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Do You Know Where Your Emergency Shutoff Valve Is?
At HP Mechanical, we often ask our customers from throughout the North Bay if they know the location of their emergency shutoff valves? We are often surprised when they tell us they don’t know, but at that point we always make certain to answer their question in full.
Published on: 05/23/2022 | Category: Plumbing
Stinky question
For May, we're tackling a stinky question here at HP Mechanical with this month's installment of our monthly blog, Ask a Plumber.
Published on: 05/16/2022 | Category: Ask the Plumber Plumbing
Are Dollars Leaking Out of Your Pipes?
It happens all the time. You get your water bill and it’s much higher than usual. At HP Mechanical, we have encountered this frequently, so here are some helpful tips about how to deal with the issue when it happens.
Published on: 05/09/2022 | Category: Plumbing
Top 5 Plumbing Mistakes Do-it-Yourselfers Make
Here at HP Mechancial, we often get phone calls from people who tried to fix their plumbing themselves and now need our help. There are some things that can be done by homeowners, but plumbing is not one of them. Always use a plumbing professional to do your plumbing and stay away from the dangerous Do-It-Yourself Zone unless you really know your stuff.
Published on: 04/25/2022 | Category: Plumbing
Fun & Interesting Facts About Plumbing
You’d never know but modern plumbing is an interesting story with a fascinating history. From the beginning, plumbing has always been a feature of our modern lives that are always looking to get improved. From indoor single handle faucet to sprinkler systems, we can’t help but list out some of the more interesting facts about the plumbing industry.
Published on: 04/18/2022 | Category: Plumbing
It's a Shame! Are You Living with Green Stains?
Most stains found on the majority of plumbing fixtures are of the dingy or yellow-brown variety. Just as common are the darker and much more dramatic stains that rust leaves behind.
Published on: 04/11/2022 | Category: Plumbing
2022 Trends in Home Plumbing
2021 was an exciting year in the plumbing industry with new innovations, a strong push toward being greener and a whole new lineup of cutting-edge products that can make all of our lives' easier and more comfortable. But, 2022 looks like another pivotal year in the industry as high-tech innovations will be taking the helm once again.
Published on: 04/04/2022 | Category: Plumbing
Do You Have an Earthquake Valve?
Since 2000, all newly constructed buildings in California must install earthquake shut-off valves. Local law enforcement agencies enforce them when issuing building permits. Despite the fact that earthquake shut-off valves could save your life, however, many Californians don’t know what they are or haven’t installed them in their older homes. At HP Mechanical, we have many customers in Santa Rosa, CA and throughout the North Bay that often ask us about the importance of earthquake valves and how they work.
Published on: 03/28/2022 | Category: Plumbing
Dishwasher Suds
Every once in a while, we get a call from one of our customers who say. “My son (or daughter, aunt, cousin, husband or wife) accidentally put dish soap in the dishwasher and there are bubbles all over the kitchen floor!” Oops!
Published on: 03/21/2022 | Category: Plumbing
Cool Factoids About the History of Air Conditioning
Before 1902, humans adopted creative ways of staying cool during hot summers. The ancient Egyptians hung wet reed mats in their windows that created a cooling effect when the wind blew through. Ancient Romans went so far as to pump cold water from aqueducts through the walls of elite homes.
Published on: 03/14/2022 | Category: Cooling Systems
Are You Hearing Strange Noises from Your Plumbing?
If you’re hearing unusual plumbing noises, contacting an experienced plumbing company like HP Mechanical in Santa Rosa, CA is in your best interests.
Published on: 02/28/2022 | Category: Plumbing
Have You Considered PVC Pipes?
When you need to replace your pipes, first consult us at HP Mechanical. Of course, savings and the environment must be considered, while making certain that your house is up-to-date, because who likes a leaking old house anyway? When your house turns a decade old, the need for new plumbing fixtures often arises, but as home owners ourselves, we know that you want a solution that does now leave a dent in your wallet (or purse, depending.)
Published on: 02/21/2022 | Category: Plumbing
If Your Pipes Are Leaking, Read This and Stop Freaking!
At HP Mechanical, we are your leak experts. Many of our customers realize that they have a leak somewhere in their house, but often have difficulties locating them.
Published on: 02/14/2022 | Category: Plumbing
Let Us Alleviate the Pain of a Burst Main
Instantly you can become frazzled when suddenly you have a burst water main. Water is spraying everywhere and wreaking havoc to your property and propelling your panic. With a little knowledge and preparation ahead of time you can save yourself from panic mode, and handle your water main burst with confidence.
Published on: 02/07/2022 | Category: Plumbing
Sewage Backups Are Never Pleasant
As a homeowner, you never want to be surprised by signs of a sewage backup. Not only does this mess cause problems with your home, but it causes problems with yours and your family’s health as well. It’s not an easy fix or an easy clean up when trying to handle the situation on your own.
