Plumbing Problem Guides
What to do first, typical costs, and when to call a licensed plumber.
This page sorts our plumbing articles and service guides by problem, so you can get to the right one quickly. Start with the emergency guides if water is spreading, sewage is coming up, or you smell gas.
Each guide explains what to do first, what usually causes the problem, what a repair typically costs in Los Angeles and Orange County, and when to call a licensed plumber. Cost ranges are estimates, not quotes. If you smell gas, leave first and call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 or 911 from outside.
Emergencies
Burst Pipe: What to Do First
Stop the water, stay safe around electricity, limit the damage, and document it for insurance.
Read the articleShut Off Your Main Water Valve
Where the house valve usually is in Southern California homes, how to close it, and why to leave the meter valve alone.
Read the articleSewer Backup
What to do when sewage comes up through a drain, who is responsible for which pipe, and typical repair costs.
Read the articleGas Smell
How to recognize a gas leak, what SoCalGas says to do first, and how to lower your carbon monoxide risk.
Read the articleUrgent Problems
Emergency Plumber Costs
Typical after-hours fees and repair ranges in LA County, and how to decide what can wait.
Read the articleClogged Drains
Telling a slow drain from a blocked main line, what causes clogs, and what clearing them typically costs.
Read the service guideToilet Problems
Running, clogged, leaking, or overflowing toilets: what usually causes each, and when to repair or replace.
Read the service guideWater Heater Problems
No hot water, leaks, or strange noises: common causes, repair or replace, and typical costs.
Read the service guideOther Problems
Leaks and Leak Detection
Where leaks usually hide, why small ones get expensive, and how plumbers find and fix them.
Read the service guideSlab Leaks
Warning signs of a leak under the foundation, how plumbers locate it, and the common repair options.
Read the service guideLow Pressure and Old Pipes
Signs your supply pipes are failing, PEX vs. copper, and what repiping involves.
Read the service guideSewer Line Problems and Tree Roots
Warning signs of a sewer line problem, who owns which part, and camera, repair, and replacement costs.
Read the service guideHard Water
How softeners and filters differ, what they help with, and what they typically cost to install.
Read the service guideStill need help?
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