Here's a note I received the other day from a customer:

Thank you Martin,
You are so easy to deal with and so upfront and honest about your services I wanted to write this note. You will be my plumber from now on for the following reasons:

• Convenient - I have your cell phone number and you live in the SGV

• Affordable - You charge time and material and give the receipts for the parts you buy. Your hourly rate is less than half what other plumbers charge, and that's if they will even give you their hourly rate. 

• Honest - You appear to be a trained plumber instead of a trained salesman like most. 

• Good Work - You fixed my plumbing problems.

Keep up the good work,
Jim D. – Rosemead

And now a few words about my lack of a contractor's license:

• When I was with Roto-Rooter, I worked under their license. I'm still the same conscientious guy, except without their license.
• California law requires that I don't bid a job in excess of $500. I don't and won't.
• A homeowner can hire me to do plumbing work provided that wages are the sole compensation and the building is not intended for resale. In short, you purchase the materials and wages are the my only compensation for the job. (Ideal)
• I'm in the process of getting my license. Call me and I'll keep you posted on my progress.
• Ok, Ok! You pried it out of me. I lost my job at Roto-Rooter because I had too many points on my driving record. Too many points equals "our insurance won't cover you driving our vans now. So goodbye!". I know, I know. Maybe buying a V8 Mustang wasn't my best idea.

Emergency Services

Few people think about which San Gabriel Area plumber to call until something unexpected happens. When that time comes, you need a plumber who will promptly and professionally diagnose and solve any problem, from pipe leaks and toilet clogs to complex sewer and drain issues. My commitment to service excellence is the reason people call me.

Emergency Plumbing Repair Services

• Pipe/Waterline Leak
• Clogged Toilet
• Drain or Sewer Back-up
• Hot Water Heater Problem

Pipe/Waterline Leak

Whether you've noticed a plumbing leak, water damage or an unusually high water bill, don't wait another day to call me. By choosing me to handle your emergency plumbing needs, you can be confident that the problem will be fixed quickly and correctly.

Clogged Toilet

The ability to open any clogged drain quickly and with minimal interference is just the beginning of my expertise. A foreign object or other blockage in your toilet may require the help of a plumber with sewer and drain experience. Call me.

Drain or Sewer Back-up

When it comes to repairing a slow or blocked drain or sewer, you need a professional with the ability to repair drains, interior sewer pipes and an entire external sewer line without unnecessarily disrupting your home or landscaping. A typical rooter service can provide a temporary fix, but may end up doing more harm than good due to limited technical knowledge. My goal is to promote the long-term health of your home’s plumbing systems. Call me today to find out what's really going on with your plumbing.

Hot Water Heater Problem

There's more than one plumbing emergency that can result from a malfunctioning hot water heater. Depending on where it is located, you could experience flooding, a water leak through your ceiling. And don't forget the worst case scenario where the water heater ruptures or explodes. I will explain your options clearly and, if your water heater needs to be replaced, I can provide expert advice on all types of standard and high efficiency gas and electric hot water heaters.

Drain Cleaning Services

I'm equipped to handle blockages in any size drain, from sinks to sewers.

Cable Line-Cleaning The most modern equipment available is used to clear drain and sewer lines. All vehicles carry various sizes of machines, cables and cutting blades to not only clear the blockage but also scour the pipes to assure the problem doesn’t re-occur.

High Pressure Jetting

Using high-pressure water to scour the inside of drain and sewer pipes, line jetting blasts away loose sediment such as grease and sludge more effectively than cabling. Small mini-jetters clear smaller lines such as kitchen lines, floor drains and house & building main lines. Larger trailer-mounted jetters clear blockages in larger sewer lines for apartments, condos, shopping centers and mobile home parks.

Sewer Inspection & Location

Using modern technology, we can show you the condition of your drain & sewer lines from the inside of the pipes, and even provide you with a video recording. Commonly used during inspections before buying or selling a home or commercial building, or to determine whether a line needs to be repaired or replaced. The locating device can pinpoint the exact location of a defect to prevent unnecessary digging.

Preventive Maintenance

Avoid recurring backups by scheduling regular cleanings at YOUR convenience.

Bathroom Remodel Services

Building or remodeling a new bathroom is one of today's most popular remodeling projects. The modern bathroom has become stylish, efficient, comfortable, and luxurious. A bathroom remodel can add to your comfort and enjoyment, as well as raise the value of your home.

A bathroom remodeling project is also the perfect chance to upgrade the plumbing systems, fix weak water pressure, or replace leaky faucets. Heat, moisture, and heavy use make the bathroom especially vulnerable to deterioration and structural damage, high-quality materials and exacting craftsmanship are imperative.

