The TOP 10 Plumbing Companies in Los Angeles County CA

A tiny pipe leak that can easily and cheaply be fixed in minutes can cost thousands of dollars if left undone, interrupt your routine chores for weeks, and even damage your house structure in the long run.  Thus, hiring a plumber immediately to fix the leak is very important.  However, calling the first plumbing company that you see in the Yellow pages or in your Google search for a plumbing emergency is a mistake.  Not all plumbers are the same.  Some plumbers only provide temporary resolutions by addressing basic repairs.  Plumbing contractors specialize in providing permanent solutions that may entail remodeling or revamping your piping system or making major piping upgrades to meet your new requirements.  Thus, finding the right plumbing contractor entails research. 

Plumbing vs. Plumb Contracting 

For typical plumbing problems in your home such as a jammed gutter, dripping faucet, leaky pipes, clogged drains, running toilets or slow water pressure, or other basic repairs, a plumber is a person that you will most likely call to the rescue. Plumbers handle basic mending’s usually in emergency circumstances.  A plumbing contractor, on the other hand, is mostly involved in bigger plumbing projects such as those new constructions, housing renovation as well as other tasks that comprise large plumbing system including water supply, heating and septic system, among others. Plumbing contractors have a more comprehensive understanding of the plumbing system including water piping, heat piping, sewage and drainage system, among others. 

The work of plumbing contractors 

Repairing that leaky faucet or clogged drainage is the least of the things that a licensed plumbing contractor can perform.  A plumbing contractor’s job including the installation, restoration and maintenance of pipes and plumbing fixtures for ensuring the smooth transportation of water, gas, sewage, and drainage in the residential, commercial and industrial edifice. In performing these functions, a plumbing contractor must have the knowledge and proficiency in understanding, analyzing and interpreting blueprints and building plans and specs to comprehend the layout of plumbing structures, water reserve grids, exhaust systems, sewage and drainage systems. In installing and repairing plumbing systems, a plumbing contractor needs to identify specific tools and equipment needed for fixing the issues as well as the type and size of piping material. This may entail the mounting of provisions for hanging, standing and laying pipes, fittings and tools.  Replacing and cutting pipes would involve clearly identifying damaged components, marking points and connective stations to ensure precision. 

In dealing with large piping systems in residential, commercial and industrial structures, a plumbing contractor must be familiar or knowledgeable about pertinent building codes, local policies and regulations relating to water networks as well as occupational safety procedures that they need to follow in the course of their work. 

The installation of piping system for water or heat should be closely coordinated with other 

Integral home systems such as electrical wiring system, architectural design and drywall construction among others as this affects the rest of the house components. 

Levels of Plumbers in Plumbing Contractors

Plumbing contractors have different plumbers with different level of training.  These are the different general types of plumbers based on level. 

Master Plumber. The master plumber possesses a master plumber license which one can secure by passing a state exam and rigorous vocational training.  He also holds extensive knowledge of plumbing acquired from years of practical experience.  He is the one involved in reading blueprints, in planning piping systems, ensuring compliance with pertinent local policies and regulations and general supervision of work. 

Journeyman Plumber. The Journeyman plumber is the intermediate level of plumbing.  Aside from the journeyman license, this level of plumbing also have extensive practical experience on plumbing works but still lack proficiency in understanding comprehensive piping systems for gas, water and drainage.

Apprentice Plumber. Apprentice plumbers are rookie plumbers who are capable of performing basic plumbing repairs and act as assistant to major installation or repair jobs to journeyman plumbers.  Being the neophytes, they are mostly involved in doing the secondary works of plumbing. 

Specializations of Plumbing contractors

While plumbing contractors generally provide complete plumbing services for all the needs a new construction or a renovation project.  Still some have expertise in specific aspects of the plumbing occupation.

Water supply systems.   Plumbing contractors specializing in water supply systems have expertise in installing hot and cold water supply in toilets, sinks, bathrooms, kitchens and other areas in the building that require clean safe tap water.  They are also experts in integrating alternative sources of energies such as solar panel systems or natural gas to provide a hearing.  They also install tanks for water storage, collecting rain to be used for irrigating the garden.

Sanitary and Hygiene.  Plumbing contractors specializing in sanitary plumbing have expertise in fixing pipe and fixtures such as soil pipe, ventilation and overflow pipe for transmitting water supply for
cleaning and processing systems intended for different purposes such as food processing and medical services among others.  These contractors are especially knowledgeable about the compliance requirements of a building as implemented by the local or state government. 

Gasfitting. This plumbing contractor specializes in installation and repair of piping, valves, ventilation, meters and flue pipes used for transporting gas for providing heat as well as heating water. They also specialize in installing and testing heaters, cooktops, LPG and natural gas fitting lines to ensure safe and smooth conveyance of gas. 

Roof Plumbing. This contractor specializes in addressing guttering or piping issues in the roof issues. They are involved in fabricating and customizing metal roofing, grooves ditches, channels and downpipes.  They also specialize in installing casements and portholes as well as chimneys and vents in roofs. 

Drainage and Sewage. Plumbing contractors specializing in drainage are competent in the installation of drain-waste-vent to eliminate sewage and dirty water from a building as well as for synchronizing air pressure in the waste-system pipes to ensure smooth outflow. Their work usually involves digging canals or trenches, cleaning and fixing underground drains as well as maintaining and operating water treatment systems.

Mechanical Services. Plumbing contractors specializing in this category are experts in air-conditioning systems to maintain your home or building comfortable regardless of the season.  They are involved in installing hydronic and ducted heating as well as evaporative cooling systems among others.