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

Signs of Damage to Your Water Line

Friday, June 27th, 2014

When you consider the amount of water that you use in your house on a daily basis—for cooking, cleaning, bathing, drinking—it’s astonishing that the pipeline that carries the fresh water into your home can endure as long as it does. But the continuous movement of water will eventually take a toll and you will end up with clogs, breaks, or leaks in the water main. In Southern California, damage from earthquakes are a particular worry, although you may not notice issues in the pipe immediately after a temblor.

Aside from outright losing your water supply, there are a number of specific signs to look for that can warn it’s time to call a plumber to investigate potential damages that may require the water line repair. For Mission Viejo, CA water lines, you can trust the job to Saddleback Plumbing; we’ve served Orange County with quality plumbing for over three decades.

Watch for These Indications of a Damaged Water Line

  • Drop in water pressure: One of the earliest warnings that there is a leak or block in the water line is when the water pressure suddenly plunges. If you notice that faucets and showerheads throughout your home have lost pressure and the flow of water is weak, the problem might lie with a damaged water line. (It’s also possible that there is an issue in the municipal system, so you should check with neighbors to see if they are experiencing similar troubles.)
  • Contamination in the water: Breaks in the water main will allow dirt and soil to enter into the pipes. Should your water take on a sudden reddish-brown discoloration, or an unpleasant taste, the issue is likely because of a breach in the water main. Call for repairs immediately.
  • Water flow in your yard: Should the water line spring a leak, the escaping water will flow up into your yard, and sometimes come through cracks in the sidewalk. The problem could come from unrelated pipes, but you nonetheless need to contact a plumber to determine the source of the leak.
  • Hissing and rumbling noises: The point where the water main enters your house will make hissing and rumbling sounds when water is flowing from a tap in your home; this is normal. But if you hear this sound when there is no water flowing inside the house, it indicates that water is running out of the line somewhere between where it exits the municipal supply and where it enters your home. Call right away for plumbers to look into the situation.

You don’t want to have your water supply abruptly vanish because of a damaged water line, so pay attention to any of these warning signs and call for a team of plumbers that knows how to handle plumbing repairs in Mission Viejo, CA that include water line damage. Trust the work to Saddleback Plumbing for fast and professional service. Contact us today to schedule a plumber at the first sign of damage to your water line.

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Why Should I Contact a Pumber for Drain Cleaning?

Thursday, June 26th, 2014

Clogged drains are a hassle that homeowners expect to happen now and then—there’s just no avoiding them. But although accidents will occur when an object tumbles down a drain and blocks it, you don’t have to deal with clogs afflicting your plumbing on a regular basis because of buildups of soap scum, grease, hair, and food. With the help of professional drain cleaning, you can eliminate current clogs and help prevent future ones.

If you’re wondering why you need professional plumbers to handle this job, we’ll explain what trained and licensed plumbers can bring to the task and how it will help you. To get started, call our staff at Saddleback Plumbing. We will arrange for drain cleaning service in Lake Forest, CA that will clear out clogs and give you healthy plumbing.

Why You Need Professionals Plumbers to Clean Your Drains

  • Because liquid drain cleaners are terrible for drains: Yes, in spite of their name, chemical drain cleaners you can purchase next to the mops and laundry detergent in aisle #3 at the grocery store are absolute “no-nos” for drains. They are harshly caustic, which makes them damaging to the interior of drainpipes, and they are potentially hazardous for you and your family. If you cannot clear out a clog using a plunger, don’t reach for these “cleaners.” And don’t rely on them for regular “cleaning” either.
  • Professionals have comprehensive cleaning methods: A skilled plumber won’t just get rid of a clog. He or she will use methods that will clear out thick levels of contamination so that your plumbing will have far fewer problem from clogs and high water pressure in the future. Using non-invasive procedures such a hydro-jetting will wipe away all the build-up of grease, soap-scum, and other deposits from the inside of pipes.
  • Professionals have the best equipment: Plumbers have access to expensive plumbing tools unavailable to the consumer (and too difficult to use without training). Hydro-jetters, mechanical drain snakes, and video pipe inspection equipment are all part of the arsenal that plumbers bring to the job of targeted cleaning in a home’s drains.
  • Professionals can handle the job fast: Finally, it is worth it to have plumbers handle drain cleaning because they can take care of the work quickly, causing minimal inconvenience to you. You will have both a thorough and rapid drain cleaning job with the right plumbers on the task.

