Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Archive for January, 2014

Some Options to Consider for Your Bathroom Plumbing Project

Friday, January 31st, 2014

A bathroom plumbing project is a serious investment in your home, and you should take extra care to consider all the options before moving forward. A bathroom plumbing renovation needs to enhance the value of your home, not turn into a money pit. Consultation with a trained and professional plumbing service in Mission Viejo, CA, is the best option for getting what you want out of your new bathroom without breaking the bank. Here are some options to consider for your bathroom plumbing project.

  • Think about a wet wall
    That’s a plumbing term for a wall in which all the plumbing and fixtures – sinks, toilets, showers, etc. – are against one wall. That includes drain pipes and waste pipes as well as pipes bringing water into the bathroom. That keeps the plumbing simple and eliminates the need to run piping into awkward locations, which raises the price of the operation considerably. (It also makes it easier to fix any problems that crop up down the line.)
  • Practicality predominates
    You may have your heart set on a sink island, a claw-foot tub or other items that add to the aesthetics of the bathroom. But you also need to consider the practicality of such fixtures. You’ll likely be using them every day, day in and day out, for years on end. Fixtures like these can take up a lot of spare space, as well as leading to water dripping onto the floors more often. If you have the space and the luxury, you can think about them, but you need to consider long-haul implications, not just initial novelty.
  • Consider maintenance
    Similarly, when choosing materials, think about durable materials that will stand up to years of use. The better your tiling, grouting, porcelain surfaces and the like, the more your bathroom will stay trouble free. Again, think about allocating your budget into long-range uses rather than short-term novelty.

For more options to consider for your bathroom plumbing project in Mission Viejo, CA, call on the plumbing experts at Saddleback Plumbing for help. Not only can we help you plan the bathroom of your dreams, but we’ll take steps to help protect it from things like the salty sea air and the occasional earthquake. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

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What Is the Difference Between a Hydronic Baseboard and Radiant Floor Heating?

Friday, January 31st, 2014

In matters of heating repair, Mission Viejo CA residents often need more specialized attention than a general HVAC technician can provide. In particular, a house with a radiant heating system needs someone experienced to make the proper diagnosis and repairs. Radiant heating systems utilize more than one type of format, most notably hydronic baseboard heating. What’s the difference between a hydronic baseboard and radiant floor heating? The answers can show you why the right service technician is key.

When we talk about radiant floor heating, we usually mean heating where the system is built directly into the floors. The technician removes your floorboards and installs the radiant heating system beneath them, usually coils or tubes full of liquid held in place with heat-conducting tiles. He or she then re-installs the floorboards, returning your room to its previous appearance. The radiant system sends heat up directly through the floorboards into your furnishings (or feet), warming the room evenly without any breezes or drafts.

Hydronic baseboard heating systems use a similar principle but different execution. They run a series of baseboards along the walls by the floor. A boiler heats up water and sends it through pipes located in the baseboards, which pull cool air in from your room and heat it by passing it over the hot pipes. The hot air then moves back into your room to heat the area. Like radiant floor heating, they don’t rely on forced air, which means that cold spots and the like are kept to a minimum. They don’t require ductwork and they don’t circulate dust through your home. They also take less to install than radiant floor systems, and aren’t as disruptive since you don’t need to tear up the whole floor.

Knowing the difference between a hydronic baseboard and radiant floor heating is the first step. The next is determining a knowledgeable source for installation and repairs. When it comes to heating repair services in Mission Viejo, CA, residents can turn to Saddleback Plumbing for help. We understand these kinds of heating systems, and our experts can handle both installing and maintaining the right system for you. Call us today to set up an appointment!

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Why Heat Pumps Make Sense in Trabuco Canyon

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

Here in Trabuco Canyon, heat pump technology is an effective alternative to both gas furnaces and traditional air conditioning systems. They combine the features of both heating and air conditioning: circulating refrigerant throughout their system and using it to warm or cool the air around them.  During the heating portion of cycle, coils revert the gas to a liquid state, bleeding the heat into the nearby air. During the cooling part of the cycle, the liquid enters an evaporator, cooling the surrounding air as it reverts back into a gas. That air can then be blown into your household. With heat pumps, the process can fulfill either function, with an indoor coil and an outdoor coil to “switch roles” depending on what you need. How does that system benefit us here? Here’s why heat pumps make sense in Trabuco Canyon.

For starters, it’s an extremely efficient system. Heat pumps use less energy than traditional gas furnaces, which means you can save a great deal on your monthly bills if you have them installed. Many types of heat pumps also use ductless systems, which means planting multiple units throughout your home. Each unit can tailor the nearby temperature individually, allowing you to set one temperature in a given room and a separate temperature in another room.  (You can even turn off the heat in parts of the home you aren’t using, saving you further money.)

All of those are fairly universal benefits to heat pumps. What makes them especially suited to Trabuco Canyon is the fact that they are at their most efficient in warm weather. When temperatures drop to freezing levels, so too does the heat pump’s efficiency drop off. But here in sunny Southern California, things rarely get that cold, meaning that your heat pump will function at its best all year.

For more on why heat pumps make sense in Trabuco Canyon, the experts at Saddleback Plumbing are here to help. We can perform installation and repair functions with equal efficiency. If you’re having problems with your system or want to see about installing a new one, give us a call today!

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What are Earthquake Emergency Shut-Off Valves?

