Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Orange County’

Why Am I Not Getting Enough Hot Water from My Water Heater?

Friday, March 20th, 2015

You’ve been relying on the same water heater for years. It has always delivered the right amount of water to keep your family happy: every morning, everyone gets to enjoy a hot shower (as long as they don’t stay in too long). But then one day, the hot water starts to run out earlier. There is more of a rush not to be the last person to hop in the shower each morning. And perhaps you’ve started to notice the hot water running out at other times of the day.

What’s wrong? Does your water heater need to be replaced? Or does it only need repair work?

To answer these questions requires professional plumbers with experience repairing water heaters. You can call Saddleback Plumbing and talk to our experts in water heaters in Orange County, CA to find out if you need repair work—or a new water heater.

Water heater repairs

There are a number of malfunctions that can cause a water heater to start to lose its supply of hot water. One of the more common is a broken dip tube. The dip tube is responsible for drawing in cold, fresh water into the storage tank, and then depositing it at the bottom of the tank where it receives heat. If the dip tube breaks, it will mean the cold water will start to gather at the top of the tank, where the pump removes the rising heated water to distribute it through the house. If cold water starts to mix at the top of the tank, it will soon replace the hot water, making it seem as if the system is running out of heated water too quickly.

Another problem that can result in a loss of the hot water supply is trouble with the burners in a gas furnace. If the burners are not igniting or not receiving sufficient natural gas, they will struggle to warm up enough water for your needs. If you have an electric water heater, loss of hot water can occur if one of the two heating elements fail.

Water heater replacement

At a certain point, a water heater will simply start to work inefficiently due to age. If your water heater is at or past its manufacturer’s estimated lifespan and it starts to lose heating power, you should probably have it replaced. Consult with a water heater professional to make sure that this is the best choice.

Call Saddleback Plumbing today for answers about water heaters in Orange County, CA. We have more than 30 years of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining water heaters in the area.

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Hard Water and Your Water Heater

Wednesday, March 4th, 2015

Modern water heaters are built to endure, and they will resist corrosion and other damage for many years, provided that they receive annual maintenance visits from professionals. However, one factor in your home that may threaten your water heater with damage and even an early replacement is hard water coming from the municipal supply. This is a serious issue, and if it’s occurring in your home you should contact Saddleback Plumbing right away. We not only provide excellent repair service for water heaters in Orange County, but we can also install water softeners to eliminate hard water trouble.

Why hard water is a problem for water heaters

Hard water is water that contains a high amount of minerals suspended in it, principally magnesium and calcium. These minerals often enter the water supply on its way from the municipal treatment plant through ground water seepage. Hard water is almost never harmful to drink, but it can cause major issues for your home’s plumbing and its water heater.

The high temperatures inside a water heater tank will create a substance called limescale from the minerals inside hard water. Limescale will begin to build up along the inside of the tank. Because limescale acts as an insulator, it will prevent heat from escaping naturally from the tank. The result is a temperature imbalance inside the water heater that will often lead to overheating and high pressure that can damage the system. In addition, limescale deposits will start to block valves and connections in the water heater, creating additional pressure problems that can lead to leaking.

Repair technicians can de-scale a tank to remove the deposits from hard water and restore the water heater. However, if you are encountering hard water issues, you will need to go a step further and get to the root of the problem with the installation of a whole-house water softener. This will both protect your water heater and the rest of your plumbing, which will suffer from calcite deposits in the piping that will create spikes in water pressure.

Saddleback Plumbing is experienced with working on water heaters and installing and servicing whole-house water treatment systems. If you are experiencing trouble with your water heater due to hard water, give us a call right away. You can trust to our more than 35 years of experience with servicing water heaters in Orange County and finding solutions for water quality problems.

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How Tankless Water Heaters Work

Thursday, February 5th, 2015

When most people hear the words “water heater,” they typically think of the big, cylindrical appliance that resides in basements or closets. These days, though, homeowners have the option of installing a tankless water heater. It may seem a little wacky that you can have hot water from a device that doesn’t hold any heated water, but the process is actually fairly simple when explained. However, the installation of a tankless water heater in your home can be complex and should be left to a trained expert. This is where Saddleback Plumbing comes in. The experts at Saddleback Plumbing have been helping customers install, repair and replace hot water heaters in the Orange County area since 1981, and they bring this experience to every job they do. Have a water heater issue? Call us today!

