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Fixture Installation Services | OC Plumber
By William "Jay" Horsky Jr., Owner, Professional Plumbing, Inc. · Published June 7, 2026 · Updated June 26, 2026
Plumbing fixture installation is the work a plumber does to remove an old fixture and put in a new one: kitchen and bathroom faucets, toilets, sinks, garbage disposals, water softeners and filtration systems, and dishwasher hookups. The new faucet is sitting in its box on the counter, the old one keeps dripping, and the job you planned for the weekend has not happened yet.
Key Takeaways
- Plumbing fixture installation covers faucets, toilets, sinks, disposals, softeners, and dishwasher hookups.
- We rebuild fixtures first when repair makes sense, and we always give options.
- We install customer-supplied fixtures at the same price as ours.
- Our one-year labor and workmanship warranty applies to Professional-Plumbing-supplied materials.
- Every job gets a written flat-rate price before work begins.
In Orange County, the install itself is usually the easy part. The surprises come from what the new fixture has to connect to, because the valves and supply lines behind it are often as old as the house.
This page covers what we install, how we decide between repair and replacement, what hard water and old pipes do to the job, and how pricing, warranty, and permits work.
What Plumbing Fixture Installation Covers
Plumbing fixture installation. Plumbing fixture installation is the removal of an old plumbing fixture and the mounting and connection of a new one, including the water, drain, and venting connections the fixture needs. It covers replacements, upgrades, and first-time installs.
Here is the scope we handle:
- Kitchen and bathroom faucets
- Toilets, including bidet seats
- Sinks, from drop-in stainless to farmhouse styles
- Garbage disposals
- Water softeners and filtration systems
- Dishwasher hookups and refrigerator ice maker lines
- Shower valves
- Washer and dryer connections
In short, if a major water-using or gas-using appliance needs a proper connection, we install it. However, two jobs sit outside our scope. We do not cut cabinets to make room for a dishwasher or refrigerator, because that is finishing carpentry. Also, fixes to a fixture you want to keep belong to our repair service rather than this page.
By the numbers. Over the past decade, our logged jobs across Orange County include more than 2,000 toilets and close to 2,000 faucets installed, two of the fixtures we handle most often.
Repair It or Replace It: How We Decide
Sometimes the choice is already made. For example, if you want a new faucet for the look of it, or because the old handle is hard to operate, that is a replacement and no diagnosis is needed. When you ask for our judgment instead, we look at the fixture and figure out the best solution for the problem.
Rebuilds come first. Normally we can repair a faucet or a toilet, and we say so when repair is the better value. However, when the bigger picture is bad, we say that too. A faucet with a corroded finish and several other problems can usually be rebuilt, but we will suggest replacing it, and we always give options.
Here is the decision logic by fixture:
- Faucets. Repairable in most cases. Replacement wins when the finish is corroded and multiple parts are failing at once.
- Toilets. Almost any toilet can be rebuilt. We have rebuilt toilets from the 1920s because that is what the owner wanted.
- Garbage disposals. Rarely worth repairing beyond a reset. Most of the time, replacement is cheaper than repair.
Ultimately, the deciding factor in any plumbing fixture installation is cost. If replacement costs less than repair, or a repair would not buy usable time, replacement is the honest recommendation. If a repair gets you years of service for less money, we tell you that instead.
Why Fixture Installs Go Differently in Orange County
Orange County water is hard. The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) service area runs 8 to 19 grains per gallon depending on the city, with the average near 13. Hard water shows up on fixtures as white mineral scale, and over time it wears cartridges, aerators, fill valves, and disposal seals somewhat faster than soft water would. Keeping fixtures wiped down helps the finish, but the scale keeps coming.
Housing age matters more. Much of Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, Westminster, and the older tracts of Huntington Beach went up in the 1950s through the early 1970s. As a result, many of those homes still carry original galvanized supply stub-outs and angle stops that have not been touched in decades.
The new faucet is never the problem. Instead, the 60-year-old valve behind it is.
In addition, parts of Huntington Beach and some county areas still run on well water. Those homes need filtration, and when the filters are not kept clean, the water can be harder on fixtures than city water.
The Simple Swap Problem: Old Valves and Old Supply Lines
Every faucet swap starts at the angle stops, the small shutoff valves under the sink. Whenever we change out a faucet and the angle stops will not turn off, we replace them. There is a workaround, shutting off the water to the whole house, but that workaround leaves you stuck later. In an emergency, you would have no way to stop the water at the sink without shutting down the entire home.
We explain that choice rationally, and it stays your call. It is still your house, and you can do whatever you want with it. Our job is to make sure you understand what each option means before the work starts.
