What to Do if Your AC Hasn’t Been Used in Months

March 20th, 2023
dirty-AC-condenser-unit

We’ve had an extended season of sweater weather here in Orange County. You’re probably looking forward to the time when you’ll switch to using your air conditioner instead of your heater. That is, unless you’re dubious about how your AC will perform after not using it for so long.

Homeowners may be wondering if there’s anything they should be on the lookout for after not using their air conditioners for several months. Most air conditioners usually aren’t affected by a long hiatus from being used. However, there are some precautions that you can take before you turn your AC on after three to four months of inactivity.

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The Case of the Disappearing Hot Water Supply

March 6th, 2023

Having access to a steady supply of hot water in your home isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity not only for your comfort but for your health as well. Problems with your hot water supply can manifest in different ways. You may have no hot water in the shower but the sinks are fine. Your hot water might last for the first half of a shower then turn ice cold. Or perhaps the water never really gets hot and is constantly lukewarm.

It’s incredibly frustrating when the hot water keeps disappearing on you. To get to the bottom of these issues, you’ll need to call a professional plumbing technician to investigate. Let’s go over some of these strange cases of missing hot water so you’ll have an idea of what the problem could be.

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Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

February 20th, 2023
tankless-water-heater-mounted-on-green-tiles

If we asked you which home system you couldn’t live without, you’d probably say it’s your air conditioner. It’s true that in Orange County you rely heavily on your air conditioning system to keep your home comfortable throughout our extended cooling season. 

However, there’s a home system you rely on multiple times a day, 365 days per year. That system is your water heater! Just think about how often you rely on water throughout the day. When your water heater begins showing signs that it’s struggling to provide the hot water your family requires, you’ll notice it right away. 

If you’ve had to call for water heater repair in Orange County lately, perhaps you’ve been thinking of upgrading to a tankless model. Let’s review the pros and cons of these energy-efficient systems so you’ll be ready to make the decision when it’s time to choose. After all, you don’t want to go without hot water for even a day.

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Sump Pumps in Orange County: What You Should Know

February 6th, 2023
sump-pump

The song goes, “It never rains in California.” Well, that certainly hasn’t been true this year! We’ve received some record-breaking rainfall in southern California this winter. Although it doesn’t rain here often, when it does rain, it can rain a lot. 

When you combine this with the fact that California doesn’t have a great system in place for collecting rainwater, it can spell disaster. Areas that have been burned by wildfires are prone to flooding because the soil can’t absorb the rainwater. Far too often, the result is flooding in homes’ lower levels. When heavy rains strike and your home is prone to flooding in its lower levels, you could have a very serious problem on your hands.

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Why Emergency Earthquake Shutoff Valves Are So Important

January 23rd, 2023
saddleback-mountains-and-lake-mission-viejo

Southern California is prime earthquake country. On a daily basis, small earthquakes occur multiple times throughout our area. Experts predict that “the big one” is due. Although it can’t be predicted when and where earthquakes will occur, there are some things you can do to prepare your home in the event of an earthquake. One of these is getting an emergency earthquake shutoff valve installed in your home.

Most homes here rely on natural gas for gas-burning appliances such as a heater, furnace, or oven. Even a minor earthquake has the potential to damage gas lines which could result in natural gas leaking into your home after an earthquake occurs. 

Installing emergency shutoff valves is something a professional plumbing company can take care of for you to put your mind at ease. There’s no need to search for “plumber in Orange County.” You can’t go wrong with one of our professional plumbing technicians! Keep reading to learn about how an earthquake emergency shutoff valve can help protect your home after an earthquake.

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Why Your Furnace Is Making That Clicking Sound

January 9th, 2023
woman-shocked-by-loud-noise

Now is not the time of year when you want to encounter furnace trouble. Sometimes, though, the problems show up anyway and the best thing you can do is know how to handle them.

With our extended season of sweater weather, your furnace is working hard lately. That’s why it pays to know if and when it needs repairs. One of the warning signs that your heater is in trouble is when it begins making strange new noises. Odd noises are often an early sign of a repair need in your furnace.

Today, we want to focus on if and when you should reach out for assistance in handling a furnace clicking sound.

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Don’t Ignore These Strange Heater Noises

December 26th, 2022
dog-hiding-under-sofa

Our extended season of “sweater weather” means you’ve probably been using your heater a lot. Hopefully, the transition from heating to cooling has been easy. Your heater should be able to heat your home to a comfortable temperature and do so quietly so that you barely hear it running.

But what if your heater is making a commotion as it tries to do its job? We know how easy it can be to ignore strange sounds from your heating system, but you shouldn’t ignore them. Your heater is trying to alert you that something is wrong. Don’t ignore a genuine plea for help. Here are some strange noises that warrant a call to our team.

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Why Black Sediment in Your Water Is Bad News

December 12th, 2022
glass-being-filled-with-water-from-a-faucet

If you’ve noticed black specks in your water and wondered what’s causing them, you’re not alone. In fact, one of the most common questions we get is from homeowners wanting to know if black sediment in their water is bad, and what can be done about it. 

The good news is these flecks aren’t a sign of major plumbing issues—most of the time. Here are some common causes of this problem, but to really find out what’s going on, you may need a professional plumber. You can trust our plumbers to diagnose what’s going on with your water system and provide solutions to fix it.

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Professional Drain Cleaning vs. DIY Remedies

November 28th, 2022

Your drains are clogged or at least draining slowly. The shower fills up, your sink takes a while to go down, and it’s getting on your nerves. You may be tempted to run out and buy a bottle of the most recently-advertised drain cleaner you saw on TV, but is that really the best option?

To put it bluntly: NO. Drain cleaner isn’t the best option for actual drain cleaning. The solution looks attractive, but if you use a drain cleaner and call it a job well done, you don’t enjoy the benefits of professional drain cleaning in Orange County. Let’s explain.

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How Exactly Does Trenchless Pipe Replacement Work?

November 14th, 2022
drainage-pipe-blocked-with-tree-roots

 Has your home needed sewer line repairs or have you been told your sewer lines are blocked or broken due to shifting soil, settling, or damaged pipes? Trenchless pipe replacement is one of the best tools plumbers have to repair or replace a sewer line. 

Although trenchless technology isn’t new, it’s becoming a popular option among homeowners who want a less invasive—and less expensive—method of sewer pipe repair and replacement.

Traditional methods of sewer repair are costly, and when you add to that the extra expense of fixing the landscaping it destroys in the process, trenchless pipe replacement makes a lot of sense for a lot of homeowners. 

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