Plumbing Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to have a technician look at a problem and give me an estimate to fix it?
Precision Plumbing offers free, no-obligation estimates. Our professional technicians will come to your house and provide you with a written estimate for the required work, and you can either have us make the repair or send us on our way, with no hassle and no obligation on your part.
How much do you charge by the hour?
We use a flat-rate pricing book that is always the same, no matter which technician you get or what time of day we get there. That means we charge by the job and not by the hour, so you don’t have to put us on the clock and worry about the speed of the technician. We give you a price for the complete job, and we stay until it is done. Please feel free to ask our technician to show you our price book.
It is based on nationwide average pricing (including parts and labor) for hundreds of the most common plumbing tasks.
Do you charge extra for after-hours or on weekends or holidays?
No. Our prices are the same anytime of day, every day of the year.
What is the normal water pressure for a home?
Normal water pressure for a residential home should be between 30-60 psi. In the Vegas Valley Water District, pressures can range from 30-100 psi. Anything over 80 is considered high and could be causing damage to your plumbing system. For high pressure, we usually recommend a Pressure Reduction Valve (PRV). Anything under 30 is considered low and indicates a problem within your plumbing system, such as a leak.
What can I do to prolong the life of my water heater?
Regular flushing of your water heater is probably the single most important step you can take to prolong its service life and to save energy. Over time, sediments build up in the bottom of your water heater.These sediments act as a barrier between the flame and the tank, thereby making your heater burn longer and hotter. This is not only destructive to the tank, but highly inefficient and will significantly raise your heating costs.Besides regularly flushing these sediments away, we also advise adding a water treatment system to your home to filter or condition the water so it is less corrosive to your plumbing system.Precision Plumbing offers complimentary Home Inspections of your entire home plumbing system that includes a free water heater flush. Our technicians will be happy to give you a free estimate for any plumbing repairs or to answer any questions you have about your plumbing.
What is the difference between a water softener and a water conditioner?
It’s a complicated answer, but a water conditioner can be anything that treats your water, from a basic point-of-use filter to a water softener to a system that electronically treats the water so it does less damage to your plumbing system. Which system is best for you is a matter of what your goals are and what you want to spend. Our technicians will be more than happy to discuss your needs and give you some options for the best system for you.
I have a bad smell coming from my garbarge disposal. What can I do?
There are several easy treatments that might eliminate your problem. One method is to pour a box of baking soda down the disposal while it is on and while the water is running. Another option is to use a cup of automatic dishwasher detergent (such as Cascade) in place of the baking soda. If neither of those helps, we will be happy to send a technician out to give you a free, no-obligation estimate.
Why does my toilet keep running after I flush it?
It can be one of a number of problems. The most likely cause is a leaking water control diaphragm. But it can also be a faulty fill valve, a bad tank-to-bowl gasket, or loose or leaking seals on the tank mounting bolts. We will be happy to send out a technician for a free, no-obligation estimate.
What would cause a sewer gas odor to be coming from my guest bathroom shower?
The most likely reason would be that the trap is dry. This is a common problem in guest baths due to infrequent use. The water in the trap can slowly evaporate without regular use of the shower, thereby permitting sewer gas to rise into the house. The simple solution in that situation is to run your shower every few weeks to keep some water in the trap.