Take Our Survey & Get $5 To Starbucks & Entered In Our BIG Giveaway!!

Your feedback is VERY important to us! Please take our customer survey so that we can better serve you and all of our customers in the future!

www.billhowesurvey.com

The survey will take about 6 minutes and once it’s completed you’ll receive a $5 gift card to Starbucks and you’ll be entered to win a 32″ LCD HDTV in our BIG Giveaway! 

Ask The Experts: Slab Leak FAQs

Our interview with Bill Howe Plumbing slab leak locator, Luis Mascareno about what his customers ask most often when they’re dealing with a slab leak.

Q: How long have you been specialized in slab leak location and repair?

A: I started with Bill Howe Plumbing about 11 years ago and I’ve focused on slab leak location and repair for the past seven years.

Q: Are you able to tell the cause of a customer’s slab leak?

A: Most slab leaks happen because of the age of the homes. On average, homes that are 25 years old or older are more likely to have a slab leak than newer homes. I tend to get called out to the older areas of San Diego most often.

Q: In your experience do insurance companies tend to cover the cost associated with the slab leak?

A: I get this question more than any other: it really all depends on your insurance company and the type of coverage you have. But in my experience, insurance companies typically cover the cost of the slab leak location and the cost to repair any damage the leak may have caused. Since I do this so often, I am used to working with the insurance companies to get them all of the information they need in order to determine what they can cover. Customers like that we can take care of the leak right away and work with the insurance company while we’re doing it to take that burden off of their shoulders.

Q: What are the different types of repair options for slab leaks and what are the benefits to each?

A: For residential properties the most common solution is a reroute and for commercial properties the most common solution is a direct repair. A direct repair is when we jackhammer into the floor to expose the pipe and a reroute is when we cancel the line and re-direct the line overhead. Typically residential property homeowners don’t want to ruin their flooring so a reroute is a cost effective and non-invasive solution. Every situation is different and I make sure to talk with my customers to make sure we determine the best fit for them, whether that’s a cost-effective solution or the most long-term solution like a repipe which is when we reroute all of the water lines under the slab.

Q: Take us through the leak location process.

A: One a hot water slab leak it’s easier to locate the leak because of the hot spots. Cold water slab leaks require an analysis of the home to check each fixture by pressurizing the line with a pressure gauge on one of the hose bibs to see if the gage level drops. Once it’s determined it’s a cold water slab leak, I use an electronic sound devise that allows me to hear and pinpoint leaks under a concrete slab. The location process usually takes between one and two hours. An experienced slab leak locator will be able to precisely locate the leak in most cases. There are situations that can hinder an exact location (i.e. leaks under shower pans and cabinets), however a leak location can still be performed successfully.

Q: What do you like most about working on slab leaks?

A: I like that slab leak jobs are challenging. I feel my experience in slab leak repair has brought me from a good plumber to an excellent plumber. You need to have knowledge and experience to do this type of work well. I also like the gratitude customers have when the work is done.

If you have a question for one of our experts for our feel free to give us a call at 1-800-BILL-HOWE(1-800-245-5469) or visit our website at www.billhowe.com.

Air Conditioning Tips Of The Week

As temperatures continue to soar, Bill Howe Heating & Air wants to advise our San Diego air conditioning customers to check the quality of their drip pan (also known as a “safety pan”) on their indoor air handler. The pan keeps the condensation that your air conditioner creates off the floor. But, if the pan is dirty or old, water can leak onto your floor, which creates problems, especially if you have wood underlay flooring. Moisture leaking outside the pan may also contribute to mold growth.

