Repairs, Fixtures & Upgrades
Remodeling a Kitchen or Bath? Plumbing Decisions Before Demo
Settle the plumbing scope with a licensed plumber before the contractor picks up a hammer. Here is what to decide first.
Plumbing Answers for Phoenix Homeowners
Straight answers from the team at Brian McQuistion Plumbing & Drain on drains, sewer lines, water lines, water heaters, leaks and everything else that goes wrong under a Phoenix-area home.
Emergencies & Safety
Burst Pipe or Pipe Leak: What to Do in the First 10 Minutes
When a pipe bursts, the order of your steps matters. Get safe, shut off the water, then call. Here is the short list to follow while the water is running.
Water Lines, Pressure & Water Quality
Backflow Testing: What It Is and Whether Your Home Needs It
A backflow preventer keeps water from flowing the wrong way. Whether your home needs it tested depends on the rules that apply to you, and here is how to find out.
Repairs, Fixtures & Upgrades
Slow Shower Drain or Low Flow? Common Causes
A slow shower can be a slow drain or a weak showerhead. Here is how to tell which problem you have and what to check first.
Leaks, Slab & Repiping
Pinhole Leaks in Copper Pipes: Patch It or Repipe?
One pinhole leak is a repair. A second and third raise a bigger question. Here is how to read your leak history and choose.
Repairs, Fixtures & Upgrades
Adding a Gas Line for a Grill or Fire Pit? Who Does the Work
Gas piping is not a homeowner project. Here is who should do it, what the job involves so you can judge a bid, and what to do first if you ever smell gas.
Emergencies & Safety
Why Does My House Smell Like Sewer? Causes and When to Call
A common cause of a sewer smell is a drain that has dried out. Here is the one safe check, the causes that need a plumber, and what to do if it smells like gas.
Phoenix Homeowner Guides
What to Do When Your Rental's Plumbing Breaks
Plumbing broke in your rental? A plain-English guide to staying safe, documenting the damage, telling your landlord in writing, and what to do if no one answers.
Drains & Sewer Lines
Trenchless vs. Traditional Sewer Line Repair: What's the Difference?
Trenchless repair can fix some damaged sewer lines without digging up your yard. Traditional repair opens a trench. The pipe's condition decides which one you can use.
Water Lines, Pressure & Water Quality
Do You Need a Water Softener in Phoenix? What Utilities Report
There is no single hardness number for the Valley. Here is what Tempe and Phoenix print in their own reports, and how to find yours before you buy.
Leaks, Slab & Repiping
Found a Slab Leak. What Are Your Repair Options?
A found slab leak does not always mean a torn-up floor. Here are the choices you may hear about and the questions to ask before you decide.
Phoenix Homeowner Guides
Buying a Phoenix-Area Home? Plumbing Questions to Ask First
Buying an older Valley house? Four plumbing questions to ask before you close: the sewer line, the water heater, the pipe material and any past leaks.