What we tell you before we start
The same honesty applies to what we see before we start. Here is William on a kitchen faucet call in Westminster:
William, on a kitchen faucet call in Westminster:
“We had a kitchen sink where the people wanted this brand new faucet installed, which we thought was a great idea. Right away we could see some bubbling underneath the edges of the old faucet, where the sink was literally starting to rust through the porcelain. We explained that once we took the faucet off, there might not be anything left to mount the new faucet to.”
“And as soon as we started removing the mounting hardware, exactly what we were afraid of happened. The mounting areas were gone. They’d basically crumbled into rust.”
The home was a late-1960s build, and the sink had been rusting quietly for years. For this reason, we tell people up front what we see and what we think will go well or badly with an installation. We put it in writing, and we say it out loud, so there are no surprises halfway through the job.
Toilets in 2026: What We Recommend and What We Find
For most homes, we recommend a comfort height toilet, the taller bowl style that is easier on knees and backs. The exception is a household with small children, where standard height works better.
On water use, California reached its standard years ago. Toilets sold in the state flush at 1.28 gallons or less, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense program certifies for both efficiency and flush performance. Toilets installed before 1994 use 3.5 gallons per flush or more, so replacing one saves the average family close to 13,000 gallons a year (EPA WaterSense, residential toilets).
When we supply the toilet, we sell TOTO only. In our experience they are the best out there, and we have the fewest problems with them.
What we find under old toilets
Two discoveries surprise homeowners during toilet replacement. First, under old toilets we normally find holes in the floor, sometimes through the concrete into the dirt, sometimes from the second floor down to the first. Those get addressed before the new toilet goes in.
Second, the old toilet leaves a footprint. Tile, linoleum, or vinyl flooring keeps the outline of the old base no matter how hard anyone scrubs. If the new toilet has a different footprint, and it almost always does, the ring of the old one will show. We point that out before the swap so you can decide whether flooring work belongs in the plan.
Bidet seats
Bidet seats deserve a mention, because we get a lot of calls about them. Here is William on a recent one in Newport Beach:
William, on a bidet seat call in Newport Beach:
“A customer was putting in a bidet seat, which seems like a pretty easy thing, at least for us. They got the seat on pretty well, but when they tried to make the water connection, they cross-threaded the plastic to the metal and basically ruined the supply on their own brand new seat. A cross-threaded piece of plastic can’t hold full water pressure.”
“We told them to return it and get a new seat or a new supply from the manufacturer. We could’ve spent an hour chasing the part, but time is money, and they’d have paid more for that hour than for a new seat.”
The home was a 1980s build, and the advice saved the customer money instead of earning us an hour of billable time. That is the trade we make every time honesty and a service ticket point in different directions.
Water Softeners and Filtration in Orange County
Softener and filtration work is the part of plumbing fixture installation where Orange County homeowners have the most questions. With the hardness numbers above, almost any filtration helps a home here. The question is which kind, because the three main components do different jobs, and none of them does all three.
The three components, and what each one does
| Component | What it handles | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-filter | Sand, dirt, rust flakes, pipe scale, larger particles. Protects the softener, carbon tank, fixtures, valves, and appliances. | Does not remove hardness. Does not remove chlorine or chloramine in any meaningful way. |
| Catalytic carbon filter | Chlorine, chloramine, chemical taste and smell, some organic contaminants. Makes city water taste and smell better. | Does not soften water. Does not remove calcium or magnesium. Does not stop scale by itself. |
| Water softener | Calcium, magnesium, scale buildup, white crust on fixtures, spots on glass, soap that will not lather. Protects water heaters, valves, faucets, and appliances. | Does not remove chlorine or chloramine. Does not improve taste. Does not filter out dirt. |
For a strong whole-house setup, the order is pre-filter, then catalytic carbon, then the softener, then the house. The pre-filter catches the junk first. Next, the carbon reduces chlorine and chloramine before the water reaches the softener. Finally, the softener removes hardness before the water moves through the home.
How buying and installing works with us
We do not push a specific unit, because every household has its own priorities and specifications. Instead, you buy the system directly from the manufacturer, then tell us the manufacturer and model number, and we give you a free estimate to install it. There is a reason we work that way: we do not repair filtration systems, so we will not sell you one we cannot fix. If we sold it and it failed, the manufacturer would have to come repair it anyway.
One more recommendation from the field: if you have a tankless unit, put a pre-filter ahead of it. Our water heater service work keeps confirming the same point. In addition, we now see the same benefit on tank-type heaters. A pre-filter keeps sediment from collecting at the bottom of the tank and shortening its life.
