Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Archive for the ‘Plumbing’ Category

How to Address Leaks in Bathroom Plumbing

Friday, April 4th, 2014

Leaks are a sad inevitability in most homes. No matter how well maintained your plumbing system is, sooner or later, you’ll have to deal with a breach or a leak. This is especially true with bathroom plumbing, which sees the heaviest use and often experiences the most damaging leaks. Here in Irvine, bathroom plumbing doesn’t undergo the same pressures as it might in colder climates, but seals and connectors can still wear down, as can the pipes themselves in the most extreme cases. Here’s how to address leaks in bathroom plumbing.

Detection is key, which means you should always look out for signs of drips or water running where it shouldn’t. Check under your sink for drips and puddles on a regular basis, and look for signs such as odd noises and gurgling sounds for those pipes that aren’t readily visible. Once you spot it, shut off the water to that section of your plumbing if you can. If you can’t, simply take care not to use the fixture or appliance in question, most bathroom plumbing fixtures don’t have constantly running water, so refraining from using the sink or shower until you can get the leak addressed will prevent the water from puddling up in inappropriate locations.

In a few cases, you can treat a leak yourself with epoxy or a similar sealant. In most cases, however, you should contact a qualified plumber to deal with the leaks. He or she can replace the damaged component, tighten the loose fittings and otherwise address the leak in a substantive fashion. More importantly, most reputable plumbing repair services offer a guarantee on their work, which means you won’t need to worry about the leak returning anytime soon.

Professional plumbing repairs in Irvine is offered by the professionals at Saddleback Plumbing. We stand by our work with guaranteed services and proudly cite our affiliation with reputable groups such as the Plumbing Heating & Cooling Contractors as proof. Most importantly, we know how to address leaks in bathroom plumbing with courtesy and care. Pick up the phone today and give us a call. You’ll be glad you did!

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Benefits of Hydrojetting in Drain Cleaning Services

Thursday, April 3rd, 2014

Hydrojetting is the practice of using high-pressure pulses form a specialized hose to clear out clogs and build-up in your plumbing. The practice entails specialized equipment and requires a trained plumber to operate (you’d be surprised how much damage a little water can do), but it’s become a staple for drain cleaning services. If you have a clog or a build-up issue, hydrojetting may be the best way to deal with it. Here a short list of the benefits of hydrojetting in drain cleaning services in Trabuco Canyon.

  • Thoroughness
    Snakes, cleaners and similar solutions may only deal with a single clog, or even just part of a clog. Hydrojetting is designed to clear the entire pipeline, getting rid of not only the clog in question, but also any other clogs that may be building up along the line. That provides extremely good value for the money, as well as keeping the problem at bay for some time to come.
  • Safety
    Chemical cleansers can be quite dangerous, especially if they interact with something unexpected down in the drain. Hard items like plastic toys or even organic components can interact poorly with the cleanser and create toxic fumes. While hydrojetting can be dangerous if used by inexperienced personnel, at the end of the day, it’s just water, making is a safe and environmentally friendly solution as well as an effective one.
  • Efficiency
    Hydrojetting can cut through just about anything, including tree roots and mineral deposits. At the same time, it does its job without damaging your pipes at all: the pressure involved is calibrated so that your system can handle it perfectly. With hydrojetting, there’s never any question of whether the problem is getting dealt with.

Here at Saddleback Plumbing, we understand the benefits of hydrojetting in drain cleaning services. More importantly, we have the training and experience to do the job right. If you live in Trabuco Canyon, drain cleaning will eventually be a part of your home plumbing maintenance.

Give us a call today and schedule your next plumbing repair for your Trabuco Canyon home with Saddleback Plumbing. Let us make sure that the job gets done right.

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Effects of Sea Air and Water on Plumbing

Friday, March 28th, 2014

When it comes to getting plumbing installed in your home, the residents of San Juan Capistrano and other coastal towns face a unique series of challenges. The proximity of the pacific means that salt water becomes more of an issue than it might further inland, and while our civic filtration systems do a good job, it remains a concern. Salty air, too can create problems with your plumbing, since it has a higher salt content than air in inland communities. Plumbing service experts in the area need to be aware of the effects of sea air and water on plumbing in order to help correct the issue. Here’s a brief primer on the specifics involved.

