Plumbing Tips & Resources

Clear Water Plumbing’s team, led by Garrett, just completed hands-on Noritz University training on tankless water heaters. Learn what this fresh certification means for faster repairs, better installs, and expert maintenance right here in San Clemente and South Orange County.

Spring in San Clemente brings longer days, blooming jacarandas, and kids heading back to baseball practice. But there’s something else in the air and in our water that more and more homeowners are starting to talk about: microplastics.

Spring in San Clemente is the perfect time to give your plumbing a quick once-over. This simple checklist walks you through easy checks for outdoor faucets, water heaters, drains, leaks, and more—so you can enjoy summer without surprise repairs.

Slab leaks can quietly cause thousands in damage before you even notice them. In this guide, San Clemente homeowners will learn why these leaks are so common in South Orange County, the warning signs you should never ignore, how we locate them with minimal disruption, and the repair options that actually last. If you’re seeing a high water bill or warm spots on the floor, this post will help you act fast and avoid bigger problems.

A pinhole leak is a tiny hole — often smaller than a pencil eraser — that forms in the wall of a copper water pipe. Unlike a dramatic pipe burst, these leaks develop gradually from the inside out through a process called pitting corrosion. Over time, tiny pits form on the interior pipe surface. These pits deepen until they eventually break through the pipe wall, allowing water to seep out under pressure. Because the hole is so small, water may only drip slowly at first.

San Clemente gets most of its water through the South Coast Water District. About 85% is imported from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. That water travels from two main sources: the Colorado River Aqueduct and the State Water Project in Northern California. It’s treated at the big Robert B. Diemer Filtration Plant in Yorba Linda before it reaches us.

Manufacturers like Navien recommend a full flush at least once per year in hard water areas. Many of our clients in Dana Point, San Clemente, Laguna Niguel, and Mission Viejo opt for every 6–9 months because the water here is particularly tough on equipment.

Recent San Clemente job: High water pressure at 160 psi strains pipes & fixtures. We recommend a pressure-reducing valve to prevent leaks & extend system life. Free estimates!

Recent whole-home filtration + softener install in Dana Point. Softer skin, protected appliances, cleaner water for the family. See why this upgrade matters in South OC hard-water areas.