At Saddleback Plumbing, we recommend that you schedule regular drain cleaning and not just when you have a clogging issue. Make this a part of your annual checkup for your plumbing system, and you should have an (almost) clog-free home life. We also offer comprehensive plumbing services in Lake Forest, CA. To schedule your next service appointment with us, give us a call today.

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Common Problems Associated with Bathroom Plumbing

Friday, June 20th, 2014

Your bathroom is one of the most frequently used parts of your household, and you need the sinks, toilets and showers to perform without a hitch day in and day out. When problems arise, you need to take care of them as quickly as possible. Here in Laguna Hills, bathroom plumbing problems are a regular occurrence and can be handled by a number of qualified bathroom plumbing services. Here are some common problems associated with bathroom plumbing that you should keep an eye out for.

  • Clogs. Clogged drains are the scourge of many homeowners, and can get particularly bad in the bathroom. Human hair is surprisingly strong, and it can collect in your faucet or shower drain. There, it mixes with soap scum, toothpaste and similar materials to make a very strong clog. Store-bought cleansers can rarely dent such clogs, but a professional plumbing service can usually make short work of them.
  • Hard water. Hard water is water with an unusually high amount of mineral content (usually calcium and magnesium). It’s harmless, but it can create a crumbly white build-up on your faucet heads, and even clog up the faucet if left untreated. Hard water can also leave you skin feeling raw and red after bathing. A water filtration system can soften your water and a plumber can deal with egregious deposits left by hard water.
  • Leaky Toilets. A leaky toilet is usually caused by a breach in the line between the toilet tank and the rest of your plumbing system. The seal, valve or the line itself can usually be replaced fairly easily. A more substantial leak may be caused by a crack in the porcelain, in which case you will probably need to get the entire toilet replaced.

Whenever you’re faced with common problems associated with bathroom plumbing, the best solution is to call the experts at Saddleback Plumbing to help. Bathroom plumbing problems of all varieties are our specialty, and we won’t rest until you are completely happy with our work. We also provide a variety of other plumbing services in Laguna Hills, CA. Pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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Scheduling AC Repairs During a Heat Wave

Friday, June 13th, 2014

Air conditioning repair in Tustin, CA doesn’t always arrive at the most convenient times. We’ve already seen our share of hot temperatures this year and the summer is looking like one for the record books. Ideally, your air conditioner will perform reliably throughout the cooling season, which you can help ensure by scheduling regular maintenance sessions. But what happens when your air conditioner conks out at the very worst possible time? What do you do about scheduling AC repairs during a heat wave?

Generally speaking, you should turn your air conditioner off any time there’s a problem, regardless of whether it will still run or not. To do otherwise risks serious damage to the system with a correspondingly higher repair bill. Once the unit is off, you need to gauge the general safety levels to the heat and whether you can safely stay in your home. If you have access to fans, run them. Keep hydrated with plenty of water, and close blinds or curtains to keep the sunlight from shining into your home. If you can, head somewhere that offers air conditioning, whether it be a friend’s house, a nearby shopping mall or a public library. That way, you can stay cool and comfortable while you plan for a repair session.