Metal of all sorts is vulnerable to corrosion, which is facilitated when water and air interact together on the metal. A chemical reaction oxidizes the metal and creates rust, which breaks it down and ultimately requires its replacement. The salt in sea air and water speeds up this process, making it more difficult to keep the system maintained and resulting in a constant battle against the elements. These conditions tend to affect stainless steel, iron and brass more than other forms of metal.

The good news is that plumbing pipes tend to be made of rust-resistant material as a matter of course, and while that can’t stop the increased rate of corrosion, it can at least slow the process down. Copper has been used in ship design for centuries because it resists the process of corrosion, and PVC and other forms of plastics also make a strong bulwark against the forces of nature.

The bad news is that corrosion still happens, even with plumbing systems formed from materials. Starting with the initial plumbing installation in San Juan Capistrano, residents should keep an eye out for signs of corrosion and other effects of sea air and water on plumbing. When you spot them, call on the experts at Saddleback Plumbing for help. We can replace corroded parts quickly and professionally, as well as providing advice on how to keep your plumbing safe from the effects of sea air. Give us a call today to set up an appointment, and let us show you what we can do!

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3 Reasons to Install a Water Treatment System

Friday, March 21st, 2014

Here in Irvine, water treatment systems are a natural fit for homeowners interested in quality water. The system filters out minerals and impurities for your whole house, providing cleaner clearer water for all manner of activities. Irvine’s civic water treatment system does a reasonably good job, but considering our proximity to the ocean and the high mineral content of our semi-desert soil, a water treatment system makes a lot of sense. And that’s far from the only benefit. Here are 3 reasons to install a water treatment system in your home, demonstrating the advantages that such a system provides.

  • Healthier drinking water
    By filtering out impurities, a water treatment system provides tastier and healthier water not only for drinking, but for cooking as well. You can see objective evidence of this by performing a little experiment. Fill an ice cube tray with tap water, then a second tray with bottled water (ie., filtered water) from the store. When the ice freezes, you’ll be able to see the difference in clarity and crispness, a fact that will translate in terms of taste.
  • Softer clothes
    Hard water can be tough on clothes, even when you run your laundry on the gentle cycle. Filtered water helps them feel softer and more comfortable to wear, as well as keeping the colors brighter and ensuring that the clothes last longer.
  • Better showers and baths
    Chances are, you can find hard water build-up on your shower or faucet head: a crusty white deposit that can clog the shower if you let it persist. Imagine that same build-up pounding on your skin as you bathe. It’s not dangerous, but it can leave your skin feeling raw and irritated, as well as a little filmy when you’re done. Filtered water is much gentler on your skin, and helps disperse soap scum as well to eliminate that film you may feel at the end.

For more reasons to install a water treatment system, or to discuss other plumbing services in Irvine offered by a qualified professional, give Saddleback Plumbing a call. We’ve had many years of experience serving the people of Irvine, water treatment systems are standard for us, and we’re ready to give you the best possible treatment in all a stages of the operation. We’re eager to show you what we can do, so pick up the phone and contact us today!

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Plumbing Repair Problems Caused by Earthquakes

Friday, March 7th, 2014

Here in Irvine, plumbing repair services must handle all manner of emergencies, from leaky pipes to ruptured water heaters. Repairing your home plumbing caused by earthquakes, however, are often the most extensive and require the most work. Earthquakes can shift the ground, which can wreak have on water mains and sewer lines as well as the plumbing within your house. Luckily, we haven’t had a major earthquake in a while, but the longer we go, the better the chance that the next one will be huge. Proper preparation and an understanding of what earthquakes can do to your plumbing will serve you well when the next temblor hits.

The concern usually isn’t with the earthquake itself. The concern is what happens with the damaged components, which can cut off service to your house, wrench off their fittings and even cause leaks or flooding crawlspaces and other hard-to-reach places in your home. This is more than a nuisance; in an emergency, it can actually be a source of danger. This comes on top of ancillary plumbing concerns such as the release of unlit gas when your water heater is damaged.

