Earl's Plumbing
Fixed Right, Right Now! — Chico · Redding · Yuba City
Plumbing Tips, Discounts & Coupons
Free money-saving plumbing advice — and real coupons — from the plumbers Northern California has trusted since 1998.
Earl's Plumbing serves Chico, Redding, and Yuba City, CA with expert plumbing, drain cleaning, water heater, and water quality services. Below you'll find free plumbing tips from our licensed technicians (CSLB #772565) and coupons you can use on any service call — no service call fee, no obligation. Schedule online at earlsplumbing.net or call your nearest office.
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✓No service call fee — everUnlike most plumbers, we don't charge just to show up. You get a straight diagnosis and a free quote first.
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✓Tips written by licensed plumbersEverything on this page comes from our 25+ years in Northern California homes — not from a content farm in another state.
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✓Coupons with no expiration dateSave them, share them, use them whenever you need us. That's our way of saying thanks for trusting Earl's.
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✓We tell you what we found — even when it's not what you want to hearHonest diagnosis. Upfront pricing. No hidden fees. Fixed Right, Right Now!
4.8 ★ — 8,242+ Reviews
Family-owned since 1998
BBB A+
CSLB #772565
Noritz Certified
Financing available
📍 Yuba City Office
1250 Market St STE B, Yuba City CA 95991
★★★★★ 4.8 — 1,002 reviews
(530) 674-0330
💰 Coupons Below — No Expiration
Show this page to any Earl's technician or mention it when you call. Our coupons never expire because good neighbors don't put a deadline on savings.
Current Coupons & Special Offers
Show this page to your technician — no printing required. No expiration date on any offer.
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Drain Cleaning Special
$30 OFF
Any drain or sewer cleaning service. Slow drains, clogs, standing water — we clear it fast with a 1-year warranty on the work.
📱 Show this page to your Earl's technician to redeem. No expiration.
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Water Heater Service or Replacement
$75 OFF
Any new water heater installation — tank or tankless. Includes a free in-home assessment and free quote before any work begins.
📱 Show this page to your Earl's technician to redeem. No expiration.
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Leak Detection & Repair
$40 OFF
Any leak detection or pipe repair service. One drip can waste 1,000 gallons a month — let us find it fast with electronic leak detection.
📱 Show this page to your Earl's technician to redeem. No expiration.
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Toilet Repair or Replacement
$25 OFF
Any toilet repair or replacement. Running, rocking, or stubbornly clogged — we fix or replace it with an available lifetime warranty.
📱 Show this page to your Earl's technician to redeem. No expiration.
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Whole-House Plumbing Inspection
FREE
Schedule a complete plumbing inspection with any service call. We check water heater, main shutoff, visible pipes, fixture condition, and water pressure. No obligation.
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Water Filtration or Softener
$100 OFF
Any whole-house water filtration, softener, or reverse osmosis system installation. Northern California hard water is hard on your pipes — and harder on your wallet long-term.
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Faucet or Fixture Installation
$20 OFF
Any faucet, showerhead, or fixture installation. Supply your own or choose from our selection — available lifetime warranty on select fixtures.
📱 Show this page to your Earl's technician to redeem. No expiration.
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Tankless Water Heater Upgrade
$150 OFF
Any Noritz-certified tankless water heater installation. Endless hot water, lower energy bills, and a unit that fits in a cabinet. Ask about financing.
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Free Plumbing Tips From Our Technicians
Real answers to common plumbing questions — written by the licensed plumbers who work in Northern California homes every day.
Drain & Sewer Tips
How do I prevent clogged drains without using harsh chemicals?
The best drain defense is what you keep out of them. In the kitchen, never pour grease or cooking oil down the drain — let it cool and throw it in the trash. Use a fine-mesh strainer over the drain opening. In bathrooms, a hair catcher is the cheapest and most effective tool you'll own. For monthly maintenance, we recommend Bio-Clean enzyme cleaner — it eats the organic buildup that becomes tomorrow's clog, without damaging pipes the way chemical drain cleaners can. Caustic products like Drano can soften PVC joints over time and pit older cast iron. Don't use them.
Why does my drain gurgle after the toilet flushes?
That gurgling sound means air is being pulled through your drain trap — usually a sign that your drain vent is partially blocked or your drain line is starting to clog. The plumbing vent system runs up through your roof and lets air in to balance pressure as water drains. If leaves, debris, or (occasionally) a bird nest block it, nearby drains start gurgling. Left alone, this can progress to slow drains throughout the house. A sewer camera inspection will tell us exactly what we're dealing with.
How often should I have my sewer line inspected?
We recommend a sewer camera inspection every 2–3 years if your home is over 20 years old, you have large trees near the sewer line, or you've had a sewer problem in the past. Oak and elm roots are particularly aggressive here in Northern California — they seek out moisture and can crack older clay or cast iron pipes over time. Catching root intrusion early is a few hundred dollars. Ignoring it can become a sewer line replacement. The camera doesn't lie.
What should I never put down the garbage disposal?
