The drain systems in your home serve a valuable role. Without them to serve as the connection point between your plumbing and sewer systems, you would have quite a difficult time disposing of wastewater. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that you keep your drains clean and in working order. Keep an eye out for the following signs that your drains are in need of cleaning.
Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Laguna Niguel’
When to Call for Drain Cleaning Services
Monday, January 18th, 2016Extend the Life of Your Water Heater with These Tips
Monday, December 14th, 2015Water heaters are built to last a fairly long time, considering how much of an investment they are. No one wants to replace their water heater every couple of years. However, if you want to make sure that your water heater lasts as long as possible, you’re going to need to do more than trust to chance. Read on for a list of procedures and precautions you can take to ensure that your water heater lasts as long as possible.
What is Furnace Short Cycling?
Monday, November 9th, 2015If you’ve ever noticed your furnace turning itself on and off every few minutes, you have a short cycling problem. Short cycling is a serious issue that not only affect the furnace’s ability to heat, but shortens its lifespan and increases the chances of a breakdown, as well. Let’s take a look at what causes this serious issue, and what to do about it.
What Does the U-Bend in My Plumbing Do?
Thursday, July 17th, 2014It is often items we see every day that escape our attention the most. For example, the U-shaped bend in the drainpipe under a sink: You’ve seen this often in the fixtures of your home and many other places. But have you ever wondered why so many drainpipes have this same specific shape? The answer is interesting, and it’s not quite what people expect.
When you need answers for all of your plumbing questions, call Saddleback Plumbing. Since 1980, we have delivered quality services for plumbing in Laguna Niguel, CA and the rest of Orange County. We’re here for your heating and cooling needs as well.
That “U-bend” is Actually the “P-Trap”
The plumber’s name for that distinctive drainpipe bend is “p-trap.” Although it may seem U-shaped when you look at it from the front, if you take a view from the side you’ll see the similarity to a capital letter “P”.
The p-trap’s function is to create a water seal between the opening of the drain in a sink and the wastewater further down the pipe. The decomposition of wastewater in the plumbing releases sewer gases with unpleasant odor, and this gas naturally rises back up the plumbing. However, gravity traps water inside the dip in the p-trap, and this water plug prevents the sewer gas from escaping up through the drain and into a house.
If you ever detect the smell of sewage coming from a sink that hasn’t been used much, the reason is probably because the p-trap has dried up and there is no water to halt the sewer gas. Turn on the taps and run water down the drain for about a minute to restore the water plug, and this should solve the problem. (If it doesn’t, call for a plumber; you may have more serious issues down in the sewer line.)
The p-trap can turn into an issue for your plumbing, since it will often catch more than water: soap scum, hair, and grease will begin to build up inside it, and this can eventually lead to serious clogging. If you cannot clear out the clog using a plunger, call a plumber instead of resorting to using toxic and acidic chemical cleaners that could damage your pipes. A plumber can use a motorized drain snake or a hydro-jetter to remove the obstructions, and in extreme cases can detach the p-trap from the other pipes and clean it.
If you have a clogged p-trap in your plumbing in Laguna Niguel, CA, call Saddleback Plumbing today and let our fast and professional plumbers take care of it.
How Mother Nature Can Damage Your Plumbing
Saturday, January 18th, 2014It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature… but Mother Nature can turn vindictive and damaging even if you do nothing to anger her. Sometimes, Mother Nature can inflict major injury to your home’s plumbing—even in a place like Southern California where we don’t have to worry about the plumbing plague much of the rest of the nation faces: frozen pipes.
Whatever problems bother your plumbing in Laguna Nigel this season, whether caused by nature or human error, you can rely on Saddleback Plumbing. We’ve taken care of home plumbing in Orange County since 1981.
Natural damage to your plumbing
- Root infiltration: Damage to your sewer line is one of the most potentially catastrophic issues that might develop in your plumbing. It can lead to flooding in your basement and foundations and can stop all your drains from working. One of the most common reasons for the sewer line to become blocked or broken is the growth of tree roots. Roots naturally move toward damp areas, and they can start to grow into the sewer line, blocking it. Worse, the pressure from the roots can lead to it breaking. Sewer line repair needs immediate professional attention.
- Landslides and earthquakes: California has trouble with both of these. Earthquakes are a frequent occurrence; even a small temblor can break older pipes. Landslides often occur during our rare rains because the loose upper soil is unused to heavy rainfall. Landslides are another reason for breaks in sewer lines, since they can cause underground shifting. If you notice water flow problems or sink clogs in the aftermath of a quake or a slide, call for plumbers immediately.
