All Things Plumbing & HVAC: The Orange Coast Plumbing Blog

Need to know what’s an emergency and which problems can wait? Which problems you can solve DIY? The Orange Coast Plumbing blog helps you understand common plumbing, heating,  and air conditioning issues.

Corroded pipes

All plumbing pipes have a limited lifespan. Well-maintained copper lines can last 80 or more years, and PVC from 20 to 50 years.

Average US homeownership runs for about 13 years. Serious plumbing issues may never arise during that ownership period. But what if they do?

Mold growth on a wall

A slab leak occurs in the water or sewer lines the under the concrete foundation of your home.

Slab leaks often go unnoticed until they’ve caused significant damage, including mold growth which can threaten your family’s health.

Mold grows in moist areas — and slab leaks create perfect conditions for it.

A DIY plumbing repair

All functional households rely on a well-maintained plumbing system for everyday comfort and convenience.

Unfortunately, some homeowners never take the time to learn anything about how this critical system works or what can go wrong when trouble strikes. Sooner or later, this lack of knowledge can lead to unexpected and avoidable service disruptions and potentially major repair or replacement expenses.

A slab leak from a crack

Plumbing professionals use the term slab leak to refer to any pipe leak that occurs in one of two locations: beneath a concrete foundation or slab, or directly within the slab/foundation itself. These types of leaks rank high on the list of most feared plumbing malfunctions. That’s true because they can ultimately lead to severe […]

A drain-cleaning bladder for clearing clogs

A plunger is the go-to DIY tool for minor drain clogs. No home should be without one.

Some homeowners keep a snake in the garage for tougher jobs or a stash of plastic clog removers for bathroom drains blocked by hair and soap residue.

But do they have a drain cleaning bladder on hand? Or even know what it is?

Maybe they should, because a drain bladder is easy to use, cheaper than a snake, and surprisingly effective.

This blog may convince you to invest in one and tackle the next big clog yourself.

A leaking toilet

A leaking toilet is a serious plumbing problem. A toilet leaking at the base packs an even bigger punch. That’s because it’s easy to miss, it can cause significant damage to walls and flooring if not addressed promptly, and water can seep into lower levels of a building, creating a wet, damp environment for mold.

Here’s what you need to know.

Faucet choices

They say that one’s home says a lot about the person’s taste and style. An extravagant centerpiece in your living room may provide a glimpse of your current finances, but expensive doesn’t always translate to having refined taste. Do you know what to look for when choosing the right type of faucet for your home? […]

Dripping faucet

Faucet drips contribute to up to 10,000 gallons of water wastage every year. Keep your home faucets in good working condition to avoid additional charges on your water bill, but most importantly, to minimize the environmental impact of wasting water. Sometimes the leak can easily be remedied by a simple DIY fix. If you know […]

A faucet repair

Faucets endure heavy use and abuse. They’re exposed to corrosive minerals and chemicals in water, extreme temperature changes, and unkind human treatment.

It should be no surprise they sometimes spring leaks or cease to work altogether.

Fortunately, most common faucet problems are easy to fix.

Power savings

Your home appliances account for up to 20 percent of your monthly energy consumption. Using energy-efficient appliances doesn’t only benefit the environment — by reducing greenhouse gases and air pollutants — it also lowers utility costs and saves you money. Newer models require less power to operate and are packed with energy-saving features, such as […]

Piggy bank swimming in cash

Not every plumbing problem costs a fortune to repair. Some problems may go unnoticed for years, yet they can be costly if left unchecked. Here are nine easy fixes that you can make at home to save yourself money on plumbing repairs: 1. Clean your drains often Soap scum and other debris will build up […]

Making a plumbing checklist

Even a pinhole leak in your slab foundation will offer warning signs, and drainage will slow in a sewer line long before the point of collapse.

Regularly inspecting your plumbing system will help you nip many problems in the bud. But you have to know where to look and what to fix.