Vortex Plumbing’s plumbing services include water heater repair/replacement, kitchen, bathroom, and backyard services, stoppages, slab leaks, sewer repair/replacement, and copper repiping .

If you are a resident of Chino Hills and are seeking plumbing services do not hesitate to contact a Vortex Plumbing team member. Vortex Plumbing has developed through their committed customer referrals. Experience, first hand, what everyone is raving about in Chino Hills.

Do not let your plumbing repairs become a damper on your summer. Check!

It is very easy to test the pressure in the middle of the night. You can buy a double needle pressure gauge at your local hardware store. Install the pressure gauge on the end of a hose spigot outside. Turn on your hose spigot. The black needle will adjust to the current pressure. The red needle will adjust to the highest pressure. Leave the gauge on the spigot with the spigot turned on over night, the next morning check your gauge. If either needle is above 80 psi you have a thermal expansion problem.

There is a way to prevent thermal expansion in your home. Have a licensed plumber install an expansion tank at your water heater. This tank acts as a big spring and will absorb the extra pressure that is created by thermal expansion. It is installed on the cold water inlet side of your water heater and is only about 10″ X 12″ (takes up very little room). This will keep the water pressure on your system stable. The pressure may be adjusted at your pressure regulator outside. If you would like a quote for us to install a expansion tank, please give us a call, we can usually quote you over the phone.

Your pressure regulator is most often located above your main water shut off valve outside. A simple way to check the water pressure is to attach a water pressure gauge to your hose spigot outside. These gauges are usually found at your local hardware store for around $10.00. Once you attach the gauge to the spigot outside, turn the spigot on all the way. The gauge should read between 60 and 80 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch). If it is higher than 80 PSI, this means your pressure regulator is bad and it may need to be replaced. If your pressure is lower than 60 PSI, you can adjust the regulator by turning the 9/16 bolt located on the side of the regulator clockwise until the gauge reads between 60 and 75 PSI. The operating pressure for most residential pressure regulators is 25 to 75 PSI. If it is higher than 75 PSI it is out of the operating pressure. You cannot adjust it down. A common pressure from the city or department of water and power is 100 to 130 PSI before it comes into your pressure regulator. Your pressure regulator reduces the pressure before it comes in to your home.

Again, please do not get excited to suddenly have great water pressure. Feel free to contact us with questions or concerns about your water pressure.

Call us and we’ll provide information on backflow testers, service & installation, water system repair & installation, tankless water heaters, and other general plumbing fixture repairs and treatments.

You’ll need a few tools to get the job done:

• Goggles
• Gloves
• Bucket
• Garden Hose

First off, remember to keep safety in mind by wearing protective goggles & gloves while working on your water heater.

Water Heater Maintenance: Check the Pressure Relief Valve
Gas water heaters & electric water heaters are equipped with a pressure relief valve. This is a safety device that is usually easy to access for regular water heater maintenance. The relief valve opens to release pressure if your tank becomes over-pressurized. It is important to be sure that the valve is operating correctly.

1. To check your gas water heater pressure relief valve, first shut off the gas by turning the gas switch to pilot. If you have an electric water heater, turn off the electricity.
2. Turn off the cold water inlet running into the water heater
3. Be sure that a bucket is in place to catch water that will be released from the pressure relief valve
4. Locate the trip lever on the pressure release valve and pull on it. If the pressure relief valve is in working order, you will hear air escape from the valve, or see water and vapor seeping from the valve.
5. If nothing happens when you release the valve, you will need to drain the water heater tank and replace the valve.

Water Heater Maintenance: Drain the Water Heater Tank
It’s important to drain your water heater periodically. With regular use, sediment can build up in the water heater tank. This can cause problems like clogging water lines. A simple way to increase efficiency of your water heater is to drain the water heater tank. This will also increase the life of your water heater.

1. For gas water heaters, first shut off the gas by turning the gas switch to pilot. If you have an electric water heater, turn off the electricity.
2. Turn off the cold water inlet running into the water heater
3. Find the drain valve on your water heater and connect the water hose to the valve
4. Be sure that the draining end of the hose is positioned to an area that extremely hot water can drain without causing damage
5. Open the pressure relief valve, then open the drain valve. Allow the tank to drain entirely to ensure that any sediment will escape the tank.
6. Once the tank is completely drained, close the drain valve on the tank. Disconnect the hose and close the pressure relief valve.
7. Go around the house and open all of the hot water spigots.
8. Turn on the cold water inlet to the water heater tank
9. Once water begins to flow from a spigot in the house, shut if off. Proceed until all spigots have flowed and are all in the off position.
10. If you have an electric water heater, turn on the electricity. If you have a gas water heater, turn the gas switch to the “run” position.

That’s it! If you have any questions about your water heater, feel free to give us a call.

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Vortex Plumbing proudly provides 24-hour service in the Inland Empire.

• Chino
• Chino Hills
• Phillips Ranch
• Pomona
• Ontario
• Montclair
• Clairemont
• Rancho Cucamonga
• Upland
• Corona

Vortex Plumbing proudly provides 24-hour service in the North Orange County.

• Anaheim Hills
• Anaheim
• Brea
• Fullerton
• Orange
• Orange Park
• Placentia
• Villa Park
• Yorba Linda

Vortex Plumbing proudly provides 24-hour service in the San Gabriel Valley.

• Azusa
• Diamond Bar
• Walnut
• San Dimas
• La Verne
• Glendora
• West Covina
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