Published on: 01/24/2022 | Category: Plumbing
A Brief World History of Plumbing
While we often take modern indoor plumbing for granted, it hasn't always been so convenient. All of us at HP Mechanical want to share some of the major advancements in plumbing history that contributed to where we are today:
Published on: 01/17/2022 | Category: Articles
Funny Plumbing Story #1: Things Get Squirrelly!
Plumbing can be an exciting profession, one filled with encounters and situations that many people would find unbelievable. Since plumbers interact with the general public on a near-daily basis, some of the stories they encounter can be downright hilarious. These are just a few stories we’ve heard that are almost too crazy to believe.
Published on: 01/10/2022 | Category: Articles
Basement Bathrooms Are Useful and Convenient
In many homes, basements are pretty boring. This area often has enough space to make it into a recreation room, man cave, or other useful space. Some people have converted the entire area into a living space by putting in new flooring, walls, and other features to accommodate visitors or relatives for when they visit.
Published on: 01/03/2022 | Category: Plumbing
Avoid 3 Major Holiday Plumbing Disasters
For many homeowners, the holidays are a time filled with cooking meals, hosting house guests and entertaining family and friends. But often, visiting family and friends may put more stress on your home’s plumbing than it’s used to. Don’t spend the season dealing with a plumbing emergency. Learn how to protect your home from a holiday plumbing disaster by avoiding three major holiday plumbing catastrophes.
Published on: 12/27/2021 | Category: Plumbing
Ask a Plumber
One of our newest ongoing series on our blog at HP Mechanical is Ask a Plumber, where one of our plumbers fields a question and gives an answer that hopefully will give you some insight into what we do and how we've become the highest-rated plumber in Santa Rosa, CA and its surrounding areas.
Published on: 12/20/2021 | Category: Articles
The King of the Bowl: Sir John Harrington
Every time you flush the toilet, you should think fondly about Sir John Harington, the modern-day toilet. There are a wide range of new high-tech toilets out there right now with fancy features like warmed seats and ones that operate by sound. But, in the end, the original idea behind the flushing commode came from the mind of Sir John Harrington.
Published on: 12/13/2021 | Category: Articles
Three Reasons to Use a Professional Plumbing Contractor
As a plumbing contractor here at HP Mechanical, we understand the satisfaction you get from completing a job. We think it’s part of the reason people have so much fun posting and performing their own DIY projects. However, DIY projects aren’t the same as DIY repairs. When it comes to repairs, you want the job to be done at the highest standard of quality, otherwise, you’ll be stuck trying to fix it again--and that's when we enter the picture.
Published on: 12/06/2021 | Category: Plumbing
Thanksgiving Toilet Tips Will Prevent You from Looking Like a Turkey
I always say don’t fret, quite yet, which means be prepared for the unexpected but don’t stress out over it. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, your toilet might experience some heavy usage. Aunt Irene, Brother Eugene, Neice Brenna, as well as Mom and Dad will be visiting and eating the entire time.
Published on: 11/22/2021 | Category: Articles
10 Intriguing Factoids about Plumbing
At HP Mechanical, we find factoids about our industry entertaining, so we’ve decided to share 10 of them with our faithful blog readers.
Published on: 11/15/2021 | Category: Plumbing
Do I Need a Grease Trap?
Do you know what a grease trap is and the role that they play in the plumbing industry? Do you have one in your house or commercial building?
Most homes built before the mid-1960′s have grease trap systems, but today you will find them mostly in commercial kitchens hotels and restaurants. Grease traps were commonplace throughout the Bay Area for decades, but they are no longer prevalent, because most northern California counties converted to direct sewer systems starting in the early 1950's.
Published on: 11/08/2021 | Category: Plumbing
Let's Ask a Plumber at HP Mechanical
As a new feature for our blog here at HP Mechanical, we're going to answer a different question every month from one of our highly-trained and skilled plumbers. These are questions that we hear from our customers frequently, so here is our first one. Hopefully our answers will be able to help you now or in the near future.
Published on: 11/01/2021 | Category: Plumbing
5 Urban Legends About Your Plumbing
If people hear the same things over and over again (especially from the media) they will often start believing them, even though logic or common sense will tell them otherwise. In the plumbing industry, there are a few popular myths out there and all of us here at HP Mechanical would like to share a few of them with you.
Published on: 10/25/2021 | Category: Plumbing
We Love Our 5-Star Reviews!
At HP Mechanical, we pride ourselves on exemplary customer service and quality. Whenever we get a 5-star review for our work it makes our day, so here are a few we'd like to share with you:
Published on: 10/18/2021 | Category: Articles
Things You Should Never Put in a Garbage Disposal
You would be surprised by what some people put in the garbage disposals. At HP Mechanical, we have seen it all and that's why we're offering you this helpful information about things that don’t belong in your garbage disposal ever.
