Services
Backflow Preventers
Whether it is at your house or business, back flow preventers are an important part in protecting our potable drinking water supply. When properly functioning, a backflow preventer prevents the reverse flow of contaminated water into our city’s water supply. Some common places in homes and businesses where backflow preventers can be found or should be installed are on lawn sprinkler systems and carbonated soda dispensers, and these devices are required to be tested annually by a certified tester. There are also other places in residential and commercial buildings where a backflow preventer may be required to be installed or tested by a certified tester. At Sonny’s Plumbing we employ several backflow certified testers who can test or install your backflow preventer in an affordable, timely and approved manner.
Faucets & Sinks
Sonny’s Plumbing's skilled plumbers can handle any faucet repair or replacement — whether it's part of a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, bathtub, shower, wet bar, laundry room, water shut-off valves or even an outdoor hose bib. Faucets contain moving parts and they break and wear out over time. We can also solve any sink clog, repair or replace an existing sink or install a new one wherever you need it.
Garbage Disposals
Many of Sonny’s plumbing service calls involve garbage disposals. They may be one of the most misused appliances in any home. Few people realize that garbage disposals are only designed to handle light food residue that is rinsed from plates and cooking utensils before they go into the dishwasher.
Large quantities of food and debris going into disposals can overwhelm them and clog the kitchen sink drain. Few things are more frustrating than a kitchen sink that won't drain but Sonny’s Plumbing will repair or replace broken disposals and get your sink back to normal in no time.
Gas Lines
Gas lines — whether in your home or business — are for the professionals to handle. When installed or repaired incorrectly, a faulty gas line can have devastating results. If you are thinking about adding a new gas stove, installing a new gas BBQ pit, or perhaps adding a new log lighter fire place, there are a number of things that a licensed plumber must consider. First of all, a complete evaluation of the existing gas system must be performed. If you have a gas leak or smell gas, the gas to your home or business should be turned off immediately either by a licensed plumber or by the gas company. So when it comes to gas installations or repairs, you can trust the licensed plumbers at Sonny’s Plumbing to do the job right. Just give us a call. We are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week if you have an emergency.
Toilets
If you have a problem toilet that always seems to clog, run (leak), lack flushing power or if you need any sort of toilet repair or replacement, Sonny’s Plumbing licensed plumbers can solve the problem.
Clogs
Is there a more helpless feeling than when a toilet won't flush? Water rises in the bowl and begins spilling onto the floor as panic sets in. If a toilet requires plunging on a regular basis, there is probably an obstruction in the trap or further down the drainpipe. It may even be a symptom of a bigger problem farther down the sewer line. We're experts at dealing with clogged toilets.
Running toilets
If you hear water running in your toilet tank for extended periods after a flush, then your toilet is leaking. It is dumping water down the overflow tube and wasting up to 200 gallons of water daily. The problem may be a corroded overflow pipe or flush valve assembly. Sometimes the culprit is a worn out flapper valve. Stop jiggling the handle and call Sonny’s Plumbing. Chances are you'll save enough money on your next few water bills to cover the cost of the plumbing repair.
How old and inefficient is your toilet?
If your toilet was manufactured before 1994, it is probably costing you a fortune in water. Most older toilets used 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf). Newer low-flow toilets use only 1.6 gallons per flush and the newest low-flow designs provide the same amount of flushing power as old 3.5 gallon models. A Sonny’s Plumbing plumber can install an efficient new toilet that will conserve water and save you money month after month. We can also install a new toilet that our customers provide.
Water Heaters
Our plumbers know all about conventional gas or electric water heaters as well as newer tankless (on-demand) water heaters. Don't stress over water heater repairs; Sonny’s Plumbing will take plumbing problems off your back. We may be able to repair your gas or electric water heater. If a replacement is needed you may purchase a water heater through us or pick up one from the supplier of your choice and hire Sonny’s Plumbing to install it.
Life Expectancy
A conventional water heater in San Antonio without a water softener should last about 6 to 10 years, and tankless heaters have a life expectancy of 15-20 years. Hard water will shorten the lifespan and regular maintenance will prolong it. A water softener is recommended on all tankless water heaters even if the manufacturer says one is not required.
