One of the most common plumbing issues, leaks are the cause of all kinds of headaches for homeowners across the country. Whether you’ve got iron, copper, or any other kind of pipes, you can bet that at some point they’ll spring a leak if you’re not careful. The best way to defend your pipes against these kinds of issues is to know what causes them in the first place. Let’s take a look at why pipes spring leaks in the first place, and what can be done about it.
Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘San Juan Capistrano’
What Causes Leaks, and What You Can do to Combat Them
Monday, March 12th, 2018What to Do In-Case of Plumbing Emergency
Monday, January 29th, 2018Plumbing problems are never fun to deal with, but some are quite a bit worse than others. A leaky faucet, for example, might be annoying but not urgent. A ruptured pipe rapidly turning your second floor into a marsh, on the other hand, is something that requires a bit quicker of a response. It’s relatively easy to contact a plumbing contractor if a plumbing emergency occurs during normal business hours. What do you do if it happens in the middle of the night, though? Read on to find out.
How to Tell if You Need Plumbing Repairs
Monday, November 6th, 2017
Plumbing problems are some of the most difficult to detect, which makes maintaining your plumbing system quite difficult at times. By the time that you realize that your plumbing system is experiencing some kind of problem, it may be too late to prevent much of the damage caused by whatever the issue is. The best way to catch problems quickly enough to resolve them before they do any damage is to schedule preventive maintenance. However, if you know what to look for you can still identify some issues before they cause too much damage. Read on to find out some of the ways that you can identify issues with your plumbing system without professional training or equipment.
Effects of Sea Air and Water on Plumbing
Friday, March 28th, 2014When it comes to getting plumbing installed in your home, the residents of San Juan Capistrano and other coastal towns face a unique series of challenges. The proximity of the pacific means that salt water becomes more of an issue than it might further inland, and while our civic filtration systems do a good job, it remains a concern. Salty air, too can create problems with your plumbing, since it has a higher salt content than air in inland communities. Plumbing service experts in the area need to be aware of the effects of sea air and water on plumbing in order to help correct the issue. Here’s a brief primer on the specifics involved.
Metal of all sorts is vulnerable to corrosion, which is facilitated when water and air interact together on the metal. A chemical reaction oxidizes the metal and creates rust, which breaks it down and ultimately requires its replacement. The salt in sea air and water speeds up this process, making it more difficult to keep the system maintained and resulting in a constant battle against the elements. These conditions tend to affect stainless steel, iron and brass more than other forms of metal.
The good news is that plumbing pipes tend to be made of rust-resistant material as a matter of course, and while that can’t stop the increased rate of corrosion, it can at least slow the process down. Copper has been used in ship design for centuries because it resists the process of corrosion, and PVC and other forms of plastics also make a strong bulwark against the forces of nature.
The bad news is that corrosion still happens, even with plumbing systems formed from materials. Starting with the initial plumbing installation in San Juan Capistrano, residents should keep an eye out for signs of corrosion and other effects of sea air and water on plumbing. When you spot them, call on the experts at Saddleback Plumbing for help. We can replace corroded parts quickly and professionally, as well as providing advice on how to keep your plumbing safe from the effects of sea air. Give us a call today to set up an appointment, and let us show you what we can do!
Tips for Getting Optimal Performance from Your Heater This Winter
Friday, October 18th, 2013In terms of heating, San Juan Capistrano benefits from a mild climate and comparatively warm winters. Even so, we get our share of chilly nights and a good heater is essential to protecting your family’s comfort and health. Moreover, you want your heater to perform with maximum efficiency, making sure you don’t spend more than you have to in order to warm your home on those cold winter days. A few sensible steps can help in this regard.
Here are some tips for getting optimal performance from your heater his winter.
- Schedule a maintenance session in the early fall. Your heater has likely sat idle since the spring, a period of up to six months. In that time, it has doubtless accrued its share of dust and debris, while worn components such as bolts or fittings have likely sat unaddressed since last heating session. A routine maintenance session from a qualified technician can clean up that dirt while repairing or replacing any worn parts. Not only does this reduce the chance of a more serious breakdown later, but it lowers the wear on your system, meaning that it can do the job without expending any needless energy.
