At 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration we get a lot of questions from Oceanside, CA area homeowners who are interested in learning how to lower their water bills and conserve water use. They’re often surprised by how easy it is to reduce their water use and save money on their water bills. Here are a few of our tips for cutting your water bill:

Check Your Home for Water Leaks

Even a minor water leak can waste several gallons of water each day. In addition to wasting water, a water leak…

One of the surest ways to clog a kitchen sink is to put too much of the wrong type of waste product down the drain. Certain materials go down the drain easier than others. Others can cause problems that can lead to bad smells, slow or clogged drains, and damaged drainage pipes.

To save yourself the time and trouble of clearing a clogged kitchen sink, here’s a list of items you should never place down a sink or garbage disposal unit:

Bones, Nut Shells, and Fruit…

In areas of the house that are particularly warm, humid, and damp, black mold is more likely to develop. Toxic black mold can frequently grow in basements or crawlspaces that may have leaks or other sources of moisture. Black mold can be recognized by its color. Toxic black mold is a deep black, as opposed to the green or gray color of the majority of other molds.

How Harmful Is Black Mold to Your Health?

Numerous illnesses and conditions have been linked to black mold exposure at home and at work (even in the healthiest of…

Mold can be found in almost every home. It gets in through open doors and windows, on clothes and pets, and HVAC systems. Mold is able to grow on a wide range of materials, including paper products, wood products, drywall, ceiling tiles, carpet, and upholstery.

Mold Needs Moisture to Grow

Mold growth occurs when the mold is exposed to moisture. In a home, this moisture can come from a water leak, condensation, damp surfaces, or flooding. The growth gradually deteriorates the surface it grows on and can cause…

Drain cleaners are one of the easiest ways to unclog a kitchen sink drain. Unfortunately, the problem with a lot of commercial drain cleaners is that they contain many chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and your plumbing. Store-bought drain cleaners can be expensive as well.

Fortunately, there are a number of Do-It-Yourself drain cleaners that work just as effectively as the ones you buy at the store, but without the harmful chemicals. In addition, homemade drain cleaners cost quite a bit less than the ones you…

When purchasing a home, a home inspection is an important part of the process. Mold, on the other hand, isn’t always a part of a standard new home inspection. Nonetheless, mold inspection should be at the top of any home buyer’s inspection checklist.

Purchasing a home without a mold inspection is risky, especially in humid areas. The experts at can easily detect the worst types of mold in homes.

What If Mold Is Discovered During A Home Inspection?

If you try to sell a home with mold, the chances of the deal falling through are likely…

It’s not unusual for a toilet to back up or to experience a slow-draining sink or shower from time to time. However, if you’re experiencing these annoyances on a regular basis, as well as higher than usual water bills, it could be an indicator that you have a serious foundation-related plumbing problem.

Your Foundation Can Be Subjected To a Number of Stresses

Most homes in Oceanside CA sit on a concrete slab foundation. A concrete foundation provides structural support, keeps the home level, and prevents it from sinking into the soil. Over time, a home’s foundation…

Your water heater may require maintenance or an upgrade if the water coming from your shower or faucets needs to be heating up quickly enough. In order to benefit your home and save money over time, think about either replacing or repairing your water heater. Being prepared and proactive is preferable. You and your family are constantly dealing with the stress of a broken water heater.

How Long Do Water Heaters Last?

Water heaters are typically expected to last ten years or so. The lifespan of a water heater is influenced by a number…

A leaky kitchen or bathroom sink can be more than an annoyance; it could indicate that you have a serious plumbing problem. However, before you can address the problem you need to determine the cause of the leak. Here’s a list of the most common reasons why your sink may be leaking, along with some solutions.

Leaking Drain

If the leak is occurring under the sink, the problem may lie with the sink’s drain pipe. A drain can begin to leak for several reasons: a loose connection, a damaged seal, a corroded pipe, or a clog in the drain’s P-trap.

If you’re lucky, the solution…

The holiday seasons are upon us. Your home’s drains are going to be doing a lot of extra work. Are they up to the challenge? And what happens when they’re not? Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems homeowners experience during this time of year. Here are a few tips to prevent a clogged drain from ruining your holiday festivities and what to do if your drains do get clogged.

Clogged Kitchen Sink Drain

Clogged drains are one of the most common holiday home plumbing problems. Kitchen sinks can become clogged when we:

• Try to…