Common Winter Plumbing Problems to Watch Out For

November 26th, 2013 by Bill Chronister

Plumbing in Tustin has to account for the unique conditions of our California winters, which are usually fairly mild, but can still catch you by surprise. Because we don’t suffer from snow and cold temperatures the way people do further east, many residents assume they have nothing to worry about. Nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, our mild winters make it all too easy to become complacent, creating problems you never could have anticipated. Here are some common winter plumbing problems to look out for.

The biggest danger in Southern California comes from plumbing that isn’t in an insulated area of the house. Pipes can become quite cold when temperatures drop at night, which can affect your water adversely. Burst pipes are rarely a problem, but you might need to concern yourself with water freezing in them, particularly on cold nights in parts of the house near external walls. You can combat this by having a plumber insulate those pipes, and/or adding insulation to those parts of the house that need it. As a precaution, you may want to leave a thin trickle of water from nearby faucets, to keep water from freezing in the pipes overnight.

A subtler problem occurs with a lack of hot water in general, which can be caused by a troublesome water heater. It doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s a problem, but cold weather might force your water heater to work harder, which means slower delivery of hot water. You can counteract this by having your water heater services by a trained plumber. He’ll check for any problems, clean up any sediment, drain and flush the heater and replace the anode rod to help prevent rusting. Ideally, he may suggest that you add an insulation blanket or similar upgrade to help it function at its best.

Even though we live in a warm area, there are still common winter plumbing problems to watch out for. Plumbing in Tustin will serve you better and last longer with help from the experts at Saddleback Plumbing we can handle all manner of problems with your plumbing as well as standard maintenance issues, so don’t hesitate to give us a call today!

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Why Choosing an Over-sized Heater Can Be Detrimental to Your Comfort

November 23rd, 2013 by Bill Chronister

When it comes to getting a heating installation in Laguna Hills, CA, residents have plenty of factors to consider. There’s the type of heating systems, the bells and whistles involved, and the AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating, which covers how efficiently the unit heats your home. Beyond all that, however, you need to size your heater right, and especially beware of buying an oversized heater for you home. “But why?” you ask. “Isn’t bigger better?” In this case, it isn’t.

Here’s why choosing an over-sized heater can be detrimental to your comfort.

Heaters spend the most amount of energy when they start up and shut down, which means you want them to stay running for at least fifteen minutes or so every time they start up. An oversized heater, however, will warm the air too quickly, only to see it cycle on and off and the temperature quickly falls again and again. That makes it a huge energy suck, costing you a great deal in monthly energy bills while increasing the strain on your unit in the bargain. Eventually, that will lead to increased repair costs and even shorten the life of your heater.

On a more direct level, all of that cycling on and off will dry out the air in your home, leading to lower relative humidity levels. This can lead to irritation in your nose and throat as well as dry skin, chapped lips, and even bloody noses in the worst scenarios. Homes in Laguna Hills are particularly vulnerable, since our seaside air is salty (and therefore rather day) to begin with.

If you have questions surrounding heating installation, Laguna Hills CA residents can count on Saddleback Plumbing for help. We can explain why choosing an oversized heater can be detrimental to your comfort, then perform precise measurements to ensure that your heater is neither too large nor too small but just right. Our trained staff has years of experience, and we’re dedicated to your absolute satisfaction in all things. Pick up the phone and give us a call to set up an appointment today!

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I Don’t Understand How a Furnace Works: Let a Pro Help You

November 22nd, 2013 by Bill Chronister

Here in Irvine, furnace technology is almost entirely a winter concern, with the rest of the year given over to air conditioning issues. It’s one of the perks of living in Southern California. That doesn’t mean that you should ignore the importance of a good furnace to your home’s comfort, however. Our winter nights get pretty chilly, and a good gas furnace is often the best way to keep warm and comfortable when temperatures start to drop.

In light of that, it’s important for you the homeowner to understand what goes into the furnace’s functioning, this way you can react more appropriately when the need arises for a furnace repair in your Irvine home. “I don’t understand how a furnace works,” you say? Not to worry – let a pro help you with the basics.

The heating process starts when your thermostat detects that the temperature has dropped below a certain level set by you. It then activates a set of burners connected to a combustion chamber. A gas line feeds steady gas into the burners which an electronic ignition system (or a pilot light in the case of older furnaces) ignites it. The gas heats up a heat exchanger, which heats up the air blown into the furnace through a blower. The hot air then passes out from the furnace into a series of ducts, which carry it throughout your home.

Problems can arise from any number of sources, such as blocked lines, dirty burners, or problems with the ignition system. Safety features such as thermocouples automatically shut off the gas in the event of a problem to prevent the gas from flooding your household. But whenever such issues arise, you should shut off power to the furnace and call in an expert to address it.

