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

Plumbing Tip: How You Know You Need a New Water Heater

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

We rely heavily upon our water heaters throughout the year. We use them every day to keep ourselves, our laundry and dishes clean. Our lives would be much less pleasant and convenient without them. Because of the amount of wear and tear they endure, water heaters require regular maintenance as well as professional repairs, when necessary. But if your water heater becomes old, or needs frequent repairs, then you may have to consider replacement as an option. But, how do you know? We’ve compiled a few ways to tell that you need a new water heater in this post. However, there’s no substitute for professional, hands-on diagnosis. For comprehensive Irvine CA plumbing services, call Saddleback Plumbing today!

  • Old age. If your water heater is old, and doesn’t heat the water as well as it once did, then it might be a good time to consider replacement. It’s best to speak to your local plumber about your options because such assessments truly need to be made in person.
  • Brown water. If your hot water looks rusty or brown, then you may have a serious rust problem in your water heater. While tank storage water heaters are equipped with a sacrificial anode rod to keep the electrolysis deterioration at bay, when this fully erodes, the water within your tank can begin to oxidize your tank lining. This often requires replacement.
  • Frequent repairs. Today’s water heaters, both tank and tankless models, are much more energy efficient than those of made just a decade before. If you spend a lot of time repairing your water heater, then you may be bolstering an obsolete inefficient system. Make sure that you’re making the right investment in the future of your home comfort. It may make more financial sense to purchase a new water heater that will operate more efficiently and effectively than your old model.

Make sure you speak with your local plumber today about whether a water heater replacement is right for you. For comprehensive plumbing services, call Saddleback Plumbing today!

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Plumbing Tip 12: What To Do In A Plumbing Emergency

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

We hardly think about the amount of water that travels through our home plumbing system until a pipe bursts, washing machine overflows, or the sewer main collapses. When such events happen, you need to ensure that you know exactly what to do. We’ve devised a brief guide of several things to keep in mind during a plumbing emergency. That said, different plumbing emergencies require different protocols, so it’s best to talk to your local Tustin, CA plumber about any concerns you might have. For excellent Tustin, CA plumbing services, call Saddleback Plumbing today!

  • Turn off the main water valve. Make sure you and other family members know where the main water valve is, so that in the event a pipe bursts or there is a major water leak, you or someone in the home can shut off the flow of water before it can cause any significant lasting damage.
  • Turn off your water heater. If you’ve shut off the water supply, then also make sure to shut off your water heater. Without a steady supply of water going into your heater, it can quickly overheat and raise the temperature of the water to potentially dangerous levels. Know where your circuit breaker to the water heater is and shut it off there, as well as the gas supply valve, if your heater is not electric.
  • What’s the damage? If you have successfully stopped the flow of water, then take a look around at what’s happened. The more information you can tell your plumber over the phone, the more he’ll be prepared before he gets there.
  • Call a plumber. Make sure you have the number of a reputable local Tustin, CA plumber on hand so that if a plumbing emergency occurs in your home, you’ll know exactly who to call.
  • Don’t use the plumbing. If you have a backflow issue, stemming from a collapsed sewer line, then be sure that you wait until it is repaired before using the water, or else you could cross-contaminate your supply and wastewater systems.

For more information, or to schedule a consultation with a Tustin CA plumbing expert, call Saddleback Plumbing today!

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Plumbing Tip 13: Sump Pump Maintenance

Monday, April 15th, 2013

Your sump pump is designed to prevent water flooding in your basement, and the ensuing damage that can result. It is installed in the lowest part of your basement, and connected to a drainage system that removes the water from the premises. Depending on whether you have an upright or submersible unit, the maintenance tasks will vary. But as with any system, routine maintenance is the best way to keep it in tiptop shape. Because your sump pump may only operate occasionally, when there is flooding or a large storm, maintenance is all the more important. Don’t take any risks with your water insurance device. For Tustin CA plumbing, call the experts at Saddleback Plumbing today!

Here are some typical sump pump maintenance duties.

  • Check the electrical power supply. Make sure that your unit is plugged in, and that if you have a battery backup system, the batteries are in working condition. In the event of a flood or serious storm, your power may also go out, and if you don’t have a backup generator, then your sump pump cannot work. Battery backup is a great feature.
  • Thoroughly inspect all aspects of the pump. Your technician will inspect all aspects of the sump pump in order to ensure that any parts are properly lubricated and free of debris.
  • Clean pump inlet screen. The pump inlet screen filters the water that the sump pump absorbs so that the mechanical components do not get clogged with debris, typically small rocks, or clumps of dirt.
  • Test it out. Throw a pail of water into your sump pump pit in order to see if it’s working properly. Because your sump does not run constantly like other appliances in the home, this will give it a bit of practice, and you can monitor it to judge the performance.
  • Clean out the pit. Make sure that the pit itself is clean and clear, so that in the event of a flood, your sump pump will be ready to perform.

