Kitchen & Bath Plumbing in Cypress, CA

Kitchen plumbing

Faucets. Drips usually come from a worn cartridge or O-ring. Low flow is often a scaled-up aerator - common with hard water. Pull-down sprayers develop leaks in the hose under the sink, which can quietly soak the cabinet floor.

Garbage disposals. A humming disposal that won't spin is usually jammed; most have a hex socket on the bottom for freeing the blades with a wrench, and a reset button. Leaks from the bottom of the unit usually mean it's worn out. Disposals don't like grease, bones, fibrous peels, coffee grounds or large amounts of starchy food.

Dishwasher hookups. A dishwasher needs a supply line, a drain connection with an air gap or high loop to keep dirty water from siphoning back, and a secure mount.

Under-sink leaks. Loose drain slip nuts, worn supply lines and corroded shutoff valves cause most of them. Braided stainless supply lines are a cheap upgrade.

Bathroom plumbing

Toilets. Running toilets are usually a flapper or fill valve. A toilet that rocks or has water at the base needs a new wax ring and possibly a repair to the flange. Original toilets from the 1960s to the 80s use far more water than modern ones, and California requires homes built before 1994 to have water-conserving fixtures.

Shower valves. A shower that drips, won't hold temperature or swings hot and cold usually needs a new cartridge. Older two-handle valves can be replaced with pressure-balancing or thermostatic valves that keep the temperature steady when someone flushes.

Tubs and drains. Hair clogs, worn stoppers and leaking overflow gaskets are everyday fixes.

Vanities and sinks. New faucets, drains and shutoffs - often done together during an update.

Remodel plumbing

A kitchen or bathroom remodel is the best chance to fix plumbing that's hidden in the walls. When the walls and floors are open, it's worth considering:

• Replacing old supply lines and shutoff valves
• Updating old galvanized or cast iron drains
• Moving fixtures - which means relocating drains, vents and supply lines
• Adding a pressure-balancing or thermostatic shower valve
• Planning for a pot filler, a second sink, or a laundry hookup
• Making sure vents meet current code so drains flow properly

In slab homes, moving a toilet or shower drain means cutting the slab, so plan layouts with your plumber early. Remodel plumbing generally needs a permit in California.

Condos and townhomes

Cypress has plenty of condos and townhomes. Before plumbing work, check your HOA's rules: many require notice before work, have set work hours and define which pipes are the owner's and which are the association's. Plumbing in shared walls or under shared slabs may need the association's involvement.

Small fixes worth doing

• Clean faucet aerators and showerheads to restore flow
• Replace old rubber or plastic supply lines with braided stainless
• Fix running toilets - they waste a surprising amount of water
• Check under sinks for slow drips twice a year

When you call

Let the plumber know what fixture is involved, how old it is if you know, and whether you're repairing or planning an upgrade. If you've got several small issues around the house, it's often efficient to have them handled in one visit.