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

Reasons Why Your Air Conditioning System May Be Making Loud Noises

Tuesday, September 24th, 2013

If you’ve ever had an air conditioning system in your home, the regular sounds it makes will be familiar to you: the whir of the fan and the hum of the compressor. Anything out of the ordinary, such as loud and unpleasant noises, is usually a sign of a malfunction or an impending one. If left unattended, this problem might eventually cause your air conditioner to cease working entirely. Whatever you do: don’t shrug off loud noises and hope they are only a temporary nuisance. When you decide you need expert help to figure out why your AC has started making loud sounds, contact the staff at Saddleback Plumbing. We offer 24/7 emergency ac repair services, so we can help get your air conditioner working right again at any time of the day.

Some of the usual suspects for an AC making loud noises include:

Low refrigerant charge: The fixed amount of refrigerant in your AC—it’s “charge”—can start to leak, damaging your system’s cooling power. It will also cause a loud noise in the compressor. This sound could also occur if the wrong type of refrigerant is put into the air conditioner, which is why recharging the refrigerant should always be left to HVAC experts.

Loose motor parts: If the moving parts in the motors that run the fans and the compressor suffer damage, they can create unpleasant rattling and grinding sounds. The motors will need repairs and perhaps replacements.

Damaged fan belt: The fan motors are hooked to the fans with belts, similar to the belts you find in car engines. If the belt is damaged or comes loose, it will start rubbing against other components and make strange sounds. This needs repair as soon as possible before the belt can damage other parts of the AC’s interior.

All the problems above need professional attention in order to fix them properly and safely. Don’t pry open the air conditioner cabinet to inspect the problem yourself and fiddle with any mechanisms. Contact a technician to discover the source of the problem and to repair it.

Avoid getting stuck with a busted AC in Irvine, CA. Air conditioning repair is only a phone call away with Saddleback Plumbing.

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Five Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Plumbing Service

Friday, September 20th, 2013

When you hire your next plumbing contractor, you must consider five major factors. Doing your research can help to ensure your family and finances stay safe. When a plumbing service arrives at your home, think of it like an interview. Be prepared to ask the questions so you can be certain they are a credible company that stands behind their professional work. The five major factors that should be asked about are licensing, liability insurance, workman’s compensation, financial stability, and customer service.

1. Is the Plumber Licensed?

Every state requires plumbers to be licensed (and rightly so!). Plumbing directly affects the health of a home’s occupants. From proper waste drain layout to gas piping to a toilet installation, each area can pose serious health risks if not installed properly. This is why most state’s require a plumbing apprentice to attend years of schooling along with years of work experience. Once their final major exam is passed, only then will they receive their state plumbing license. Be sure to check your plumber’s license status on your state’s website too, making sure they have the credentials to provide professional work which ensures your family’s health.

2. Does the Plumber Have Liability Insurance?

Liability insurance is your next factor to check on. Don’t be afraid to ask your plumber for proof of liability insurance. As an extra precaution, you can also ask to have their certificate printed with your name and information on it. This can help ensure you are covered for any future problems related to the work, if the company were to go out of business. Things go wrong with plumbing. Even the most professional company with highly trained plumbers cannot avoid mistakes 100% of the time. That is why it’s essential to do your homework, protect your finances, and get that proof of insurance!

3. Does the Plumber Have Worker’s Compensation?

Worker’s compensation is a state requirement in most of the United States, but that doesn’t mean every company has it! In fact, many small companies and “fly-by-night” plumbers do not. Plumbing work can involve sharp tools, heavy materials, hazardous waste, and flammable gas. If a plumber is injured on your property and they do not carry worker’s compensation, you will be footing the bill for their bodily harm! This is a huge factor that many homeowners pass over. Every time you don’t ask for proof, you put your family’s finances at risk.

4. Is the Plumber Responsive to Calls and Voicemails?

The next factor to look into is customer service. Does your plumber answer his phone or even return his voicemails? When it starts raining in your kitchen, can you rely on your plumber to answer and respond quickly? This is an extremely important factor to consider. Sure, an unlicensed “fly-by-night” plumber may be cheaper, but why is he cheaper? More often than not, it’s because they cut corners on customer service options such as a phone service, or any of the other above mentioned factors. This topic leads us into our final factor, financial stability.

5. Does the Plumber Look Financially Stable?

Your plumbing company’s financial stability is something most people over look. Did your plumber arrive in an old rusty truck and offer you amazingly low prices? If these prices sound too good to be true, beware! Sure, there are ways to cut the cost of plumbing down, but they all involve sacrificing quality, workmanship, and customer service. Once these qualities are cut, a business will not be around for long. When you have a plumbing issue in the future due to poor workmanship, your plumber won’t be around to honor a warranty (if they even offer one!). So be sure to hire a reputable plumbing company with sound business practices that takes pride in professional repairs and installations. You’ll know they’ll always be around to honor their warranties and help you in the future.