Here in Irvine, furnace repair services are provided by Saddleback Plumbing. If problems arise and you’re saying to yourself “I don’t understand how a furnace works,” then our expert staff is here to help. We can hunt down the source of the problem and put your furnace back in the pink. Let a pro help you when your heating isn’t what it should be. Pick up the phone and give us a call today for all of your Irvine heating needs.

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I Use My Kitchen a Lot: What Can I Do to Keep My Drains Working Well?

November 17th, 2013 by Bill Chronister

If you spend a large amount of time in the kitchen, you don’t want to encounter troubles with the drains. Clogs, leaks, or bad odors in the drains can turn into nightmares if they don’t get repaired quickly. But prevention is always the best way to deal with these problems, so what steps can you take to keep your drains in good condition?

Our kitchen plumbing experts at Saddleback Plumbing have some tips for you. When you need further help with your kitchen plumbing in Ladera Ranch, CA, contact us.

  • Do not abuse your disposal! If you are in the kitchen many hours during the day, you are probably putting a large amount of food waste down the disposal, which links into your drainpipes. Although the disposal seems like a magical machine that can make anything vanish, it does have limitations you should be aware of. A good rule of thumb: if you can’t chew it, your disposal can’t either. So don’t put bones or unpopped popcorn kernels or inorganic garbage into them, because it will lead to junk clogging your drains.
  • Do not pour oil/grease/fat down the drains! And this includes the disposal. Although the liquid form of oil, grease, and fat seems innocuous enough, it is one of the most dangerous things you can pour down any sink in the house. Once the liquid form cools off, it congeals into a thick, waxy substance that will block off the drains.
  • Do have regular maintenance done! Problems can develop in your drainpipes and the rest of your kitchen plumbing out of your sight: corrosion, loose connections, pinhole leaks. With regular maintenance, you’ll find out about places where clogs have started to build up and sections of the pipe need replacement. A regular drain cleaning will keep the water flowing free through the drain pipes.

We know that having a working kitchen means a lot to you, especially if cooking is more than a necessity, but also a joy and a hobby. Following these steps will help make the kitchen the wonderful place you need it to be. Saddleback Plumbing has a MVP Preventive Plumbing Inspection program that will help keep your kitchen’s drains working well—as well as all the other parts of your kitchen’s plumbing system.

If you need any type of plumbing services in Ladera Ranch, CA, we can answer the call as well with fast and professional service.

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Common Types of Heating Systems and How They Work

November 8th, 2013 by Bill Chronister

Our world swims in new technological developments—and this applies as much to home comfort systems as to anything else. When you are looking for a new heater for the upcoming cooler months, you’ll find yourself with a possibly bewildering array of options to choose from: old systems with advanced technology, and new systems that have only recently entered residential use.

Saddleback Plumbing is here to help you navigate your choices for heating in Tustin, CA. Here is a short list of common types of heating systems—all of which we install—and their basic operation.

Furnaces

This is the oldest type of system, although the current models are nothing like the old-fashioned furnaces of fifty years ago. A furnace heats air inside a cabinet using one of a variety of fuel sources (natural gas, electricity, and propane are the most common). Once the heat is transferred to the air, blower fans send the warm air through ducts into your home. This is called “forced-air” heating. Check out our furnace installation service.

Boilers

Boilers do not rely on forced-air, but instead circulate water around a home to various endpoints that radiate heat into rooms. This is called “hydronic” heating. Boilers heat water inside a main tank, and can use electricity, natural gas, or oil as a fuel source to generate heat. A pump then sends the hot water through pipes to the end points. Afterwards, the cooled water returns to the tank. Check out our hydronic boiler system service.

Heat pumps

These are essentially central air conditioning units that can reverse the process of heat exchange so that in addition to moving heat from inside and releasing it outside, it can draw heat from outside and move it into your home to provide warmth. Heat pumps run on electricity. Check out our heat pump installation service.

Hydronic floor systems

This is one of the newest systems to enter homes. Using water from a boiler, heated water moves through pipes that are placed 1 to 4 inches beneath the floorboards of each room in your house. The heated floorboards then radiate the warmth into the rooms. Check out our hydronic floor system service.

We hope this list gives you a push toward thinking about what heating system will work best for you. However, you will eventually need professional advice, as well as installation. Each system has advantages and disadvantages, and it requires an expert to match one to your home so you get the most efficient and effective heating possible.

Contact Saddleback Plumbing, where we’ve kept up-to-date on HVAC technology since we started in business in 1981. We can deliver you top-quality heating in Tustin, CA.

