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

3 Causes of Slab Leaks

Friday, April 18th, 2014

Slab leaks are plumbing leaks that take place in a decidedly inconvenient spot: underneath the concrete slabs of your porch or home foundation. In the old days, they required a great deal of time and effort to fix, though technological advancement has cut down on the time and expense of such repairs. When it comes to plumbing repairs in Tustin, CA, there are a number of companies that can repair slab leaks, but are you sure you have the ones that can do the job? Here are 3 causes of slab leaks: the sort of thing that a quality service can hunt down with confidence and assurance.

  • Old or inferior piping
    Most plumbing in California is made of sturdy copper materials which should last a long time. In some cases, however, they can be made of inferior materials, and even the solid piping can wear down over the course of several decades. In these cases, the bad piping will need to be replaced if you want any repair job to last.
  • Hard or corrosive water
    We often experience problems with hard water in Tustin, brought about by a combination of desert atmosphere and our proximity to the sea. Metals like calcium and magnesium (as well as salt from the sea water) can get into our water system and while the city does a comparatively good job of clearing them out, a certain amount of hard water invariably gets through. Over time, this can corrode your piping, leading to a breach or leak beneath the concrete.
  • Earthquakes
    We get earthquakes all the time in Southern California, and while mild temblors are usually nothing to get concerned about, they can shift the ground around your piping: increasing pressure and friction, and often causing breaches. If you detect a drop in water pressure of similar sings of trouble after an earthquake, you may have a slab leak.

Detecting the causes of slab leaks is the first step a good plumbing service takes. The next is to fix it as quickly as possible while causing as little damage as possible to the home itself. In matters of plumbing, Tustin has a proven expert in Saddleback Plumbing. Give us a call today and let us take care of that slab leak for you!

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Common Winter Plumbing Problems to Watch Out For

Tuesday, November 26th, 2013

Plumbing in Tustin has to account for the unique conditions of our California winters, which are usually fairly mild, but can still catch you by surprise. Because we don’t suffer from snow and cold temperatures the way people do further east, many residents assume they have nothing to worry about. Nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, our mild winters make it all too easy to become complacent, creating problems you never could have anticipated. Here are some common winter plumbing problems to look out for.

The biggest danger in Southern California comes from plumbing that isn’t in an insulated area of the house. Pipes can become quite cold when temperatures drop at night, which can affect your water adversely. Burst pipes are rarely a problem, but you might need to concern yourself with water freezing in them, particularly on cold nights in parts of the house near external walls. You can combat this by having a plumber insulate those pipes, and/or adding insulation to those parts of the house that need it. As a precaution, you may want to leave a thin trickle of water from nearby faucets, to keep water from freezing in the pipes overnight.

A subtler problem occurs with a lack of hot water in general, which can be caused by a troublesome water heater. It doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s a problem, but cold weather might force your water heater to work harder, which means slower delivery of hot water. You can counteract this by having your water heater services by a trained plumber. He’ll check for any problems, clean up any sediment, drain and flush the heater and replace the anode rod to help prevent rusting. Ideally, he may suggest that you add an insulation blanket or similar upgrade to help it function at its best.

Even though we live in a warm area, there are still common winter plumbing problems to watch out for. Plumbing in Tustin will serve you better and last longer with help from the experts at Saddleback Plumbing we can handle all manner of problems with your plumbing as well as standard maintenance issues, so don’t hesitate to give us a call today!

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Common Types of Heating Systems and How They Work

Friday, November 8th, 2013

Our world swims in new technological developments—and this applies as much to home comfort systems as to anything else. When you are looking for a new heater for the upcoming cooler months, you’ll find yourself with a possibly bewildering array of options to choose from: old systems with advanced technology, and new systems that have only recently entered residential use.

Saddleback Plumbing is here to help you navigate your choices for heating in Tustin, CA. Here is a short list of common types of heating systems—all of which we install—and their basic operation.

Furnaces

This is the oldest type of system, although the current models are nothing like the old-fashioned furnaces of fifty years ago. A furnace heats air inside a cabinet using one of a variety of fuel sources (natural gas, electricity, and propane are the most common). Once the heat is transferred to the air, blower fans send the warm air through ducts into your home. This is called “forced-air” heating. Check out our furnace installation service.

Boilers

Boilers do not rely on forced-air, but instead circulate water around a home to various endpoints that radiate heat into rooms. This is called “hydronic” heating. Boilers heat water inside a main tank, and can use electricity, natural gas, or oil as a fuel source to generate heat. A pump then sends the hot water through pipes to the end points. Afterwards, the cooled water returns to the tank. Check out our hydronic boiler system service.

Heat pumps

These are essentially central air conditioning units that can reverse the process of heat exchange so that in addition to moving heat from inside and releasing it outside, it can draw heat from outside and move it into your home to provide warmth. Heat pumps run on electricity. Check out our heat pump installation service.

Hydronic floor systems

This is one of the newest systems to enter homes. Using water from a boiler, heated water moves through pipes that are placed 1 to 4 inches beneath the floorboards of each room in your house. The heated floorboards then radiate the warmth into the rooms. Check out our hydronic floor system service.

We hope this list gives you a push toward thinking about what heating system will work best for you. However, you will eventually need professional advice, as well as installation. Each system has advantages and disadvantages, and it requires an expert to match one to your home so you get the most efficient and effective heating possible.

