FAQ

Your plumbing is one of the most important systems in your home. Whether you need new plumbing installed during a home renovation, help with a plumbing repair, or an unexpected plumbing emergency, there are many reasons to hire a professional plumber.
Here are the top 8 reasons:

1. Plumbers know what they’re doing. A Master Plumber has extensive training, knowledge, and practical experience. From the installation of pipes to repairing leaks and other issues, a licensed plumber has the experience and skills to ensure the job is done right the first time with permanent results.

2. Plumbers have the proper tools and materials. When you hire a professional plumbing company in Southwest Florida, they will arrive with all of the tools and materials required for the job. This saves you hours running back and forth from the hardware store picking up parts and buying tools you’ll never use again.

3. Plumbing companies offer multiple services. Hiring a professional plumber gives you access to a wide variety of services to install, repair or maintain your plumbing system. Installing new pipes, replacing old pipes, identifying blockages, repairing leaks, installing major appliances – they can take care of all those things for you.

4. Plumbers can find hard-to-find problems with your plumbing. Sometimes a seemingly simple problem like a leaky pipe can have a hard-to-find root cause. Licensed plumbers can more easily find those hidden issues, checking your entire plumbing system to identify the root cause and ensure all repairs are completed so the issue does not
reoccur.

5. Professional plumbing services help protect your property. You think you have resolved the plumbing issue but then come home to a basement or bathroom full of water. Water can do extensive and expensive damage to your home. Hiring a professional plumber will ensure those things don’t happen, protecting your property, giving you peace of mind, and saving you money from costly repairs.

6. Plumbers can help prevent havoc. Having a plumber come in for repairs and regular check-ups of your plumbing system will not only maintain its function but will also detect problems early before they cause a disaster and expensive damage.

7. Plumbing companies offer ongoing customer support. If you’ve had a repair done by a reputable plumbing company, you now have access to expert advice and professional services should you come across another issue or plumbing emergency. They will be there for you, providing exceptional customer service.

8. Plumbers can save you from an unexpected plumbing emergency! Plumbing emergencies can cause extensive water damage or be incredibly gross! A professional plumber will offer emergency services and will come to your rescue in a very short period. Most plumbers offer immediate response to your plumbing emergency 24/7.

Hiring DPS to work on plumbing for new construction or major home renovations will ensure your plumbing system is working properly, efficiently, and to code. Our expert team will also respond to plumbing emergencies, fixing the problem before it results in more costly damage and making sure your plumbing system and fixtures are in good working order. We have a proven reputation for exceptional customer service and quality workmanship.

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Do you prefer joy or heartache?
That is what it comes down to when choosing a plumber. Selecting a plumber is a significant decision.You deserve to have a professional handling your plumbing problems or larger plumbing projects.You shouldn’t take it lightly. So be prepared to ask any plumbers you’re considering
these important questions. Their answers will separate the experts from the rest.

1. Are you a licensed plumber?
You need to verify that the plumbing company is properly licensed. This is especially true for larger, expensive projects. Make sure you’re putting your hard-earned dollars in the right hands.You want to hire someone who is licensed because they are obligated to construct and update your home to legal standards, which is important when/if you decide to sell in the future. Licenses are either issued by states or local counties/cities. Ask for their license number and check for expiration dates. It is also a good idea to check if they are bonded, which makes sure that the company is financially responsible and capable of paying back filed claims.

2. Is this the final cost?
Free estimates are great and many plumbers offer that as an incentive, but be cautious when hiring a plumber who gives free estimates over the phone. It’s really difficult to give a precise and honest estimate without physically seeing the problem. They might be able to give you a price range over the phone, still, you should only hire a plumbing pro if they come to your property and assess your job properly. Make sure to ask if they include labor costs in their final estimate, if they charge hourly rate plus materials, or what happens if they run into unforeseen problems mid repair (you don’t want to face unexpected charges).

3. Can you provide examples/photos of previous similar jobs?
In today’s day and age, many plumbers and their respected companies will take photos and keep detailed records of previous jobs. Ask for some images of projects that are similar to yours to get an idea of their level of work. If you are spending thousands of dollars on a significant construction or remodel, it might be worth it to go the extra mile and ask for the contact information of previous customers to get a grasp of what finished results look like.

4. What are your specialties?
Some plumbers are generalists, while others focus their work on specific plumbing inquiries. A plumber who is great at troubleshooting and repairs may not necessarily be the best in developing new construction or large remodels. Make sure you are hiring the right pro for your plumbing task.