Published on: 10/11/2021 | Category: Plumbing
What's Wrong with Your Dishwasher?
People ask me all the time. “Rudy, my dishwasher is making funny sounds.” And then they invariably try to make the sound, but that just confuses the situation more.
Published on: 10/04/2021 | Category: Plumbing
5 Reasons to Have a Water Filtration System
Clean water is very important to your health for drinking, showering and cooking. Many people today drink chlorine-treated water that still contains many harmful bacteria, chemicals and other contaminants. Water, like oxygen is crucial to maintaining life. Every person needs to have enough water each day for the body to function effectively, since over 70 percent of the human body is made up of water.
Published on: 09/27/2021 | Category: Plumbing
What to Do When Strange Sounds Come from Your Furnace
If your furnace is making some unusual noises, don’t fret, quite yet. Some sounds shouldn’t concern you, but others can be a sign that there might more serious problems. A heating system shouldn’t normally make a lot of noise, so any sound that is out of the ordinary should be investigated by the professionals at HP Mechanical.
Published on: 09/20/2021 | Category: Heather Systems
Answers to Questions About Shower Pressure
At HP Mechanical, we often get questions from customers about shower pressure. Any loss in shower water pressure is an annoyance, even if it’s just a short disruption due to a flushed toilet. And of course, it’s much worse if it’s a chronic problem that makes it harder to rinse away shampoo and soap. There are several ways of fixing and preventing this common problem, but they vary depending on the root cause.
Published on: 09/13/2021 | Category: Plumbing
How Can I Keep Wildfire Smoke Out of My House?
We have become familiar with wildfires here in the Northern California North Bay because we seem to get a major one (or two) almost every summer. At HP Mechanical, we have been busy servicing and maintaining our customers’ air conditioning units to ensure that they are not breathing in the smoke for many years.
Published on: 09/06/2021 | Category: Cooling Systems
Beware!! Disposable Wipes Can Destroy Your Toilet
Initially hitting the market in the 1970s disposable wipes were sold only in the diaper section of supermarkets, but now they are available. From being an alternative cleaning agent for babies during diaper changes, the product has evolved, with facial wipes and hand sanitizing wipes flooding the market. These handy disposable wipes, said to be “flushable” are mislabeled though. While you can flush them down your toilet, there are many horror stories of drain pipes and home septic systems getting clogged as well. Here are some reasons why you should not dispose of disposable wipes down your drain.
Published on: 08/23/2021 | Category: Plumbing
What is a Plumbing Vent?
A plumbing vent is little more than a pipe that runs from a plumbing fixture up through the roof of the home. Look on the roof of any residential home and you’ll usually be able to spot these vents poking up. In very simple terms, this pipe allows air pressure to escape from the plumbing system. Contrary to what many people believe (and what many DIY explainers might tell you), its primary purpose is NOT to let air into the pipes. If you stop for a moment to think about it, every drain in the home is open. Air doesn’t have any trouble getting into the pipes to help gravity force the water through the plumbing.
Published on: 08/16/2021 | Category: Plumbing
Top Five Moments in Plumbing History
Plumbing has a great history of amazing innovation and achievement and every day we are able to use it to better our lives. Here are five noteworthy developments in the history of plumbing, brought to you by all of us here at HP Mechancial.
Published on: 08/09/2021 | Category: Plumbing
Do You Need an HVAC Tune-Up?
Getting your HVAC unit tuned up is important to experience better performance. You should properly maintain your HVAC unit to enjoy the pollution-free warm or cool air. Many people do not think about tuning up their HVAC unit until it fails to work properly. A well-maintained HVAC unit lasts longer. Therefore, you should consider scheduling regular tune-ups with experienced HVAC contractors.
Published on: 08/02/2021 | Category: Cooling Systems
Things that Can Seriously Damage Your Plumbing
How long has it been since you checked your plumbing system? Unless you’ve had an issue, it’s likely that you’ve never actually checked it. By working with our experts at HP Mechanical, you can be sure will that all of your plumbing will be working properly, so that any problems can be found and dealt with before they become major issues and plumbing emergencies are avoided.
Published on: 07/26/2021 | Category: Plumbing
Always Hire a Licensed and Bonded Plumber
Improperly installed plumbing can cause significant property damage as well as pose a health risk to your family, which is why it’s important to choose a skilled, qualified professional to work on your pipes.
Published on: 07/19/2021 | Category: Plumbing
Our Digital Coupons
HP Mechanical's Digital Coupons Can Save You as Much as $150 on Services, Promotions, and Inspections
At HP Mechanical, we always work hard to offer affordable rates without ever sacrificing quality. We know that every family (regardless of its size), bills can add up, especially since we live in the Bay Area, one of the most expensive places to live in the world.