- Corrosion: Corrosion is a natural occurrence when water and metal meet in the presence of oxygen. If you have predominantly copper or plastic (usually PEX) piping in your home, corrosion will usually not be a major concern. However, older galvanized steel pipes are prone to serious corrosion over time, and will eventually start to leak from pitted corrosion (“pinhole leaks,” which are serious despite the name) and break. If you have steel piping in your home, it may be wise to arrange for replacement pipes with corrosion-resistant material.
You can’t fool Mother Nature, but professionals can fix her damage
Don’t allow any plumbing damage to go without repairs, even if you don’t notice a problem at first. And if anything occurs with your fixtures that might indicate damage (reduced water flow, persistent clogs, odors from the drains), call for expert plumbers right away. Our Saddleback Plumbing staff can remedy the damage Mother Nature dishes out, so give us a call at the first sign of trouble.
Air Conditioning Question 1: What is Involved in Installing a Programmable Thermostat?
Monday, July 16th, 2012If you’ve decided to replace your old manual thermostat with a new programmable model, you’ve made a smart choice. At Saddleback we like to keep our customers informed, so here’s what to expect when having your new thermostat installed.
First of all, location is key. Your thermostat will be installed on an interior wall, and will perform optimally when kept away from sources of heat or drafts such as heating and cooling vents, windows, doorways, and so on. To ensure that you are getting the most accurate performance out of your thermostat it should be in a spot representative of the room’s true temperature.
Your technician will most likely shut off the electricity during the installation. If the electricity is not shut off, the job is not being done safely. The fact that thermostats run on low voltage wiring does not make it acceptable to rush a job. Depending on your specific heating and cooling system you can expect to see anywhere from 2 – 10 wires at the point of connection.
If you are replacing your existing Irvine central air or heating system, we strongly advise that you also upgrade your old, manual thermostat. There is no comparing the accuracy you get from the old manual models to that of the new, programmable thermostats. Remember, with greater accuracy comes better efficiency and more effective performance levels from your heating or cooling system. Before you decide on a new thermostat for your heating or cooling system upgrade, talk with a professional. There are a lot of options out there, and you want to be sure that you are making the right purchase for your individual needs.
Also, if you’re having an old manual thermostat removed it is possible that the model may have a mercury switch inside. Mercury is a liquid metal once commonly used in thermostats to complete connections. It is also toxic. Your Irvine air conditioning technician will make sure that this substance is safely removed from your home and properly disposed of.
Upgrading to a programmable thermostat may not be a big job, but it is an important one. After all, this is the control panel you rely on to keep your home comfortable. Call the professionals at Saddleback and know that your new thermostat is properly installed.
Heating Tip 4: How to Check a Gas Furnace Draft Pressure Switch
Monday, December 12th, 2011There are many reasons why a furnace stops working and in many cases, a Woodbridge homeowner can perform some simple diagnostics to pinpoint the problem. Finding the problem is one thing – fixing it is another. When in doubt, don’t try it yourself. Call a heating contractor.
But let’s look at one possible problem and solution you may be able to perform yourself – testing the draft pressure switch. The draft pressure switch on a gas furnace allows an electrical current to pass through to ignite the furnace. The pressure switch monitors the draft conditions and won’t allow the furnace’s gas valve to open unless draft is correct.
If the switch is malfunctioning, so too will (or will not) the furnace.
The best way to locate the switch is by consulting with your owner’s manual or by going online and simply typing in the words “gas furnace draft switch.” It is identifiable by its round size and is bolted to the outside of the furnace. It should be nearby the draft inducer motor because the two are connected by a metal tube. The tube may sometimes be the culprit, too. A tube that is blocked with condensation may cause the switch to go bad.
To check for proper function, first turn off power to the furnace, either by shutting down the ‘on’ switch at the furnace or shutting off the circuit breaker.
Use a volt ohm meter to check if the switch is opening and closing properly. Start by zeroing out the meter’s probes by touching the tips together. Using the dial (could be analog or digital), set the meter to 24 volts. Ground the black probe by attaching it to any metal part of the furnace. Then place the end of the red probe on the metal tube connecting the draft pressure switch to the draft inducer motor.
If the switch is working properly the meter should read at least 24 volts, or very near that. If the reading is short of 24 volts, the switch is not working correctly. At that point you may decide to replace it or call a professional to do the task (recommended).
Always remember that there are many sources which will help you diagnose and repair a problem, especially those available through the Internet. If you search YouTube.com you will find many videos advising you on how to repair certain components. Use all of the resources available to you and keep the phone number of a qualified and professional heating and cooling contractor nearby.
Steps to Take When Your HVAC System Breaks Down
Friday, September 30th, 2011Imagine this – it’s a sweltering summer day. The only place you want to be is on the couch in your Tustin home with the cool air conditioned air being blown across your face. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? Now, imagine what happens when that cool conditioned air stops flowing.