Direct Heating

Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, can provide almost instantaneous heating because they heat the water directly when it is needed. There are two ways in which a tankless water heater is fueled: electricity or natural gas. Both fuel types use a key component to heat the water immediately: a heat exchanger. The way a tankless system works is that the hot water process is triggered when you open a hot water tap. Two things happen simultaneously: first, the heat exchanger is heater, either by gas or electricity, and second, the cold water intake opens and the water starts to flow to the heat exchanger. Once in the exchanger, the cold water absorbs the heat from the heat exchanger, becomes hot, and flows into your home as needed.

Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

There are several benefits to installing a tankless water heater that makes them worth considering for your home:

  • Energy efficiency – there is no standby heat loss with a tankless system; standby heat loss can account for up to 25% of a storage tank water heater’s energy use, which can be significant.
  • Endless hot water – with a tankless system, you won’t have to worry about running out of hot water.
  • Longer lifespan – tank water heaters have an average lifespan of 8-12 years while a tankless water heater has an average lifespan of 12-15 years.

Interested in what a tankless water heater can do for you? Call the experts at Saddleback Plumbing today!

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The Heat Exchanger: The Secret of a Furnace’s Success

Wednesday, January 7th, 2015

Furnaces have a number of components that help them to operate safely and effectively, but there are 3 key components that could be dubbed the “workhorses” of the system: the blower, the burner and the heat exchanger. While every component is necessary, should a problem develop with any of these 3, you most likely won’t have any heat, or won’t have safe, sufficient and efficient heat. Today we’re going to talk about the heat exchanger: how it works, why it’s important and how a cracked heat exchanger can be a serious problem. But remember that for any furnace repair issues you may have in Orange County, the experts from Saddleback Plumbing are always available.

What Is a Heat Exchanger?

The heat exchanger in your furnace is a medium-sized, serpentine component that sits directly above the burner. The tube of the heat exchanger is open at both ends, which allows the toxic combustion byproducts to enter at the burner level and exit through the flue, which is connected to the top of the heat exchanger. The warm air that is generated on the outside of the heat exchanger is the warm air that is blown into your home.

Why Does a Heat Exchanger Work Like This?

The heat exchanger is the component that separates the toxic byproducts from the combustion, including carbon monoxide, from the warm air; without it, these byproducts would be blown into your home along with the heat.

Why Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger Dangerous?

Heat exchangers have an average lifespan similar to that of your furnace: about 15-18 years. The heat exchanger is constantly heating and cooling, which causes the metal to expand and contrast regularly throughout the winter months. After years of this action, cracks can develop in the heat exchanger. The reason this is dangerous is that a crack in the heat exchanger can allow the toxic byproducts to escape and enter your home, including carbon monoxide. Heat exchangers can’t be repaired once a crack develops, but they can be replaced.

The best way to ensure that your furnace is repaired properly is to hire a professional. The trained and certified experts at Saddleback Plumbing are available for any furnace repair in Orange County that you may have, so if you are experiencing problems with your furnace, call us today.

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The Dip Tube and Water Heater Repair

Wednesday, December 10th, 2014

A traditional water heater works under a fairly simple heat rising principle. Hot water naturally rises above denser cold water, which is why water heaters use a large tank that heats water from the bottom so that it can flow into your home from a pipe located at the top of the tank. When your water heater quits working, you may fear the worst. But oftentimes, a problem with the water heater occurs in one of the simplest components: the dip tube.

When you notice a problem with your water heater, don’t want to wait to schedule repairs. The solution may be fairly quick and easy for a technician with a trained eye, or there could be a potential leak that must be addressed as soon as possible. The skilled experts at Saddleback Plumbing can diagnose any water heater repair in Orange County with integrity and accuracy.

What Is the Dip Tube?

The dip tube is essentially just a long tube, often made out of plastic, that leads to the bottom of the tank. This portion of piping connects to the cold water supply line to bring cold water into the unit. There is either an electric heating element or a gas burner located near the bottom of your tank which heats up the water so that it can rise to the top of the tank and remain available for use throughout the day.

There are a number of problems that could go wrong with the dip tube over time. Some indications that your dip tube is in need of replacement is if you notice intermittent bursts of hot or cold water, hot water that runs out too soon, or very little hot water at all. This occurs when the dip tube either snaps in half or breaks off entirely so that cold water stays near the top of the unit. Sometimes, shards from the dip tube can even block the pipes, further compromising the state of your water heater.

Don’t let your water heating issue go on for longer than it needs to.

Contact Saddleback Plumbing as soon as you notice that you’re in need of water heater repair in Orange County. Call us today!