Published on: 07/12/2021 | Category: Plumbing
Interesting Facts About the White House's Plumbing
The White House is currently doing a big renovation, but are they going to work on the plumbing? Here are some intriguing factoids about the plumbing at the White House, brought to you by all of us at HP Mechanical.
Published on: 07/05/2021 | Category: Plumbing
The Truth and the Fiction about Plastic Pipes
While plastic pipe systems are now readily accepted as a viable alternative to traditional metal materials, there are still many in the building services industry that are mistaken about the performance capabilities of plastic pipe products.
Published on: 06/28/2021 | Category: Plumbing
Why Did Your Water Heater Run Out of Hot Water?
Your water heater is one of the most important parts of your home. It is the power behind hot showers, fresh laundry and clean dishes, so there would be some big issues if it were ever to break down. From our experience at HP Mechanical, we know that the average water heater lifespan is roughly 11 years, but without proper maintenance it might not make it that long. Here's what you can do to keep it performing at a high level for at least 11 years.
Published on: 06/21/2021 | Category: Heather Systems
5 Craziest Plumbing Misconceptions
All the time, we get calls from customers who have run into problems such as the ones on this list. At HP Mechanical, serving Sonoma County, we have all of the skills and experience to do any plumbing job, so if you're not sure about doing something yourself, we are always here to serve.
Published on: 06/14/2021 | Category: Plumbing
Keep Your Air Conditioning Working Right
By Doing the Right Things
Air conditioning maintenance is a vital part of keeping your system as healthy as possible. While prompt repairs are a good idea for mitigating damage to your system, it isn’t nearly as beneficial because it relies on waiting for a problem to develop before addressing it. Air conditioning maintenance is a proactive way to keep your air conditioner healthy, by isolating and fixing issues before they develop. In order to understand why air conditioning maintenance is so beneficial, have a look at some of the steps taken during a maintenance appointment.
Published on: 06/07/2021 | Category: Cooling Systems
Why Are Your Pipes Making Strange Noises?
Is your home plumbing giving you a some problems? Is it becoming tougher to sleep in while someone else in your house is taking a shower or using the water? Are your water pipes making a series of strange and annoying noises?
Published on: 05/31/2021 | Category: Articles Plumbing
Bath or Shower What Do You Prefer
Everybody wants to get clean, but we don’t all do it the same way. And when it comes to the choice between a nice hot bath and a fast shower, there are some pretty strong opinions on either side, but which is better overall?
Published on: 05/24/2021 | Category: Articles Plumbing
We Know Plumbing from A to Z
At HP Mechanical, we know our ABC's when it comes to plumbing, both commercial and residential. We strive hard to do every job by the letter and by achieving that, we're getting "A" grades from all of our customers. For a fun and interesting blog, here is the World of Plumbing from A all the way to Z.
Published on: 05/17/2021 | Category: Articles Plumbing
So Consider these Plumbing Proactive Solutions
Spring is a great time to check your home's plumbing systems and perform preventative maintenance to protect your home against plumbing problems. At HP Mechanical, we know that by staying on top of your plumbing's maintenance, you can avoid further expensive repairs in the future, so here are some basic spring plumbing maintenance tips:
Published on: 05/10/2021 | Category: Articles Plumbing
Have You Updated a Bathroom for the Seniors?
Most of today's homes were not designed or built to accommodate aging adults or anyone with limited mobility, balance and strength. In particular, bathrooms, for example, are common places for slips and falls to happen. In order to keep older adults out of harm's way and help them stay in their current homes as long as they possibly can, it’s vital to make smart bathroom updates for aging adults.
Published on: 04/26/2021 | Category: Articles Plumbing
Where Your Water Shut Off Valve Is?
Each faucet and toilet in your house or office is connected to a water supply line. Each supply line connection has its own shut off valve (a.k.a. stop valve). Additionally, there is one main shut off valve that allows you to shut off the water throughout your entire home.
Published on: 04/19/2021 | Category: Articles Plumbing
Post-Pandemic Full-House Plumbing Inspections are Vital
Typically, you will contact a plumber because you’ve noticed a leak somewhere in the house or your garbage disposal is malfunctioning. In many cases, by the time you find out that your plumbing system is in need of repair, it’s already caused some damage.
Published on: 04/08/2021 | Category: Articles Plumbing
Beware of these 3 Common Plumbing Scams
While the majority of plumbers are reputable, the plumbing industry has its fair share of sub-standard contractors who employ shady business practices. Here are the most common problems and recommended cures to prevent a leaky wallet.
Published on: 04/01/2021 | Category: Articles Plumbing
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