted inside the drain. You can also remember to pour a chemical drain cleaner down every month, to prevent a clog before it happens.

Caulk Check

When the caulk in shower doors or behind tile gets damp, it can mold and start to detach. This causes further water damage to walls, floors, and other surfaces. These issue can quickly add up, including reducing the value of your home.

Mold Remediation

Mold is an underrated problem in homes. Sure, you freak out when it is on your foods, but did you know that mold can kill you? It builds up in damp, unseen areas where it is able to flourish. Side effects include allergies, nasal blockage, rashes, and, in extreme cases, death. Showers and tubs are notorious sources of mold. Make sure to scrub mold and examine your tile on a regular basis for cracks where water can infiltrate into the wall.

Los Angeles Plumbing Company

If you do need the assistance of a Los Angeles Plumbing Company, Rooter Experts is here to serve. We have a professional staff of licensed plumbers ready to respond to a call at a moment’s notice. Check out more blogs and follow us on Twitter @RooterExperts

The Roman Colosseum

Thousands of years ago, human beings were hunters and gatherers, traversing the terrain looking for berries to eat and animals to kill. These primitive beings were free to drink from the river and go to the bathroom wherever they chose, because they could simply move onto the next location when the hunting was sparse.

Societal developments changed humans from hunters and gatherers to agricultural communities that set up in one location and grew crops there. This new “town” was the center for established society, meaning that the people could no longer simply leave their waste behind on the trip to a new area. They needed to invent a way to properly dispose of fecal matter.

Ancient Toilets

Believe it or not, there are actually signs of plumbing dating back to 2700 B.C. in the Indus Valley Civilization. While we may consider it a modern luxury, its routes trace back nearly 5,000 years.

Many of the major improvements were made during the Roman Empire’s dominance. Ancient Rome had public outhouses as some of the earliest toilets that were important centers for business and meetings. They even had water systems that transported the fecal waste downstream in lead pipes, which would remain the material of choice until the late 1800s when the United States adopted galvanized iron and then settled on copper.

De-Contaminating Water

Another big advance in the field was to create underground plumbing that was more protected from contamination. Previously, water was collected in above ground storage, where it was more likely to become a cesspool.

In 1854, a cholera outbreak in London made de-contaminating the drinking water more important. New theories were beginning to be developed concerning microscopic germs causing diseases.

The early 1900s saw the scientific work of two U.S. Army Majors, Carls Rogers Darnall and William J.L. Lyster, lead to the invention of the Lyster Bag. This device purifies water in a bag filled with calcium hypolchlorite and allowed water to be stored in water towers for consumption.

Los Angeles Plumbing

Today, we have companies like Rooter Experts who specialize in all aspects of Los Angeles Plumbing. If you have a problem with your toilet or water transportation, give us a call at 888-488-4808

Follow us on Twitter @RooterExperts for fun blogs, like this one about The Simpsons Plumbing Myths.

Bart is skeptical and tries to prove his sister wrong. He calls a boy in Australia to disprove this theory and after hours of making the child flush toilets, admits his defeat. Toilet water flushes in different directions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Only one problem: this is a common plumbing myth.

The Coriolis Effect

First of all, the Coriolis Effect is misrepresented in the episode. What Lisa says is based on fact, but not actually factual.

All things being neutral, water will in fact drain counter-clockwise in the North and clockwise in the South due to the rotation of the earth. But this only happens in perfect conditions, such as a flawless tank in a room that is entirely still; the conditions that can only be met in a laboratory. If there are any imperfections in the tank, movement in the water, or other extra-ordinary conditions, then those can be blamed for the water swirling in the reverse direction.

So if the Coriolis Effect does not cause the water to drain a certain direction, what does?

Solution: Jet Streams

When you flush the toilet, water is sprayed out of jets just below the rim that are facing the same direction.  These determine which direction the water flushes and can be pointed counter clockwise or clockwise, regardless of what hemisphere you live in.

As for your sink, well it drains based on outside factors, such as slope of the room and interference from outside objects, like rinsing your hands.

Although “Bart vs. Australia” is one of the best episodes of The Simpsons, the basis of the episode is fictional. No matter what hemisphere you live in, the toilet company decides what direction your water drains, not the Coriolis Effect.

Watch “Bart vs. Australia” below. The argument between Lisa and Bart occurs right after the opening credits, 22 seconds into the episode. Enjoy!

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We’ve all had it happen. You are rinsing off in the morning, letting the warm water wash away the sleepiness, when suddenly a burst of freezing water makes you jump out of your skin. You hop up and down, trying to simultaneously reposition the shower head, turn up the knob, and get out of the stream, all while not slipping. For me, it was the result of four or five other people showering before me.

Luckily, there is now an option that can prevent you from doing the cold shower dance: tankless water heating. Let me review all you need to know about this terrific invention.

Tankless vs. Normal Water Heater

A normal water heater is a large, cylindrical tank that stores warm water, typically located in the basement. This means that as soon as the tank runs out of hot water, it must be refilled and rewarmed, a process that takes a while.

