Over time, faucets wear out. They can be repaired fairly easily. Washers, gaskets and parts can be ordered and replaced. However the cost of repairing a kitchen faucet is often similar to replacing the faucet. Replacing the faucet will insure all of the parts inside are new and will likely extend the time in which the faucet will need to be re-serviced. Our Spokane Valley technicians can do faucet replacements or new faucet installs. We have a variety of faucets that you can choose from in many different finishes and styles. Popular Styles include chrome, brushed nickel, antique bronze, and more recently polished brass. You can also provide us with your own kitchen faucet. 04 September 2018
It may be time to retire that old water heater. Did you know that the average life of a residential water heater is 8-12 years? One of the most common failures of water heaters in their old age is a leaking tank. If your water heater is older than 10-12 years old, we recommend considering its replacement before it could cause costly damages to your home.
Plumb Zebra offers several options for water heaters including hot water recirculation systems and 97% efficient tankless hot water heaters. Contact us about these options or alternatives.
04 September 2018
Have you ever dreamt about taking a shower with endless hot water? Or maybe you are looking for ways to use less energy? Installing a high-efficiency tankless water heater can help you achieve both. At 97% efficient, only 3% of the fuel burned is not utilized! The average life of a traditional tank type water heater is 8-12 years. If your water heater is 10 years or older, it is time to consider installing a new water heater. This is a great time to think about upgrading to a water heater that not only supplies endless hot water but also has an expected life of over 20 years.
Plumb Zebra uses a few different tankless water heater models to make sure you have the best tankless water heater for your home. In some cases, when we replace a tank type water heater, the venting and gas connections will need additional work to make your home compatible for this upgrade. One of our technicians will come to your home at no expense to assess your existing water heater and whether additional work may be needed.
04 September 2018
Pipes may break for various reasons. Cold weather, age, construction or various forms of impact can turn previously working plumbing system into a flood. Plumb Zebra has 24-hr emergency service and we are happy to help. 04 September 2018
When looking for a kitchen sink there are a lot of options to choose from. Styles range from farmhouse style sinks to top mount and under-mount styles. Materials include stainless steel, porcelain, cast iron, stone, and fire clay. You can select one from the local home improvement store or order one online. Installing the sink and faucet can be a big job and is best left up to the professionals. Give Plumb Zebra a call or book your appointment online today. 05 September 2018
Replacing a toilet is a simple, affordable way to update the look in your bathroom. New flush technology has made toilets more efficient over the past few years. Installing a new toilet will use less water and have a significantly more powerful flush.
Have you ever considered installing an elongated toilet with comfort height? Elongated toilets are made of a larger, oval bowl. The oval shape is typically more comfortable as it is a larger seat and more ergonomical for taller people. Comfort height refers to the actual height of the seat. For some people, the taller bowl is more comfortable and easier to sit down on and stand up from.
There are a variety of other toilet types like the wall mounted toilets that can be installed. Wall mounted toilets require a more extensive installation process, but are a great way to give your bathroom a luxury look and feel. A wall mounted toilet has the tank installed inside of the wall, this means that the toilet appears to be much smaller and is a great option for more compact bathrooms. Did we mention how easy it is to clean around a toilet that floats above the floor?
06 September 2018You may have a toilet that just needs a little love rather than replacing. Most toilets can be made to work like new again with the replacement of a few critical parts. A simple toilet tune may be all you need to get rid of that annoying occasional random flushing sound that your toilet makes, also known as the “phantom flush.” If you are not sure whether you should replace your toilet or have your existing toilet overhauled, one of our technicians would be happy to take a look and give you the facts to help you decide what is the right choice. 06 September 2018
If your existing lavatory faucet is not able to be repaired, you may need to replace it. This is a great time to consider a faucet that may give your bathroom an updated look. There are many styles and finishes from various fixture manufacturers. We typically recommend choosing either Moen, Delta, or Kohler for any plumbing fixture or hardware in your home. We make this recommendation on style, reliability, warranty, and availability of replacement parts.
Some faucets styles may require a new sink or vanity top. If you would like to replace your faucet without replacing the sink or vanity top, make sure that the faucet that you are considering purchasing has the same hole pattern/dimension. If you are unsure about this, email us a picture of the faucet and we would be happy to assist you in making the right choice.
10 September 2018
Is your tub or shower continuously dripping? This is not just an annoyance, overtime a constant drip can cause permanent damage to your tub or shower and can also cause damage to the valve inside the wall. If you have even a small drip, its best to have the cartridge or stem replace inside the valve as to prevent costly repairs down the road.
Most tub and shower valves can be rebuilt, however, if the valve has been leaking for too long, replacement of valve may be the only fix.
