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

Tips for Planning an Air Conditioning Replacement

Monday, April 20th, 2020
air-conditioner-on-leaves

Orange County can always depend on hot summer days. Our spring weather has shifted back and forth and brought a few storms along with it, but right now is the time to start thinking about your air conditioning plans in your house for the approaching season. You may wish to have air conditioning service in Tustin, CA in the early summer to replace your old AC. If you are, we’re the contractor with experience in the area to call—we’ve been helping homeowners with comfort for almost forty years now.

We’d like to offer some helpful tips for how to plan for an AC replacement.

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High Water Pressure in Your Home Is Bad for the Plumbing

Tuesday, March 10th, 2020
shower

You probably know that low water pressure is a problem in your home’s plumbing. It’s hard to shower, difficult to clean, and generally an annoyance.

But water pressure can also be too high. The water pressure in a plumbing system should be between 45 and 55 psi (pounds per square inch). If the pressure rises above 60 psi, it can create problems for the plumbing, including damage to the pipes. In most cases of high water pressure, a professional must analyze the problem and find a solution.

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THUMP! Water Hammer Is Hitting Your Plumbing!

Monday, February 25th, 2019

woman-shocked-by-loud-noiseWater hammer—it’s an intimidating name. But it’s appropriate, because the sound that water hammer makes in your plumbing can be quite intimidating. It’s the sound of a shockwave going through the pipes, an alarming thump! noise as if someone took a hammer to the piping. Water hammer has sometimes made people believe ghosts were behind the activity. The reality is much less spooky, but it’s something that requires attention from plumbers.

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If Your Water Heater Does This, It’s Time for a New One

Monday, May 21st, 2018

tank-water-heaterHopefully, you’ve been pretty consistent over the years about scheduling preventive maintenance and prompt repairs for your water heater. If not, it’s never too late to start. Even if you have, though, you know that no amount of care or maintenance will make a system last forever. Sooner or later, you’re going to need a new one. If you can recognize the signs that your water heater is beginning to fail, you can have it replaced before it completely breaks down on you. That should save you some time and frustration, if nothing else. Have a look at the following signs that your water heater is in need of replacement.

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Careful of These Plumbing Problems

Monday, January 1st, 2018

underwater-living-roomThere are a wide range of different plumbing problems that you need to know about if you want to keep your system safe. We don’t have enough space to address them all here, but we can certainly go over a few of the more common ones that you’re likely to encounter while using your plumbing system. If you know what to look for, you can call for repairs faster and maybe prevent some of the damage the issue would have done to your system.

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The Problems of Pinhole Leaks in Plumbing

Wednesday, December 17th, 2014

The 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.

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Should I Consider Hydronic Heating for New Installation?

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

There are a lot of choices when it comes to home heating systems. One that has been around for a long time is hydronic heating, which is a system most commonly associated with use of a boiler. With the advent of better, more durable materials, the outlets for hydronic heating have expanded, giving homeowners even more flexibility. If you are considering hydronic heating, call the experts who can help you with professional heating installation in Tustin: Saddleback Plumbing.

What Is a Hydronic Heating System?

A hydronic heating system is one that uses hot water steam to heat your home. Boilers are part of a hydronic system, and the most commonly-used fuels with these systems are gas or oil.

How Does a Hydronic System Work?

In a hydronic system, water is held in a tank where it gets heated to a specific temperature. Once the water reaches this temperature (or creates the needed amount of steam), it is circulated through a system of pipes to a designated outlet. Outlets can be:

  • Radiators
  • Baseboard heating
  • Hydronic floor heating
  • Hydronic wall heating

Hydronic systems are closed systems, so once the water (or steam) cools, it returns to the tank to be heated with the next cycle.

What Are the Benefits of a Hydronic System?

