There are a number of pipes that run under your property to your home, where they connect to the rest of the plumbing system. Of these pipes, the two most important are your water and sewer lines. Without these, your plumbing system would not be able to function. If you use natural gas in your home, the gas line is another pipe that falls into this category. All of these pipes present a rather unique problem. They’re important to the operation of your home, but they’re quite difficult to get to under normal circumstances. This means if they break and need replacement, they can cause major headaches for everyone involved. Fortunately, there is an easy way to replace damaged water, sewer, and gas pipes. Let’s take a look at the advantages of trenchless pipe replacement.
Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing Repair’
Why Trenchless Pipe Replacement is Preferable to Other Options
Monday, August 28th, 2017Tips on Keeping Your Plumbing System in Good Condition
Monday, June 5th, 2017
It can be tough trying to keep your plumbing system in good condition, for a number of reasons. Plumbing systems are pretty sturdy, but they’re also mostly hidden from view. When a problem crops up in a plumbing system, most homeowners won’t notice it until it’s caused widespread damage. Because plumbing systems rarely demand a lot of attention, most homeowners don’t remember to schedule preventive maintenance for them. This leads to a lot more issues, and shortens the effective lifespan of many plumbing appliances. If you want to keep your plumbing system in good shape for as long as possible, follow our tips below.
How to Tell if You Have a Plumbing Leak
Monday, January 9th, 2017Leaks are among the most common, and damaging, plumbing issues in the average home. Further complicating the problem is that leaks are often quite subtle. It can be quite difficult to detect a leak in the system before it does quite a bit of damage. If you know what to look for, though, you can still detect plumbing leaks before they can cause too much damage.
Signs That You Have a Plumbing Problem
Monday, March 7th, 2016One of the most frustrating things about a home plumbing system is how difficult it is to detect problems with it. Most of the system is hidden from view, and most plumbing problems are subtle enough in their early stages not to give off any symptoms. This leads to a lot of plumbing problems being discovered only after they’ve started inflicting massive damage to the surrounding area. However, if you know what to look for there are certain signs that you can find that indicate a need for plumbing repair.
The Problems of Pinhole Leaks in Plumbing
Wednesday, December 17th, 2014The name says it all: “pinhole leak.” A tiny hole in your copper plumbing piping that can cause a whole lot of damage if it isn’t detected. Copper piping is quite durable, but like other metals, it can develop corrosion, commonly known as “pitting”. There are a few reasons why pinhole leaks/pitting can occur with your piping, but if you are seeing signs of corrosion on your copper piping anywhere, it’s important to call your Saddleback Plumbing expert for help right away. We provide quality plumbing repair in Tustin, CA for home’s with serious water damage, so don’t wait to get assistance.
How Do Pinhole Leaks Develop?
It’s a bit of a mystery why pinhole leaks develop, but studies point to corrosion problems as developing from chemical reactions with water and/or soil. All corrosion is part of a chemical reaction, and because water treatment plants use different combinations of chemicals to treat their water, some treatment plants may use certain chemicals that cause and accelerate the corrosion process, leading to pinhole leaks. The same can happen with soil in certain areas. Other causes of corrosion can be:
- Faulty materials (i.e., the copper wasn’t manufactured properly)
- Poor installation
- Copper piping that is used to ground electrical wiring
What Can Homeowners Do?
If you have concerns about possible corrosion issues with your copper piping, the first thing to do is hire a licensed plumber to inspect all of your copper plumbing. Should corrosion be detected, the corroded piping should be replaced with new piping. Clamps can be placed around pinhole leaks for temporary relief, but the piping should always be replaced by an expert. Some plumbers offer an epoxy sealant that coat the inside of your piping, which can significantly reduce the level of erosion. Lastly, if you find that you have several leaks in a short span of time, you may want to consider re-piping.