10 September 2018
You may be remodeling your bathroom or just wanting a new shower valve and trim package to update your existing shower. A new shower valve with new trim looks great on new tile and old. If your existing shower valve has been leaking for a long time this may be a better option over rebuilding the valve.
This project can be a “surgical” operation when replacing the valve in the wall. Sometimes we can replace the valve from the front of the shower and other times we may need to cut a small access behind the valve to make the replacement proper.
10 September 2018
Garbage disposals are used very frequently in most homes. Too often they are used improperly and as a result, they fail prematurely. Garbage disposals are meant to help breakup those food wastes that are left over on dishes after use. They are not meant to dispose of ALL food wastes. Fruit and vegetable skins should be composted or disposed of in the trash can. Most failed garbage disposals are the result of improper use.
There are a few different types of garbage disposals that can be installed in your home. They all have the same function of breaking up food waste, but largely vary in power, sound, and price. There are garbage disposals available that are very quiet but come with a significant increase in cost.
11 September 2018
Knowing where and how to shut off your home's primary water supply is essential. By code, every home is required to have a main shut-off valve installed. Usually, in modern homes, there is a main shut-off valve installed inside the home. Often it is located in the basement (if the house has a basement, which most do in Spokane). There is also a main shut-off usually located in the street or front yard that turns the water supply off to the entire house and property.
House shut-off valves and primary in-ground whole-property shut-off valves are rarely used. Sometimes a valve will start leaking once used even if it has been fine for decades. One of our expert technicians can properly locate and replace an in-house main shut-off valve with a high-quality ball-valve that will be reliable for decades to come. Whole-house shut-off ball valves have quarter-turn levers that shut the water off much easier than older gate valves that have a 'wheel' style handle.
Your house shut-off is probably located in one of these three locations. In Spokane, most homes have basements. In a basement, the valve is usually on the wall closest to the street. If you know where the utility hole or valve cover for water is located, the house shut-off valve in your basement is likely to be located nearest that cover. This is true regardless of whether you have a basement, concrete slab, or crawl space.
If your home does not have a basement, the valve is still usually located nearest to the street water access hole, usually near your water heater or even sometimes under your kitchen sink.
Knowing where your main shut-off valve is is essential. It can save your house from flooding in the case of a burst pipe or hose. Having a properly working valve is also crucial. Older valves can be stuck so tight that they can be challenging to turn off. If you are having issues finding or turning off your main water valve, or if your valve is leaking, old and needs replacing, call one of our skilled technicians, and we will take care of you!
25 September 2018
Having shut-off valves near your toilet is pretty typical in newer homes, but in older homes, you may have to shut off the main water valve. Having an overflowing toilet is not a great time to have to figure out where the main shut off valve is! If you aren't sure, look for the small handle behind the toilet; this is called a "stop valve." There should be similar valves near the water heater, the back of the sink, and the washing machine. The flow of water is controlled at those fixtures without interrupting the water to the whole house. Plumb Zebra technicians can install new valves or repair leaky ones. 25 September 2018
Water shut-off valves allow you to control the water flow directly to your fixture. If your water shut-off valves are dripping and you can't get it to stop, you may have to replace it with a new one. We start by shutting off the main water supply. We remove the old valve, clean the pipe, install a new valve, and then turn the water back on and turn it on to test it for leaks. There are multiple types of valves based on the type of pipe you have. 25 September 2018
In addition to making your kitchen look better, a new dishwasher can save water and do a better job of cleaning your dishes. Some signs you may need a new dishwasher are rust spots on the interior, standing water after a wash, or a door that won't lock. When deciding whether to get your machine fixed or replaced, factor in the parts, labor, and your machine's age. A replacement could be the best option. 25 September 2018
If you purchased a new refrigerator with an ice and water dispenser, it is best to have a professional to hook up a water line. Plumb Zebra can hook up the waterline and make sure there are no leaks, which will help avoid damage to your property. If you have a current system that is not working or leaking, this could indicate an issue. Set up an appointment with Plumb Zebra today to avoid damage to your home. 25 September 2018
You may be having a plumbing problem not currently listed on our menu. We would love to help. Contact Plumb Zebra to set up an appointment with one of our friendly Plumb Zebra technicians. 25 September 2018
A working bathroom needs several types of plumbing. First, there are pipes that bring hot and cold water to the sink, shower, and bathtub. The toilet needs a water pipe too, plus some extra parts like a wax ring and flange to connect it to the drain. For the shower or tub, you need water pipes, a drain, and a special vent system. The vent helps get rid of sewer gases and keeps the pressure right in the pipes. Each fixture, like sinks and toilets, will have shut-off valves. These valves let you turn off the water to one fixture without shutting off water to the whole house. Also, there are traps placed under sinks to stop sewer gases from coming back up into the bathroom. All these parts must be put together carefully to make sure everything works right without any leaks. 25 September 2018
You may be having a plumbing problem not currently listed on our menu. We would love to help. Contact Plumb Zebra to set up an appointment with one of our friendly Plumb Zebra technicians. 25 September 2018
Is your sewer or drain backing up frequently? There could be an underlying issue like a partially collapsed pipe, roots, foreign objects, or just shoddy workmanship at the time of installation. We have the latest in sewer inspection technology that allows us to take a video and inspect your sewer for issues. We offer a copy of the recording at no additional cost. Plumb Zebra can also find the exact location where your sewer or drain may be compromised (locating services are an additional cost) 14 September 2018
You may have a broken sewer or drain pipe that needs replacement. Some homes are near impossible to pinpoint the exact location of your compromised pipe. Plumb Zebra has the locating technology to find almost any pipe location on your property. This technology is especially useful when you may be considering a remodel or addition to your home and need to find the location of your existing sewer or drain. 14 September 2018
Our professional, prompt, and friendly drain cleaning service uses state-of-the-art hydro jetting that can quickly clean and clear clogged bathroom sinks. Not only does it push through and clear the clog, but it also blasts build-up that has collected over the years on the sides of the pipes and in the sink's trap.