The usual suspects: grease and fats (they solidify in the drain line), fibrous vegetables like celery, asparagus, and artichoke leaves (they wrap around the disposal blades), potato peels (they turn into a starchy paste), eggshells (the membrane wraps around the grind ring), and coffee grounds (they accumulate into a sludgy blockage). What's safe: small scraps of soft food, ice cubes to clean the blades, and citrus peels to freshen the smell. If your disposal is jammed or humming without grinding, don't force it — call us before you burn out the motor.
Water Heater Tips
How often should I flush my water heater — and how do I do it?
Once a year is the right interval for most Northern California homes, and more often if you have hard well water. Sediment — mostly calcium and magnesium minerals — settles at the bottom of the tank and acts as an insulator between the burner and the water. Your heater works harder, uses more gas or electricity, and eventually fails early. To flush: turn the heater to "pilot" or off, connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the base, run it to a floor drain or outside, open the valve and drain until the water runs clear. If the valve won't close properly afterward — which is common on older units — call us. It's a quick fix.
What temperature should my water heater be set to?
120°F is the sweet spot for most households — hot enough to kill legionella bacteria, safe enough to prevent scalding, and efficient enough to keep your energy bills reasonable. Many water heaters ship set at 140°F, which wastes energy and increases the risk of burns. If you have a household member with a compromised immune system, your doctor may recommend 140°F. Check the dial on the side of your tank (often labeled "A–B–C" rather than degrees). If you're unsure what yours is set at, we can check it during any service call.
Should I repair or replace my water heater?
The honest answer depends on age and the type of repair. If the unit is under 8 years old and the repair is straightforward (thermocouple, anode rod, pressure relief valve), repair almost always makes sense. If it's over 10 years old, factor in efficiency losses — an aging heater working harder costs you money every month. If there's internal corrosion, a cracked tank, or you're getting rust-colored water, replacement is the right call regardless of age. We'll always give you a straight answer — and with our $75-off coupon above, a new installation is more affordable than you might think. Learn more about water heater options.
Is a tankless water heater worth it in Northern California?
For most homes in our service area, yes — especially in Redding and Chico where gas prices and water hardness both matter. Tankless heaters deliver hot water on demand without maintaining a 40–50 gallon tank of hot water 24/7. A quality unit can last 20+ years versus 10–12 for a tank. The trade-off: higher upfront cost and a larger gas line in most installations. As a Noritz-certified tankless installer, we can walk you through whether your home's gas capacity supports the switch — free, no pressure. Use our $150-off coupon above.
Leak Detection & Water Damage Tips
How do I know if I have a hidden water leak?
The most reliable DIY test: shut off every water-using appliance and fixture in the house, then check your water meter. Write down the reading, don't use any water for two hours, and check again. If the numbers changed, water is escaping somewhere. Other signs: a water bill that's climbed without explanation, warm spots on your floors (slab leak), a musty odor in walls or under sinks, or a faint sound of running water when everything is off. Electronic leak detection lets us pinpoint the source without tearing out walls. We find it, we fix it, we're done.
What is a slab leak and how serious is it?
A slab leak is a leak in the water or drain lines that run beneath your home's concrete foundation. They're more common in older homes with copper pipes, especially where the soil is acidic or has a lot of ground movement — both apply in parts of Butte, Shasta, and Sutter counties. Signs include warm or wet spots on your floors, the sound of water running under the floor, or a sudden drop in water pressure. Slab leaks are serious: left unrepaired, they erode the soil beneath the foundation and can cause structural damage. Don't wait. Call us for a free quote.
How do I shut off my water in an emergency?
Every adult in your household should know this. Your main shutoff is typically located where the water line enters the house — near the water meter outside, at the front of the house, or in a utility area. Turn it clockwise (righty-tighty) to close. Individual fixtures also have shutoff valves: look under sinks and behind toilets for oval handles you can turn by hand. If the valve is corroded and won't turn, don't force it — go straight to the main. An automatic water shutoff valve can detect a burst and close itself, even when you're not home. Worth every penny.
Toilet, Faucet & Fixture Tips
How do I fix a running toilet?
A constantly running toilet wastes about 200 gallons of water per day — around $50/month on a typical water bill. The most common culprit is a worn flapper valve, the rubber seal at the bottom of the tank. You can buy a universal flapper at any hardware store for under $10 and replace it yourself in about 10 minutes: drain the tank, unhook the old flapper from the overflow tube, snap on the new one. If replacing the flapper doesn't stop it, the fill valve needs adjustment or replacement. If you're getting water on the floor, the wax ring seal may be compromised — that one needs a pro. More about toilet repair.
My toilet rocks when I sit on it — is that a big problem?
It depends on how long it's been rocking. A toilet that moves is almost always a loose hold-down bolt or a failing wax ring seal beneath the base. The wax ring creates a watertight seal between the toilet and the drain flange in your floor. When it fails, water can seep out with every flush — invisibly — and rot the subfloor beneath. We've replaced toilets that looked fine from above but had significant floor damage underneath. The bolt tightening is a 5-minute fix. The wax ring is a one-hour job. The subfloor damage is a much bigger conversation. Tighten it soon, or call us.