5. Who will be doing the job for my project?
Some plumbers are one-man shows, while others are just representatives of a larger company. It can be difficult to distinguish the difference between them. Make sure to always ask if the plumbing pro who is giving you the quote will be working on the job. If you are looking to complete a large project, the plumbing company may have to subcontract, meaning they will have to hire workers outside of their company. If they can’t handle everything on their own, it can make coordination and project costs difficult to manage.

6. Do you offer 24/7 emergency services?
Although it is not a make-or-break consideration, it is useful to know whether the plumbing company you are considering hiring works odd hours. Plumbing emergencies don’t just occur between 9-5. Ask your plumber if they offer 24/7 services, if something they work on breaks down a week later at midnight, and you are ankle-deep in water, you want to be sure that they will come at a moment’s notice.

7. How can I keep in contact with you?
It is a rather straightforward question, but a necessary one that might only come into your mind when you need them. Some contractors are old school and prefer phone calls, while others are up to speed with all forms of digital communication. Make sure they can be easily reached and ask them what are the best times to get into contact.

8. Do you have general liability insurance and workers’ compensation?
Just like your automobile or personal health, you want your contractor to have insurance. General liability insurance assures that you are not entitled to pay for damages or negligence that they may cause. You never know what can happen on a worksite, accidents can happen in a blink of an eye. When your contractor is fully insured it gives you peace of mind and shows professionalism. If your contractor is working alone, he/she may not need to have workers’ compensation. If your contractor breaks something or injures themselves in your home, you want to be assured that you will not be responsible for the problems they caused.

9. What kind of written warranty will you give me?
A credible and experienced plumber should provide you with a warranty. This guarantees his or her work with a legal warranty that lays out what is covered, what is not, and the length of the coverage. A one or two year is an adequate minimum.

10. What are your credentials and references?
It’s common sense: hire the one with the best qualifications possible. In most states, the law requires that a plumber attains a certain level of training such as a plumbing course at a community college for 2 years. Other states require that the graduate must undertake at least an additional 1-year apprenticeship under a licensed plumber before receiving a license to operate independently.

To ensure quality and compliance, ask about the plumbers’ academic and credential requirements. Avoid being scammed with fake credentials by always making sure you check a plumber’s references. Most people request academic credentials, but very few bother to check the references and verify them.

Take the extra few minutes to call the references your plumber provides, so you can rest assured that your money will be spent on a job well done.

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Thinking of Repiping Your House?
It’s important to consider several things when thinking about repiping your house.You need to
call us if you have any of these:
● You live in an older home. If your home is 50 years old or older and you’ve never replaced its
pipes, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to have it done soon.
● Your home has low water pressure.
● Your water is red or brown.
● You’ve had multiple pipe leaks.

Repiping is not a DIY job!
We’ll provide you with an inspection and a free estimate. We’ll let you know if you should go for a small repair, repipe a single section, or do a complete repipe of your entire house. At DPS, we work with the highest quality materials. We can repipe in CPVC or PEX Pipe with a 10 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty.

What is CPVC Pipe?
CPVC pipe is made of thermoplastic and is used in sprinkler and drain lines, as well as water-based heating systems. CVPC pipe was developed in the 1980s- it’s more durable, safer and easier to install, and longer lasting than the PVC pipe of before.

CPVC pipe is non-toxic. This means it won’t leak chemicals even if they have been sitting inside the pipe for a long period of time. CPVC pipe is also resistant to chemicals, their residues, and scale buildup, meaning that the purity of your water won’t be compromised. Because CPVC pipe is made of plastic, you won’t have to worry about electrolysis (when water breaks down into oxygen or hydrogen gas, which can be highly toxic).

The flame-resistant quality of CPVC pipe is another attractive quality. Since it won’t burn without a flame source, you won’t have to worry about it melting in the event of a residential fire.

CPVC pipe can also save you a lot of energy (money), on heating and cooling bills. Because it is well insulated, both hot and cold water retain their temperatures for longer periods of time. This considerably lessens the total amount of water you use, and you’ll see the difference with a lower bill at the end of the month.

What is PEX pipe?
PEX pip originally gained popularity when polybutylene pipe fell out of favor with an onslaught of lawsuits dictating a need for a replacement. Unlike traditional steel, copper, or plastic pipe that comes in rigid sections, PEX pipe is made of a cross linked polyethylene material that is flexible. This makes it easier to install and can be bent around corners and fit into tight spaces.

