Frequently asked questions

We are open 7 days a week, 7am to 5pm, including weekends. Calls are answered by a person during those hours, not an answering service.

Often, yes. Same-day availability depends on where you are and what is already on the schedule, but emergencies move to the front. Call as early as you can and we will tell you honestly whether we can reach you today.

We cover Humboldt County from Fortuna to Trinidad, including Eureka, Arcata, and McKinleyville, plus the surrounding communities. If you are not sure, enter your ZIP code in the coverage checker on the homepage or call us at 369.226.9660.

Yes. Northwest Plumbing Solutions holds California contractor license number 1147550 and carries liability insurance. We are happy to provide a copy on request.

Yes. We work with property managers, landlords, and commercial buildings across the county, including recurring maintenance and per-unit invoicing so the paperwork matches how you track costs.

We explain the cost of the work before we start it. If what we find on site changes the job, we stop and talk to you first. You will not get a bill with items on it you did not agree to.

Most tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years. Past that, replacing on your schedule costs less and causes less damage than replacing after a tank splits. Tankless units last longer but need periodic descaling, which matters with harder water.

Shut off the water at the main valve, keep away from electrical near standing water, and move anything that can be damaged. Then call us. The steps are listed in the red bar at the top of every page on this site.

A water heater usually gives warning before it fails. Five things worth checking twice a year, and the signs that mean it is time to call.

1. Look underneath for rust stains or damp patches. Water on the floor around the base means the tank is failing, not leaking from a fitting.
2. Check the temperature setting. 120 degrees is hot enough for a household and reduces both scald risk and standing energy cost.
3. Test the temperature and pressure relief valve once a year. If it does not reset cleanly, it needs to be replaced.
4. Drain a few gallons from the tank to clear sediment. Sediment buildup is the most common cause of popping and rumbling noises.
5. Note the age on the label. Most tanks last 8 to 12 years. Past that, plan the replacement rather than waiting for the failure.

Water coming from under a sink can be stopped in under a minute if you know where to reach. Here is the order to do it in.

1. Reach under the sink and find the two small oval or round handles on the supply lines. Turn both clockwise until they stop.
2. If the handles will not move or there are none, go to the main shut-off valve for the house and close that instead.
3. Open the faucet to release the pressure still sitting in the line.
4. Put a bucket and towels under the leak. Do not run the disposal or dishwasher until the leak is repaired.
5. Call us. We answer 7 days a week and can usually get to a leak the same day.

The worst time to look for your main water shut-off is while the house is flooding. Take two minutes now and find it.

1. Check the perimeter of the house first, usually on the street-facing side, near a hose bib.
2. If it is not on the building, look for the water meter box at the property line. The shut-off sits in or beside it.
3. Older Humboldt homes often need a meter key to turn the valve at the box. Keep one where you can find it.
4. Turn the valve and confirm the water actually stops at a faucet inside. A valve that has not moved in years may not seal.
5. Show everyone in the household where it is. A valve nobody can find is not a shut-off.