- Optimize your household. A well-insulated household will retain warm air more easily than one with a lot of leaks and vents. Add more insulation to your attic or walls and seal any leaks around your windows and doors. It will make a big difference to your heater.
- Consider energy-saving upgrades. A programmable thermostat will let you turn your heater off automatically when you leave for work each day, then back on again ten minutes before you arrive home. Similarly, a zone control system lets you turn the heat on only in those parts of the house you’re using, while leaving the rest of the home cool. Each upgrade means greater control over your energy expenditure, and the ability to seriously reduce your heating costs.
For more tips for getting optimal performances from your heater this winter, contact the experts at Saddleback Plumbing for help. We handle all issues related to heating, so come to us for your San Juan Capistrano heating service needs, as we won’t rest until the job is done right. Call us today!
3 Things to Think About During Your Air Conditioning Installation
Thursday, August 22nd, 2013Getting a new air conditioning system is an exciting but stressful time. This is a big decision and one that you have to live with for many years. If something goes wrong with the installation process the consequences can impact your home’s comfort and efficiency for a long time. Here at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. we offer a full range of San Juan Capistrano air conditioning installation services and we wanted to help our customers get the best possible installation that they can. Here is a quick explanation of 3 things that you should consider during your AC installation process.
San Juan Capistrano Air Conditioning Installation Tip: 3 Things to Remember
Take a look below at the top 3 things you should think about during your AC installation project.
- The size of your new AC – One common mistake that we see homeowners make is that they run out and just buy the biggest system that they can thinking that it will provide them with more cooling. However, the opposite is usually what happens. If your AC is too large it will turn on and off again which is something that we call “short cycling”. This will cause hot and cold spots throughout your home, inefficient operation and it could increase the need for repair. Make sure that you work with a professional contractor that will perform the necessary calculations that will determine exactly what size system you need.
- Type of air conditioner –Before you just go get the exact same type of air conditioner that you had before you may want to think about other types of systems. There are some other types of systems that offer homeowner some pretty impressive benefits. Ductless mini split air conditioners often are more efficient because of their lack of ducts and they also provide zone control as well.
- Regular maintenance – Once your air conditioning system is installed, don’t forget to schedule regular maintenance visits for it. This is one of the best things that you can do for the life and performance of your system. Getting regular maintenance for your system could increase efficiency, reduce repair and also extend the life of your system.,
If you need San Juan Capistrano air conditioning installation services, just call us here at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc.
How to Determine the ROI of HVAC Replacement
Monday, September 17th, 2012Whether you’re a home or business owner in Trabuco Canyon, it’s important to consider the ROI, or return on investment when upgrading your HVAC system. ROI basically refers to what you get back for your initial investment and it’s the best way to make sure you’re getting the most out of what you pay for. The higher the ROI, the less the system costs you in the end.
One of the most important things to weigh is which brand to buy. When you purchase a new heating or air conditioning system from a prominent manufacturer, you are usually getting two things – lasting performance and a good warranty. Going with a cheaper, lesser known manufacturer isn’t advisable as they may not have a track record, or the system may not be easily repaired or it may even be difficult to find parts.
It’s important to also check the system’s efficiency rating. Run through some simple numbers to come up with how much you might save if you purchase one of the energy efficient systems. These typically cost more initially, but many pay off in the long run. If it saves you considerable money over time, this just increases your ROI.
Airflow is a something else to look at. There are some systems that come with a variable speed air handler that can improve the comfort of your home. In addition to providing the right airflow, these systems prevent the stagnant air so many of the older ones contribute to. These newer systems can also run at different speeds, depending on the weather and your needs. These aid the ROI by saving energy while keeping your home or office the same temperature throughout all the rooms.
For more information about air conditioning replacement in Trabuco Canyon and the surrounding area, give Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning a call!
Plumbing Tip: Why Timely Slab Leak Repairs are Important
Monday, August 20th, 2012Slab leaks are leaks from pipes under the foundation of your home. Therefore, to prevent damage to the foundation, it is essential that when a slab leak is found, it is repaired quickly. Backed by years of field experience, the Orange County plumbers at Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning can detect and repair slab leaks and other plumbing issues in your home. Call us any time you suspect a slab leak.
Slab Leak Repairs Done Quickly and Done Right
Many homes that are built on concrete foundations have soft copper piping installed either along the soil underneath or within the concrete slab. The piping runs various lengths throughout the concrete slab foundation and then out of the slab into various plumbing applications throughout the home.