For more information about improving your sump pump, or to schedule a Tustin, CA plumbing service, contact Saddleback Plumbing today!

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Plumbing Repair Tip 14: When Should I Call a Plumber?

Monday, April 1st, 2013

When 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.

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Plumbing Tip: Signs of a Broken Water Line

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Broken water lines are something that no homeowner wants to deal with. But with the near-constant use that your water lines get they will eventually need to repaired. Because your water lines are buried so far underground it can be difficult to tell when they start to leak or crack. But there are a few signs that homeowners should watch out for that could indicate that their water line is broken. Contact the plumbing experts at Saddleback Plumbing for any water line replacement or repair that you need. We wanted to help out our Orange County customers by putting together some of the most common signs to watch for.

Common Signs of Irvine CA Water Line Repair

From the time you wake up in the morning to when you go to bed your home’s water lines deliver fresh water to every faucet in your home. With all that use it should be make sense that they would eventually need to be repaired. Here are a few of the common signs that your water line is broken.

  • Watch your water bill – While you may not be able to see your water line, you can definitely see how much water is going through it. Keep a close eye on your water bill and make sure that there aren’t any sudden spikes in usage without a corresponding action on your part. This can indicate that you have water leaking under your yard.
  • Soggy or raised patches – If you notice that certain parts of your yard are soggy or if they are raised it could mean that you have a leak in your water main.
  • Low water pressure – The water that comes out of your home’s faucets is pressurized and if your water line starts to leak that pressure could escape. This would translate into lower water pressure in your home.

 

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Drain Cleaning Tip 3: Advantages of our Plumbing Value Plan

Monday, February 25th, 2013

When you work with the professional Irvine plumbers at Saddleback Plumbing you can trust that you will be taken great care of. If you have any doubts about our devotion to your total satisfaction and comfort, just consider the many advantages of our Membership Value Program. If you are not already a Saddleback MVP we bet you will become one after reading through this information. Your plumbing in Irvine, CA is far too important to take any chances with. Contact an expert Irvine plumber on our team today and get the protection that your plumbing deserves.

When you enroll in our Plumbing Value Plan you will receive a 3 year parts and labor warranty. We are more than comfortable offering this warranty because we only use parts that live up to our exacting standards. Problems do occur every now and then, though, so make sure you have the warranty to back up the condition of your plumbing.

Members enrolled in the Plumbing Value Plan also enjoy a 15% discount off standard plumbing rates. We believe that the only thing better than the quality of the plumbing services we provide is procuring those services at a discounted rate. Contact us today to make that happen.

As a member of our Plumbing Value Plan you will also not need to pay any dispatch or tip frees, even while receiving preferred priority service. Anyone can agree that faster service and waived fees are a great deal. Why not take advantage of these perks yourself?

As if all that weren’t enough, you will also receive a free annual plumbing inspection from one of our highly skilled and trained professional Irvine plumbers. Not just anyone can thoroughly inspect and rigorously maintain your plumbing system. The experts on our team have the knowledge and tools necessary to get the job done right.

For more information about our great value plans, call Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today. We’ll make sure that you receive exceptional service at a great value. Contact us directly with any questions you may have regarding enrollment in our Plumbing Value Plan.

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Drain Cleaning Tip 1 : How to Protect Your Drain System

Monday, February 18th, 2013

Saddleback Plumbing offers drain cleaning throughout the Irvine, CA area. Routine drain cleanings are just one way to protect your drain system. In this blog post, we’ve provided reasons that drain cleanings are beneficial, along with other preventive maintenance tips. Don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions.

Professional Drain Cleanings

Professional drain cleanings are beneficial in many ways. They remove any clogs, build-up, or other debris in your drain pipes. They are an effective and safe way to clean your drains. Using a traditional snake or harsh drain cleaners can damage your pipes. Drain and sewer jetting uses a high-pressure water hose to clean out the pipes, which is very effective and faster.

Bathroom Drains

For your bathroom drains, be mindful of what you flush, and use hair catchers to prevent clogs. Slow drains or backups are commonly caused by certain materials or waste products that shouldn’t be flushed or put down the drains.

Kitchen Drains

Kitchen drains are susceptible to clogs from grease, food scraps, and other solids. Installing a garbage disposal will not completely solve this issue, but it can help. If you already have a garbage disposal, make sure you know how to operate it and what you can and cannot put in your disposal. Things like bones and coffee grounds can cause clogs and damage to the garbage disposal.

Feel free to contact the Irvine CA plumbers at Saddleback Plumbing if you would like more tips on how to protect your drain system. Contact Saddleback Plumbing today!

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Drain Cleaning FAQ 1 : How Extensive is a Professional Drain Cleaning?

