Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Archive for April, 2013

Plumbing Tip: How You Know You Need a New Water Heater

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

We rely heavily upon our water heaters throughout the year. We use them every day to keep ourselves, our laundry and dishes clean. Our lives would be much less pleasant and convenient without them. Because of the amount of wear and tear they endure, water heaters require regular maintenance as well as professional repairs, when necessary. But if your water heater becomes old, or needs frequent repairs, then you may have to consider replacement as an option. But, how do you know? We’ve compiled a few ways to tell that you need a new water heater in this post. However, there’s no substitute for professional, hands-on diagnosis. For comprehensive Irvine CA plumbing services, call Saddleback Plumbing today!

  • Old age. If your water heater is old, and doesn’t heat the water as well as it once did, then it might be a good time to consider replacement. It’s best to speak to your local plumber about your options because such assessments truly need to be made in person.
  • Brown water. If your hot water looks rusty or brown, then you may have a serious rust problem in your water heater. While tank storage water heaters are equipped with a sacrificial anode rod to keep the electrolysis deterioration at bay, when this fully erodes, the water within your tank can begin to oxidize your tank lining. This often requires replacement.
  • Frequent repairs. Today’s water heaters, both tank and tankless models, are much more energy efficient than those of made just a decade before. If you spend a lot of time repairing your water heater, then you may be bolstering an obsolete inefficient system. Make sure that you’re making the right investment in the future of your home comfort. It may make more financial sense to purchase a new water heater that will operate more efficiently and effectively than your old model.

Make sure you speak with your local plumber today about whether a water heater replacement is right for you. For comprehensive plumbing services, call Saddleback Plumbing today!

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Plumbing Tip 12: What To Do In A Plumbing Emergency

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

We hardly think about the amount of water that travels through our home plumbing system until a pipe bursts, washing machine overflows, or the sewer main collapses. When such events happen, you need to ensure that you know exactly what to do. We’ve devised a brief guide of several things to keep in mind during a plumbing emergency. That said, different plumbing emergencies require different protocols, so it’s best to talk to your local Tustin, CA plumber about any concerns you might have. For excellent Tustin, CA plumbing services, call Saddleback Plumbing today!

  • Turn off the main water valve. Make sure you and other family members know where the main water valve is, so that in the event a pipe bursts or there is a major water leak, you or someone in the home can shut off the flow of water before it can cause any significant lasting damage.
  • Turn off your water heater. If you’ve shut off the water supply, then also make sure to shut off your water heater. Without a steady supply of water going into your heater, it can quickly overheat and raise the temperature of the water to potentially dangerous levels. Know where your circuit breaker to the water heater is and shut it off there, as well as the gas supply valve, if your heater is not electric.
  • What’s the damage? If you have successfully stopped the flow of water, then take a look around at what’s happened. The more information you can tell your plumber over the phone, the more he’ll be prepared before he gets there.
  • Call a plumber. Make sure you have the number of a reputable local Tustin, CA plumber on hand so that if a plumbing emergency occurs in your home, you’ll know exactly who to call.
  • Don’t use the plumbing. If you have a backflow issue, stemming from a collapsed sewer line, then be sure that you wait until it is repaired before using the water, or else you could cross-contaminate your supply and wastewater systems.

For more information, or to schedule a consultation with a Tustin CA plumbing expert, call Saddleback Plumbing today!

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Plumbing Tip 13: Sump Pump Maintenance

Monday, April 15th, 2013

Your sump pump is designed to prevent water flooding in your basement, and the ensuing damage that can result. It is installed in the lowest part of your basement, and connected to a drainage system that removes the water from the premises. Depending on whether you have an upright or submersible unit, the maintenance tasks will vary. But as with any system, routine maintenance is the best way to keep it in tiptop shape. Because your sump pump may only operate occasionally, when there is flooding or a large storm, maintenance is all the more important. Don’t take any risks with your water insurance device. For Tustin CA plumbing, call the experts at Saddleback Plumbing today!

Here are some typical sump pump maintenance duties.