A softener failure story from Fountain Valley
A warning story about softeners that have quietly aged out. Here is William on a service call in Fountain Valley:
William, on a softener service call in Fountain Valley:
“The customers had an older water softener, and they’d just added salt to it, and then all of a sudden they had very little flow in the house. So they figured it was the softener, because of the timing. What actually happened is the bladder that holds the resin beads broke inside the tank and dumped the beads into the water going into the house.”
“They look like little yellowish-orange BBs, but smaller. Every single fixture and faucet had them packed into everything. It took us a couple of hours just to get the system cleaned out enough after we bypassed the softener.”
The home was an early-1970s build. The customers chose a new softener, and we installed it a few days later. Importantly, the lesson is not that softeners are risky. Rather, a softener past its service life can fail in ways that reach every fixture in the house.
What California law says about softeners
On the legal side, California law allows local agencies to restrict self-regenerating softeners that discharge salt brine to the sewer (California Health and Safety Code, Water Softeners article). There is no statewide ban, and the well-known restrictions sit outside Orange County. If your district has rules, we will know before the install, because that is part of the permit and code check.
Dishwashers, Ice Makers, and the Air Gap Rule
Dishwasher work is the appliance end of plumbing fixture installation, and it is a complete hookup. Typically you buy the unit and have it delivered, and then we pull the old machine, set the new one, and make the supply and drain connections. The cabinet itself is the one part we do not touch. If the opening needs to be cut larger, a finishing carpenter does that work.
The air gap is not optional. California Plumbing Code (CPC) Section 807.3 requires an approved air gap fitting on the discharge side of every domestic dishwasher, installed at or above the flood level of the sink (CPC 807.3). The air gap is the small cylinder next to the faucet, and it keeps drain water from backing up into the machine that washes your dishes. A high loop of hose is not an approved substitute in California.
Refrigerators with ice makers get the same complete-hookup treatment. In fact, we install ice maker boxes, the recessed supply boxes in the wall, so the refrigerator can sit back further and the line stays protected.
Your Fixture or Ours: Warranty, Brands, and Haul-Away
Plenty of homeowners buy a faucet or toilet first and call a plumber second. We install customer-supplied fixtures, and we charge the same price as when we supply the fixture ourselves. Some companies double or even triple the install cost on customer-supplied fixtures. It is the same job to us either way.
The difference is the warranty, and we state it plainly before the work starts:
- When we supply the fixture: our one-year labor and workmanship warranty applies to Professional-Plumbing-supplied materials. If there is a problem, we take care of it, parts and labor.
- When you supply the fixture: we guarantee our installation 100 percent. However, we do not warranty the fixture itself. If a part inside your fixture fails, the repair of the fixture is between you and the manufacturer. Also, a diagnostic fee applies if we come out and find the fixture, not the installation, is at fault. If you have us install the replacement, we will usually waive that fee.
A cracked toilet in Garden Grove
A Garden Grove job shows why the distinction matters. A handyman had installed a new toilet at a 1970s home, and the owners called us about a leak nobody could find. Within 30 seconds we saw the cause: the mounting bolts had been over-tightened and the porcelain had cracked.
Once porcelain cracks, the toilet is done, especially where full body weight rests on it. We could not touch the toilet except to replace it, because of the liability, so the owners bought a new one and we installed it the next day. That one has had no problems, which is the typical outcome.
Brands and haul-away
On brands, we go with the major names. Faucets usually means Pfister and Moen, although we install whatever fixture you have chosen for your house. For garbage disposals, we install InSinkErator, no doubt about it. Toilets we supply are TOTO, as covered above, and we name no softener or filtration brands because you buy direct from the manufacturer.
Haul-away is included. We always take the old fixture with us, with one exception: water softeners and filtration systems carry a disposal charge, because those units have to go to the dump rather than into our trash bin.
We provide plumbing fixture installation across Orange County, including Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa.
What Plumbing Fixture Installation Costs
Every fixture job is flat-rate, with the price in writing before any work begins. However, we do not give flat rates or guaranteed prices over the phone, and the reason is fairness rather than secrecy.
Installing the new fixture is the known quantity. We have installed most fixtures more times than we can count, so we know what the new one takes. The variable is getting the old one out.
A faucet on healthy angle stops comes out in minutes. By contrast, a faucet on seized valves above a rusting sink is a different job entirely. The only honest phone price would be a worst-case price, and most jobs should never be charged at worst case.
So the process is simple. We look at the job, we price the whole job in writing, and you decide before anything is touched. A faucet or disposal swap falls in the lower range of plumbing work, while a whole-house softener and filtration setup costs more, in line with the size of the equipment and the piping involved.
