Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Ladera Ranch’

How is Drain Cleaning Done?

Monday, December 16th, 2013

Saddleback Plumbing offers drain services in Ladera Ranch, and as is common for most plumbers, drain cleaning is a standard operation for us: clearing a pipe or drain of an obstruction in order to get the water flowing again. In Ladera Ranch, drain cleaning is easier than it might be in colder parts of the country, since we don’t have to worry about frozen drains as often as they do. Despite that, it’s still preferable to contact a professional plumber to clean your drains, rather than relying on store-bought solutions. How is drain cleaning done? A few of the basics are outlined below.

The easiest methods, as we intimated, are those you can find at the local hardware store. Basic cleansers and snakes adopt a sort of “one size fits all approach.” They work for the mildest clogs, but are often a stopgap measure at best, because they don’t address the specifics of the clog. Is it caused by hair? By grease? By fibrous vegetables like cabbage or potatoes? That can make a difference in terms of how to address it, a difference that store-bought solutions simply can’t deal with.

Professional plumbing services, on the other hand, bring a lot more to bear on the problem. The first step is often to run a video line down and determine the exact nature of the clogs. Once that’s been pinpointed, the plumber can apply a solution that fits the clog’s unique nature. In some cases, water-jetting, or blasting the clog with powerful-but-controlled bursts of water, is enough to clear it away. If a snake is needed, the plumber can bring a motorized version to bear, topped with a head that is specifically designed to handle the clog in question. That clears the drain without causing undue damage to the pipe itself, something you can’t always be sure of with a generic snake purchased over the counter.

If you live in Ladera Ranch, Saddleback Plumbing believes drain cleaning isn’t something you should have to worry about.

The professionals at Saddleback Plumbing are standing by to give you a hand whenever you need it. We emphasize top-notch service and our technicians can clear the drain with the intention of keeping it open for a long time to come. How is drain cleaning done? Call us today and let us show you!

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I Use My Kitchen a Lot: What Can I Do to Keep My Drains Working Well?

Sunday, November 17th, 2013

If you spend a large amount of time in the kitchen, you don’t want to encounter troubles with the drains. Clogs, leaks, or bad odors in the drains can turn into nightmares if they don’t get repaired quickly. But prevention is always the best way to deal with these problems, so what steps can you take to keep your drains in good condition?

Our kitchen plumbing experts at Saddleback Plumbing have some tips for you. When you need further help with your kitchen plumbing in Ladera Ranch, CA, contact us.

  • Do not abuse your disposal! If you are in the kitchen many hours during the day, you are probably putting a large amount of food waste down the disposal, which links into your drainpipes. Although the disposal seems like a magical machine that can make anything vanish, it does have limitations you should be aware of. A good rule of thumb: if you can’t chew it, your disposal can’t either. So don’t put bones or unpopped popcorn kernels or inorganic garbage into them, because it will lead to junk clogging your drains.
  • Do not pour oil/grease/fat down the drains! And this includes the disposal. Although the liquid form of oil, grease, and fat seems innocuous enough, it is one of the most dangerous things you can pour down any sink in the house. Once the liquid form cools off, it congeals into a thick, waxy substance that will block off the drains.
  • Do have regular maintenance done! Problems can develop in your drainpipes and the rest of your kitchen plumbing out of your sight: corrosion, loose connections, pinhole leaks. With regular maintenance, you’ll find out about places where clogs have started to build up and sections of the pipe need replacement. A regular drain cleaning will keep the water flowing free through the drain pipes.

We know that having a working kitchen means a lot to you, especially if cooking is more than a necessity, but also a joy and a hobby. Following these steps will help make the kitchen the wonderful place you need it to be. Saddleback Plumbing has a MVP Preventive Plumbing Inspection program that will help keep your kitchen’s drains working well—as well as all the other parts of your kitchen’s plumbing system.

If you need any type of plumbing services in Ladera Ranch, CA, we can answer the call as well with fast and professional service.

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Why Is My Furnace Making a Weird Noise?

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

In Ladera Ranch, furnace systems still make up the vast bulk of home heating options: using ignited gas to heat the air, which is then blown into your home through a series of ducts. As with any major appliance, problems can develop from any number of sources, which you can spot by watching for certain warning signs. In particular, look for your furnace to emit a strange noise – something you don’t normally hear when it’s running and which could indicate a significant problem. “Why is my Ladera Ranch furnace making a weird noise?” you ask. The answers vary according to the kind of noise you hear.

Saddleback Plumbing can help you with your Ladera Ranch furnace service needs!

The most troubling sounds are those that involve an overloading component: usually a grinding or stuttering sound that suggests some kind of an electrical problem. Grinding sounds also take place when a given component is bent or loose from its housing, and grinds up against another component. Both conditions are severe enough to warrant shutting off your furnace immediately before they cause any more damage. Similarly, a thumping or bumping noise could indicate a loose component banging around in its housing or possibly a fan belt that has broken.

