Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Archive for September, 2012

Plumbing Tip: What Does a Drain Trap Do?

Monday, September 24th, 2012

There are many components in an Orange County home’s plumbing system but few require as much persistent homeowner attention as a drain trap. If your drain trap is clogged or you simply are interested in learning more about that U-shaped stretch of pipe beneath your sink, here is a quick overview.

The Flow of Water into the Drain

When water enters the drain in your fixture, it goes through the tailpiece and into the drain trap, then through the main drain line out of your home. It all makes perfect sense except for that little U-shaped stretch of pipe that always seems to get clogged with food, grease and hair. Why is it there if all it does is get clogged?

The answer to this question is directly related to the way in which plumbing is designed to work. Drain pipes all lead directly to a sewer line which then exits your Orange County home and goes into the sewer. That sewer line contains all of the waste and waste water from your home and as a result, a lot of decomposition takes place here, producing large volumes of sewer gas.

Sewer gas is not only unpleasant, it is unsafe, and it must therefore not be allowed to enter your home. A drain trap is used for this purpose as it will hold water as a barrier against any backflow of sewer gasses when your drain pipes are empty. Gravity ensures that there is always enough water in the trap to keep this from happening.

Maintaining Your Drain Trap

Regular flushing of the drain trap is highly recommended to prevent clogs, and if there are any fixtures in your home that you don’t often use, it is recommended that you pour enough water down the drain to keep the trap from evaporating and allowing sewer gasses to enter your home. Do these things and your system should continue to work properly moving forward.

For more information regarding your Orange County home’s plumbing, contact Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air today!

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How to Determine the ROI of HVAC Replacement

Monday, September 17th, 2012

Whether you’re a home or business owner in Trabuco Canyon, it’s important to consider the ROI, or return on investment when upgrading your HVAC system. ROI basically refers to what you get back for your initial investment and it’s the best way to make sure you’re getting the most out of what you pay for.  The higher the ROI, the less the system costs you in the end.

One of the most important things to weigh is which brand to buy.  When you purchase a new heating or air conditioning system from a prominent manufacturer, you are usually getting two things – lasting performance and a good warranty.  Going with a cheaper, lesser known manufacturer isn’t advisable as they may not have a track record, or the system may not be easily repaired or it may even be difficult to find parts.

It’s important to also check the system’s efficiency rating.  Run through some simple numbers to come up with how much you might save if you purchase one of the energy efficient systems.  These typically cost more initially, but many pay off in the long run.  If it saves you considerable money over time, this just increases your ROI.

Airflow is a something else to look at.  There are some systems that come with a variable speed air handler that can improve the comfort of your home.  In addition to providing the right airflow, these systems prevent the stagnant air so many of the older ones contribute to.  These newer systems can also run at different speeds, depending on the weather and your needs.  These aid the ROI by saving energy while keeping your home or office the same temperature throughout all the rooms.

For more information about air conditioning replacement in Trabuco Canyon and the surrounding area, give Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning a call!

 

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HVAC Tip 1: Factors Contributing to Poor Air Quality

Monday, September 10th, 2012

The truth is that most people don’t even realize that they have poor indoor air quality in their Irvine homes. It is imperative that you be aware of this problem if it exists. The following are some signs and symptoms that point towards poor air quality.

  • Irritable eyes, throat and nose with cold like symptoms
  • Dry skin
  • Rashes and other skin irritations
  • Sleepiness, fatigue and headaches
  • Other symptoms such as wheezing, dizziness, nausea as well as hypersensitivity reactions can also be attributed to poor air quality

The onset of most of these symptoms is not very direct or immediate. They usually build up gradually and become a part of your daily life without you even realizing it. These symptoms are highly subjective and can also be brought about by a variety of other co-existing factors such as stress, so you might not realize right away what’s causing you to feel the way you do.

This is why it is very important to evaluate the problem of poor air quality in an objective and scientific manner. The following are some of the primary causes of poor air quality.

  • Poor ventilation system leading to inadequate supply of fresh air in the house
  • Pollutants coming from the paints and chemicals on the walls and furniture in your home
  • Pollutants arising from various other building products, cleaning material, gases, new materials, pesticides, office machines and stationery
  • Micro-organisms, as well as other contaminants coming from the atmosphere
  • The presence of allergens such as pollen, pet dander, mold spores or dust mites

The primary reason for all these problems taking root in your home is poor ventilation which does not allow enough air circulation and exchange between indoors and outdoors. That means not enough fresh air enters your home, making the air rather stale and providing no way for any types of pollutants to get out, and these contaminants tend to increase in concentration over time.

Luckily, all of these issues can be addressed by adding a good indoor air quality system to your home. A professional Irvine HVAC contractor can tell you exactly what types of pollutants are causing trouble in your home and get the right systems in place to eliminate them effectively. Call Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today to learn more about how to improve the air quality in your home!

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Outdoor Fireplaces Give Guests a Warm Welcome

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

 

Like the proverbial moth to the flame, humans have long been drawn to the beauty, sight, sound, warmth and even the smell of a fire. Indoors, a fireplace is a popular spot for family members to gather and enjoy good conversation, each other’s company and the glow of a crackling fire. Nowadays, many people are also gathering around outdoor fireplaces, as well.

The addition of a fireplace and comfortable outdoor furniture can instantly turn an ordinary patio into a welcoming open-air gathering place where friends and family can enjoy a glass of wine under the stars or toast marshmallows and make S-mores together. It is like adding another room or entertaining space to a home without the enormous expense of building an addition.

Homeowners who are considering adding an outdoor fireplace will find that they will need to make a number of decisions regarding design, placement and decor. Here are a few of the things a homeowner will need to decide upon before building a fireplace, which will definitely be the focal point of any outdoor living space.

Choosing Building Materials

The materials a homeowner chooses to build his outdoor fireplace with will definitely set the mood for his open-air living area. A fireplace crafted from rough-hewn stones, for example, will give a patio a more rustic look than, say, one fashioned out of sleek adobe or elegant brick.

Other things that a homeowner must consider when choosing materials for his outdoor fireplace are ease of cleaning and its ability to withstand the sometimes harsh outdoor elements.

Gas or Electric

While many people swear by the natural beauty and warmth of a real log fire, others prefer the ease of having a gas fireplace. This is typically a very personal choice, as both gas and wood fireplaces have their pluses and minuses.

Placement of the Outdoor Fireplace

The placement of the outdoor fireplace is very important. Breezy conditions can cause some outdoor fireplaces to smoke, so it is best to build them where they can get some protection from the wind. In addition, smoke from an outdoor fireplace that is completely surrounded by buildings and/or trees can billow back down into the patio area if its chimney is not built tall enough to clear these obstructions.

Creating the Living Space

A fireplace standing by itself on a patio will not be very welcoming, so it is important for homeowners to place the right type of outdoor furniture around it so that guests will want to collect around its beauty and warmth. Homeowners should not only look for furniture that utilize weather-resistant, easy-to-care-for materials, but also pieces that will complement the look of their fireplace.

A beautiful outdoor fireplace can add a touch of unexpected elegance to any backyard. Plus, it can turn a humble patio into an additional living area in which homeowners can entertain guests or spend time relaxing for relatively little money compared to putting on an addition to a home.

reference: http://www.rumford.com/outdoorsmoky.html

Stella Horn is a guest writer for design blogs. She recommends outdoorfurniture.com as a great place to find outdoor furniture companies.

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