Summary:

• The best service call is the one you never have to make. Knowing what to ask and how to spot common red flags can help you avoid emergencies before they happen.
• Plumbing and electrical systems need regular maintenance. Annual inspections, timely repairs, and smart usage keep them running smoothly.
• Upgrades like repiping, backflow preventers, and water pressure tests help catch hidden problems before they get worse.
• Energy-efficient choices, like tankless water heaters and modern electrical panels, help you save money. They also help reduce your carbon footprint.
• Knowing how to take action if you suspect a gas leak can help save your life. It’s critically important to evacuate without touching switches or using your phone.

After more than 45 years in business, we’ve seen it all: burst pipes, sewer backups, electrical failures, and hundreds of DIY fixes that didn’t go as planned. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that knowledge is power—and that an ounce of plumbing prevention is worth a pound of cure (or sewage).

The better you understand your home’s plumbing and electrical systems, the easier it is to keep them running smoothly and efficiently. That’s why we sincerely wish more customers would ask us the 10 questions below!

At Caccia Home Services, we believe the best service call is the one you never have to make, but we’re always ready to assist. Call (650) 442-1470 anytime in San Mateo or book an appointment to get fast and reliable help.

1. How Can I Prevent Plumbing Emergencies in My Home?

Toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and pipes need regular maintenance and careful use to stay in good working condition. By following a few simple best practices, you can greatly reduce your risk for breakdowns and sudden failures, like clogs and leaks.

• Schedule annual inspections and maintenance appointments.
• Only flush waste, toilet tissue, and water down the toilet.
• Never put anything other than liquids down drains.
• Avoid placing hard or fibrous foods in your garbage disposal.
• Insulate all exposed piping—even in milder climates like California.
• Check your pipes monthly for corrosion, leaks, or dampness.

Keep a close watchful eye out for symptoms like loud flushing, slow drains, and strange noises—these are all red flags that something’s wrong. Putting in a call for service right away makes it easier for us to spot the problem and fix it before it gets expensive.

Related: What to Do During a Plumbing Emergency

2. What Maintenance Do Sewer Lines Need?

Professional sewer line maintenance can help you prevent backups and costly repairs. While every service call is unique, here’s what we typically recommend.

• Camera inspections to help identify problems you can’t see above ground.
• Hydro-jetting to clear out grease, debris, and buildup from your lines.
• Root removal to prevent tree roots from invading your pipes or causing cracks.
• Thorough drain cleaning to remove minor or partial clogs before they get worse.

We’ll also thoroughly check all pipe material, joints, and the overall condition of your lines before leaving. Routine maintenance strategies like these help extend the life of your sewer system and prevent very unpleasant emergencies—like backups and floods.

Related: Recognizing Sewer Leaks

3. How Often Should I Schedule a Sewer Line Inspection?

Sewer line problems can be sneaky—so much so that you may not realize you have an issue until it’s too late and you have a yard full of raw sewage. To avoid this nightmare scenario, we strongly recommend having your system checked at least once every three years.

Early intervention makes it easier to spot:

• Roots and plants that infiltrate pipes.
• Partially clogged lines or connections.
• Problems with your septic tank or drain field.
• Leaks in the sewer line or connections

Unfortunately, there’s no way for you to spot problems like these on your own. We have special equipment like pipe locators, sonde wands, and advanced cameras to help us see what’s happening from above the ground—so we only dig if absolutely necessary.

Related: 5 Sewer Problems Only a Sewer Camera Can Find?

4. When Should I Consider Repiping My Home?

Nothing lasts forever—and that includes your plumbing. Yearly maintenance and timely repairs will help you get more life from your pipes, but eventually, you will need to have your home repiped. The exact timeline depends on the age of your system and materials used.

• Copper piping lasts up to 70 to 80 years.
• Brass piping lasts 80 to 100 years.
• Galvanized steel piping lasts 80 to 100 years. 
• Cast iron piping lasts 80 to 100 years.
• PVC piping made before 2011 lasts 25 to 40 years.
• Newer PVC piping may last up to 50 years or longer.
• Polybutylene pipes last 10 to 15 years, but are very rare.

Lead pipes are exceptionally rare here in California now because of changes in regulations over the years. If you happen to buy an older home or property that still has them, don’t drink the water or use it—it isn’t safe! Call us to explore your options.

For all other types of pipes, warning signs include leaks, water pressure problems, discolored or metallic-tasting water, visible rust, and strange noises from pipes. These can all signify that it’s time for repairs or a serious overhaul.

5. What are the Benefits of Installing a Backflow Preventer?

A backflow preventer protects both your own drinking water and the entire local water supply from contamination. If a water main break, drought, flash flooding, or heavy use causes a sudden reversal of pressure, a special one-way valve inside the unit will slam shut.

Why is this so important? It stops dirty water from re-entering the local water supply, which preserves access to clean drinking water for everyone in the area—including you!