More alarming (though not strictly dangerous) noises can including a huffing or banging noise, which results from problematic gas ignition that delays the start of the heating process. It can be quite alarming, though safety measures usually prevent the leak of gas. Speaking of leaks, some noises arise because a leak has developed in the system. Air can escape through the leak, resulting in a humming or whistling noise. This isn’t as damaging as other noises, though it does rob your heater of efficiency and may introduce dust or other contaminants into your heating system.

Whatever the reason, you should call a qualified service technician any time you ask the question “what is that strange sound my furnace is making?” Saddleback Plumbing, a reputable company with years of experience in handling such matters, provides heating service to Ladera Ranch. Our trained staff operates with your complete satisfaction in mind, and we’ll work overtime to ensure that your needs are met.

Give us a call today to make an appointment.

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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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How Does Drain Cleaning Work?

Friday, August 16th, 2013

Most people don’t give much thought to their drains until they stop working well. If your drains are clogged or starting to slow down, then you’ve likely had to call for Ladera Ranch drain cleaning services. But how does drain cleaning actually work? What kind of tools will your plumber use to clean out any obstructions in your drains? Here at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. we wanted to help our customers understand exactly what goes on during drain cleaning services. Read on below to learn more.

Ladera Ranch Drain Cleaning: How it Works

When your plumber arrives, the first thing that they will do is try to determine the source of the clog. One of the best tools that our plumbers have at their disposal is video camera pipe inspection equipment. This type of tool allows our plumbers to get an up-close and personal look at the inside of your home’s plumbing system. The video camera is very small and it is attached to a long wire that our plumbers will feed down in your drains. The image is displayed for plumber on a screen. This allows them to find out exactly where any clogs or blockages are so that they can accurately target their cleaning efforts.

When it comes to the actual cleaning, your plumber may use a couple of different tools. One of the most common and oldest methods is with an auger, also called a snake. It is a long metal wire that can be sent down your drains and then twisted to break up any clogs that might be there.

Another terrific tool is a water jet or scour jet. This equipment creates a high pressure stream of water that can be used to safely break up and clogs in your pipes. This system is highly valuable because it doesn’t damage your pipes and it also is very effective.

If your drains are starting to slow down it almost always means that a clog is not far behind.

Make sure that you call immediately for Ladera Ranch drain cleaning services from Saddleback Plumbing, Inc.

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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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Incorporating Air Filters into Your Comfort Systems in Orange County

Monday, August 27th, 2012

If you desire cleaner air in your home, one easy solution is to incorporating better quality, higher rated air filters into your comfort system.  The Mission Viejo air quality specialists at Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning can help you breathe easier by installing a good air filtration system.

One of the first things you want to do is determine what types of allergens and air pollutants you are most concerned with, as each air filter will specifically target certain sized particulates in the air.  Then you must determine where those items fall along the MERV scale so that you know what MERV rating to look for when finding an air filter.

Not every air filter is alike, so once you have decided what particulates you want eradicated it is important to pay attention to the MERV rating listed on each air filter, that way you can determine which will give you the desired results you are looking for.

In addition to knowing the proper MERV rating, you will want to learn a little bit more about the types of air filters out there.  Media filers are also known as passive filters, they are the kind that sits in the ducts and as air passes through them, they capture the particles that are smaller than its membranes such as pollen, dust and animal dander.  Electronic filtration uses electricity to ionize the air as it passes through and eradicates smaller particulates such as smoke and exhaust.

Using multiple types of air filters within a home comfort system will usually provide the best results with the cleanest air.  If a media filter is used to capture larger particles, followed by an electronic filter which captures the smaller particles, then your home will have a drastic reduction in the presence of not only allergens but harmful elements that can cause illnesses such as colds.

Air filters can be placed in numerous places within your duct system; it all depends on your system’s specific design.  This can include being placed at the central air return register, at the attic air handler, at a basement air handler, or next to an electrostatic air cleaner.  Additionally, some systems have multiple air filters at varying places for different purposes such as fiberglass or pleated paper filters, washable filters, and electrostatic filters.

Speak with the air quality professionals at Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning if you are interested in learning more about how to improve the air quality in your Mission Viejo home!

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Plumbing Tip : Common Causes of Plumbing Noises

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

With something as important as your Irvine plumbing system, you want to be sure that everything is working correctly and effectively. Many people, though, will ignore the signs that something is wrong as long as the water flows when it is supposed to. Not only are noises from your plumbing annoying, they are also indicators that there is a problem somewhere in your system. Here are some common noises and the fixes that may be needed to keep your plumbing quiet.

Gurgling Sounds from Drains

This is such a common problem that people may not even consider it one. If your drains are gurgling or making sucking sounds chances are that there is some kind of blockage in the drainpipe. The obstruction is forcing the water to squeeze past it, resulting in the gurgle. Hire an Irvine plumber to snake out your drain. You’ll be surprised at how quiet draining your sink or tub can be.