For installs you are planning, the fastest route is to book online. For larger projects like a whole-house filtration setup, you can request a quote and we will come look at the work for free during normal business hours.
Permits for Plumbing Fixture Installation in Orange County
We pull permits as needed for plumbing fixture installation across the Orange County area. Most like-for-like fixture swaps do not need one, but the rules are set city by city, and they do change.
Huntington Beach is the current example. Garbage disposals there are now expected to have their own dedicated electrical circuit, and the same requirement applies to dishwashers. We do not have to agree with a requirement to follow it, and the permit reflects what the city wants. When a permit applies to your job, we tell you before the work starts, and the electrical side of a dedicated circuit is handled by an electrician rather than taught as a weekend project.
Common Misconceptions About Plumbing Fixture Installation
“Buying my own fixture saves money on the install.” Not with us. The install price is the same either way. The real difference is the warranty on the fixture itself, which stays with the manufacturer when you supply it.
“A softener will fix the taste of my water.” A softener removes hardness, not chlorine or chloramine. Taste and smell are the carbon filter’s job, which is why the components are usually paired.
“The air gap is optional if the installer uses a high loop.” In California, the air gap fitting is required by code on every domestic dishwasher. A high loop is not an approved substitute here.
“A new toilet just drops onto the old spot.” The old toilet leaves a permanent footprint on the flooring, and the floor or flange underneath often needs attention. Both are worth knowing about before the swap, not after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you install fixtures I bought myself?
Yes, and at the same price as if we supplied the fixture. We guarantee our installation 100 percent. The fixture itself stays under the manufacturer’s warranty rather than ours.
Does a dishwasher need an air gap in California?
Yes. California Plumbing Code Section 807.3 requires an approved air gap fitting on every domestic dishwasher, installed at or above the flood level of the sink. A high loop is not an approved substitute in California.
Do I need a permit to replace a toilet or garbage disposal?
It depends on the city. Most like-for-like swaps do not need a permit, but some cities add requirements. We pull permits as needed and tell you before work starts.
Should I repair or replace my garbage disposal?
If the fix is a reset, repair it. Beyond a reset, replacement is usually cheaper than repair.
Is a water softener worth it in Orange County?
Orange County water runs 8 to 19 grains per gallon, which is moderately hard to very hard. At that hardness, almost any filtration helps.
What is a comfort height toilet?
A comfort height toilet has a taller bowl, close to chair height, which is easier on knees and backs. We recommend comfort height for most homes unless small children are the main users.
Can you give me a price over the phone?
No, because a phone price would have to assume the worst-case job. We look at the work, then give you a written flat-rate price before anything starts.
Do you haul away the old fixture?
Yes, haul-away is included for faucets, toilets, sinks, disposals, and dishwashers. Water softeners and filtration systems carry a disposal charge because they must go to the dump.
What to Do Next
- Note what is wrong with the current fixture, or what you want the new one to do better.
- If you have already bought a fixture, keep the box, the manual, and the model number handy.
- Check the angle stops under the sink or behind the toilet. If they will not turn, do not force them.
- For softeners and filtration, pick your system from the manufacturer first, then send us the manufacturer and model number.
- When you are ready, book online or call, and we will take it from there.
If you would like us to come out
If you would like us to come out and take a look, we are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Estimates are free during normal business hours, Monday through Saturday, for work we can see and price on site. If finding the problem requires diagnostic tools or testing, the diagnostic work is quoted before we begin. The repair is then quoted in writing before any repair work starts.
After hours and on Sundays, the visit is at overtime rates. We give a two-hour window and call when the truck is on the way. If the fixture problem turns out to be something simple, we will tell you that. If the install uncovers something bigger, like a rusted-through sink or seized valves, we will walk you through the options and the cost on each one.
Disclaimer
Plumbing codes vary by jurisdiction and are updated periodically. The code references in this article reflect current California Plumbing Code requirements as of June 7, 2026. Local building departments may apply additional requirements or amendments. Confirm current code requirements for your specific city or county with the local building department before relying on this article for permitted work.
Fixture installation across all of Orange County
We install plumbing fixtures throughout Orange County, not only the areas listed here. Pick the office or service area nearest you for local details:
Plumbing help beyond fixtures
New fixtures are usually one piece of a bigger project. We also cover gas line work, slab leak repair, and commercial plumbing for businesses. If a remodel bid feels high, a free second opinion can check the plumbing scope. Request a quote or contact us to begin.