There are many reasons why you might want to use PEX pipe in your home. For example, PEX pipe is approved for hot and cold water plumbing systems and recirculating heating systems in all mechanical and plumbing codes in the U.S.You’ll never have to worry about complying with local regulations where you live.

PEX pipe is also adaptable to extreme weather conditions ranging from temperatures well below freezing all the way to 200 Fahrenheit. In Southwest Florida, where temperatures can be sweltering many time throughout the year, PEX pipe maintains its integrity. Due to the flexibility that allows it to expand and contract, PEX pipe is considerably more burst resistant than a plastic pipe that is rigid and prone to cracking.

PEX pipe is easy to install, requires fewer connections, and costs less per linear foot than other pipe options. All of these factors make PEX pipe a cost efficient yet durable option if you’re on a budget.

Our DPS team can discuss the best, most affordable options for your home.
The process of repiping We will be very careful to protect your furniture and other belongings. We will line the work area in plastic. We will be able to do most of the work that requires water shut off during the day.Your evening routines will not be affected.

We have special tools that allow us to pinpoint the exact locations of pipes behind your walls.

How long does a repiping take?
A complete repipe can take anywhere from a few days up to a week. Smaller homes can be repiped in as little as two days, while large homes with multiple bathrooms can take much longer. However, don’t worry that you can’t use your bathroom! Most of the work involves building the new plumbing network alongside the existing pipes. The only time you’ll be without water is when we are changing over from the old system to the new one.

Make sure to hire the right plumber!
Repiping is a critical job, so it’s especially important to hire the right plumber.You don’t want to end up with someone who cuts corners and ends up costing you more money down the road. DPS has what it takes to get the job done right!
● We’re fully licensed and have proof of insurance.
● We have plenty of quality references and online reviews.
● We’ve been in business for years.You’ll get expert craftsmanship.
● We’ll provide a full, detailed estimate including labor costs, material costs, and miscellaneous expenses (permits,
inspections, etc.).
● We provide a 100% guarantee that you’ll be happy with our work

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Don’t Let Grease Shut Down Your Restaurant
All restaurant owners know the importance of grease traps to their food service – or at least
they should.

Grease traps are devices in your commercial kitchen that your wastewater flows through on the way to the sewer. These devices separate grease and other fatty waste from the water before it can reach the sewer. Grease traps are a lifesaver when it comes to preserving the plumbing at a
restaurant or a commercial eatery. Since a large amount of waste flows down the pipes and into the water waste disposal system, the grease traps stop the worst stuff from damaging the plumbing.

One of the worst issues you can have in your restaurant is a clogged grease trap. This can cause a backup in your plumbing. The result? Embarrassing, foul odors will hover throughout your restaurant, causing you to shut down your business until the problem is solved.You will lose
thousands of dollars while your restaurant is closed. And you also risk losing customers for good.

You must regularly schedule grease trap maintenance. It’s the law.
Florida law states that grease traps have to be maintained every ninety days.

Let DPS maintain your grease traps.
Maintaining your traps will keep your business open – and keep customers happy.
DPS provides complete restaurant grease trap cleaning and maintenance. We comply with all state regulations. And when we come to clean your grease trap, we’ll give you a manifest book to keep on file for the health department so you’ll never have to worry about the paperwork.

We’ll make sure your manifests are properly completed and include the size of the trap, the amount of FOG (fats, oil, and grease) material removed, and where the trap materials will be disposed of. This manifest is not only your business’ proof of compliance, but it also follows the train of the material to make certain that it is disposed of legally – guaranteeing it does not wind up in public waterways.

Whether you need maintenance or you have an emergency, DPS is here for you. Our experienced technicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Your Lift Station Saves Money – If It’s Serviced Regularly
A lift station is a pumping station that moves wastewater from a lower elevation to a higher elevation. The benefit of using a lift station in a sewage collection system is that it saves a substantial amount of money in excavation costs, which involves digging for sewer pipes. Nobody wants to do that!

Sewer pipes live underground, and digging trenches is costly. Installing a wastewater lift station at certain points in a gravity pipeline system saves on front-end construction costs without sacrificing efficiency or functionality.

Types of lift stations
Municipalities in charge of collecting and treating wastewater commonly use two types of lift stations. The more modern submersible pump and the dry well pump, which are more traditional.

Submersible Pumps
Submersible pumps, as the name suggests, are submerged in the wastewater they pump. It is mounted inside the wet well and uses a motor to pump the wastewater. This method is more modern due to the reduced health and safety concerns they offer.