Screeching or Squeaking Sounds

More often than not this sort of noise is the result of rusty or ill-fitting parts. If you have an irregular washer, for instance, it can restrict the flow of water through the pipe, and the force of the water pushing past the washer can result in the screech. Call in a plumber to pinpoint the location of the problem; often all it will take to repair is replacing a part.

Banging Sounds

If your pipes are banging when you have the water on, chances are that it is in fact an external problem. If your pipe connections are loose or improperly secured then your pipes have enough room to move around. The banging is the result of their hitting fixtures. Have a plumber inspect your system while turning the water on and off. All that may be required after locating the source of the banging is the tightening of some fixtures.

Water Hammering

Water hammering is the term for the banging in your water pipes when you turn the water off, not on. It is the result of an abrupt stop in the flow of the water in your pipes, like when you quickly turn off the water. Pressure builds behind the remaining water in the pipes and causes the hammering. If enough pressure builds, this situation can easily become a more serious problem. Call a plumber if you are experiencing water hammering.

These are just a few of the problems that are indicated by noise in your plumbing system. There are many other possible issues, and some can be quite serious. Call Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today if you have any concerns with your Irvine plumbing.

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DIY Plumbing Tip 1: How to Install a Toilet

Monday, February 13th, 2012

A toilet is a relatively basic piece of bathroom plumbing equipment for a Corona Del Mar resident to install, but that does not mean that installing it is easy. This is certainly a plumbing maintenance that many people can do on their own, but you should be prepared to devoting the majority of your day to the project. While the installation itself is not terribly complicated, it is quite important that you get it right, so make sure you have all of the necessary materials, equipment and tools before you begin.

The first thing to remember is that you need to install your toilet in an appropriate place relative to the rest of your bathroom plumbing. Especially if you are installing your toilet along a branch drain, make sure that the sink, shower and any other plumbing fixtures are upstream of the spot where you will be installing the toilet.

You will also need to make sure that you install the toilet an appropriate distance from the wall. You need to be able to get around the toilet, and you also want to leave space so that work can be performed on the unit later. Putting your toilet too close to the wall can cause all kinds of complications in the way the unit functions and there is also a possibility of condensation build-up. For all of these reasons, it is important to make sure you are allowing an adequate amount of space on all sides.

The procedure you will have to follow when installing a toilet will be slightly different depending on whether you are installing it in a new spot or simply replacing an existing unit. When replacing an old toilet, you need to remove everything involved in the previous installation. That means taking the old bolts out of the floor and scraping away any residue to ensure that you have a clean and even surface to begin your installation on.

You should also make sure that you are aware of all applicable local codes before you begin your work. Even if you technically install your toilet correctly, you could run into trouble later on if your installation is not actually up to code. It is also important to remember to level all of your fixtures before you complete the installation process and to make sure you use a dielectric or brass fitting when attaching galvanized steel and copper to each other.  If you have any questions about this process please call Saddleback Plumbers

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Types of Humidifiers for Orange County Homes

Friday, February 10th, 2012

Even when you know you need a humidifier for your Orange County home, it’s hard to pick out just the right model. Humidifiers aren’t terribly complicated pieces of equipment, but they do have subtle differences that make one type more appropriate for your home than another. That’s why it’s a good idea to learn a bit about your humidification options before you go out and buy a humidifier. It’s also helpful to talk to an HVAC professional about your options so you know better how to select the right humidifier for your home.

One of the first decisions you’ll make when shopping for humidifiers is whether you want one that produces warm or cool mist. Both types of humidifier are appropriate under certain circumstances, so you’ll have to take the particulars of your home and situation into account when making your decision.

Warm Mist Humidifiers

Warm mist humidifiers are an excellent choice if you regularly battle dry air in the winter months. Because a warm mist humidifier needs to heat the water, it generally uses more energy than a cool mist unit.

Some warm mist and steam humidifiers can also cause burns because the water vapor is very hot when it comes out of the unit, so it’s important to keep kids and pets away from these types of units. Larger humidifiers can be installed in out of the way places such as your basement to reduce risks, but it’s still a good idea to discuss your options with a professional before installing a warm mist model.

Cool Mist Humidifiers

Cool mist humidifiers, on the other hand, use very little energy because they don’t actually heat the water they introduce to the air. There are several methods that cool mist humidifiers use to turn water into water vapor including a wick, an impeller and an ultrasonic system. If you have small children or if you need to humidify a large area in your home, a cool mist humidifier might be just what you’re looking for.

These units are usually cheaper to run than their warm mist counterparts, but they are also noisier and their air filters need to be changed regularly. That isn’t as much of a problem with a warm mist humidifier, however. Because you heat the water before it is spread throughout your home, most contaminants are removed or killed and filtration isn’t as important.

Whichever type of humidifier you choose, rest assured that your family will be more comfortable and healthier all winter.  If you need any more help with making this decision please contact Saddleback Plumbing and Heating.

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