  • Check the electrical power supply. Make sure that your unit is plugged in, and that if you have a battery backup system, the batteries are in working condition. In the event of a flood or serious storm, your power may also go out, and if you don’t have a backup generator, then your sump pump cannot work. Battery backup is a great feature.
  • Thoroughly inspect all aspects of the pump. Your technician will inspect all aspects of the sump pump in order to ensure that any parts are properly lubricated and free of debris.
  • Clean pump inlet screen. The pump inlet screen filters the water that the sump pump absorbs so that the mechanical components do not get clogged with debris, typically small rocks, or clumps of dirt.
  • Test it out. Throw a pail of water into your sump pump pit in order to see if it’s working properly. Because your sump does not run constantly like other appliances in the home, this will give it a bit of practice, and you can monitor it to judge the performance.
  • Clean out the pit. Make sure that the pit itself is clean and clear, so that in the event of a flood, your sump pump will be ready to perform.

For more information about improving your sump pump, or to schedule a Tustin, CA plumbing service, contact Saddleback Plumbing today!

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Air Conditioning Tip 7: How to Improve Indoor Air Quality This Spring

Monday, April 8th, 2013

While many Laguna Hills homeowners are concerned with energy efficiency as summer approaches, we should also consider indoor air quality. Much of our comfort (or discomfort) during the summer months stems from poor indoor air quality as we seal our homes tightly against the incoming rays of heat. Fortunately, there are many options available that can dramatically improve your air quality, such as air filtration, UV germicidal lights, and humidifiers. Beyond installing these systems, there are other steps to take. In this post, we’d like to review some things you can do to ensure your home is cool and comfortable this cooling season. For Laguna Hills air conditioning, call Saddleback today!

  • Clean and replace your air filter. As you fire up your AC this season, remember to change out your air filter on a regular basis. This simple step prevents a lot of problems, including blocked airflow and poor air quality. Your air filter is designed to prevent the passage of noxious particles throughout your ductwork and into your indoor air. It should be replaced once a month during peak cooling times.
  • Install UV germicidal lights. If your indoor air is musty and uncomfortable, then you may be at risk for mold infestation. Consider installing UV germicidal lights directly in your air handler or ductwork in order to destroy any microbiological growth before it enters your indoor air. While we may notice mold when it’s growing in our bathroom, it’s much harder to notice when it’s growing deep within our ductwork or in the walls.
  • Enroll in a maintenance program. Become a Saddleback MVP by joining the Membership Value Program. Enrolling in a routine maintenance program will improve your energy efficiency, extend the life of your equipment, and reduce the need for major costly repairs. It also provides you with various benefits such as warranties, discounts, and preferred priority service. Professional inspection, cleaning, and tuning-up makes your system shine even during the hottest days of the year.

For more information about how you can improve you indoor air quality, or to schedule Laguna Hills, CA air conditioning service, call Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today!

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Plumbing Repair Tip 14: When Should I Call a Plumber?

Monday, April 1st, 2013

When you need the services of a professional Laguna Hills plumbing repair technician, call the professional plumbers on the Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning team. A fully certified, extensively trained plumber from our staff will be able to handle any plumbing repair that you may need. Of course, before this can happen you actually need to contact us to schedule plumbing repair service. A lot of homeowners make the mistake of putting off plumbing repair services too long because they think that a problem is too minor. Even the smallest problems can cause big headaches if given the chance, though. Here are some tips about when to schedule plumbing repair in Laguna Hills, CA.

If your toilet frequently backs up, takes a long time to drain or flushes weakly then you should call a professional Laguna Hills plumber right away. A clog or backup in your sewer line, even if it is minor, can cause a lot of disruption in your home. For obvious reasons, a backed up or broken sewer line is not something that you will want to deal with. Let a professional plumber inspect and clear out your sewer line if it is not draining properly.

Another sure indicator that you need to call a plumber right away is the presence of water anywhere in or around your home where it should not be. You may think a slow or small leak is not a big deal, but this could not be further from the truth. Even the smallest leaks lead to wasteful use of water, and this in turn leads to increased water costs. Not only that, but a leak in one spot of your plumbing may suggest other leaks that have not been discovered yet. You should have your plumbing inspected immediately.

As a general rule, if you are toying with the idea of calling a professional plumber, chances are you should. It is easy to talk yourself out of doing so, of course, but you just may find yourself wishing that you hadn’t before too much time passes. Call Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning the moment you suspect you may be in need of Laguna Hills plumbing repair service.

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