In some cases, installing a backflow preventer isn’t just a smart choice. It’s the law! They may be mandatory for San Mateo property owners that have:

• Permanent irrigation systems
• Buildings with fire sprinklers
• Private wells or alternative water sources
• Commercial or industrial properties

It’s also important to note that in San Mateo, anyone with a backflow preventer must have it tested at least once per year. We’re authorized to handle this for you!

Related: Backflow Testing Could Save You

6. How Do I Know If the Water Pressure in My Home Is Right?

Low water pressure makes it harder to wash clothes and dishes or enjoy a hot shower, but high water pressure can damage your plumbing. But how is the average homeowner supposed to find the goldilocks zone on their own?

A quick test with a pressure gauge can help you confirm. You can buy these at your local hardware store, but you specifically want one that attaches to an outdoor faucet.

Here’s how to use it:

• Turn off any running water—faucets, tubs, dishwashers, washing machines, etc.
• Attach the gauge to the spigot and screw it on until it feels like it’s snugly in place.
• Turn on the faucet and wait a few seconds for the gauge to read the pressure.

The normal range for most homeowners is somewhere around 40-60 PSI. If the gauge is above 80 PSI, your pressure is too high and may be damaging your plumbing. If it’s too low, you may have a leak or problem in your pipes.

Important Note: Some areas of California have naturally high water pressure, which can lead to skewed readings. Installing a water pressure regulator can help—and so can we!

Related: 10 Reasons for Low Water Pressure and How to Fix it

7. What’s the Best Way to Prepare My Plumbing for Winter in California?

San Mateo County enjoys some of the mildest weather in the country, but we still experience occasional cold snaps. The National Weather Service (NWS) puts out a few frost advisories and warnings about freezing temperatures for the Bay Area every year.

In most cases, cold temps don’t last long. But even a few hours below 27F is enough to cause problems if you don’t have the right protection.

Here are some steps from our team on how to winterize your plumbing:

• Insulate all exposed pipes in basements, garages, and outside walls.
• Turn outdoor water lines off before freezing temperatures arrive.
• Schedule yearly maintenance calls early in autumn or in spring.
• Use faucet covers to insulate outdoor fixtures, like hose spigots.
• Know how to turn off your main valve if you have a problem.

Installing heat tape on exterior piping can also help, but it’s less critical here in San Mateo as long as you have other precautions in place.

8. Can a Tankless Water Heater Save Me Money on Energy Bills?

Tankless water heaters are one of the best investments you can make in your home plumbing right now. They’re a lot more efficient and effective than traditional tank-based models because they only heat your water when you need it.

According to Energy.gov, tankless water heaters can be between 8%–34% more energy-efficient for the average homeowner. Factors like the size of your system and how much hot water you consume can impact your total savings.

But better efficiency and lower energy bills aren’t the only advantages. When you go tankless, you also get:

• Unlimited hot water so you can enjoy those long, hot showers.
• Better durability—most tankless units last up to 20 years.
• More free space because tankless heaters are very compact.

If your current water heater is over 10 years old, you stand to save the most from making the switch because today’s efficiency standards are much more robust. Send us a message to explore your options and find out how much you can save!

Related: California Is Combating Climate Change—One Water Heater at a Time

9. How Do I Know If My Electrical Panel Needs an Upgrade?

Outdated electrical panels can be a serious fire hazard and can even invalidate your homeowner’s insurance. The easiest way to tell if it’s time for an upgrade is to look for a manufacturing date on the door. If it’s over 25 years old, it’s time for a replacement.

Other warning signs include:

• Breakers that trip even with regular use.
• Partial or full power outages in your home.
• Lights that flicker or dim inappropriately.
• Buzzing or snapping noises from the panel.
• Outlets that suddenly stop working.

Newer panels are also far more energy-efficient, fully capable of handling solar, and easy to integrate with smart home systems. They can help you lower your carbon footprint, save money on energy, and take an active role in the fight against climate change.

10. What Should I Do If I Suspect a Gas Leak?

Gas leaks can be incredibly dangerous—so much so that we don’t recommend even trying to diagnose or fix them on your own. If you notice any of the following warning signs or have any other reason to suspect a leak, evacuate the building and call for help right away.

• A sulfurous, “rotten egg” odor.
• Hissing sounds from gas lines
• Dead or dying plants
• Unusually high gas bills
• Headaches, dizziness, or nausea
• Pilot light problems.

On the way out, please resist the urge to turn off the lights, use your phone, unplug any appliances, or use any appliances. Habits like these make sense on an average day, but they can create a tiny spark that’s large enough to ignite the gas and cause an explosion.

Get Expert Advice When You Need It Most

There’s nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night to a flood or water heater breakdown. Being proactive by asking the right questions, making yearly maintenance a priority, and reaching out for help can help you avoid stressful emergencies like these. 

At Caccia Home Services, we’re happy to help in any way we can. Whether you need an inspection, an upgrade, or just a little friendly advice about your plumbing, you can trust our licensed and insured experts to provide fast, reliable service. Just reach out!