CSLB # 917121 Licensed C-36 & General B / Office: 562.716.7300
18000 Studebaker Road STE 700 #1005, Cerritos, CA 90703, USA
Flushing emergency helpful tips
DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR MAIN WATER SHUT OFF IS AND HOW TO USE IT?
- The main shut-off valve is usually located:
- Right where the main water line enters the home.
- In newer homes, there may be two shut-offs:
- One by the street meter (for city use or emergencies)
- One inside or next to the home (for homeowner use).
🔧 How the Main Shut-Off Works
There are two common valve types:
1. Gate Valve (older homes)
- Has a round wheel handle.
- Turning the handle clockwise lowers a “gate” inside the valve that blocks water flow.
- Turn it counterclockwise to open it again.
2. Ball Valve (newer homes)
- Has a lever handle that operates a ball inside with a hole through it.
- When the lever is parallel to the pipe → Water is ON
- When the lever is perpendicular (90°) to the pipe → Water is OFF
If your main shut-off is old, stuck, or you don’t know where it is, Flush You can:
- Locate it
- Test it
- Replace it with a modern ball valve for safety and ease of use.
THINK YOU HAVE A MAIN SEWER BACK UP? HERE’S HOW TO TELL..
1. Multiple Drains Are Backing Up at the Same Time
- The clearest sign: more than one drain in your house is slow, gurgling, or backed up.
- Common combinations:
- Toilet + shower/tub both backing up
- Basement floor drain + laundry drain both overflowing
🧠 Why: All your home’s drains connect to one main sewer line. If it’s clogged, everything downstream gets affected.
2. Water or Sewage Coming Up in the Lowest Drain
- When you run water (sink, washing machine, etc.), you see water bubbling up from a floor drain, shower, or tubon the lowest level of the house.
- This means the blockage is below that point — in the main line — forcing water back through the nearest opening.
3. Gurgling Toilets or Drains
- You may hear gurgling, bubbling, or “blub-blub” sounds from toilets or drains when water is used elsewhere in the house.
- This means air is trapped in the plumbing due to a partial blockage in the main sewer line.
4. Slow Drains Throughout the House
- One slow drain usually means a local clog (like hair in a shower).
- But if every drain (toilets, tubs, sinks) is slow — it’s almost always a main line issue.
5. Bad Odors or Sewer Smell
- A strong rotten egg or sewage smell from floor drains, showers, or basements is a serious warning sign.
- This often happens when wastewater can’t flow out and gases are pushed back into the home.
6. Wet Spots or Sewage Outside
- Check your yard near the sewer cleanout (a capped pipe near your foundation or in the grass).
- Wet soil, soggy patches, or sewage puddles may mean the line is broken or blocked underground.
NO HOT WATER? HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN TRY.
🔧 Water Heater Power or Gas Supply Issue
Cause:
- For electric water heaters, the power supply may be off, a breaker tripped, or the heating elements burned out.
- For gas water heaters, the gas valve may be off, the pilot light may be out, or the thermocouple has failed.
What to do:
- Electric:
- Check your breaker panel — reset any tripped breakers.
- Make sure the water heater switch (often near the unit) is on.
- If still no power, you may need an electrician or plumber to check the elements or thermostat.
- Gas:
- Ensure the gas valve is open (parallel to the gas line).
- Check for a pilot light — if out, relight it according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually found on the tank’s label).
- If it won’t stay lit, the thermocouple may need replacement.
✅ Quick Initial Checks
Before calling a plumber, verify:
- You still have cold water (if not, the issue may be with the main water supply).
- The water heater tank feels warm — if it’s completely cold, power or gas supply is likely the issue.
- The temperature setting on the heater is around 120°F.
GAS LEAKS ARE NO JOKE, HERE ARE 3 SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE A GAS LEAK!
- Smell of Rotten Eggs or Sulfur
- Natural gas is odorless, but gas companies add a sulfur-like odor (mercaptan) so leaks can be detected. If you notice a strong rotten egg smell, leave the area immediately and call your gas company or 911.
- Hissing or Whistling Sounds
- A hissing noise near a gas line, meter, or appliance can indicate gas escaping under pressure. The louder the sound, the larger the possible leak.
- Dead or Dying Vegetation Near Gas Lines
- If plants or grass suddenly turn brown or die in an otherwise healthy area, it may be from gas leaking underground and displacing oxygen in the soil.
⚠️ Safety tip: If you suspect a gas leak, do not use electrical devices, light switches, or phones inside your home — leave immediately and call your gas provider or 911 from a safe distance.
Contact Us
Emergency Services Available
We strive to be in constant communication with our customers until the job is done. To get a free quote, or if you have questions or special requests, just drop us a line. We look forward to serving you!
Flush You Plumbing
18000 Studebaker STE 700 #1005, Cerritos, California 90703, United States
OFFICE: 562-716-7300 EMAIL: Office@flushyouplumbing.com
Areas Served
- Anaheim, CA
- Artesia, CA
- Bellflower, CA
- Buena Park, CA
- Cerritos, CA
- Cypress, CA
- Downey, CA
- Fullerton, CA
- La Mirada, CA
- La Palma, CA
- Lakewood, CA
- Long Beach, CA
- Los Alamitos, CA
- Norwalk, CA
- Santa Fe Springs, CA
- Whittier, CA
- Brea, CA
- La Habra, CA
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For a limited time we are accepting new partners in the area. Partners receive special discounted plumbing rates and the chance to win $100 from our monthly drawing! Call for details!