By Clyde Noel
Town Crier Correspondent
Most homeowners have the skills and confidence to tackle minor plumbing problems, like dripping faucets, clogged drains and leaky toilets, but they don’t have the tools or the time.
“Even small leaks can lead to big repairs,” said Charles Fleskes, owner of J & R Plumbing. “So avoid getting soaked - hire an experienced, licensed pro at the onset of trouble.”
Fleskes said a leak from a pipe fitting that costs less than a dollar can easily cause thousands of dollars in water damage, and disrupt your household for weeks. So hiring a licensed, insured master plumber (or a well-trained apprentice working under his license) is a no-brainer.
Fleskes has been in business a long time as a general contractor, but recently joined the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce and put two trucks loaded with plumbing fixtures in the field.
“We have been in business since 1960, and I can’t remember so many remodeling jobs in Los Altos as there are right now,” Fleskes said. “The homes are 40-50 years old and need a lot of repair so they tear them down and rebuild, or renovate portions of the home.”
Fleskes referred to the water lines on homes wearing out. Most are cast-iron from the 1960s and are breaking. Starting in the 1970s, they used ABS plastic pipes and most of these are still good if they were installed correctly.
J & R Plumbing’s strengths are its employees. They have school technical knowledge of plumbing and what causes the problem.
A Los Altos house has several plumbing systems. Water supply piping brings water to the house and distributes it to fixtures and appliances.
The drain and waste plumbing system disposes of used water and waste.
Vent piping exhausts sewer gases and provides proper pressure for the drainpipes. Gas piping delivers gas to gas-fired appliances.
“We are getting quite a few calls on gas leaks,” Fleskes said. “If it’s an emergency, call PG&E, but for a test of the lines in the house, call a plumber to check all the lines.”
Fleskes made reference to big-box stores.
“When you go for a faucet or a water appliance at a big-box store, you have to wait on yourself and make your own decision. If you ask for assistance, a forklift driver arrives,” Fleskes said.
“You would be surprised how many faucets we are asked to fix that were bought at a big-box- store, and we can’t get the parts. Check with a plumber for technical knowledge to help support your selection at one of these stores.
“We have the same problem with water heaters and toilets. Customers go to the big- box store and make their own selection. Many bring them home and try to install them before they call the plumber,” Fleskes said.
“It’s embarrassing at times when you get called and all you have to do is push a button to start it.”
J & R Plumbing and General Contracting has a service division which does plumbing jobs and repairs to a home. They specialize in problem solving and provide consultant services for major repairs.
They are presently building a virtual showroom of plumbing parts.
J & R plumbing is located at 5084 El Camino Real, Los Altos.
For more information, call 322-3001.