Dry Well Pumps
In dry-well lift stations, the system is housed in a separate location (usually underground or in a separate chamber). Due to this physical separation, maintenance on a dry well is more hazardous and poses increased safety risks.

Why is lift station maintenance essential?
It’s no secret: sewage is a hazardous material and needs to be handled and treated as such.You must realize that lift stations require routine maintenance.Your lift station’s pumps and controls are under constant stress. It’s vital to ensure everything’s running at peak efficiency. Regular, preventative maintenance can save lift station owners from costly repairs associated with downtime and emergency pump-out expenses. Keeping a maintenance record is not only a best practice,
but it’s also often a legal requirement

At DPS, we are experts at repairing and maintaining lift stations. We provide lift station repairs and maintenance for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Services include:
● Logging and monitoring flow readings
● Cleaning floats and greasing motors
● Testing power supplies and backup generators.
● Full-pressure wash
● It’s also important that lift station alarms be tested on schedule. This is critical in the event of any operational issues or
equipment malfunctions.

Pay attention to the warning signs!
Lift stations tend to work properly if carefully maintained. But problems can still arise, so it’s important to watch the signs to avoid costly accidents:
● High-level alarm: the most obvious sign that there is a problem with your lift station is the high-level alarm sounding. High water level alarms produce an audible and visual (flashing light) signal that the water level in the sump is rising. This could mean one of two things:
either the pump is not working at all, or that it’s not pumping at a high enough rate to keep up with the amount of water coming in. If this happens, you may have a lack of power going to the tank.
● You have a strong odor: If you have a sewer odor, this is generally coming from the basement or your sump outdoors. It’s probably time to call an expert! Odors from the bathroom should also be taken care of by a professional. Keep in mind these odors can signal problems with drains being blocked.
● Sewer and water backups: Another common reason to call an expert is when there is a sewage or water backup. This typically occurs due to a blockage but can also be caused by a pump failure.
● Drainage is slow: In most situations, drains provide the signs that there is a problem. Over time, they slow down. This may not be noticeable at first, but it becomes noticeable as the problem worsens.You can troubleshoot here, but it is best to call a professional.
● You need immediate help: troubleshooting doesn’t always work and takes time, especially for an inexperienced person. For faster results, call a team of professionals instead – especially if your system is complex.

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Did you know that as a homeowner you’re responsible for maintaining your septic system?

Did you know that maintaining your septic system protects your investment in your home?

Did you know that you should periodically inspect your system and pump out your septic tank?

If properly designed, constructed, and maintained, your septic system can provide long-term, effective treatment of household wastewater. If your septic system isn’t maintained, you might need to replace it, costing you thousands of dollars. A malfunctioning system can contaminate
groundwater that might be a source of your drinking water. And if you sell your home, your septic system must be in good working order.
DPS is here to make sure you avoid costly mistakes.

Make sure you maintain your septic system.
Inspect and pump frequently.
You should have your septic system inspected at least every three years by a professional and your tank pumped as recommended by an inspector (generally every three to five years). Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components need to be inspected more often, generally once a year. Our DPS professionals inspect for leaks and look at the scum and sludge layers in your septic tank. If the bottom of the scum layer is within 6 inches of the bottom of the outlet tee, or the top of the sludge layer is within 12 inches of the outlet tee, your tank probably needs to be pumped.

Use your water efficiently.
The average indoor water use in the typical single-family home is almost 70 gallons. Per person. Per day. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons each day. The more water your household conserves, the less water enters the septic system. Efficient water use can improve the operation of your septic system and reduce the risk of failure.

Know what goes down your drain.
What shouldn’t you flush down your toilet?
Dental floss, feminine hygiene products, condoms, diapers, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, paper towels, and other kitchen and bathroom items. All of these can clog and potentially damage your septic system components if they become trapped. Flushing household chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, and paint can stress or destroy the biological treatment taking place in your system or might contaminate surface waters and groundwater. Do NOT flush these down your drain! You will pay for it later.

Let DPS protect your septic system.
Our professional DPS technicians can perform a septic tank pump out for you. We specialize in septic pump-outs throughout the Southwest Florida area. Our trucks are equipped with the latest technology that will make the pump-out easy, painless, and efficient.

