Spectrum Plumbing

Just the Tip Tuesday: Saving Water This Summer

With Oregon experiencing a record dry winter, very little snowfall, and what looks to be a hot summer ahead, many homeowners will be spending more time watering lawns, gardens, and keeping kids cool outside. That makes now a great time to think about water conservation.

Here are a few simple ways your plumbing can help:

• Fix dripping faucets and running toilets: small leaks can waste a lot of water over time.

• Pay attention to your water bill: a sudden increase may be the sign of a hidden leak.

• Consider upgrading older toilets, showerheads, and faucets: newer fixtures use significantly less water than older models.

• Water your lawn and plants early in the morning or later in the evening when water tends to evaporate less.

• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving- it adds up fast!

• If you have irrigation systems, hose bibs, or outdoor plumbing that leaks, repair them before the hottest part of summer arrives.

Every drop counts. A few small changes around your home can help preserve our water resources during what is shaping up to be a long, dry Oregon summer.

When you’ve spent the day hard at work crawling under a house in 95° heat on a re-pipe…a hammock looks awfully nice!

We’ve got some really big projects coming up this month and the calls keep rolling in!

We’re hiring immediately for an experienced journeyman plumber or 4th year apprentice close-in to the Salem area.

Please submit your resume and inquiries to [email protected] or call 503-917-3259.

It's not every day that we, as plumbers, get a project that truly showcases our skillset and expertise.

Don't get us wrong—we're always here to help with repipes, drain cleaning calls, water heaters, and fixture replacements. But this job has been something special.

We've been hard at work on this bathroom remodel, these customers wanted ALL the bells and whistles in their new shower: rain head, a spray wand, body sprayers... and the coolest part—a steam shower.

Projects like this are what remind us why Dale fell in love with plumbing in the first place. Behind the finished tile and fixtures is a carefully designed system where every pipe, valve, and connection has to work together perfectly. It's a bit like solving a puzzle, and watching all those pieces come together is incredibly rewarding.

We can't wait to share the finished photos soon!

CCB # 255529
503-917-3259

Let's talk about something that comes up often in online discussions: "Why are contractors so expensive?" or "does someone have an affordable recommendation for a plumber?"

When you hire a professional, you're not just paying for the time spent in your home. You're helping cover the many costs required to operate a legitimate business, including:

-Nearly 30% of every job goes straight to taxes

-Vehicle payments, maintenance, insurance, registration, and fuel

-Tools, equipment, replacement parts, and ongoing maintenance

-Payroll, workers' compensation, payroll taxes, and employee benefits

-Licensing, bonding, liability insurance, business registration, and permits

-Continuing education and training to maintain professional licenses

-Office staff, software, phones, scheduling systems, bookkeeping, and office supplies

-Marketing, advertising, website costs, and community involvement

And that's before a business owner ever takes home a paycheck.

For plumbers, becoming licensed requires at least 4 years of schooling and nearly 8,000 hours of on the job experience. Maintaining those licenses and continuing education requirements is an ongoing investment throughout a career.

When comparing bids, don't just ask who's cheapest. Ask who's licensed, insured, experienced, and willing to stand behind their work and do an outstanding job.

CCB # 255529

We truly appreciate every customer who trusts us with their home and plumbing needs. But every now and then, you meet customers who make the work feel a little less like a job and a little more like helping friends.

Nate and Kris were exactly those kinds of customers. It was an absolute pleasure helping with their project, and receiving messages like this reminds us why we started Spectrum Plumbing in the first place.

Dale takes tremendous pride in doing things the right way, not the easy way, and it's always rewarding when that attention to detail is noticed.

Nate and Kris, thank you for trusting us with your home, your project, and for your kind words. We genuinely enjoyed working with you and look forward to helping you again in the future.

🚨 We're Hiring! 🚨

Spectrum Plumbing is continuing to grow, and we're still looking for an outstanding Journeyman Plumber to join our team.

We have some exciting projects on the horizon and are looking to hire immediately. If you're a licensed plumber who takes pride in quality workmanship, enjoys helping customers, and wants to be part of a growing family-owned company, we'd love to hear from you.

Know someone who might be a great fit? Please share this post and help us spread the word!

Resumes and inquiries can be sent to:
[email protected]

Thank you to our customers, community, and referral partners for helping us grow. We couldn't do it without your support!

Just the Tip Tuesday: Slow Drains

If a drain is starting to run slowly, don't ignore it—and please think twice before reaching for a bottle of chemical drain cleaner!

Many drain cleaning products generate heat through a chemical reaction designed to break down clogs. Those harsh chemicals can sit in your pipes for extended periods, especially if the drain is already slow or completely blocked.

If you have galvanized pipes they can naturally corrode from the inside over time, creating a rough surface that catches grease, soap scum, and debris. Chemical drain cleaners can accelerate that deterioration, weakening already aging pipes.

Even in newer plumbing systems, chemical cleaners often provide only a temporary fix while the actual blockage continues to build deeper in the line.

Keep grease, food scraps, coffee grounds, wipes, and other debris out of your drains and have recurring slow drains evaluated before they become a bigger problem.

A slow drain today is often much easier—and far more cost-effective—to resolve than replacing damaged pipes tomorrow.