So there you have it, five factors to address when hiring for your next plumbing service. Choosing a plumbing company with proper licensing, customer service, financial stability, worker’s compensation and liability insurance can help to ensure a professional, responsible company is hired. Remember, that doing your research first not only protects your home, family and finances, but also helps to clear the market of unlicensed and dangerous contractors.

 

About the Author:

Ross Pickett is the owner of Cahill Plumbing & Heating, Inc. in Westborough, Massachusetts. His online presence has been geared toward helping homeowners protect their homes and support the professional contractors of America. Cahill Plumbing & Heating has been providing Massachusetts with top quality plumbing services for over 40 years. He can be reached by email at Ross@CahillPlumbingandHeating.com or through his website, http://www.cahillplumbingandheating.com/

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Why Is My Water Heater Making A Weird Noise?

Thursday, September 19th, 2013

Water heaters are one of those silent household appliances we hardly acknowledge until it suffers a problem. This is doubly true in mild climates without a lot of bad weather, like Ladera Ranch. Water heater repair becomes less pressing if there isn’t a lot of snow or rain to damage the unit, and while wear and tear take their toll, Southern California experiences a lot less environmental stressors than other, harsher areas of the country. However, that makes it even more important to recognize potential problems before they start, and call in a professional to take care of it in promptly. For instance, you may be asking “Why is my water heater making a weird noise?

In most cases, that noise can indicate a need for repairs.

In many cases, the water heater makes noises after scaling and mineral deposits gather on the bottom of the tank itself. That can result in a gurgling or a clanking noise coming from the heater. In order to fix it, a service professional must drain the tank and clean away the deposits in order to reduce the noise.

Similarly, a leak in the main tank may result in a dripping or bubbling noise. If the water drips onto the unit’s burner, or if condensation becomes dense enough to create dips, then you may hear a sizzle as the water interacts with open flame. Either way, it suggests a problem in need of professional correction.

Many water heaters come equipped with heat traps to help save energy. Sometimes, they can cause fluctuations in the water pressure, which results in a strange ticking or clicking noise heard in the pipes. A service technician can remove the traps and stop the clicking noise, though it will likely result in a higher energy bill to keep the water heater running at the same levels.

If you notice your water heater making a weird noise, don’t hesitate to call Ladera Ranch water heater repair experts at Saddleback Plumbing for help. Our service area includes Ladera Ranch; water heater repair is one of our specialties and we dedicate ourselves to your complete satisfaction. Give us a call to set up an appointment today.

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Why Do None of My Bathroom Drains Work?

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013

In Laguna Hills, bathroom plumbing typically has very straightforward problems. Our warm weather and gentle climate tend to keep serious issues like freezing and corrosion to a minimum. If one of your bathroom drains doesn’t work, there’s probably a very straightforward explanation for it. But if multiple drains are affected, it could spell a larger problem. Why do none of your bathroom drains work? A few possible answers lie below.

Some Reasons Why Your Bathroom Plumbing’s Drains Could Not Be Working

In the first place, it’s likely that the problem lies beyond the bathroom itself, in whatever common point it uses to get rid of water. That usually means the main water line coming in from the home’s foundation, or the water heater, which the water passes through on its way to your bathroom. If the main line is clogged or the heater is suffering from problems, it could affect every drain in the house. Check the drains in your kitchen sink or elsewhere to see if they don’t drain properly either.

The problem may also be more subtle. For instance, most plumbing depends on pitch – the angle required for water to flow properly. If your pipes haven’t been installed the way they should and/or you live in a geographical area that doesn’t allow for proper pitch, you may find every drain in the bathroom backing up despite the fact that there’s nothing clogging them. A trained plumber can adjust your pipes in order to correct the issue. And in some cases, it may involve several things happening at once, such as a vent pipe suffering damage and/or the vents in all your outlets malfunctioning.

Regardless of the causes, however, it takes a trained professional to offer a solution. A local, certified plumber will understand the environmental conditions that leads to drain failure in Laguna Hills. Bathroom plumbing repair can then take place with a full knowledge of the variables involved. Saddleback Plumbing handles plumbing issues of all sorts in South Orange County. Our trained Laguna Hills bathroom plumbing experts are ready to assist and we devote ourselves to your complete satisfaction in every aspect of repairs. If none of your bathroom drains work, contact us to set up an appointment today.

