Plumbing questions, answered

Drain cleaning from Tuskin Plumbing starts at $49, and that price includes a video camera inspection of the line. The $49 price applies to drains with an easily accessible cleanout. The final cost depends on where the clog is, how the line is accessed and how heavy the buildup is. Lines packed with grease, scale or roots may need hydro jetting, which starts at $499.

Water heater repair from Tuskin Plumbing starts at $799, and a water heater flush starts at $199. The price depends on the part that failed, whether the heater is gas or electric, tank or tankless, and access. If a repair doesn't make sense on an older unit, we'll tell you and quote a replacement.

Leak detection from Tuskin Plumbing starts at $699. That covers locating the leak with electronic equipment so the repair opens as little floor, wall or yard as possible. The repair itself is quoted once we know where the leak is.

Hydro jetting from Tuskin Plumbing starts at $499. Jetting is priced by the line being cleaned and its condition, and we run a camera so you can see the pipe before and after.

Yes. Tuskin Plumbing offers 0% financing on qualifying jobs through our financing partner, Hearth, subject to credit approval. It's useful for bigger projects like repiping, sewer line replacement or a new water heater. You can check your options online with Hearth in a few minutes, or ask about it when you call (562) 200-1065.

Pre-qualify with Hearth

Yes. A Tuskin Plumbing plumber diagnoses the problem, explains it in plain language and gives you the price before any work begins. You decide whether to go ahead.

Drain cleaning with a cable (snake) breaks through a clog so water flows again. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to scour grease, scale and roots off the entire pipe wall. Snaking is right for a simple clog; jetting is the better fix for lines that keep clogging.

Common signs of a damaged sewer line are repeat backups in the main line, several drains clogging at once, gurgling toilets, sewage smells, and soggy or sunken spots in the yard. A video camera inspection confirms it and shows exactly where the damage is.

A sewer camera inspection runs a waterproof camera through the line to show roots, cracks, sags and blockages without digging. It's worth doing before buying an older home, when drains keep backing up, or before agreeing to a sewer replacement. Tuskin Plumbing includes a camera inspection with $49 drain cleaning.

Yes. Tuskin Plumbing offers trenchless sewer options, including pipe bursting and epoxy pipe lining, along with traditional spot repairs and full replacement. Trenchless methods replace or seal the pipe through small access points, which saves landscaping, driveways and time. Whether a line qualifies depends on its condition, which the camera shows.

Repeat clogs usually mean something in the pipe keeps catching debris: tree roots, grease buildup, mineral scale, a sag (belly) in the line or a cracked joint. Clearing the clog doesn't fix those. A camera inspection finds the cause, and hydro jetting or a repair fixes it.

Signs of a slab leak include a water bill that jumps without explanation, a water meter that moves with every fixture off, warm spots on the floor, the sound of running water, and damp or cracked flooring. Tuskin Plumbing uses electronic leak locating equipment to pinpoint slab leaks before opening anything.

Tuskin Plumbing finds hidden leaks with electronic locating equipment that listens for and traces water moving through pipes in walls, under slabs and underground. Pinpointing the leak first means a smaller repair and less damage to your home.

It's time to consider repiping when you're fixing pinhole leaks again and again, the water is rusty or discolored, pressure is low across the house, or the home still has galvanized steel pipe, which was common before the 1970s. A repipe replaces the supply lines with new PEX or copper. Tuskin Plumbing offers 0% financing on qualifying repipes.

In general, yes. Water heater replacements, repipes and gas line work in Los Angeles and most surrounding cities require a permit from the local building department. Requirements vary by city, so ask about permits when you get your quote. This is general information, not legal advice.

Yes. In California, gas piping falls under the C-36 plumbing contractor license. Tuskin Plumbing holds C-36 license #1151281 and repairs gas leaks, runs new gas lines for appliances and outdoor kitchens, and pressure-tests the work.

Leave the house right away, don't flip switches or use anything that could spark, and call the gas company or 911 from outside. Once the utility has made it safe, Tuskin Plumbing can find and repair the leak.

Much of Southern California has hard water, high in calcium and magnesium. It leaves white scale on fixtures, shortens water heater life and leaves spots on dishes. A water softener or whole-house filtration system from Tuskin Plumbing protects your plumbing and appliances.

A pressure regulator (PRV) lowers the water pressure coming in from the street to a safe level for your home. Plumbing codes generally call for one when street pressure is over 80 psi. High pressure causes banging pipes, dripping faucets, running toilets and early water heater failure.

A backflow preventer is a valve that stops water from irrigation systems, boilers or other connections from flowing backward into your drinking water. Tuskin Plumbing installs and repairs backflow preventers on homes and irrigation systems.