Monday, January 20th, 2014

If you live in Southern California, earthquakes are a constant concern. Safety and preparedness need to involve all aspects of your home. From the perspective of experts on gas and plumbing in Irvine needs to include earthquake emergency shut off-valves to help keep your home safe in the event of a shocker. But what are earthquake emergency shut-off valves? More importantly, how do they do their job? A quick primer can be found below.

The valves have sensors on them calibrated to detect quakes of a sufficient magnitude to cause problems with your gas lines.  When those sensors are triggered, they immediately cut off the flow of gas. Some valves merely redirect the gas to unaffected piping. Others turn off the gas completely. This safety feature often goes beyond the initial damage cause by the quake itself. The ground can shift in an earthquake, destabilizing underground pipelines and setting the groundwork for a future problem long after you’ve thought the danger had passed.  That’s the sort of assurance you have with an earthquake emergency shut-off valve: protection for your home until all the repairs can be made.

If you don’t have such a valve, they’re pretty easy to install, provided you have the right professional service to do so. With a skilled technician on the job, the task should take only a few hours. The same technician can also reset the shut-off valve after it’s been triggered (after determining that every aspect of your gas system is safe) and inspect it every 1-2 years to ensure that it’s operating as it should.

In those cases, it’s imperative that you have the right kind of professional to help you out. For issues with gas and plumbing in Irvine, you can count on Saddleback Plumbing to help. We’ve had plenty of experience installing and maintaining earthquake emergency shut-off valves, and can put one in your home with safety and professionalism foremost in our minds. We never know when the next big quake will hit, and when it does, you want the assurance that an earthquake emergency shut-off valve can bring. Call us today to set up an appointment!

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How Mother Nature Can Damage Your Plumbing

Saturday, January 18th, 2014

It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature… but Mother Nature can turn vindictive and damaging even if you do nothing to anger her. Sometimes, Mother Nature can inflict major injury to your home’s plumbing—even in a place like Southern California where we don’t have to worry about the plumbing plague much of the rest of the nation faces: frozen pipes.

Whatever problems bother your plumbing in Laguna Nigel this season, whether caused by nature or human error, you can rely on Saddleback Plumbing. We’ve taken care of home plumbing in Orange County since 1981.

Natural damage to your plumbing

  • Root infiltration: Damage to your sewer line is one of the most potentially catastrophic issues that might develop in your plumbing. It can lead to flooding in your basement and foundations and can stop all your drains from working. One of the most common reasons for the sewer line to become blocked or broken is the growth of tree roots. Roots naturally move toward damp areas, and they can start to grow into the sewer line, blocking it. Worse, the pressure from the roots can lead to it breaking. Sewer line repair needs immediate professional attention.
  • Landslides and earthquakes: California has trouble with both of these. Earthquakes are a frequent occurrence; even a small temblor can break older pipes. Landslides often occur during our rare rains because the loose upper soil is unused to heavy rainfall. Landslides are another reason for breaks in sewer lines, since they can cause underground shifting. If you notice water flow problems or sink clogs in the aftermath of a quake or a slide, call for plumbers immediately.
  • Corrosion: Corrosion is a natural occurrence when water and metal meet in the presence of oxygen. If you have predominantly copper or plastic (usually PEX) piping in your home, corrosion will usually not be a major concern. However, older galvanized steel pipes are prone to serious corrosion over time, and will eventually start to leak from pitted corrosion (“pinhole leaks,” which are serious despite the name) and break. If you have steel piping in your home, it may be wise to arrange for replacement pipes with corrosion-resistant material.

You can’t fool Mother Nature, but professionals can fix her damage

Don’t allow any plumbing damage to go without repairs, even if you don’t notice a problem at first. And if anything occurs with your fixtures that might indicate damage (reduced water flow, persistent clogs, odors from the drains), call for expert plumbers right away. Our Saddleback Plumbing staff can remedy the damage Mother Nature dishes out, so give us a call at the first sign of trouble.

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Common Heat Pump Repairs

Sunday, January 12th, 2014

Heat pump technology in Irvine makes a lot of sense. It combines the functions of a heater and an air conditioner into a single unit, running refrigerant gas through a closed cycle that can alternately heat or cool your home depending on the season. Heat pumps struggle when temperatures drop to the freezing point, but here in sunny So Cal, that almost never happens. More importantly, they are very efficient forms of technology, allowing you to save a great deal of money on your monthly energy bills. They’re dependable forms of technology too, but like any appliance, they sometimes need servicing.

Here’s a brief list of some common heat pump repairs in Irvine.

  • Ice coils. Ice on the coils is usually created when the refrigerant gas leaks out of the system. Like A/C units, heat pumps are designed to be used with a specific amount of refrigerant. When that leaks, it creates ice on the coils which both wastes energy and insulates the gas from the very air it’s supposed to be cooling. You can’t just scrape the ice off – it will quickly reform – but a service technician can seal the leak and recharge the refrigerant.
  • Fan problems. The fan blows the cool air (or warm air in the winter) from the heat pump into your home. It’s usually powered by its own motor, and if that motor overloads, it can affect the performance of the fan. The fan can also have a bent or a broken blade, or the fan belt could be damaged, lowering the flow of air.
  • Incorrect settings. A heat pump with a problematic thermostat or similar equipment might not turn on when it’s supposed to, or it might cycle on and off without regard for the proper temperature. The faulty component will need to be replaced before it will work again.

If you’re experiencing common heat pump problems in Irvine, call on Saddleback Plumbing for help. We handle calls from communities all around Irvine, heat pump technology is well known to us, and we won’t rest until the problem has been located and corrected. You can also schedule an appointment online!

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