Efficiency
Tankless heaters are considered more energy efficient than conventional heaters because they don't have to continually heat a tank of water. Tankless heaters heat water instantly whenever a hot water tap is opened. Most tankless water heaters require special modifications to existing gas and electric supplies. So while tankless water heaters are thought to be more energy efficient, because of the initial costs to convert an existing system from a conventional tank type heater to a tankless heater, a homeowner may never see any actual savings. At Sonny’s Plumbing we can evaluate your existing plumbing system to help you determine if a tankless water heater is right for you.
Water Lines
Sometimes drains clog or supply pipes leak, freeze or burst, requiring repair or maintenance. Your water supply pipes may have problems that limit water pressure, impacting everything from the quality of your shower to the reach of your lawn sprinkler. Behind your walls and beneath your floors there is an intricate network of water supply lines, drains and vents that make up your residential plumbing system. Nobody understands residential plumbing better than Sonny’s Plumbing. When we make plumbing service calls to your home, we'll address the plumbing problem you called us about and diagnose any potential plumbing problems that may be lurking out of sight. You'll get the information and options necessary to prevent future problems and costly repairs.
Water Treatments
Living in San Antonio and the surrounding areas most of us know that we have what is considered hard water. Hard water means there are a lot of minerals in the drinking water supply such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. Hard water is considered any water measuring over 5 on a scale of grains per gallon (gpg). In San Antonio and the surrounding areas the average water hardness is 20 gpg — well over the 5 gpg — which is considered extremely hard water.
Hard water decreases the life of all plumbing fixtures and appliances considerably by building up inside faucets, pipes, and water heaters. Hard water is visible inside all of our showers, bath tubs, and on the walls in our bathrooms. The most commonly visible area is at the end of a faucet where the aerator is located. The aerator can be taken off and cleaned but when removed the calcium can be physically seen.
The life of a water softener depends greatly on the hardness of the water and how much water you use. A water softener should last at least 10 years before the resin inside the tank is no longer able to remove the hardness. Most water softeners use sodium as a means to soften the water, but there are such water softeners that can use potassium as an alternative to sodium. At Sonny’s Plumbing we offer the Pro-series Eliminator water softener which can use sodium or potassium, and also features an unconditional non prorated guarantee which covers the valve body, mineral container, cation resin, and salt tank. Alternatively, you can choose to purchase you own water softener and have Sonny’s Plumbing install it for you. We can also install other types of water treatment equipment such as reverse osmosis, which removes the sodium and other minerals and most chemicals from your drinking water such as chlorine or fluoride.
Remodeling
Bathrooms
There are many reasons to consider a bathroom remodeling project. the reasons may vary for each homeowner. The homeowner of today wants more from a bathroom. In addition to just being functional, homeowners are looking to make their bathroom a soothing environment where they can relax after the business of the day. More amenities are being added to the bathrooms of today, and a bathroom remodeling project may include the addition of a large deep soaking tub, a whirlpool bath or a steam shower.
Kitchen
Kitchen remodeling is a great investment in your home, and will be enjoyed every day. By remodeling your kitchen you can add value to your home, and at the same time save money with energy efficient kitchen appliances. When it comes to kitchen remodeling, you have many decisions to make. Sonny’s Plumbing is here to assist you with your kitchen remodeling project
Repairs or Replacements
- Sewer Lines
- Water Heaters
- Gas Lines
- Water Lines
- Water Softeners
- Other water treatment equipment
- Garbage Disposals
- Toilets
- Backflow Preventers
- Bath Tubs
- Kitchen Sinks
- Faucets
- And many other plumbing fixtures or appliances
Sewer and drain line problems
Main sewer lines are the largest drains in a home. All other household drains lead to the main sewer line. The main sewer runs underground from the house and connects to a city sewer line or a septic tank. Your main sewer line can become clogged from the debris those other household drains wash into it or by tree roots that penetrate pipe joints from surrounding soil.
If the main sewer line clogs, toilets and drains throughout your house will begin to back up. This is usually a very stressful situation for homeowners and it can happen at any time of the day or night. That's why Sonny’s Plumbing is your 24 hour plumbing company.
A qualified technician will use specially designed equipment to quickly restore drainage. If the technician has any indication there is a problem with the main sewer line, he may recommend the use of a fiber optic camera to determine if the pipe is damaged or corroded. The technician will share the video with the homeowner and present options for a sewer line repair or replacement if necessary.
Sonny’s Plumbing does more than just clear your drains. We can also repair or replace sewer lines to correct a number of problems, including:
- Broken, cracked, offset or collapsed pipe — damaged pipes due to shifting soil, frozen ground, settling, etc.