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Plumbing Inspection Services

You maintain your car with regular oil change and tune-ups. Do the same for your plumbing equipment. Many of our emergency calls would not occur if people had annual maintenance. You save on repair costs, lower utility bills and get peace of mind. Contact me today.

Exposed plumbing system

We will visually inspect your plumbing to ensure everyone’s safety. I can recommend improvements that will save you money and give you peace of mind.

Water Heater

I will inspect emergency water shut-off, drain valve, thermostat, gas/electric connections, temperature and pressure relief valve, temperature setting, gas thermocouple, emergency gas shut-off, flue pipe and the draft.

Water Service

I will check your water pressure regulator. High pressure can damage a water heater or cause a pipe to burst in your plumbing system over time, including washing machine hoses.

Sinks, tubs, showers, dishwashers, disposals, toilets

I will check for leaks, (a small drip could waste hundreds of gallons of water and increase your water bill) aerators, handles, mounting seal, drain flow, trap/tubing, water supplies, water shut-offs, pop-up operation, strainer, disposal and dishwasher hose. Toilet test includes flush, seat, bolt caps, base movement, supply line, emergency water shut-off.

Washing Machine

We will check your emergency water shut-off, drain and hoses. Worn hoses could burst resulting in flooding and expensive water damage.

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Leak Detection Services

Are water marks staining the walls in your home? It happens. Even when you take every precautionary measure you can with your plumbing, leaks spring.

Sometimes pipes spring leaks from age and the usual wear and tear they endure. Other times, pipes were installed poorly or incorrectly when they were constructed. The heavy machinery used during other construction could have jarred the pipes. Plants growing around pipes can cause damage. There are a number of factors that you can’t control.

I service all kinds of systems that can spring a leak. We will find those leaky pipes no matter the location. With the latest tools, we can look…

Behind the walls Under concrete slabs and asphalt In irrigation systems In radiant heating systems In swimming pools And much more

I Respect You and Your Property

We don’t like to create and leave big messes. When the leak is found, we affect as little of your property as possible. We will clean up the messes we make, too. If we brought it in, we will take it out.

Your time is just as valuable as your property. You can’t stand around all day waiting for us to arrive. I promise I will arrive when scheduled.

An undetected leak will ruin walls, rot floors, and cause other extensive property damage. Don’t wait until that happens! Call me for leak detection services at the first sign of a leak. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Signs that you may have a pipe leak:

• Water bills that seem unusually high.

• Water meter readings changing when not using water.

• Sewer backup problems that become chronic.

• Running toilets and dripping faucets.

• Running water sounds when nothing is in use.

• Spongy, soft, or discolored walls.

• Musty odors from floors, walls near drains, or sewers.

• Cracked, or unusually damp foundation or slab.

• Warm areas on concrete floors, mildew, or excessive moisture under carpets.

• In the yard, particularly wet or moist areas that are unusually wet or moist, often with very healthy grass growth.

Warning signs of hidden leaks in pools and spas:

• Cracks and gaps in the pool shell, or concrete deck, or a settling of the whole pool or spa structure into the ground.

• Automatic filler that is constantly releasing water.

• Loose or falling tiles or pool deck cracks.

• Algae formation too soon after a chemical treatment.

• Loss of 1/8 inch of water or more in 24 hours. Very hot weather could mean evaporation, but consistent losses on this scale should be checked by a professional.

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Water Heaters and Tankless

Before you purchase a water heater for your home, it's important to know how energy efficient it is. Usually the most energy-efficient water heater models or systems are more expensive. However, if you purchase an energy-efficient model, you may save more money in the long run on your water heating bills than if you purchase a less efficient model.

I can help you select the perfect water heater for your home.

Next to heating or cooling, water heaters are the largest energy users in the home. Water heaters use more than 15 percent of the total energy of a home.

The basic types of water heaters are:

Storage Type

Storage water heaters are the most common. Typical residential units range in size from 30 to 80 gallons, but smaller and larger tanks are available. Most are fueled by electricity, natural gas. Storage water heaters heat the water in the tank to the set temperature, turn off, then turn on and off as needed to keep it hot, ready for use. When you use hot water, the unit comes on to heat the incoming cold water that replaces what you use.

Tankless Type

Tankless water heaters, also called instantaneous water heaters, do not store water. A gas burner or an electric element heats the water when there is a demand or a need for hot water. Hot water never runs out, as long as you don't exceed its designed "flow rate," and the temperature may be relatively low, around 105°F. Energy is saved, or more accurately, not wasted as there are almost no standby losses.

Call now to see if a tankless water heater is a viable solution for your home.