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
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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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How Slab Leaks Get Started—And How to Find Them

October 17th, 2022
slab-leak-crack-in-foundation

If there are two words that have the most potential to strike fear in the hearts of California homeowners, it’s “slab leak.” Perhaps you know someone who’s had to deal with what can be an emotionally and financially draining home repair. 

Although slab leaks aren’t always preventable, as a proactive homeowner, knowing how slab leaks start—and how to find them—can help you catch them early. Read on to find out more about how slab leaks occur and, most importantly, how to detect them.

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Do I Really Need to Have a Sump Pump?

October 3rd, 2022
sump-pump

If you know how sump pumps work, then you may have wondered if one would serve any useful purpose for your home. Sump pumps are usually installed in the basement of a house where they help to remove water in case of flooding. But you live in Southern California where 1) you don’t have a basement, and 2) major flooding is rarely an issue. 

So, do you need to install a sump pump?

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Why Am I Seeing Black Specks in My Home’s Water?

September 19th, 2022
drain-and-spoon

You turn on the faucet in your bathroom sink one morning and notice that there are black specks in the water collecting in the bowl. Or maybe you’ve seen these black specks inside a glass of water you just poured. Wherever you see these points of black, you know they shouldn’t be there. What’s happening, and what can you do about it?

This is a common problem, and there are several possible reasons for it. Our plumbers can help you diagnose what’s causing this and find the solution you need.

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The Trouble With Pinhole Leaks in Your Plumbing

September 5th, 2022
pipe-copper-leaking

Leaks of any type in your household plumbing are trouble. However, people often think of plumbing leaks as a large amount of water gushing from a burst pipe, or at least leaking out a steady amount. Honestly, if you have those leaks, you’re almost lucky. You at least know you’ve got a serious problem that requires immediate attention from a professional plumbing service in Mission Viejo, CA.

It’s sneaky leaks that can really get you. The leaks that can drip away, hidden from sight, for weeks and months at a time. Among these types of hidden leaks, one we encounter quite often in local homes is the pinhole leak. The name gives you an idea of just how difficult this kind of leak is to notice. Make no mistake, however: pinhole leaks can do plenty of damage and cause serious problems.

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