A tankless water heater, on the other hand, utilizes heated coils that warm the water as it passes through. Instead of storing warm water, it heats the water as it becomes necessary.

Benefits of Tankless Water Heater Installation

Along with the benefits of having warm water whenever it is needed, tankless water heater installation has other perks as well.

For one thing, a tankless water heater is more energy efficient than a tank. This helps the environment, but it also helps reduce your utilities bills.

Another benefit is the extra space you will have. Property in Los Angeles is expensive, so having additional storage room in your basement from removing that large, clunky tank will do wonders for your living arrangement.

Los Angeles Plumbing Company

If my testimonial has convinced you to get tankless water heater installation, contact Rooter Experts. Our top-notch Los Angeles plumbing company can quickly set you up with a new model to keep your showers warm and help you save some money.

Follow Rooter Experts on Twitter @RooterExperts

Gross.

We can’t motivate you to clean the john, but Rooter Experts does have some tips to help keep your toilet functioning properly so you can enjoy its use for three years.

Cleaning The Bowl

When it’s time to clean the toilet, many people just throw a drop-in cleaner into the bowl and call it good. First of all, this doesn’t actually clean the part that you sit on. For that, you need spray disinfectants, used weekly or bi-weekly.

But drop-in cleaners are especially harmful, more than you’d realize. The bar starts to reduce over time, until it finally becomes small enough to get flushed. Problem is, it is still large enough to get lodged in the port holes, interfering with proper flushing that causes a backup. You may need to call a plumbing company to remove the cleaner.

Bonus tip: Wash your toilet’s flusher. This is the most likely piece to be touched by hands, so it carries more germs.

Check for Leaks

Did you know that the toilet uses more water than any other household appliance? This means that a leak can cause your water bill to rapidly increase. Many times it is impossible to even notice a leak, so put food coloring in the tank and check the bowl in an hour. If the water has changed colors, it means you have a leak and may need to get it fixed. Perform this test yearly.

Also, check to see if your toilet is flushing slower than normal. This could be a sign of a leak, backup, broken tank, or a toilet clog. If you think something is wrong, call a plumbing company for a thorough check up.

Don’t Flush Garbage

Toilet paper is designed to fall apart when it gets wet, making it safe to flush. But facial tissues, baby wipes, and paper towels can all cause clogs. Also, properly dispose of all trash and never flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper.

Thanks for taking the time to read over these toilet tips and hopefully they help you take better care of the porcelain throne.

Follow us on Twitter for more plumbing tips @RooterExperts

In order to keep you from spending money to fix the blockage, here are some clog tips from Rooter Experts, a local Los Angeles plumbing company who’s got your back:

• Never flush sanitary napkins, baby wipes, or thick toilet paper down the toilet. Regular toilet paper is designed to disintegrate when in contact with water, but napkins and facial tissues are not. These products can actually expand, creating a clog. Dispose of them in bio-degradable bags to prevent backing up the toilet and to be eco-friendly.
• Hair is another source of blockage. Use hair strainers in the shower and toilet to capture long hairs.
• Contrary to popular belief, liquid cleaning supplies can actually be harmful to your pipes. Use a plumber’s snake or plunger first, then consider calling a plumbing company.
• Finally, when in the kitchen, never dump fat, grease, or oils down the disposal. While they are liquefied when hot, cooling down turns them into a solid that can expand and block your pipes. The best way to remove them is to pour the hot liquid into a heat-proof plastic container or metal can, wait until it solidifies, then scrape it into the garbage or compost for removal.

Hopefully these tips help you keep your pipes clear and the water flowing!

Follow Rooter Experts on Twitter for more plumbing tips and blog posts, like this one on sump pump maintenance @RooterExperts

What is a Sump Pump?

Right off the bat you’re probably wondering, what is a sump pump? Well that’s why we’re here to help.

A sump pump is a pump that prevents flooding in apartments, houses, and buildings. When it rains heavily, as it tends to do from time to time in Los Angeles, the poor drainage can cause backups and water finds its way into basements. This is where the real damage begins.

Flood water can destroy carpet, furniture, and other items near ground level. What a sump pump does is prevent this flooding from dealing too much damage. Instead of collection on the floor, water is directed towards a sump basin, which is basically a hole. The sump pump extracts the water from the basin, simply called a “sump,” and empties it with an appropriate means of disposal.

Where is the sump pump located?

There are two kinds of sump pumps; pedestal and submersible. Pedestal are mounted to the wall above the sump, making sump pump maintenance more convenient. Submersible have a plastic case that is water proof and are actually inside the sump basin, hidden from view.

Why should I get sump pump maintenance?

Some people have a sump pump and don’t even realize it. Seriously! Either it has broken down and the area has not flooded, or else it is working perfectly and yet the home owners are unaware of its existence. But wait until it breaks down and major flooding occurs…

The other reason to get sump pump maintenance is that sump pumps installed long ago do not properly dispose of waste. They may be causing pollution due to changes in sump pump laws, even if you don’t know about it. So contact Rooter Experts, your friendly plumber in Los Angeles, to see if you require sump pump maintenance or to get one installed.

Follow Rooter Experts on Twitter @RooterExperts