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Does My Water Heater Need to Be Flushed?

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014

Most people don’t think about doing maintenance on their water heaters. After all, water heaters are pretty durable and many times it seems easier to just buy and install a new water heater when yours fails. However, just as maintenance on your heating or air conditioning system can help reduce and prevent repairs to those systems, so can maintenance for your water heater. Part of maintaining your water heater involves flushing it a least once a year, and you may be surprised at how much it can help your system.

How Is a Water Heater Flushed?

A water heater is fairly simple. Your technician will turn off the power source (gas or electricity) and pull out the hose attachment at the top of the tank; this allows air to enter the tank, which makes it easier to drain. A small garden hose is attached to the nozzle at the bottom of the tank, and the nozzle is opened, allowing the tank’s water to drain out. Once the water in the tank drains, the technician will flush it with warm water to clear out sediment that may be in the bottom of the tank. If bacteria has developed, the technician may do a second flush mixing bleach with the water to kill and remove the bacteria from the inside of the tank.

Why Do a Water Heater Flush?

As mentioned above, flushing your water heater is part of maintenance. But why do it? Here are some reasons to consider:

  • Removal of sediment and minerals – all water has small amounts of sediment and minerals, but when allowed to build for a number of years, the amount that settles in the bottom of your water tank can be significant.
  • Better energy efficiency – when your hot water heater isn’t impaired by significant sediment and mineral build-up, it functions better, which can increase its energy efficiency.
  • Removal of bacteria – if you have ever experienced a sulfur smell around a water heater, you’ve experienced bacteria in a water heater. When water heaters aren’t properly maintained, bacteria can develop inside the tank and flourish; the result is a rotten-egg type of smell. Flushing the tank removes the bacteria and allows the technician to clean the tank, ensuring that upon refill, there is no more bacteria.

Flushing your water heater annually can help prevent water heater repair in Orange County. If you are interested in maintaining your water tank, call Saddleback Plumbing today and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

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Reasons to Schedule Heating Maintenance for Your Furnace

Wednesday, November 5th, 2014

Homeowners have a lot to deal with. Utility bills, plumbing, insulation, and a whole host of other little things have a way of occupying all of a person’s attention. These people can’t really be blamed, then, for neglecting their regular furnace maintenance until something breaks and demands a response. This will end up costing a lot more in the long run, however. Let’s have a look at some of the reasons that you should schedule regular heating maintenance.

It Saves Money

The number one reason to schedule regular furnace maintenance is simple: it saves you money. Furnaces don’t ever suddenly break down. There is always a progression of severity, as a minor issue becomes worse and worse until it begins to hinder the furnace’s normal operation. Often, this is from unavoidable wear and tear, but even then it is better to catch the problem before it gets worse. A dirty air filter, for example, is a very cheap and easy thing to replace. Leave it for too long, however, and it can trap heat in the furnace, causing a host of other problems like a cracked heat exchanger. Such things are far more complicated and expensive to fix.

It Improves Efficiency

As a furnace gets older, it will naturally decline over time. It may have to work a bit longer to reach the desired temperature, or burn a bit more fuel than it used to. These minor things aren’t major threats to the furnace or its owners, but they do have an impact on the overall lifespan of the heating system. Regular maintenance can fine-tune your furnace, replacing aging parts that aren’t performing as well and lengthening the amount of time before you have to replace the system.

Ultimately, regular maintenance improves the health and efficiency of your furnace. There’s no reason to ignore it until a problem presents itself. It is recommended that you get your furnace checked at least once a year, to ensure a long and healthy tenure of service.

If you haven’t had your annual furnace maintenance yet, call Saddleback Plumbing. We offer professional heating maintenance service in Orange County.

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Time to Replace the Furnace: Some of the Warning Signs

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

There is a wide range of symptoms that indicate that your furnace may need repairs. There are some signs, however, that indicate something a bit more serious. If you notice any of these behaviors when you turn on your furnace, you may need to get your furnace replaced.

Short-Cycling

Short-cycling is what happens when your furnace turns on and off constantly. This will cause the system to enact safety measures, which will shut down the furnace. After a short time, the furnace will restart and the cycle will continue perpetually. There are two possible causes for this. The first is that your furnace is too large for your home. The furnace itself may operate as it was intended to do, but the increase in heat output will cause the system to lock it into short-cycling.