Our customers appreciate that our drain-cleaning technicians keep their surroundings and workspace tidy and that they leave your bathroom sink and vanity as clean as they found it. Book an appointment to get your sink drain cleaned using the link above or call us. We are eager to help!
25 September 2018
The build-up of hair or soaps often causes clogged showers and tubs. Unlike a bathroom lavatory that has easy access to the trap under the sink for hair removal, a bathtub or shower's drain is located below the floor level. Sometimes there is an access panel in the basement or crawl-space, but disassembling the trap of a shower or tub is often more complicated than a bathroom sink.
Our skilled drain cleaners can quickly and efficiently remove that hair build-up or any other obstruction causing your tub or shower to drain improperly. Our unique jetting system not only removes the clog but cleans the walls and remaining pipes to prevent future clogs and slow draining. We strive to keep our workspaces clean and leave your bathroom in the same condition we found it.
25 September 2018
Clogged toilets are no fun! When the plunger fails, call the stripes. We can remove that flushed teddy bear, cell phone, or other blockages causing your toilet clog or your toilet to flush slowly. Plumb Zebra has a unique hydro-jetting system that quickly clears clogs and cleans your pipes. Call a drain cleaning technician today or use the link above to schedule an appointment online. We are looking forward to fixing your clogged toilet woes. 25 September 2018
Kitchen sinks get a lot of use. Many things can cause the kitchen sink to become clogged or slow. Grease and oils can accumulate on the sides of the kitchen sink trap and drain until the water can barely pass. Washing dirty vegetables from the garden can deposit sand and dirt in the trap. Pieces of wrappers and packaging can accidentally go down the drain. We've even pulled full utensils that lodged in the pipe from the previous homeowner.
Our technicians know how to get stubborn clogs out (including utensils). Our proprietary hydro-jetting machine not only clears the clog but cleans build-up off of the side of the pipe-walls preventing future clogs and build-up.
Tip: Avoid pouring oils and fats down the drain. When fats and oils are warm, they are liquid. As the oils become cooler in the sewer pipes, they solidify on the pipe-walls and build up over time, restricting the ability of the drain to efficiently pass water and increasing the likelihood of a future clog or slow drain.
25 September 2018
Hydrojetting is a plumbing technique used for cleaning and unclogging pipes, sewers, and drainage systems. This method utilizes high-pressure streams of water to remove buildups, blockages, and debris that accumulate within pipes over time. 27 September 2023
Burst pipes represent a plumbing emergency that demands immediate attention, as they can cause substantial water damage to a property in a short period. In such situations, Plumb Zebra acts swiftly, providing rapid response services designed to mitigate the impact of burst pipes. Our technicians arrive promptly, first shutting off the water supply to prevent further damage. They then assess the extent of the issue, identifying the burst's location and devising an effective strategy to repair it efficiently and effectively. Plumb Zebra's team is equipped with the tools and expertise necessary to handle burst pipes in various settings, ensuring that your plumbing system is restored to optimal function with minimal downtime.
Unexpected plumbing issues are not confined to regular business hours; they can occur after hours, over weekends, or during holidays, often when you least anticipate them. In these stressful and inconvenient moments, Plumb Zebra stands as your reliable partner. We are committed to promptly addressing and efficiently resolving your urgent plumbing concerns. With a team that understands the urgency and precision required in these situations, Plumb Zebra ensures that you’re never left stranded with malfunctioning plumbing for long, providing a seamless and hassle-free resolution to your plumbing emergencies.