- Blockage — grease buildup or a foreign object is restricting or prohibiting proper flow and/or cleaning of the line.
- Corrosion — the pipe has deteriorated and/or broken, causing collapses in the line and restricting flow.
- Bellied pipe — a section of the pipe has sunk due to ground or soil conditions, creating a valley that collects paper and waste.
- Leaking joints — the seals between pipes have broken, allowing water to escape into the area surrounding the pipe.
- Root infiltration — tree or shrub roots have invaded the sewer line, preventing normal cleaning and/or damaging the line.
- Off-grade pipe — existing pipes are constructed of substandard material that may have deteriorated or corroded.
Kitchen drains clog over time. They run slower and slower as greases, soaps, fats and detergents build up on the inner walls of the pipes and eventually cause blockage. At Sonny’s Plumbing we will send a qualified technician to quickly resolve the problem either by using a sewer machine, or if the build up is extreme, possibly the use of a hydro-jet.
Shower and tub drains present their own challenges. The clog culprit is usually hair and soap buildup in the trap and drainpipe. When you're taking a shower you should never see standing water in the stall or tub. Properly functioning drains should carry the water away almost instantly. If water covers the shower floor and your feet, you have a clogged shower drain, which will eventually become completely blocked. At Sonny’s Plumbing we will send a qualified service technician to restore drainage quickly.
Bathroom sink drains may become clogged with hair, toothpaste, soap and grime. Sonny’s Plumbing provides many bathroom plumbing solutions and sink drains are one of the more common problems we solve. Sonny’s Plumbing will remove the clog and thoroughly clean the entire pipe so your sinks will drain like new.
Floor drains are common in basements, laundry rooms and garages. They may also be found on patios and driveways as well as older bathrooms. These drains are equipped with a trap that should be kept filled with water to prevent odors and sewer gas from escaping. Test drains occasionally to make sure they are aren't clogged and are ready to carry away water and prevent flooding. Dirt and debris can clog floor drains but Sonny’s Plumbing has the equipment to restore drainage quickly.
Sewer Camera Inspections
Video cameras have become one of the most valuable tools in the plumbing business. Specially-made fiber optic cameras allow for a visual inspection of underground sewer lines and other piping to determine the condition of the inside of the pipe. A flexible rod with a high-resolution video camera on its tip is inserted into the pipe for inspection. Video images are transmitted to the camera operator and can be saved onto a dvd for a permanent record. Radio transmitters on the camera can be used to record the depth and physical location from the surface so that defects and obstructions can be corrected cost effectively. At Sonny’s Plumbing we utilize the latest technology to quickly locate and resolve your plumbing problem.
Video cameras have also been used to locate lost jewelry and other valuables, as well as animals that have become lost or trapped in pipes.
Slab Leaks
Slab leaks occur because of a variety of reasons. On potable water lines, some of the causes of slab leaks are high water pressure, copper water lines not sleeved in the concrete (which can cause electrolysis), improper installation, age of the pipe, and foundation problems.
The most common way to repair a leak in the slab on a potable water line is to reroute the affected water line overhead or possibly around the house and back in to feed the affected fixture. Pex pipe is becoming one of the most common materials used in rerouting a potable water line because of the ease of installation and benefits versus copper pipe. Some pex pipes can stretch up to three times their normal size if frozen before rupturing.
On building drain lines some of the causes of slab leaks are foundation movement such as house leveling or shifting ground, age of the pipe, type of the pipe, and improper installation.
The most common way to repair a leak in the foundation on a building drain line is by tunneling to the affected area and replacing the defective section of pipe. When tunneling is done it is important to find a suitable section of pipe to tie the repaired section onto; if it is tied on to a section of pipe that is deteriorated and the strength of the pipe is gone the repair will not hold. Sometimes additional tunneling is needed to ensure a proper repair is made.
Commercial Projects
Sonny’s Plumbing is currently working on new projects which will have an estimated contract value of $6,000,000 upon completion. We at Sonny’s Plumbing take pride in meeting our contractors' deadline schedules, while maintaining a high standard of safety with zero recordable accidents or injuries. We always provide quality workmanship on each of our projects. Our projects include houses on Ft. Sam Houston, W. Durango Apartments, Eckhert Place Condominiums, Maverick Cleaners, and the Java Times Café to name a few. |