west coast plumbing and sewer: Oct 4, 2007

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Why Choose Tankless

Tankless water heaters provide hot water at a preset temperature when needed without storage, thereby reducing or eliminating standby losses. Tankless water heaters can be used for supplementary heat, such as a booster to a solar hot water system, or to meet all hot water needs.

Tankless water heaters have an electric, gas, or propane heating device that is activated by the flow of water. Once activated, the heater provides a constant supply of hot water. The maximum flow rate at a desired temperature will be determined by the capacity of the heater. Gas tankless water heaters typically have larger capacities than electric tankless water heaters.

Rinnai Tankless Water Heater-Conventional water tanks heat and store hot water around the clock. Because of this you are heating and re-heating water, and constantly losing energy up your vent and through the walls of the tank. A tankless water heater only comes on when you start to use hot water, and immediately shuts off when you are done, so you are not wasting energy when you do not need hot water.

Tankless water heaters have much more effective heat exchanger and burner systems than conventional tanks. This allows you to utilize a much higher percentage of your energy dollar rather than wasting it up the vent stack of a conventional tank water heater.

We are certified in installing Rinnai tankless water heaters.

Why Copper Re-Pipe

Copper and other metals naturally scale with age, decreasing the diameter of the pipe and restricting water flow until only a trickle of water is able to pass through. Since there is no way to effectively remove buildup or reverse the scaling process with metallic piping systems, homeowners with scaled pipes are eventually forced to repipe the entire system.

Copper repiping is a process of refitting existing pipes in a dwelling or business. Most structures built 25 or more years ago were fitted with iron pipes coated with zinc, normally called galvanized pipes. As the galvanized pipes age, the zinc lining tends to erode allowing rust to form. Once galvanized pipes begin to deteriorate, they need to be replaced. Most people prefer to replace galvanized pipes with copper pipes, in a process referred to as copper repiping.

Other ways you know it is time for copper repiping is when the tap water appears discolored due to rust, when a foul odor comes from the tap, or when pipes begin to leak.

Copper repiping is a major, time-consuming undertaking in home repairs; it's not a project for a typical do-it-yourselfer. Professional plumbers with a fair extent of plumbing experience are best suited to take on this type of replacement.

Kohler Cimarron

With its transitional aesthetic, the Cimarron Ensemble affords a complete design solution with ease of selection. This ensemble includes self-rimming and pedestal lavatories, a one-piece Comfort Height™ toilet with an elongated bowl, as well as a two-piece Comfort Height toilet in both elongated and round-front bowl configurations. Featuring Class Five™ technology, Cimarron Comfort Height toilets are engineered for extraordinary bulk flushing performance, and also offer an eco-friendly, 1.4 gallon flush setting option.

West Coast Plumbing And Sewer

Robert Schwachenwald

Lic.Number C-36 -899296

24 Hour Emergency Service

West Coast Plumbing and Sewer can evaluate the current state of your home's plumbing from inside the house all the way out to the City sewer.

We can help ensure that emergencies don't happen.

We can make sure that your remodeling and renovations go smoothly from start to finish.

We specialize in prompt, professional service for any plumbing needs.

We guarantee all of our work for 12 months, (excludes stoppages).

West Coast Plumbing and Sewer will fix it right the first time.

Professional Fast And Reliable.

What We Do

Plumbing Repairs Of Any Type.

Tankless Water Heater Installation.
Copper Repipe And Repair.
Camera Inspection, Sewer And Drain 2" to 12".

Slab Leaks And Water/Drain Rerouts.

Drain And Sewer Cleaning.

Sump And Sewage Pumps.

Water Heater Installation, Repair Or Replace.

Complete Plumbing Renovation or Remodeling.

Faucet And Fixture Repair Or Replace.
Gas Line Repairs, Reroutes, Replace.
Earthquake Valves.

What To Know When Hiring A Contractor

Home Improvement Bill of Rights

The Contractors State License Board reminds you to exercise your rights and responsibilities when making home improvements. As a California consumer, you have the following rights when working with contractors:

The right to hire only licensed contractors;

The right to make a down payment of no more than 10 percent of the project price or $1,000, whichever is less;

The right to a written contract that is clear and includes a payment schedule and completion date.

You also have the responsibility to properly plan and manage your project.