There are a few benefits that hydronic systems have which others may not:

  • Good energy efficiency – hydronic systems that use oil as fuel have an average energy efficiency of 89%, and those using gas have average efficiency ratings of 90% and above.
  • Comfortable heating – the heat of hydronic systems is gradual, which can be more comfortable for many people when compared to forced air systems.
  • Quiet operation – the only time noise is created by a hydronic system is when the combustion operates to heat the water. Otherwise, the circulation and heating is silent.
  • No dust – because air doesn’t blow through ductwork, there is no build-up or circulation of dust in your home.

If hydronic heating in Tustin sounds like it’s for you, call Saddleback Plumbing and schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.

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Air Conditioning Installation Considerations for the End of Summer

Thursday, August 14th, 2014

It’s nearing the end of summer, and you’ve made the wise decision to replace your older air conditioner. Since older air conditioners run a higher risk of frequent repair needs, installing a new air conditioner at the end of summer reduces the possibilities of turning on your air conditioner next season only to find your system has broken down completely. However, the threat of a breakdown shouldn’t be the only consideration when calling for air conditioning installation.

When you install your new air conditioner this year, consider the many different money-saving options available for homeowners. Your new air conditioner may go above and beyond your older system in both performance and efficiency when you ask a professional about the following upgrades.

Energy-Efficient Systems

As parts become worn down, older air conditioners are more costly to run because the components of the system have to work harder to cool your home. This means a new air conditioner may automatically be more energy efficient than an older one. However, a new AC may even be more efficient than your older system was when it was brand new. Advancements in technology and changes in government regulations make newer systems more energy efficient than those built 10-15 years ago. Installing a system with the ENERGY STAR label can help to protect the environment and save you money.

Thermostat Upgrade

Some homeowners use unreliable, difficult-to-read manual thermostats in order to set the temperature in their homes. Even if you set your thermostat just a couple of degrees two low, you may be spending far more on cooling costs than you should. A new digital, programmable thermostat will provide greater accuracy and will allow you to set the temperature ahead of time to save you money every month.

Zone Control

Another upgrade to consider during air conditioning installation is the addition of a zone control system. Zone control allows you to set the temperature differently in multiple areas of the home so that your family members will be more comfortable wherever they choose to relax.

These upgrades may be a small cost compared to the savings you’ll see throughout the years. If you want to save money with cost-effective upgrades during your air conditioning service in Tustin, CA this summer, call the experts at Saddleback Plumbing today!

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What Does Low Pressure in My Plumbing Mean?

Tuesday, July 15th, 2014

Although 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.

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Scheduling AC Repairs During a Heat Wave

Friday, June 13th, 2014

Air conditioning repair in Tustin, CA doesn’t always arrive at the most convenient times. We’ve already seen our share of hot temperatures this year and the summer is looking like one for the record books. Ideally, your air conditioner will perform reliably throughout the cooling season, which you can help ensure by scheduling regular maintenance sessions. But what happens when your air conditioner conks out at the very worst possible time? What do you do about scheduling AC repairs during a heat wave?

Generally speaking, you should turn your air conditioner off any time there’s a problem, regardless of whether it will still run or not. To do otherwise risks serious damage to the system with a correspondingly higher repair bill. Once the unit is off, you need to gauge the general safety levels to the heat and whether you can safely stay in your home. If you have access to fans, run them. Keep hydrated with plenty of water, and close blinds or curtains to keep the sunlight from shining into your home. If you can, head somewhere that offers air conditioning, whether it be a friend’s house, a nearby shopping mall or a public library. That way, you can stay cool and comfortable while you plan for a repair session.

With your immediate concerns out of the way, you should look for a service that provides quick and reliable repairs. Ideally, they should offer 24 hour service. Even if you don’t need it, it’s a sign of a company that can work confidently under pressure, and get you air conditioner repaired as quickly as possible. In those cases, the experts at Saddleback Plumbing are on call to move with speed. Summers in Southern California can be a killer and emergency air conditioning sessions, while unwanted, can be a serious matter. We handle all kinds of air conditioning repair in Tustin, CA and our trained staff is ready to handle any problem you might encounter. That way, you can get back to a comfortable home without worrying about the health and safety of your family. If you’re interested in scheduling AC repairs during a heat wave, then pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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