Contact Saddleback Plumbing, where we’ve kept up-to-date on HVAC technology since we started in business in 1981. We can deliver you top-quality heating in Tustin, CA.

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Benefits of Scheduling Heating Maintenance Before Winter

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

No matter what type of heater you have in your home, you need to make sure that it works well throughout the fall and winter months. While the Orange County area is known for its mild winters, residents know that having a reliable heater is critical to maintaining home comfort year-round. Every type of HVAC system needs to be maintained in order to perform effectively and efficiently. At Saddleback Plumbing, we offer an excellent heating maintenance service in Tustin that can give your heater the reliability and functionality that you need to stay warm this winter. While it’s still hot here, winter is just around the corner.

There are numerous benefits to scheduling your heating maintenance before winter arrives.

Here are just a few:

  • Energy efficiency. With energy costs seemingly every rising, it’s important to make sure that every aspect of your HVAC system is energy efficient as well as powerful. For many homeowners, this is also a decision that has a direct impact on the environment. Pro heating maintenance leaves your system cleaned and well adjusted so that it heats your home without unnecessarily wasting any energy.
  • Performance. While it never gets too cold here in Orange County, the temperature can drop quickly at night and cold snaps have been known to hit us early in the heating season. By maintaining your heater, you can get the most out of its performance. It’s important the status of your heater before the heating season begins so that you can make any necessary preparations.
  • System longevity. Another benefit to having your heater professionally maintained before the winter strikes is that it can increase the system longevity. No matter what type or brand of heater you have, it needs to be taken care of on a routine basis. Your heater will not last indefinitely, but regular maintenance is a great way to add some years to its life.

Late summer and fall are great times to ensure that your heater has everything it needs to keep your warm this winter. During our maintenance visit, we will thoroughly clean, inspect and adjust your heater. We work with all system types and brands. Call Saddleback Plumbing today for all of your heating service needs in Tustin.

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3 Water Saving Plumbing Upgrades

Friday, August 30th, 2013

Water prices seem to be going up every year and when you live in Southern California you know how precious our water supply is. Every homeowner is looking for ways to conserve water and we here at Saddleback Plumbing wanted to offer 3 plumbing upgrades that could help you do that. Give us a call today if you have any questions or if you’d like to learn more about our plumbing services in Tustin.

Plumbing Upgrades in Tustin to Save Water

Check out some of our water save plumbing upgrades that could help you reduce the amount of water that you use in your home.

  • Low-flow toilets – Many of us remember when the low-flow mandate went into effect in the 90’s. Manufacturers adjusted their toilets flush capacity but made no design changes which led to poor flush performance. However, new low-flow models of toilets have been redesigned to perform well even while using less water which could help you greatly reduce the amount of water that you use in your home.
  • Low flow fixtures – According to the EPA, your showerheads account for up to 20% of the total water usage in your home. Typical showerheads distribute 4.5 gallons/minute. If you were to replace that with a low-flow, 2.5 gallon/minute model you might be able to save around 20,000 gallons of water each year.
  • Faucet aerators – Another good way to reduce the amount of water that you use is with a faucet aerator. These devices break up the flow of water with air so that water still comes out but it is mixed with air. The EPA estimates that aerators could reduce the amount of water used at your faucets by up to 60%.
  • Change your habits – Finally, another way to reduce the amount of water that you use at your home is to make small changes to your behavior. For example, instead of watering your yard during the middle of the day, do it in the evening, morning or on cool days so that it reduces the amount of water that gets evaporated by the hot sun. You can also make sure to only run your dishwasher or laundry when they are completely full in order to maximize the water usage.

If you need any services for your plumbing in Tustin just give us a call here at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc.

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Common Summer Air Conditioning Repair Problems in Tustin

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

This summer you’re probably going to be running your air conditioning quite a bit in order to stay cool. All the use that your AC equipment gets could cause it to break down. If you need air conditioning repair in Tustin, make sure that you call Saddle Back Plumbing, Inc. We know how important it is for you to stay comfortable during the summer heat, which is why we put together a quick explanation of the most common problems that you could face with your air conditioner.

Do You Need Air Conditioning Repair in Tustin?

As you start to use your air conditioning system more and more this summer, keep an eye out for the following issues that could happen with your AC system. If you start to notice these or other problems developing with your air conditioner, just call the Tustin air conditioning repair experts at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc.

  • Not enough cooling – When you turn on your air conditioner, does it blow warm air or not enough cool air? This is a common problem that is very frustrating for homeowners. It could be caused by a broken thermostat, but it could also be something more serious like the fan motor or the compressor motor. The Tustin air conditioning repair professionals at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. can help.
  • New noises – Has your air conditioning system started to make a squealing noise or a hissing noise? These are both common issues that we get called in for frequently. Squealing is usually indicative of an old fan belt, while hissing is caused by a refrigerant leak.
  • The air filter – Before you start running your air conditioner every day this summer, make sure that you change the air filter. Your AC has an air filter that keeps dirt, dust and insects from getting into the moving parts on the inside. If that air filter isn’t changed regularly and it gets clogged, it could cause huge problems for your AC including insufficient cooling, more repairs and reduced efficiency.

For all of your air conditioning repair in Tustin, call Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. 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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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: Why Timely Slab Leak Repairs are Important

Monday, August 20th, 2012

Slab 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!

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