Before you sign anything, check the CSLB Web site, www.cslb.ca.gov, or call the Contractors State License Board at (800) 321-CSLB, to make sure the contractor is properly licensed in the class for the work to be performed, and the license is in good standing.

Is the contractor properly licensed? In California, anyone who contracts to perform work that is valued at $500 or more for materials and labor must hold a current, valid license from the Contractors State License Board in the specialty for which he or she is contracting.

If you contract with someone who does not have a license, the Contractors Board may not be able to assist you with a resolution to a complaint, and a remedy against an unlicensed contractor may be available only in civil court.

This is one more good reason to work only with licensed contractors! Another consideration is that unlicensed contractors may not have the expertise and qualifications to do the job right the first time. You could end up having to hire a licensed, reputable contractor to correct the work-and paying for the job twice.

Check The Contractor's References

Skilled contractors will be proud to take credit for their work.When speaking to the contractor's customers, ask such questions as:

Did the contractor keep to the schedule and the contract terms?

Were you pleased with the work and the way it was done?

Did the contractor listen to you when you had a problem, and seem concerned about resolving it?

Did the contractor willingly make any necessary corrections?

Make Sure The Contractor Has Workers' Compensation And Liability Insurance Coverage

In California, if a contractor has employees, workers' compensation insurance coverage is required by law. This is important for you as a homeowner. If a worker is injured working on your property and the contractor doesn't have insurance, you could be asked to pay for injuries and rehabilitation through your homeowner's insurance policy.

Ask to see a copy of the certificate of insurance, or ask for the name of the contractor's insurance carrier and agency to verify that the contractor has the insurance.
If your contractor damages your property and doesn't carry general liability insurance, you or your insurance policy could end up paying for damages.

Make Sure Everything You Are Paying For Is In The Contract

Keep a Job File:

You should keep a file of all papers relating to your project. It should include:

The contract and any change orders.

Plans and specifications.

Bills and invoices.

Canceled checks.

Lien releases from subcontractors and material suppliers.

Letters, notes, and correspondence with your contractor.

Pictures of the job in progress.

It is also a good idea to keep a record of each subcontractor who works on your project, the work performed, and length of time on the job.

When material suppliers make a delivery, write down the name of the company, the date, and a general description of what they delivered. When you receive preliminary notices from subcontractors or suppliers, make sure you receive lien releases. Check them against your list. That way you will have a record of who has and has not been paid.

Permits, Plans and Specifications

Your contract should call for the work to be performed in accordance with all applicable building codes. Keep in mind that building codes only set minimum safety standards for construction; they do not protect you against poor quality work.

The contractor should obtain the necessary building permits. This should be spelled out in your contract; otherwise you may be held legally responsible for failure to obtain the required permits.

The permit for your job, along with the project plans and specifications, must be posted on the job before the work begins. Check to make sure that they are.

Inspections:

The building department will inspect the work when it has reached a certain stage and again when it is completed to make sure it complies with various codes and regulations.

The contractor is responsible for arranging for these inspections. The main reason for building permits and inspections is to ensure the health and safety of the occupants of buildings. They are not made to determine the quality of work.

Avoiding Complaints and Problems:

Some warning signs of possible trouble ahead are the following:

You can't verify the name, address and telephone number or credentials of the contractor.

The contractor gives you a toll-free phone number and a post office box as his or her address.

The salesperson tries to pressure you into signing a contract by using scare tactics, intimidation or threats. (If you are pressured into signing, remember you usually have three days to cancel a contract.)

The company or salesperson says your home will be used for advertising purposes (as a model job, or show-house, or by display of their sign), and that you will be given a special low price.

The contractor tells you this is a special price available only if you sign the contract today.

The contractor doesn't comply with your request for references, or the references have some reservations about the contractor's work.

You are unable to verify that the contractor is licensed, insured, and/or bonded when required.

You are asked to pay for the entire job in advance, or to pay cash to a salesperson instead of writing a check or money order to the company itself.

You are asked to sign a completion certificate for the job by appeal, threat, or trick, before the job is properly completed.

west coast plumbing and sewer

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Why Choose Tankless

Why Copper Re-Pipe

Kohler Cimarron

West Coast Plumbing And Sewer

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What To Know When Hiring A Contractor

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