A breakdown in your HVAC system is the absolute last thing you want to experience on a day where the mercury dings 90+ but it can happen, and the only way to ensure things don’t get out of hand is to take the following steps.
- Check Common Problems –While the system itself could be broken, make sure there are no other issues involved. Frequently, the electricity supply can be interrupted by a power surge or a tripped breaker. In both cases, you can usually get the system back online by yourself. However, you should call an electrician to inspect it as soon as possible.
- Does it Turn On – If the air conditioning system turns on and simply doesn’t provide enough cooling for your home, it is likely a problem in the unit. In this case, check other common problems. Clogged filters can severely reduce efficiency and if the system freezes over, it may stop providing enough cooling.
- Still Not Working? – If the system refuses to turn on and there are not clear problems that you can fix yourself, it’s time to call a professional. A professional HVAC contractor should be available almost any day of the week for emergency calls like this. Of course, in the middle of a heat wave or cold snap, it’s very likely that they may be booked up for a couple days. To avoid this happening, have routine maintenance done as often as recommended to avoid the possibility of being without cooling or heating indefinitely.
A good HVAC system is the only thing standing between you and discomfort, or worse, danger to your health. Don’t let the system go into such disrepair that you can’t use it at all.
Different Types of Room Air Conditioners in Turtle Rock
Monday, August 29th, 2011If you are like most people in Turtle Rock, you probably picture the air conditioner hanging out of the window when you think of room air conditioners. However, while these are by far the most popular type of room air conditioners, they are not the only option. When you are shopping for a room air conditioner, it is a good idea to explore all of your options before you make a purchase.
The traditional window mounted air conditioners have plenty of advantages, and that has helped to keep them at the top of the room air conditioner market for a long time. These types of units can be installed in windows of multiple sizes and you can just about always get them in yourself. These units are available in a wide variety of sizes too, so you will be able to match the unit to the size of the space you need to cool.
No matter what type of air conditioner you get, it is very important to make sure it is the right size for the task you have laid out for it. Bigger is not always better and you do not want an air conditioner that is too powerful for the space any more than you want one that is too small. Also, be sure to check the energy efficiency rating of the air conditioner you are considering before making your purchase. That can save you a lot of money over time as well.
Another type of room air conditioner to take a look at is a wall mounted unit. Many of the window mounted units can actually be used in this way as well, but the installation involves actually making a hole in the outer wall of your home so you will most likely need some professional help to get it in place.
Just like window mounted units, wall mounted air conditioners come in all sizes and with all different energy efficiency ratings. Always take care to check out the specifics of the model before you buy it to make sure it is the right choice for your home.
Portable air conditioners are a third option in the room air conditioner category. They typically have wheels so that they can be easily moved from one room to another and they have an exhaust hose that must be hooked up to a window to ensure adequate ventilation. These types of room air conditioners are usually more expensive than wall or window mounted units, but it is definitely convenient to be able to move them from one place to another. If you have more questions about which type would work best for your home, contact your local air conditioning professional.
Freon and Load Capacity – How Are They Linked?
Monday, June 27th, 2011If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think too much about how your air conditioning system works. All you really need to know is that when you switch on the system, your house gets cooler. But if you’re looking to purchase a new air conditioner for your home, it’s a good idea to know how to select the right one to fit the space you’re trying to cool.
Air Conditioning Basics
Air conditioners use Freon as a coolant to remove heat from indoor air and transfer that heat outside. To do this, they cycle the Freon through a closed loop of coils. When the cold Freon enters the cooling coil of the air conditioner, it absorbs heat from the air passing by, thereby lowering the temperature of the air. That cooled air can then be transferred into your home and more warm air can be cycled past the cooling coils.
Air Conditioner Sizing
The more air your air conditioner can cool at once, the larger its load capacity. In order to keep a particular space cool, an AC unit has to have a large enough load capacity to accommodate that type of air volume. A unit that’s too small will obviously never be able to keep your room cool enough, but one that’s too big will have a similar problem.
The truth is that when it comes to air conditioner sizing, bigger is not better. It’s best to simply get as good an estimate as you can of what type of load capacity is ideal for the space you’re trying to cool and stick as close to that as you can.
Load Capacity and Freon
Of course, if you want your air conditioner to cool more air at a time, you’ll need more coolant. But simply increasing the amount of Freon in your air conditioner won’t make it cool any better. Freon is simply one of many elements that contribute to effective cooling. And the larger the entire system is, the more Freon is needed.
So more Freon technically contributes to greater cooling capacity, but it’s not enough to accomplish that all on its own. There is really nothing you can do to increase the load capacity of your air conditioner once it’s in place. So for best results, make sure you pick out an appropriately sized unit the first time around.