Septic system maintenance is not complicated, and it does not need to be expensive. We provide a thorough maintenance service that helps you protect your investment in your home:
● Septic Tank Repair
● Septic Tank Maintenance
● Septic Pump Out
● Septic System Certification
● Septic Filter Cleaning

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Have you ever experienced any of these situations?
● There’s no flow from your faucet.
● It takes forever for your toilet to fill with water.
● You can’t take a relaxing shower because there’s virtually no water pressure.
● Your business has low water pressure throughout your facility.
If you’ve had any of these issues, it’s time to consider a water booster pump.

Installing a water booster pump increases water pressure, forcing the water to flow at a faster rate through plumbing pipes. It provides the most water at the greatest flow rate under low pressure. If water moves out of the pump without any kind of restriction, it moves at a greater flow rate. And it’s a very cost-effective solution.

But don’t just go out to your local home supply store and buy a pump. There are several things to consider to determine which type of pump is right for your home or business. Because there’s a wide variety of water booster pumps to choose from.

The professionals at DPS can help you determine which type of pump is best for your home or business. And we have in-depth experience in installing the pumps for you. We not only install, but we also repair existing pumps. We’re here to help you!

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Water Heaters – To Repair or Replace?

Hot water. It’s a luxury that we don’t think twice about. Until we run out of it.

The average person uses warm water up to 20 times per day in their home. So you need to be proactive in maintaining your water heater. But when is it time for you to purchase a replacement?

The manufacturer’s average suggested lifespan for a traditional water heater is between eight to twelve years. A tankless water heater can last up to twenty years before it needs to be replaced. But regardless of what type of water heater is installed, over time, it will corrode with age, and it’s essential to monitor it for any of the below issues, especially if it’s in the second half of its lifespan:

The water looks sandy, cloudy, or rusty.

One common issue older water heaters have is producing discolored water. There are many reasons why this could occur, and it may not mean the water heater needs to be replaced. When corrosion happens, rust builds and can leak into the water supply. This leads to discolored water coming out of the faucets. Before you jump to conclusions about the water heater, you should run cold tap water for a few minutes. If that water is also rusty, it may mean the issue is within the pipes, not the heater. If it is not rusty, it may be time for a replacement. Sometimes water may be cloudy or sandy, caused by a buildup of sediment in the heater tank. DPS can solve this issue by draining the contents of the tank and clearing out the sediment. However, if the water continues to run sandy or cloudy, it’s time for the heater to be replaced.

You’re not getting enough, or any, hot water. But your heating bill is going up.

The most obvious reason to get a new hot water heater is a lack of warm water getting to your house. This can mean the water isn’t as hot, the periods of hot water don’t last as long, or there is no hot water altogether. The issue worsens if the heating bill is going up at the same time. There may be no or less hot water because there is an issue with the electrical thermostat. On average, a home should have a thermostat set between 120 and 140 degrees. If the thermostat is readjusted and the hot water returns, then your problems are solved. The lack of hot water could also result from a broken heating element within the water heater. DPS can easily fix this issue, get the parts needed, and restore heating functions within a few hours. However, the components required for older water heaters may not be as readily available, and in some cases, it may be just better to replace the system overall.

The water heater is making strange noises.

As your water heaters get older, the rumbling noises they make to heat up water might get louder. There can be various reasons for this, which may be more significant signs the heater needs to be replaced. Sediment can build up overtime at the bottom of the tank. The noise caused by sediment buildup is the sound of the hardened sediment banging against the tank. If not flushed out, the sediment will grow harder and thicker along the floor and start to wear the water heater down. This will make the heater less efficient and accelerate the damage to the tank.You should check for this problem as soon as you hear any unusual noise from your water heater. Taking early action can prevent long-term damage and
extend the heater’s life if it’s not yet time for a water heater replacement.

DPS Proudly Partners With Ruud

We are proud to be a certified dealer of Ruud (www.ruud.com) products for your water heating solutions. Ruud is an industry leader and provides a wide variety of water heaters from conventional tank-type water heaters, tankless water heaters, replacement parts, and accessories for all categories. DPS chose to partner with Ruud because their lineup of water heaters meets and exceeds rigorous industry standards for quality and reliability. Our professional technicians can help you find the solution that’s right for your home and budget. Whether it’s an electric water heater, tankless, or a heater that offers energy efficiency, you’ll get peace of mind. And lower energy bills.

https://www.ruud.com/products/water-heaters/electric/
https://www.ruud.com/products/energystar/tankless_water_heaters/
https://www.ruud.com/products/water-heaters/tankless-water-heaters/

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