Monday, February 11th, 2013

Most people don’t stop to think about it, but your plumbing system is at work almost constantly. Because of all that use, your drains might start to give you problems eventually. At Saddleback Plumbing, we provide comprehensive drain cleaning in Irvine, CA. We wanted to put together a quick description of what exactly happens during our drain cleaning services. While these are some of the tasks that our plumbers in Irvine will perform, there are many other things that they will do as well.

Signs You Need Professional Drain Cleaning in Irvine CA

Before we talk about what happens during drain cleaning in Irvine, CA we wanted to let you know how you can tell if you need to get your drains cleaned. Probably the best indicator is if your drains are clogged or if they’re starting to slow down. If you notice that your toilet takes longer to flush or if your shower doesn’t drain fast enough, these are signs that you have a clog somewhere in your plumbing system. If multiple drains are clogged at your home in Irvine, CA then it could mean that the clog is further down in your sewer line.

Drain Cleaning in Irvine CA

Here are some of the things that our Irvine plumbers will do during their drain cleanings.

  • Video camera pipe inspection – A great tool that our plumbers use is our video camera pipe inspection equipment. This lets us get a good look at the pipes in your plumbing system. We can figure out exactly where the clogs are and what they’re made of.
  • Drain and sewer jetting – Once we figure out where the clogs are, our plumbers will use our water jetting equipment to blast away those clogs. Water jets are a terrific tool that uses high pressure streams of water to remove blockages from your system.

If you need drain cleaning in Irvine, CA call the professional plumbers at Saddleback Plumbing. We have years of experience working with customers throughout the entire Orange County area. Call Saddleback Plumbing today!

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Never Attempt These Plumbing Services on Your Own

Monday, February 4th, 2013

At Saddleback Plumbing we have told our valued customers time and time again that the plumbing installation, maintenance and repair services needed in your home must be performed by a professional Tustin plumber. There is just no other way to ensure that your plumbing services are completed safely and effectively. A qualified, licensed plumber must handle any plumbing service you need in Tustin, CA. Some do it yourself type homeowners have a hard time accepting this very true advice, though. Here are a few examples of some very real reasons why you should not attempt to service your own home plumbing system.

Never, ever attempt to service your hot water heater on your own. This very useful appliance can also be very dangerous if it is compromised by a novice attempting to service it. As water is heated it not only gets hot but also builds up pressure. Attempting to service you water heater on your own puts your safety at risk as well as the condition of your house. Keep the hot water inside your water heater where it belongs. Call a professional plumber for any water heater repair in Tustin.

Another very helpful but potentially dangerous part of a home plumbing system is the natural gas lines. Never, ever attempt to pipe natural gas into your home on your own. You will be putting your home at risk for exposure to a carbon monoxide leak or fire. It is just not worth it. You may even be in violation of local laws and insurance policies. Do the right thing for your safety and safety of your home and family. When you need a natural gas appliance hooked up or if you suspect a leak in your natural gas line, call a professional Tustin plumber. Only then can your natural gas problems be resolved safely.

For more information about the importance of hiring a professional plumber in Tustin, call Saddleback Plumbing. We are proud to serve residents in the Tustin area and we look forward to helping you live more safely and comfortably. Call today to schedule service.

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Plumbing Tip : What Does Plumbing Maintenance Involve

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

Is it time for routine maintenance for your plumbing system? Call the Irvine plumbers at Saddleback Plumbing! We can handle all your plumbing maintenance needs, including providing tips and advice on how to get the most out of your system. Remember that routine maintenance can prevent repair issues, slow drains, clogs, and other problems. Call us any time for your next service!

Here are some tasks we can do during routine maintenance.

Video Pipe Inspection

When we provide a maintenance service or respond to a repair need, our plumbers send a video camera down your plumbing system to inspect the inside of the pipes. This allows our plumbers to get a close-up look at any kind of plumbing problems that might be further down the pipe or drain line. We’ll be able to see exactly where the problem is and what specifically is causing it. For instance, if there’s a tree root causing a leak in a sewer line, we can see that and know the best solution for this issue.

Gas Piping Maintenance

When you call us for a repair or maintenance service, we also inspect your gas piping. Our plumbers are trained and certified to work with gas lines and earthquake emergency shut off valves. We test these safety devices to ensure that they will work when you need them.

Professional Drain Cleaning

With a professional drain cleaning, our Irvine plumbers will thoroughly clean your plumbing system safely and effectively. Hydro-jetting uses a powerful stream of water to clear out any clogs or blockages that are in your plumbing system.  While only one way to clean your system, hydro-jetting will not damage your plumbing system. Drain cleaners use harsh chemicals, so avoid using conventional drain cleaners.

Call Saddleback any time for your next plumbing maintenance service!

 

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