Lifestyle

Value Over Cost: The AYS Plumbing & Rooter’s Standard for Repair and Maintenance

Published

1 year ago

December 17, 2024

Michelle Langton

Photo courtesy of AYS Plumbing & Rooter

By: Georgette Virgo

When it comes to home maintenance, many households hesitate to take action due to one critical factor: price. The tendency to patch up issues rather than invest in comprehensive renovations is a common approach. However, AYS Plumbing & Rooter, a trusted plumbing repair service in Southern California for almost four years, champions a different philosophy: investing in long-term, quality solutions over cheap, temporary fixes.

This method has led AYS Plumbing & Rooter to growth and success, with the company reporting a staggering 300% year-over-year growth for the past three years. Its outlook challenges the conventional wisdom of low-quality fixes, instead championing value that goes beyond mere cost considerations.

Quality as the Cornerstone of Value

AYS Plumbing & Rooter understands the financial burden that plumbing repair services can place on homeowners, particularly when addressing severe damage or complex issues. The initial cost of a comprehensive repair can be daunting for many customers.

However, in its years of service, AYS Plumbing & Rooter has observed a crucial pattern: the expense often lies not in a single, thorough repair. Instead, it is in the cumulative cost of repeated fixes using subpar materials or incomplete solutions.

AYS Plumbing & Rooter forms its quality-first technique based on this insight. The company emphasizes the use of premium materials and thorough workmanship, even if it means a higher upfront cost. From the materials it uses to the workmanship it provides, the company refuses to compromise on standards. This dedication makes certain that repairs and installations protect homeowners from the hidden costs of recurring problems.

Michael Lanphear, founder of AYS Plumbing & Rooter, explains, “We’ve seen countless cases where homeowners opt for quick, cheap fixes, only to face the same issue months later. We aim to break this cycle by addressing the root cause and using materials that stand the test of time. It’s an investment in peace of mind and long-term savings.”

The Human Element: Investing in Expertise

At AYS Plumbing & Rooter, quality extends beyond the selection of premium materials. The company recognizes that excellence in plumbing repair services combines top-tier materials and exceptional craftsmanship.

Lanphear emphasizes, “Quality isn’t just about what we use; it’s about who installs it. The most expensive pipe in the world is worthless if it’s not installed correctly.”

That is why AYS Plumbing & Rooter invests in its team of skilled professionals. The company’s philosophy extends beyond client interactions to hiring and retention practices. The company maintains competitive compensation and robust support to attract and retain top talent in the plumbing industry.

This strategy attracts skilled professionals and establishes excellence and dedication. The result is a team capable of providing outstanding service, verifying that they execute each repair correctly the first time, eliminating the need for repeat visits, and reducing long-term costs for customers.

“Our technicians are the face of our company,” Lanphear emphasizes. “Their proficiency is what transforms a simple repair into a lasting solution. We invest heavily in our team because we know that their skills directly translate to value for our customers.”

Education as an Added Value

The pandemic ushered in a new era of home improvement, with the rise of do-it-yourself (DIY) renovations aimed at improving everyday living. While DIY renovations have empowered homeowners to take charge of their living spaces, AYS Plumbing & Rooter recognizes the importance of confirming these projects, especially plumbing repair services, are executed correctly.

Lanphear adds, “Hands-on experience is invaluable. While DIY efforts can be rewarding, homeowners can make costly mistakes if they don’t execute them properly.”

For this reason, the company strongly emphasizes educating clients about their plumbing systems, preventative measures, and the importance of regular maintenance. This proactive outlook helps homeowners avoid common pitfalls and makes sure that their DIY projects contribute to the long-term health of their homes.

A Partner in Home Maintenance

Plumbing repair services often carry a hefty price tag, causing many homeowners to opt for quick fixes. However, a well-maintained home clinches comfort and safety for its occupants and preserves and potentially increases the property’s value over time.

The process of significant home repairs can indeed be daunting, filled with complex decisions and potential pitfalls. This is where AYS Plumbing & Rooter steps in, offering repair services, guidance, and prowess to help homeowners navigate these challenging decisions.

“We see ourselves as partners in our clients’ home maintenance journey,” Lanphear explains. “Our role goes beyond fixing pipes; we’re here to educate, advise, and corroborate that every repair decision is the right one for the long term.”

The company’s perspective transforms what could be a stressful experience into an opportunity for homeowners to enhance their living spaces, making every dollar spent on repairs a step toward creating a home that gives value and peace of mind.

Lifestyle

When Seasons Shift: Dr. Leeshe Grimes on Grief, Loneliness, and Finding Light Again

Published

3 days ago

February 22, 2026

Michelle Langton

Some emotional storms arrive without warning. A sudden change in weather, a holiday approaching, or even a bright sunny day can stir feelings that don’t match the world outside. For many people, the hardest seasons are not defined by temperature; they are defined by what’s happening inside, where grief and loneliness often move quietly.

This is the emotional terrain where Dr. Leeshe Grimes has spent her career doing some of her most meaningful work. As a psychotherapist, registered play therapist, retired U.S. Army combat veteran, and founder of Elevated Minds in the DMV area, she understands how deeply seasonal shifts and unresolved grief can affect people. Her upcoming books explore this very space, guiding readers through the emotional weight that can appear during different times of the year.

What sets Dr. Grimes apart is her ability to see clearly what many people overlook. Seasonal depression, for example, is usually tied to winter months. But she often sees it appear during warm, bright seasons, the times when the world seems happiest. For someone already grieving or feeling disconnected, watching others travel, celebrate, or gather can create its own kind of heaviness. Sunshine doesn’t always lift the mood; sometimes it highlights what feels missing.

The same misunderstanding surrounds grief. Society often treats it as a short-term experience with predictable phases and a clean ending. But in her practice, Dr. Grimes sees how grief keeps evolving. It doesn’t disappear on a timeline. It weaves itself into routines, memories, and milestones. People learn to carry it differently, but they rarely leave it behind completely. And that’s not failure, it’s human.

Her approach to mental health centers on truth rather than pressure. She encourages clients to acknowledge the emotions they try to hide: sadness that lingers longer than expected, moments of joy that feel out of place, and the waves of loneliness that return even when life seems stable. Instead of pushing for quick recovery, she focuses on helping people understand how emotions shift and how to care for themselves through those changes.

Much of her insight comes from her military years, where she witnessed the emotional toll of loss, transition, and constant survival. She saw how people continued functioning while carrying pain that had nowhere to go. That experience shaped her belief that healing requires space, space to feel, to speak, and to move through emotions without judgment.

In her clinical work today at Elevated Minds, she encourages people to build small, steady habits that anchor them during difficult seasons. Journaling helps them recognize patterns and name what feels heavy. Community support breaks the cycle of isolation. Therapy creates a place where emotions don’t have to be minimized or explained away. And intentional routines, daily sunlight, mindful breaks, and calm evenings help rebuild emotional balance.

Her upcoming books expand on these ideas, offering practical guidance for navigating both grief and seasonal depression. She focuses on helping readers understand that healing is not about escaping pain. It’s about learning how to live with it in a healthier way, honoring memories, acknowledging loneliness, and still allowing room for moments of light.

What makes Dr. Leeshe Grimes a compelling voice in mental health is her ability to bring language to experiences that many struggle to explain. She reminds people that emotional seasons don’t always match the weather and that there is no single path through grief. But within those shifts, she believes there is always a way forward.

The seasons will continue to change. And with the right tools, compassion, and support, people can change with them, finding steadiness, softness, and light again, one step at a time.