A plumber can usually correct the problem, depending upon the extent of the damage and the wherewithal to make repairs. In some cases, it will involve wholesale replacement of all or part of your plumbing system. In others, only minor repairs may be needed. But whatever the issue, it’s important that you contain the damage first before calling in a repair service. Shut off all water to your home with the main valve, and turn off the gas as well. Then call in a service technician to inspect the property and determine the extent of the damage.

Plumbing services in Irvine can be handled by Saddleback Plumbing. We can handle all manner of plumbing repair problems caused by earthquakes and can even help you with preventative measures such as emergency earthquake shut-off valves for your gas lines. You never know when the next quake will hit, but you can ensure that the right people are on the ground to help you afterwards. Our trained experts are standing by, so don’t hesitate to give us a call!

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How Does a Sump Pump Work?

Thursday, March 6th, 2014

Sump pumps tend to be more of a staple on the East Coast, where heavy rains and flooding are more of a problem here in Southern California. Nevertheless, our recent rainstorm has demonstrated that we’re not immune to such concerns and here in Rancho Santa Margarita, sump pump technology can be a lifesaver. So how does a sump pump work? And more importantly, why should you consider one for my home?

The sump pump is typically placed at the lowest point in the home: a basement or similar location. A hole is dug and the sump pump is placed inside of it. When the rains arrive and flooding begins, the water naturally moves into the sump pit first. A float activator or a pressure sensor in the pump detects the presence of the water and activates the pump. The motor turns on and activates the impeller, which is like a fan. The impeller pushes the water to the sides of the pipe, which creates a vacuum at the center of the pipe. The vacuum pulls he water up and out of the house through a venting pipe.

You can choose between several different types of pumps, most of which run on electricity. (They usually run on a standard plug, so you don’t need any additional equipment to power them.) The cheapest models are pedestal sump pumps, which sit on a pole above the pit and use a pipe to pull the water in. They’re less expensive than other sorts of pumps, but they’re noisier and more obtrusive. Submersible pumps sit inside the water, which serves as a natural muffler. They use waterproof casing to keep their components dry and tend to operate more efficiently.

If you know how a sump pump works, then the next step is to contact an expert to discuss which model might be best for you. At Saddleback Plumbing, sump pump technology and other plumbing services in Rancho Santa Margarita are just some of our many specialties. We can discuss the specifics with you before installing the right model for your home. Give us a call to set up an appointment today. You’ll be glad you did!

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Why Mechanized Snakes Work Better Than Over-the-Counter Snakes

Tuesday, February 25th, 2014

When plumbing clogs arise, people tend to turn to plumbing snakes to correct them. They’re easy to use and much safer than chemical cleaners, and they can usually fix the problem with a little elbow grease. Here in Trabuco Canyon, drain cleaning services offer mechanized snakes, which are often a superior choice to the store-bought snakes you might be used to. Here’s why mechanized snakes work better than over-the-counter snakes.

As you may expect, store-bought snakes utilize a one-size-fits-all approach, which means that it’s designed to handle a wide variety of clogs. Unfortunately, that might not be sufficient to deal with the specific nature of a given clog, and even if it is, you might end up inadvertently damaging your plumbing in the process. Mechanized snakes, in contrast, typically offer interchangeable heads, allowing the plumber to tailor the snake to the exact nature of the clog. Not only does that help the snake do its job more quickly, but it can prevent inadvertent damage to the clog in the process.

Then there’s the issue of forced. Over-the-counter snakes usually rely on cranks or plain old-fashioned elbow grease, which again may not be sufficient to handle the task at hand. A mechanized snake, deployed by a professional, can exercise just the right amount of force to break up the clog while still keep in your pipes undamaged. When you add that to a fitted head, it makes the use of a mechanized snake the clear chose over store-bought models.

That isn’t to say a store-bought model is completely useless. Indeed, in mild cases, it can function perfectly adequately, but like a lot of things, you get what you pay for, and for all but the most basic clogs, mechanical snakes work better than over-the-counter snakes. Drain cleaning services along with a host of other resourceful plumbing services are offered by the experts at Saddleback Plumbing. If you’re having problems with a tough clog or in need of other plumbing repair in Trabuco Canyon, pick up the phone and give us a call today. We’ll take care of it with the latest technological advances, used by experienced pros who know how to do the job right.