Annual plumbing maintenance can help with the detection of pinhole leaks and corrosion, so if it’s been more than 12 months since your last plumbing maintenance appointment, you may want to schedule one. However, if you are seeing signs of leakage now, don’t wait to call for help. The experts at Saddleback Plumbing are here all day, every day to help with any plumbing repair you may have in Tustin, CA. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.
The Cause of Bad Odors from Drains
Friday, August 15th, 2014A plumbing system in a home that generates foul, sewer-like odors is something that you want corrected right away. There are a number of reasons that drains can start to emit bad smells, from simple problems that you can fix yourself in a few minutes, to extensive troubles with the sewer system that require major repair work from professionals. Whatever the cause and whatever the remedy, take care of those smelly drains right away.
Here at Saddleback Plumbing, we’ve provided comprehensive plumbing repair in Lake Forest, CA and the rest of Orange County since 1981. We handle drain cleaning and sewer repairs that will take care of bad smelling drains or any other trouble. Make us your first call for all your plumbing needs.
Why Drains Can Develop Bad Odors
- Dry p-trap: This is the simplest explanation, and also one that you can take care of on your own. The p-trap in a drain is the curved section of drainpipe directly beneath the sink. This shape is designed to trap water to serve as a plug against sewer gas that rises up from the wastewater system. If the sink is not used for a long period, the water in the p-trap will evaporate and allow sewer gas to escape out of the drain. If you notice the sewer odors coming from a sink in a guest room or some other sink that doesn’t receive much use, a dry p-trap is likely the source of the problem. Run water through the drain for a few minutes to restore the water plug, and that should take care of it.
- Blocked drain vents: Your plumbing has vent pipes in the wastewater system to prevent a build-up of pressure from sewer gas. Gases from the plumbing rise up through these vent pipes and leave through vent openings on the roof. If these openings become blocked (animal nests, debris from bad weather, construction errors) it will force the sewer gas up through the p-trap and push it through the water. If you hear a gurgling sound from the bad-smelling drains, it probably means the plumbing vents are blocked. Don’t go to the roof to try to fix this: stay safe and call for professionals.
- Sewer line damage: This is the most serious scenario. If you notice multiple drains in your home are emitting the bad smells, it may mean that the sewer line that carries the collected wastewater from your home to the municipal sewer system is damaged or blocked. This needs immediate attention, since it can lead to sewage flooding into your home’s foundations and up onto your yard. The repairs required are extensive and need the most skilled plumbers you can find to perform.
If you can’t solve the bad drain odors on your own with a little water poured down the drain pipes, call Saddleback Plumbing right away. One of our skilled plumbers will help you with the necessary plumbing repair in Lake Forest, CA that will eliminate those odors and protect your home’s plumbing.
What Does Low Pressure in My Plumbing Mean?
Tuesday, July 15th, 2014Although it’s possible for you to still take care of a number of basic chores in your home after you experience a drop in water pressure from your faucets, shower heads, and other fixtures, it’s not only and inconvenience, it’s also a warning that there may be a serious issue in your plumbing that needs repair—before it worsens.
There are a number of reasons for a pressure drop in your plumbing, ranging from benign to major emergencies. When you have any doubt about the cause, call for professional plumbing repair services from Saddleback Plumbing. We have handled professional plumbing repair in Tustin, CA since 1981, and have the skill and experience to find the source of the water pressure drop and fix it fast and correctly.
Some of the Reasons for a Drop in Water Pressure
It’s possible that the low pressure comes from issues in the municipal system, such as an abrupt drain on the water supply because of firefighting. Check with your neighbors to see if they are also experiencing water pressure troubles before you proceed with any other steps. Make a call to the utility company if you want to double check.
Pipe leaks are the most common cause for water pressure drops, and are one of the important early warnings you can receive that leaking is occurring. (Pipes with leaks are often concealed behind walls and floorboards.) For this job, you will need plumbers with experience performing leak detection to find the spots that need repairs.