With your immediate concerns out of the way, you should look for a service that provides quick and reliable repairs. Ideally, they should offer 24 hour service. Even if you don’t need it, it’s a sign of a company that can work confidently under pressure, and get you air conditioner repaired as quickly as possible. In those cases, the experts at Saddleback Plumbing are on call to move with speed. Summers in Southern California can be a killer and emergency air conditioning sessions, while unwanted, can be a serious matter. We handle all kinds of air conditioning repair in Tustin, CA and our trained staff is ready to handle any problem you might encounter. That way, you can get back to a comfortable home without worrying about the health and safety of your family. If you’re interested in scheduling AC repairs during a heat wave, then pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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3 Causes of Problems With My Kitchen Faucet

Thursday, June 12th, 2014

Your kitchen faucet is one of the most heavily used appliances in your home, and when it runs into trouble, you need to get it fixed immediately. Problems with your faucet can range from leaks to clogs to issues with water pressure, but here in Mission Viejo, CA, kitchen plumbing can always be fixed by trained experts. In most cases, you should always call in a plumber when you encounter an issue with your faucet, to ensure that it gets corrected efficiently. Here are 3 causes of problems with your kitchen faucet that you should look out for.

  • Food clogs. Not every piece of food should be rinsed away down the sink. Fibrous vegetable matter such as potato peelings can easily block the flow of water, as can chicken bones, peach pits and other hard materials. In particular, beware of hot grease or fat poured down the faucet. As it cools down in your metal pipes, it will solidify, and create a serious back-up. Plumbers can treat the problem with specialized equipment designed to correct the problem properly.
  • Leaks. Leaky faucets are a considerable nuisance, and while the causes can be simple, they need proper training to correct. The common cause of a leaky faucet is a faulty valve or washer in the faucet head, which means he head needs to be dismantled and then put back together with the replacement part in place. Leaks stemming from the pipes themselves – under the sink, for example, are more series and usually require the plumber to install a replacement length of pipe.
  • Backflow. Backflow in your kitchen faucet is usually caused by problems elsewhere in your plumbing, resulting in unbalanced pressure and contaminated water flowing back out of your faucet. It can be solved with the installation of safety valves to help equalize the pressure.

Here at Saddleback Plumbing, we can spot the causes of problems with your kitchen faucet, and make corrections with speed and efficiency. Kitchen plumbing needs to be handled by people in the know. Give us a call today; we’ll fix the problem right! We provide a wide array of professional plumbing services in Mission Viejo, CA.

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These Are Your Choices for a Sump Pump in Laguna Hills, CA

Friday, June 6th, 2014

Here in Laguna Hills, sump pump technology remains a reliable and effective way of preventing home flooding. We have our share of flooding problems during the rainy season, thanks to shallow sewer systems and our hilly terrain. A sump pump, which is placed in a pit in your basement, can swiftly pump floodwaters out of your home: keeping your property and possessions dry in the process. As always, it pays to consult with a professional when selecting a model for your home, but in general terms, these are your choices for a sump pump in Laguna Hills, CA.

  • Pedestal pumps. Pedestal pumps are less expensive and easier to install than other types of pump. They’re mounted on a stand above the pit, keeping the motor out of the water. They work best in areas that get a lot of flooding, though their position above the pit means that they can be fairly noisy.
  • Submersible pumps. These pumps are placed directly in the pit, and are designed to operate while under water. They cost more to install, but tend to be more efficient, and because they’re underwater, they don’t make as much noise.
  • Back-up pumps. Most pumps are run by electricity from your home. A back-up pump is battery powered and intended for use when the electricity goes out.
  • Sewage pumps. These pumps are specifically designed to remove sewage waste and semi-solid materials from you home. This is a significant consideration in Laguna Hills, were our flooding issues often entail overflowing sewers.
  • Combinations pumps. Combination pumps merge a primary pump and a battery-powered back-up pump into one system. It’s a solid choice if you want to cover all your bases without a lot of additional hassle.

A qualified expert plumbing service in Laguna Hills, CA can discuss your choices for a sump pump, then perform an installation once you’ve found the best model for your home and budget. The professionals at Saddleback Plumbing have the skills and expertise to help you out in all stages of sump pump installation. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

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