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3 Things to Consider When Replacing Bathroom Plumbing

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

You can choose to have bathroom plumbing replacement done for a variety of reasons. Some homeowners choose to have a full pipe replacement for older pipes during a bathroom remodel, when the pipes are exposed, either to make the remodel design more flexible or because the pipes are too aged. Other times, you’ll need replacement done to put in new fixtures, such as tub, sink, or toilet. Whatever the reason, here are three things for you to consider when it’s time for replacement work for your Lake Forest, CA bathroom plumbing.

For excellent plumbing services, from your bathroom to your kitchen and all other rooms in your home, you can depend on the professionals at Saddleback Plumbing—serving Orange County since 1981.

1. Replacement material

If you have a house older than thirty or forty years, you probably have galvanized steel plumbing, which was the dominant material for indoor plumbing since the close of the 19th century. For newer homes, you probably have copper pipes. When it comes to pipe replacement, you have the option to go for copper (if you have steel pipes), or plastic pipes such as CPVC and PEX. These three each have advantages and disadvantages, so check with your plumber about your options and their costs to help you choose the one that will work best for you.

2. Replacing one component will often involve replacing others

Whether you are installing a new low-flow toilet, a sink, or a whirlpool bathtub, placing upgraded components in your bathroom often means that other components must be upgraded as well. A professional plumber can survey your bathroom’s needs before replacement and determine what work needs to be done to ensure that all fixtures in the bathroom will work their best.

3. Use only licensed, professional plumbers

Bathroom plumbing replacement is neither a “do-it-yourself” task nor work for amateurs who claim to be plumbers. There are few places in a home that depend on the proper flow of fresh and waste water as much as the bathroom, and poor pipe replacement can mean substandard material, faulty connections, leaking, low water pressure, and even serious damage to the flooring. Make sure you call on experienced plumbing professionals for this job: you’ll save time, money, and disastrous future problems.

Having replacements done for your bathroom plumbing by a professional plumbing service in Lake Forest, CA can mean enhancing your daily routine with more advanced components and better water pressure and flow. But that success depends on having the right plumbing contractor doing the work. Make sure you call a qualified and experienced plumber when the time comes. Give Saddleback Plumbing a call today for fast and professional service.

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Can I Move My Sink During a Kitchen Plumbing Remodel?

Wednesday, February 19th, 2014

One of the best ways to enhance your home is with a full kitchen remodeling. The kitchen is often located near the center of a house, and will usually become an informal gathering place for family and guests.

Although the outer appearance of your kitchen will be on your mind during remodeling, how much of the vital hidden workings, the plumbing, can you change? Specifically, can you move your sink during a remodel, or must the remodeling work around the sink’s fixed location?

The simple answer is: Yes, you can move your sink during a plumbing remodel. But you’ll need special assistance with it.

Contact Saddleback Plumbing when you want extensive work on your kitchen plumbing by an exceptional plumbing service in Laguna Hills, CA during your remodel.

Everything and the kitchen sink

An experienced plumber will know all about how to plan moving a sink during a plumbing remodel. One of the key ideas during remodeling is to retain the kitchen’s “footprint,” that is, the basic layout (L-shape, U-shape, etc.). It is still possible to retain that footprint while moving one of the major appliances. In fact, some appliances can be shifted without changing their plumbing hook-up. A good example: you can have your sink moved to the other side of the dishwasher because the hookup for both doesn’t depend on whether the sink is on the left or the right of the dishwasher.

Consult with your plumbing professional regarding how you want to renovate to relocate the sink, and he or she can discuss the options for you that will work best with the remodel and how much the changes will cost. Often the plumber will have ideas for moving the sink that hadn’t occurred to you, and which will save time and money, as well as mesh easily with the plans of the remodelers.

Saddleback Plumbing can help you

If you do wish to move your sink during your upcoming kitchen plumbing remodel, have a professional plumber involved early on to work with the remodelers and determine the most effective way to move the sink. This will make the job easier for everyone and result in lower costs and a faster job. Contact Saddleback Plumbing when you want remodeling for your kitchen plumbing in Laguna Hills, CA.

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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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