About the author
William "Jay" Horsky Jr. owns Professional Plumbing, Inc. He founded the company in Orange County in 1985 and has run more than 36,900 plumbing jobs across the area since then. The company has been licensed by the California Contractors State License Board since 1987 (CSLB license number 517514, classification C-36, current and active), incorporated as Professional Plumbing, Inc. in 2001, and is a 2026 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics finalist. It operates from offices in Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, and Newport Beach, and serves homeowners and businesses across Orange County.
Have a question?
If you are trying to understand a plumbing problem at your home, weighing your options, or working through a DIY project, you are welcome to call. The number is (714) 964-3519.
During business hours you will reach me or my sister Liz. After hours, our AI assistant can answer common questions or take down your information, and I will follow up the next business day. In the event of an emergency, our AI assistant can connect you directly to a plumber at your request.
There is no obligation to schedule service. We like talking to people in our community, and sometimes a phone call answers what an article cannot.
William "Jay" Horsky Jr.
Owner, Professional Plumbing, Inc.
What our fixture customers say
Real reviews from our Google Business Profiles across Orange County.
★★★★★
“Nick and his colleague installed a new angle stop and feedllne. They ensured I knew where the main shut-off was. They did an excellent job and with friendly demeanor.”
— george martland, verified Google review, 2026/06/07
★★★★★
“We had aging/failing bases on two of our toilets. We had reached out to Professional Plumbing to see if they could help us with replacements. Their professionalism through the process was unmatched and the timely responses gave us the confidence that we wouldn't be left waiting. They made us feel like we were priority #1 and because of this, we've engaged them for other plumbing needs we had since, and have been impressed each time.”
— Jacob Pardon, verified Google review, 2025/09/15
★★★★★
“Two wonderful guys, Oscar and Dustin, fixed my shower controls. They were here last year and installed 2 toilets. It wasn't an easy job. They do exceptional work with a great attitude. I recommend them to everyone I know.”
— Barbara Pictures, verified Google review, 2026/01/08
Real Reviews From Local Customers
What Local People Say About Us
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These 2 were fast, efficient, clean, friendly and taught me a lot about old plumbing habits that I've been doing totally wrong. Ni…
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These 2 were fast, efficient, clean, friendly and taught me a lot about old plumbing habits that I've been doing totally wrong. Ni…
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Always on time and polite.
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Great service!! and I always get a good tip too to help keep my drains moving!
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Professional Plumbing is worth their weight in Gold. Had a previous current water bill showing an increase in high water usage in …
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A special shout out to Darin and Oscar for their honest, knowledgeable and kind service concerning what we thought was a slab leak…
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Nick, Oscar, Dustin and Vince are the best. We trust them with all our plumbing needs, residential and commercial.
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We have had many different plumbers do work for us over the years. That has all come to an end. We are sticking with Professional …
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I work for Meadowlark Golf Club and when I called, Jay, the owner, and his entire team were fantastic! I ended up calling three da…
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I had spoken to Nick the regional manager, and he was very honest about what we were looking at for our slab leak. I think they're…
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I have been using them for many years, they are an honest company and I never felt they were out to get me, always explained the p…
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I have used Professional Plumbing several times, always with excellent results. They are my go to plumbers. They are friendly, pun…
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We've relied on Professional Plumbing for all our plumbing installations and repairs for over ten years and they've never let us d…
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Jay and his team are highly professional and easy to work with.
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Great experience all around. Responsive to emails and texts and did an excellent job installing our Seismic shutoff valve.
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Nick Haas is an amazing plumber. He has worked on my houses for about 26 years, and I have always been impressed by his profession…
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Have always been very happy with work done by Professional Plumbing, both when we were remodeling as well as any subsequent repair…
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Prompt, professional, and very reasonable. Very happy with their service!
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Professional and respectful.
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Every once in a blue moon you meet someone who renews your faith in humanity. I had an emergency leak in my bathroom tonight. My p…
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Nick and his colleague installed a new angle stop and feedline. They ensured I knew where the main shut-off was. They did an excel…
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I needed a fix to my shower faucet. A pro arrived with everything needed to complete the job. Chris advised in detail and got to w…
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Chris Kirsten was outstanding. He helped me with replacing a toilet and getting an old shower to work again! He went above and bey…
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We always call Professional Plumbing when we have a problem. They are knowledgeable, reasonably priced, prompt and respectful of o…
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I called in near panic as the water line into the pool broke and I couldn't turn the main water source off myself. I called a plac…
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Very friendly and patient plumbers who, as other reviewers have stated, know things that most plumbers don't. They let me watch an…
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Absolutely the most professional service! They not only did a great job but cleaned up as well. They worked as if my home were the…
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Chris is a top-notch professional. Everything about my repair was better than I expected. I noticed the leak right at end of day, …