Should you need assistance checking your drip pan, one of our skilled technicians can help. After all, when it comes to air conditioning, San Diego residents trust us. Not only can we check the condition of your drip pan, but we can also inspect the drainpipe that carries off the condensation and verify that it’s draining properly. We know that over time, these pipes can clog from algae growth, dust, insect invasions or plant debris. And, if the water can’t drain properly, it can back up into the safety pan and possibly overflow. Our routine air conditioning inspections also involve examining the insulation around the drainpipe. The insulation protects the pipes from condensation that can damage many areas of your home through which the pipes run. The course of the pipe is often concealed, so you could have leaks, condensation or drips you’re unaware of, creating issues that could be avoided with a simple inspection.

At Bill Howe Heating & Air, we highly encourage our customers to inspect the areas outdoors where the drainpipe runs from time to time. Any streaks or discoloring along the exterior or roof of your home near the drainpipe may indicate that you have problems with your air conditioner drainage system. Solving  problems  with your San Diego air conditioning unit is quick and easy at Bill Howe. Our exceptional team of technicians has the knowledge and skill necessary to have your unit running like new in no time.                

So, when it comes to air conditioning, San Diego home and business owners have counted on us for years, and you can too!

To schedule an appointment or for more information regarding these safety tips and your air conditioning, San Diego residents please contact us at 1-800-BILL-HOWE (1-800-245-5469) or visit our website at www.billhowe.com.

Reduce Your Water Bill With These Water Saving Tips

San Diego residents often ask us what they can do to conserve water. Although we need water for many daily functions, we know that conservation and cost-reduction is at the forefront of many San Diego residents’ thoughts when they receive their water bill each month. Using water every day for bathing, cooking, and cleaning is obviously necessary, but there are many ways in which we can conserve without losing the luxury and necessity of our water use. Just a few small changes and taking the time to take a look at some of your plumbing fixtures can provide beneficial water savings.

We are much more likely to notice leaks indoors than outdoors. It is always a good idea to do a spot check around the exterior of your home. Check your hose connections, near the A/C unit, and around the sprinklers. If you notice water spots, or signs of leaks, call a plumber in San Diego for an estimate. Your water meter and water bill are valuable tools to help in determining possible water leaks. If there is a large spike in usage cost or the meter spins when no water is in use, it could mean a leak. Check your water bill against your usage. Are there significant changes? Most plumbers in San Diego can confirm your suspicions of a leak at no charge and provide you with estimates for repair.

There are also many low-flow, high efficiency products available for installation in your home. If you would like information on the savings involved in the installation of any fixture, schedule with your trusted plumber in San Diego today. They can guide you on all of the benefits of the products, such as high-efficiency showerheads and educate you on how they can save you money and water waste.

Experienced plumbers in San Diego are only a phone call away to chat with customers about the different water saving plumbing fixtures and various “green” ways of reducing and reusing water. There are many ways to reduce water waste while keeping your lawn and plants healthy and green. Here are some great ways to double-team your garden growth and water-savings:

• Before running your disposal, think about other uses for that food waste. Why not start a compost system for your garden. By throwing food waste such as fruit and vegetable peelings into a compost pile, you can eliminate this source of water waste.
• Save the run-off water while you rinse of fruits and vegetables and use it to water your indoor plants.
• Does your lawn need watered? Consider washing your car on your lawn and utilize that water for two purposes at once.
• If your kids want to cool down during the hot summer days, set up the sprinkler in the area your lawn needs water most.
• Leftover ice cubes are another great way to water your plants. Throw them in the pit and as they melt, they will nourish your plants making it unnecessary for you to waste water.

Whether you save water by taking a minute or two off of your shower time, calling a plumber in San Diego to thoroughly check for leaks inside and outside of your home, find creative ways to re-use wasted water in your garden, or by installing water-saving appliances and fixtures, every little bit helps. When it comes to conservation, no step is too small.

At Bill Howe, we have some of the very best plumbers in San Diego that can help you identify areas of water waste and suggest ways to decrease water consumption in your home and increase your savings.

To schedule an appointment or receive an estimate from an expert plumber in San Diego, please contact us at 1-800-BILL-HOWE (1-800-245-5469) or visit our website at www.billhowe.com.