It can often be hard to identify when a slab leak actually begins. This is because the piping is laid underneath layers of flooring and then cement. Often, by the time a slab leak is detected, it has been leaking steadily for enough time to damage the cement foundation, saturate the soil underneath, and even made its way to the flooring and or the bottom of the walls along the first floor of a building.
By the time you notice a slab leak, a timely repair is essential; otherwise, the damage will continue to spread, not only causing cosmetic issues by damaging flooring and furniture, but eventually causing issues with the stability of your foundation.
When you live in a home located on a concrete slab foundation, it is important to watch for additional signs of a slab leak, such as higher than normal water bills, and the sound of running water when the faucets are all off. Being alert to these symptoms can mean finding a slab leak much earlier and avoiding major water damage to your home.
The professional plumbers in Orange County at Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning use state of the art technologies to pinpoint slab leaks so that every repair is performed efficiently, and with as little damage to home fixtures as possible. If you think your home has a slab leak, let our experts help you today!
Why Matching Coils are Important to Air Conditioning Systems
Monday, August 6th, 2012Within our air conditioning systems the evaporator coil and condenser coil work together to cool our indoor air. Because whole building AC systems tend to use split systems with an outdoor condenser unit and an indoor evaporator unit it is important that these two systems work properly together. The Orange County AC professionals at Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning understand how to properly size AC systems while also matching condenser coils and evaporator coils.
The Importance of Matching Evaporator and Condenser Coils
Air conditioning manufacturers tend to lab-test and rate their air conditioning systems together. Thus having the same brand evaporator coil as condenser coil means that they have already been tested while working together and you will possibly get the most efficient usage out of each.
Proper sizing of an evaporator coil to a condenser coil is of vital importance. If they are sized differently they will not work together as designed. The evaporator coil can be up to a ton larger than the condenser coil, but it is not recommended to go much beyond a one ton difference. A bigger condenser should never be used with a smaller evaporator.
When the entire air conditioning system is properly sized for the internal space which it is cooling as well as properly sized to its own separate parts you get the most energy-efficiency. This means that not only the evaporator and condenser are properly sized, but the refrigerant tubing, circuit breaker, fuses, and electrical system all function as intended.
When matching evaporators and condensers to one another, there are a few main items that must be considered by your air conditioning technician that is performing the job. These can include air flow and fin spacing, in addition to performing a manual load calculation for proper AC sizing, ensuring proper ductwork sizing, and that the blower is properly sized for both coils.
It is normally recommended that when the compressor goes out, both the compressor and evaporator are both replaced at the same time.
Contact Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning and get assistance with your Orange County AC system and all its vital parts including the condenser coil and the evaporator coil, while ensuring that all your questions are answered along the way.
Common Kitchen Plumbing Problems in Orange County
Monday, July 30th, 2012Below are some of the most common kitchen plumbing problems in homes. These tend to be the kitchen plumbing problems that we get the most repair calls for, and they can be quickly handled by our professional plumbing repair or plumbing replacement services.
- Clogged or Broken Garbage Disposals: Clogged or broken garbage disposals are high on the list. This is normally because of something which should not be in the garbage disposal, or possibly that the garbage disposal broke due to age.
- Leaking or Blocked Faucets: Faucet leaks can be because of broken internal seals or washers. Blocked faucets can indicate an issue with an aerator that has gotten blocked with debris in the water lines.
- Clogged Drains: Drain clogs can occur because of foreign objects that have managed to make their way into the drain, food which was not properly cut up by the garbage disposal, or cooking grease or other oils that have clogged the pipes.
- Noisy or Leaky Dishwashers: Noisy dishwashers that make thumping or other loud noises tend to indicate problems with an internal part, such as an inlet valve which needs to be replaced. Leaking dishwashers could have loose or broken hoses, or a defective pumps seal.
As a professional plumbing company in Orange County, Saddleback Plumbing has a team of licensed plumbers who are highly skilled and have years of hands-on experience in dealing with all sorts of kitchen plumbing problems. Let us ensure that you receive quality plumbing services, from the most common kitchen plumbing problems with garbage disposals, faucets, drains and dishwashers to kitchen plumbing replacement or repiping.