The second possibility is that something is preventing your furnace from venting properly. This could be a problem with the air filter, heat exchanger, or several other areas that are necessary for the furnace itself to maintain the proper temperature. This can be quite serious, and is a definite sign that you need your furnace replaced.

Repair Frequency

Needing repairs every once in a while isn’t a big deal. All heating systems will eventually have problems that need fixing. When a heating system starts needing repairs every couple of months, however, you should pay attention. Needing frequent repairs is usually a sign of extreme wear and tear on the system as a whole. This is usually caused by simple age and repeated use. If your furnace suddenly seems like it needs more and more professional attention, especially if it’s an older unit, it’s probably time to start looking for a replacement.

All unusual behavior should be checked by a professional for accurate diagnosis. If you suspect that your furnace might need replacing, don’t go out and buy a new one right away. Call an HVAC technician to confirm first.

If your furnace is acting odd, call Saddleback Plumbing. We conduct heating replacement in the Orange County area.

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Common Water Heater Repairs

Wednesday, October 1st, 2014

Your water heater provides comfort and convenience at home, improving your showers, keeping laundry fresh, and helping you with many of the cleaning tasks around the house. But not all water heater repair needs will be immediately apparent. It’s important to schedule water heater maintenance every year for cleaning and adjustments and to make sure no component needs immediate replacement.

Without proper maintenance, it’s likely you’ll run into some sudden repair needs from time to time. If you call a technician because of reduced heating, loud noises, or discoloration, here are some of the problems a plumber may look for when inspecting water heaters.

  • Broken Dip Tube: The dip tube is a pipe that allows water to flow into the bottom of storage tank water heaters. A burner or electric heating element at the bottom of the tank heats up the water, which then rises to the top of the tank due to the heat rising principle. If the dip tube is cracked or broken, cold water can flow to the top of the tank, which means you may not feel any hot water at all. This part will probably need to be replaced.
  • Sediment in the Tank: Loud rumbling in the tank may indicate sediment buildup. If you have hard water, mineral deposits may build up in the tank, and could eventually block the pipes. With regular maintenance, however, your tank is flushed to keep this from occurring. If you hear a loud banging or rumbling noise from your water heater, call a professional who can flush your tank and make sure there is no further damage.
  • Rust: Many people will tell you that rust in your hot water supply is a death sentence for your water heater. However, rust-colored water may result from a corroded anode rod, which simply requires immediate replacement to prevent your tank from rusting as well. The anode rod attracts particle that cause corrosion, sacrificing itself for the good of your unit. However, it needs replacement every now and then so that it does not corrode too much to function properly.

If you have questions about water heaters in Orange County, call Saddleback Plumbing today!

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Heating Tip 1: Are Your Gas Pipes in Good Shape?

Monday, November 5th, 2012

Natural gas is a popular fuel choice for home heating and cooking. It is affordable, dependable and in large part domestically produced. It is also very safe, generally speaking. It is important that you as a property owner ensure that your gas pipes are in good, safe working condition. In order to do so there are some steps that you will need to take and some warning signs that you should keep an eye out for. Here is some information from Saddleback Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning to keep your Irvine home safe and comfortable when using natural gas.

The first step towards ensuring that your gas pipes are in good shape is to be sure that the installation process is handled only by a qualified profession. If you are having a gas piping system installed for the first time or are scheduling repiping service you need to do your research. Look at testimonials and read online reviews, as well as asking contractors for references directly. Your gas pipes are too important a component of your home plumbing system to take any chances with. Call Saddleback today to learn more about gas pipe installation or to schedule service.

If you already have a gas piping system in your home you need to know what to look for in terms of trouble. While a gas leak may not cause as obvious problems as a leak in your water lines there are plenty of indicators that will tell you your gas pipes are compromised. Because natural gas is colorless and odorless an odor is added to help you identify a leak. This is where the rotten egg smell that so many associate with natural gas comes from. Any unusual sounds from your gas equipment may also indicate a gas leak so it is important that these irregularities are assessed by a professional.

There are also buried gas lines outside that allow natural gas to be piped into your Irvine home. If you see any dirt being blown into the air around this buried pipe or notice bubbling when the ground is wet this gas line may be leaking. Keep an eye out for dead vegetation in the vicinity as well.

When properly used and with a high-quality gas piping system natural gas is a perfectly safe, convenient fuel source. If you have any concerns about the condition that your gas pipes are in call the gas piping experts at Saddleback Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning today. We can help ensure that your home is as safe as it is comfortable with our gas piping installation, maintenance, repair and replacement services.

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