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How to Reduce Water Usage in Your Bathrooms

November 7th, 2013 by Bill Chronister

Question: Where’s the best place in your house to save water?

Answer: The bathroom!

Although you might have felt tempted to answer “the kitchen,” the bathroom is the spot in your home that has the most water fixtures and drains, and all of them see use during the day, often multiple times. Because the bathroom gets so much use, you’ve probably developed a number of water-wasting habits that you can change. There are also spots in your bathroom that will use less water after they receive attention from a professional plumber.

Saddleback Plumbing is ready to help you get the most efficient use from your Irvine, CA bathroom plumbing system. We’ve helped many people save water with our quality plumbing services since 1981, and we can help you too.

Below we’ve listed a few of the best ways to reduce your water usage in the bathroom.

Stop running water during other activities: Do you keep the faucet running while you brush your teeth? While shaving? There’s no reason to do this, but unfortunately it’s a habit many of us fall into. Make a conscious effort to shut off the bathroom faucet the moment you don’t need water, and soon that will be a habit—a positive one.

Fix leaky faucets: A small leak from a faucet may seem like a minor annoyance you can drown out by just shutting the bathroom door. However, this sort of leak can waste up to 20 gallons per day or more. Get a plumber to stop the leak.

Reduce your shower time: Showers take up less water than baths, but are still wasteful if you spend too much time under the running showerhead. Try to reduce the length of your showers by a few minutes. You can also try shutting off the water while you soap your body or lather shampoo in your hair, and only turn the water back on when you absolutely need it.

Get running toilets fixed immediately: If a toilet continues to run after it was last used, it’s more than an inconvenience—it wastes a tremendous amount of water. A running toilet will use 2 gallons of water a minute, which will add up to enormous waste in the space of only an hour. Call a plumber for repairs as soon as possible.

You’ll soon discover that saving water while in the bathroom doesn’t take much extra effort—and it will repay you on your monthly bills. Seek the advice of a professional Irvine plumber for problems with leaks and running toilets. Professional plumbers can also advise you about getting installations that will help reduce your water usage.

Contact Saddleback Plumbing today for help with your bathroom plumbing in Irvine, CA.

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Is a Furnace the Best Heating Option for My Home?

November 4th, 2013 by Bill Chronister

In Irvine, furnace systems see use in a wide variety of homes. They’re simple and easy to operate, they don’t cost much in monthly bills, and when trouble arises, repair professionals can usually fix them without a great deal of difficulty. Considering our warm Southern California climate, however, you may want to consider an alternate option for your heating needs. “is a furnace the best heating option for my home?” the answer depends on your unique circumstances.

The central issue is usually one of up-front costs vs. long-term savings. For instance, a heat pump – which combines the functions of an air conditioner and a heater into a single unit – often uses less energy than a gas furnace, though it costs a little more to install. Similarly, a hydronic floor system – which runs tubes filled with hot water beneath the floorboards of your house – delivers warm temperatures without the drafts or cold spots that appear in “forced air” gas furnaces. Both save you considerably in monthly heating costs, as well as improving the resale value of your home.

On the other hand, those savings come at the price of a big up-front cost, and you need to weigh your current finances against the future savings you will enjoy with a different system. They can also involve extensive installation operations, particularly with hydronic systems, which need to be inserted into your floors in order to function efficiently. Heat pumps usually involve a connected indoor and outdoor unit, which can damage the aesthetics of your home.

Despite that, the savings offered by alternate forms of heating are hard to ignore, especially in Irvine where mild temperatures make heat pumps a very good fit. Regardless of whether a furnace is the best heating option for your home or you’d like to explore a different option, it pays to consult with an expert. Saddleback Plumbing has the skills and experience to install a new heater in your home, or just keep your existing one in fine shape if it’s serving you efficiently. Give us a call to schedule heating service in Irvine today.

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How Does a Heat Pump Work?

October 24th, 2013 by Bill Chronister

In mild climates like Mission Viejo, CA, heat pump technology makes an attractive alternative to traditional gas furnace systems. Heat pumps combine the function of a heater and an air conditioner into a single unit, allowing you to both heat and cool the house with one system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, they can save up to 40% on your monthly bills. They function best in mild climates where temperatures don’t drop below 40 degrees very often, making them perfect for Southern California towns like Mission Viejo.

Saddleback Plumbing can repair or install a heat pump in your Mission Viejo home!

How does a heat pump work? Read on for the answers.