The most serious possible cause for water pressure decline is trouble with the water main that brings in water from the municipal system. If this line breaks or develops blockage, it will threaten your entire water supply, and it could also lead to flooding on your yard or into your home. This is one of the reasons you should always have professionals investigate water pressure problems: the cause might be minor… or it might be a water line break.
In some cases, the water line isn’t damaged; it is simply too small for the amount of water your home now uses. Replacing the smaller water line with a larger one will help your plumbing keep up with water demands.
Don’t “Tolerate” Low Water Pressure
If you shrug off low water pressure and wait for it to improve, you might place the water supply and risk and even allow damage to your home. Although it is possible for the water pressure to return if the issue is with the utility company, don’t take the chance. Once you’ve checked on the possibility of an external reason for the drop in pressure, call Saddleback Plumbing to handle the necessary plumbing repair in Tustin, CA that will get your running water back to running the way it should.
Plumbing Repair Problems Caused by Earthquakes
Friday, March 7th, 2014Here 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!
Plumbing Repair Tip 14: When Should I Call a Plumber?
Monday, April 1st, 2013When you need the services of a professional Laguna Hills plumbing repair technician, call the professional plumbers on the Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning team. A fully certified, extensively trained plumber from our staff will be able to handle any plumbing repair that you may need. Of course, before this can happen you actually need to contact us to schedule plumbing repair service. A lot of homeowners make the mistake of putting off plumbing repair services too long because they think that a problem is too minor. Even the smallest problems can cause big headaches if given the chance, though. Here are some tips about when to schedule plumbing repair in Laguna Hills, CA.
If your toilet frequently backs up, takes a long time to drain or flushes weakly then you should call a professional Laguna Hills plumber right away. A clog or backup in your sewer line, even if it is minor, can cause a lot of disruption in your home. For obvious reasons, a backed up or broken sewer line is not something that you will want to deal with. Let a professional plumber inspect and clear out your sewer line if it is not draining properly.
Another sure indicator that you need to call a plumber right away is the presence of water anywhere in or around your home where it should not be. You may think a slow or small leak is not a big deal, but this could not be further from the truth. Even the smallest leaks lead to wasteful use of water, and this in turn leads to increased water costs. Not only that, but a leak in one spot of your plumbing may suggest other leaks that have not been discovered yet. You should have your plumbing inspected immediately.
As a general rule, if you are toying with the idea of calling a professional plumber, chances are you should. It is easy to talk yourself out of doing so, of course, but you just may find yourself wishing that you hadn’t before too much time passes. Call Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning the moment you suspect you may be in need of Laguna Hills plumbing repair service.
Mission Viejo Plumbing Question: What Causes a Dry Toilet?
Monday, August 13th, 2012One of the strangest bathroom plumbing problems that people come across in Mission Viejo is when a toilet bowl is dry. This can be caused by a number of different problems, most of which you will need a professional to fix.
Cracked Trapway
A crack in the trapway of the toilet can cause the water to drain from the toilet bowl and into the drain pipe below it. When cracks of this type occur they can be hard to see, especially if the crack happens directly over the drain allowing the water to flow down the drain, rather than all over the floor. If the crack happens in another portion of the trap-way the drained water can be more noticeable as it flows all over the floor. A slow leak of this manner might not be as noticeable since constant use will keep the bowl filled with new water, even as the cracked trap-way leaks. Unfortunately cracked trapways do usually result in toilet replacement.
Clogged Vent
All drains require air to function properly by relieving pressure within the pipes, and a vent provides this. A clogged vent on the toilet drain can cause water to pull air down the drain with it, instead of pulling air through the vent. This will result in the drain pulling a majority of the water from the toilet bowl and down the drain as it tries to find air to pull down to even out pressure in the pipes. A clogged toilet drain vent must be unclogged so that proper air flow can return to the drain.
Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning has a team of Mission Viejo plumbers who work on all sorts of bathroom plumbing issues such as dry toilet bowls, cracked trapways and clogged drainage vents. Contact Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for all your bathroom plumbing needs!