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.

A water meter outside a home

Do you know your humble water meter is a secret weapon against leaks and water waste?

Unless you’re equipped with professional leak detection technology, like the good folks at Orange Coast Plumbing, you might want to keep an eye on it — not just to lower your bills but to nip plumbing disasters in the bud.

An old toilet flange

Is your toilet leaking at the base?

You may have a cracked toilet base, loose or corroded mounting bolts, or a deteriorated wax ring. Or it could be the flange that connects the toilet to the drainpipe. When the seal between the toilet and flange breaks, water can seep out each time you flush the toilet.

Mold in the corner of a bathroom

Your bathroom, that high-traffic part of the house, may suffer from more than wear and tear. And your family may suffer as a result without even realizing it.

Mold thrives in dank places and, though often visible, can remain hidden in the small cracks between tiles and grout, behind shower curtains, and inside walls. Its spores can trigger allergies and breathing problems in people and pets.

Left unchecked, it ruins aesthetics, undermines your home, and poses a health risk. The best way to deal with it is never letting it gain a foothold.

A dirty toilet tank

Cleaning a toilet tank is an unglamorous task.

It doesn’t make for exciting TitTok videos or Instagram posts. But neglecting this often-forgotten area of home maintenance can lead to unpleasant odors, stains, and even plumbing problems.

Tree root wrapped around a sewer pipe

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

For trees, that treasure is sewage.

Sounds disgusting, right? But think about it — sewage is packed with all those nutrients trees love. Your sewer pipe is like an all-you-can-eat buffet!

Inserting a plumbing snake

Dealing with a clogged drain is a frequent frustration for any homeowner with older plumbing. Or toddlers. Or teenagers who dump who knows what down the pipes.

Sometimes, a few pumps with a plumber’s friend will clear it, or even a concoction of baking soda and vinegar.

Other times, no amount of plunging or concocting will clear that stubborn clog. Even drain cleaning products may not work, and there’s always a risk of damage to your pipes.

Draining a water heater

Unlike dishwashers, refrigerators, and ovens, water heaters are usually tucked away in a closet or some dark corner. It’s easy to forget about them until something goes wrong.

By then, you may be looking at costly repairs or even replacement. In a hard water zone like Southern California, neglecting your water heater leads to mineral buildup, compromising appliance life, efficiency, and your cherished hot water supply.

Moen inline water leak detector

Water damage is one of the most common and costly problems homeowners face. From burst pipes to leaky appliances, water damage can wreak havoc on your home and cause thousands of dollars in repairs. That’s why it’s important to invest in an inline home water detector. These devices can detect leaks and shut off your water supply before any major damage occurs. One of the best inline home water detectors on the market is Flo by Moen.

Saving water in the shower

The average person uses about 17 gallons per minute in the shower alone! That might not seem like a lot, but if you multiply that by minutes in your showers or baths each day, it starts to add up fast. The good news is that there are some easy ways to save water and money that you can start doing today.

Testing the water temperature

Tankless water heater, continuous water heater, or instant water heater. These terms all describe the same thing: a powerful, compact water heater delivering near-instant hot water for as long as needed. Near-instant, virtually continuous, and without a water storage tank.

Tankless heaters are the latest and greatest water heaters on the market, and they offer an easy way to save energy, water, and money while boosting convenience and comfort. While they’re relatively new to the USA, the technology is nearly a century old.

Moen inline water leak detector

But what if we told you there’s a simple and affordable way to keep your water bill low and detect even a pinhole leak anywhere in your plumbing system — before it causes significant damage?

We’re talking about a smart water leak detector, a Wi-Fi-enabled device that attaches to your plumbing and monitors water use in your home — including tiny increases in water use or activity in your pipes due to pinhole leaks.

The best of the breed is the Moen Flo Smart Water Monitor & Shutoff.

Tankless water heater

Choosing a new water heater can be overwhelming. There are many options on the market that finding the right one for you can be daunting. And you can’t wait too long to replace your water heater or you’ll be left in a lurch.