Why has my water pressure dropped in the shower?
Low shower pressure usually comes down to one of four things: a clogged showerhead (mineral deposits from hard Northern California water are the usual culprit), a partially closed shutoff valve, a failing pressure regulator on your main line, or a water leak somewhere in the system. Start simple: unscrew the showerhead and soak it in white vinegar overnight to dissolve calcium buildup. If pressure improves but then drops again, the issue is likely systemic. Our shower valve and fixture service covers everything from a basic showerhead swap to a full valve replacement.
Water Quality Tips
How do I know if I have hard water — and why does it matter?
Hard water is water with a high concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium. In Northern California — especially in rural Butte, Shasta, Tehama, and Yuba counties — this is extremely common in both well water and some municipal supplies. Signs you have it: white scale buildup around faucets and showerheads, soap that doesn't lather well, dishes with spots right out of the dishwasher, and a film on glass shower doors that never quite comes clean. Long-term, hard water silently coats the inside of your pipes and water heater, reducing flow and efficiency. A water softener solves it completely.
Is my well water safe to drink?
Private wells in California are not regulated by state or county agencies the way municipal water is. Your water quality is your responsibility. We recommend testing for arsenic, nitrates, bacteria, pH, and hardness at minimum — all common issues in Northern California's agricultural and rural areas. Tests are inexpensive and available through UC Cooperative Extension or a certified water testing lab. If results show concerns, a whole-house filtration system or reverse osmosis system can address most contaminants. We'll help you match the right solution to your actual test results — no upselling.
What's the difference between a water softener and a water filter?
They solve different problems. A water softener uses ion exchange to replace calcium and magnesium (hardness minerals) with sodium — it protects your pipes and appliances but doesn't remove contaminants or improve drinking water taste. A water filter (carbon block, reverse osmosis, etc.) removes chlorine, sediment, bacteria, heavy metals, and other contaminants — it improves safety and taste. Many Northern California homes benefit from both: a softener on the whole house and an RO system under the kitchen sink for drinking water. We'll assess your water and recommend exactly what you need.
Seasonal & Winterization Tips
How do I protect my pipes before a Northern California freeze?
Northern California doesn't get the brutal winters of the Sierra Nevada, but Chico, Redding, and Yuba City all see hard freezes that can burst exposed pipes. Before temperatures drop below 28°F: (1) Disconnect and drain garden hoses from outdoor bibs — a connected hose holds water against the faucet valve and it's the first thing to burst. (2) Insulate exposed pipes in attics, crawlspaces, and unheated garages with foam pipe sleeves. (3) If you're leaving for more than a few days, set your thermostat no lower than 55°F. (4) Know where your main shutoff is. If a pipe does burst, getting the water off in the first 30 seconds matters.
What should I do if a pipe freezes?
Don't panic — but don't use an open flame, boiling water, or a heat gun directly on the pipe. Apply gentle warmth with a hair dryer, an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, or warm towels. Work from the faucet end back toward the frozen section so expanding ice has somewhere to go. Keep the faucet open so water can flow as it thaws. If you can't locate the frozen section, or if the pipe has already cracked, shut off the main water supply and call Earl's immediately. We handle burst pipe repairs across Chico, Redding, and Yuba City — schedule online or call your nearest office.
What plumbing prep should I do before leaving on vacation?
Before any trip longer than a few days: turn off the water supply to your washing machine (the hoses are one of the most common sources of home floods — the valves are right behind the unit), shut off your water heater or set it to "vacation mode" to save energy, and do a quick visual check under all sinks for drips. On longer trips, consider shutting off the main supply to the house entirely. The most common call we get after a vacation is "I came home to six inches of water" — it's usually a washing machine hose or a toilet fill valve that let go. An automatic shutoff valve makes this a non-issue permanently.
Should I have my plumbing inspected before the holiday season?
I'll be direct with you: nothing disrupts Thanksgiving or Christmas like a backed-up sewer line with a house full of guests. The holidays put extra strain on your plumbing — more people, more cooking, more garbage disposal use, more toilet flushes. A pre-season inspection lets us spot slow drains, aging water heater anodes, or a barely-functioning toilet before they become a holiday emergency. It also gives you peace of mind. We offer a free whole-house plumbing inspection with any service call — use the coupon above. — Clinton Earl, Owner
Save More Every Year with an Earl's Maintenance Agreement
Our maintenance agreement members get priority scheduling, exclusive discounts, and annual inspections — the best way to catch small problems before they become big ones.
- ✔ Priority scheduling — skip the wait list
- ✔ Annual whole-home plumbing inspection included
- ✔ Exclusive member discounts on all services
- ✔ No service call fee — ever
- ✔ Preferred pricing on water heaters, filtration, and more
Three Offices Serving Northern California
Chico, Redding, and Yuba City — plus 80+ communities across the region.