Heat pumps are based on the same technology as traditional air conditioners, which involves a closed loop system that circulates refrigerant gas. In the summer, the gas enters a compressor on the outside part of the unit, which subjects it to a huge amount of pressure and heat. The pressurized gas then moves to a series of condenser coils, which bleed off the heat into the outside air and reduce the gas to a liquid state. Still under pressure, the liquid moves to the inside part of the unit and passes through an expansion valve into a series of evaporator coils. As the liquid evaporates, it pulls heat from the air above the coils, making it very cold. A blower fan then blows the cold air into your home, keeping the air cool and comfortable when temperatures rise. The gas then returns to the compressor to start the cycle all over again.

That’s the summertime. In the winter, you essentially reverse the process. The evaporator array becomes the condenser and the condenser array becomes the evaporator: releasing cold air outside and blowing hot air into your home.

Heat pumps usually cost a little more to install than gas furnaces, which can be offset by their increased savings and efficiency.  If you need Mission Viejo heating service, there’s a reliable company nearby to help. The experts at Saddleback Plumbing can explain how a heat pump works, then help you find the right unit for you before scheduling an installation. Pick up the phone and call us for an appointment today.

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Why Is My Furnace Making a Weird Noise?

October 23rd, 2013 by Bill Chronister

In Ladera Ranch, furnace systems still make up the vast bulk of home heating options: using ignited gas to heat the air, which is then blown into your home through a series of ducts. As with any major appliance, problems can develop from any number of sources, which you can spot by watching for certain warning signs. In particular, look for your furnace to emit a strange noise – something you don’t normally hear when it’s running and which could indicate a significant problem. “Why is my Ladera Ranch furnace making a weird noise?” you ask. The answers vary according to the kind of noise you hear.

Saddleback Plumbing can help you with your Ladera Ranch furnace service needs!

The most troubling sounds are those that involve an overloading component: usually a grinding or stuttering sound that suggests some kind of an electrical problem. Grinding sounds also take place when a given component is bent or loose from its housing, and grinds up against another component. Both conditions are severe enough to warrant shutting off your furnace immediately before they cause any more damage. Similarly, a thumping or bumping noise could indicate a loose component banging around in its housing or possibly a fan belt that has broken.

More alarming (though not strictly dangerous) noises can including a huffing or banging noise, which results from problematic gas ignition that delays the start of the heating process. It can be quite alarming, though safety measures usually prevent the leak of gas. Speaking of leaks, some noises arise because a leak has developed in the system. Air can escape through the leak, resulting in a humming or whistling noise. This isn’t as damaging as other noises, though it does rob your heater of efficiency and may introduce dust or other contaminants into your heating system.

Whatever the reason, you should call a qualified service technician any time you ask the question “what is that strange sound my furnace is making?” Saddleback Plumbing, a reputable company with years of experience in handling such matters, provides heating service to Ladera Ranch. Our trained staff operates with your complete satisfaction in mind, and we’ll work overtime to ensure that your needs are met.

Give us a call today to make an appointment.

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Tips for Getting Optimal Performance from Your Heater This Winter

October 18th, 2013 by Bill Chronister

In terms of heating, San Juan Capistrano benefits from a mild climate and comparatively warm winters. Even so, we get our share of chilly nights and a good heater is essential to protecting your family’s comfort and health. Moreover, you want your heater to perform with maximum efficiency, making sure you don’t spend more than you have to in order to warm your home on those cold winter days. A few sensible steps can help in this regard.

Here are some tips for getting optimal performance from your heater his winter.

  • Schedule a maintenance session in the early fall. Your heater has likely sat idle since the spring, a period of up to six months. In that time, it has doubtless accrued its share of dust and debris, while worn components such as bolts or fittings have likely sat unaddressed since last heating session. A routine maintenance session from a qualified technician can clean up that dirt while repairing or replacing any worn parts. Not only does this reduce the chance of a more serious breakdown later, but it lowers the wear on your system, meaning that it can do the job without expending any needless energy.
  • Optimize your household. A well-insulated household will retain warm air more easily than one with a lot of leaks and vents. Add more insulation to your attic or walls and seal any leaks around your windows and doors. It will make a big difference to your heater.
  • Consider energy-saving upgrades. A programmable thermostat will let you turn your heater off automatically when you leave for work each day, then back on again ten minutes before you arrive home. Similarly, a zone control system lets you turn the heat on only in those parts of the house you’re using, while leaving the rest of the home cool. Each upgrade means greater control over your energy expenditure, and the ability to seriously reduce your heating costs.

For more tips for getting optimal performances from your heater this winter, contact the experts at Saddleback Plumbing for help. We handle all issues related to heating, so come to us for your San Juan Capistrano heating service needs, as we won’t rest until the job is done right. Call us today!

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