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Common Reasons to Schedule a Drain Cleaning Service

Tuesday, September 10th, 2013

Without good drains in your home, you probably wouldn’t be able to carry out a number of daily tasks including showering, cleaning, dishes and many other common chores. Because of how important your drains are, there are many good reasons to schedule regular Rancho Santa Margarita drain cleaning services. Read on below to see some of them and then give us a call here at Saddleback Plumbing.

Whey Get Rancho Santa Margarita Drain Cleaning

Here are a few of the reasons to getting your drains cleaned.

  • Fewer clogs – Usually, clogs in your plumbing system don’t happen overnight. Instead, they happen slowly over time. One of the best ways to make sure that those slowly-developing blockages don’t turn into actual clogs is to schedule regular Rancho Santa Margarita drain cleaning services. This will allow your plumber to visit your home, clean out your drains and remove any problems before they actually form.
  • Better performance – Even if your drains aren’t completely clogged, they could be starting to slow down. If you notice that your shower starts to fill up a little when you’re in it or if your drains aren’t quite as snappy as they used to be, you may have some clogs developing. By getting your drains cleaned you could be able to keep your drains working fast.
  • Healthier pipes – Your plumbing system is more than just a random system of pipes and drains. It is actually a very precise system that has a delicate balance of pressure. As water flows through the pipes it will push air ahead of it and create a vacuum of pressure behind it. There needs to be vent pipes to allow for this air movement. Clogs can cause this system to get out of balance which will reduce the effectiveness of your drains. Cleaning your drains regularly will ensure that this pressure balance stays intact.

For all your Rancho Santa Margarita drain cleaning services, make sure that you call the experts at Saddleback Plumbing.

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Water Treatment Systems Are Essential Because …

Wednesday, September 4th, 2013

Water treatment systems remove minerals, chemicals and other impurities from the water in your home. This affects not only your drinking and cooking water, but the water you use to bathe and clean your clothes with. Lake Forest enjoys good quality drinking water thanks to the Upper Oso Reservoir and similar sites, but our proximity to the ocean and position in one of the largest urban areas in the country make clean water an ongoing concern. A good water treatment system is essential to maintain a healthy and happy home.

Benefits of Using a Water Treatment System

The most obvious benefit to a water treatment system is cleaner drinking water, free of chemicals and pollutants. You can see the difference such a system makes simply by making two sets of ice cubes: one with treated water and one with untreated water. You’ll likely notice how much cloudier and grayer the untreated water is, and how clear and clean the treated water is. This applies to anything you’d normally use tap water for, from boiling pasta to rinsing off fresh fruit and vegetables.

A water treatment system also improves upon your overall health and comfort levels. Bathing with untreated water may leave your skin dry and irritated, while clothes washed in untreated water may feel rougher than they would otherwise. Purified water treats your skin and clothes with more gentleness, leaving softer laundry loads and better overall health.

The same principle applies to plumbing components in your home. Scale and mineral deposits can build up in your water heater and pipe system over time. But with a water treatment system, the minerals causing those deposits are removed from your water supply. That prevents potential damage to your system and extends the life of your plumbing to boot.

If you’re considering a water treatment system, you should contact an expert who can explain the options. Saddleback Plumbing handles the installation and repair of water treatment systems in Lake Forest and throughout southern Orange County. We’ll examine your home and discuss you choices with you, then install the system with utmost concern for your complete satisfaction.

Call us today to set up an appointment.

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Why We Celebrate Labor Day

Monday, September 2nd, 2013

We hope our present and future customers had a pleasant Labor Day this September. We know how hard you work to ensure that you and your loved ones have a good life, and we feel the same way about the work that we do throughout the year. Home comfort is our business, so you can rely on our technicians to take care of any issues that you may have. To many of us, Labor Day means BBQ, the start of the football season, and spending quality time with our friends and family. But there is much more to this holiday, and we wanted to share its true purpose with you.

Like many US holidays, the origins of Labor Day are somewhat disputed. While many cite Peter J. McGuire’s (of the American Federation of Labor) suggestion of a demonstration and picnic as the inaugural Monday, others cite Matthew Maguire, then secretary of the Central Labor Union of New York. In the wake of the massive and violent Pullman Strike of 1894, which pitted George Pullman and US Marshals and Military against workers of the Pullman Palace Car Company outside Chicago. Designated as a federal holiday by Congress and President Grover Cleveland in 1894, a mere six days after the strike ended, Labor Day has since become a way of recognizing the contribution that hard working Americans have made to this country.

We wish you all the best, and hopefully you took the time to relax, eat some good food, and take a load off.

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