Heating Repairs, Furnace Repairs, Heat Pumps, and Central Heat Systems

Posted on December 22, 2012 by admin

Baby it’s cold outside!  Temecula and Murrietta homeowners can experience temperatures as low as 28 degrees during the winter months.   Basic heater/furnace maintenance can minimize unexpected problems for your family.  You can schedule a technician for a tune up of your heater system each year, but there are simple things you can do yourself.  Be cautious and before you begin, be sure to power off your system. Also- make sure you know how to relight the pilot light.

heating tipsAt a minimum, changing the air filter in any forced air furnace on a monthly basis is recommended.  A good programmable thermostat will remind you when to the change the filter.  Choose your filter based on your sensitivity to air borne particles.  Vacuum the blower and accessible areas of the furnace every few months.  If your furnace blower is powered by a V-belt connected to an electric motor, check the belt for fraying or cracking.  For all types of furnaces, make sure the outside vents and chimneys are clear of leaves, nests, and other debris.  These blockages can cause carbon monoxide hazards.  Our technicians at WELLS PLUMBING & AIR can perform heater and maintenance services that can help protect your family while keeping your home warm and cozy.

Heat pumps can supplement the output and or lower the high cost of traditional heating and cooling systems.   Environmentally friendly; a heat pump can move air from one area in your home to another.  A heat pump can draw warmth from outside in the colder months, and move warm air from your home in the summer months.

For more information on Heat Pumps, Furnace or Heater repair contact us at Wells Plumbing & Air.  Call 951-591-5090 today!

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Soft Water in Your Temecula Home

Posted on December 11, 2012 by admin
soft water murrieta

Soft Water Installations throughout the entire Temecula Valley!

Our beautiful Temecula Valley is an area with hard water that can cause so many problems for homeowners.  Water is called “hard” when it has a high concentration of minerals, including calcium and magnesium.  It can clog pipes, make your soap less effective, and dry out your skin and hair.  Although these minerals do not present a health problem for those who drink the water or use it for cooking, these minerals tend to build up it your pipes and inside appliances, especially those that use hot water. Removing the minerals from your household water will save you time, energy and money.

Traditionally, hard water has been treated with a salt based system that uses osmosis to remove the minerals in your water. It is a very effective method but it is not without its faults.  Flushing salty water into your community’s sewer system or into your septic tank also comes with a host of problems. Not only does it inhibit the growth of the bacteria that break down human waste, but if you have a septic tank, the continuous influx of salt water can poison the ground surrounding it.

soft water temeculaA better choice is a Salt-Free Water Softening System, a technology that allows the healthy minerals to remain in the water but doesn’t allow them to attach or stick to each other and form scale. In effect, the minerals are dissolved into your water. The formula they use to dissolve the minerals is FDA approved and does not have any harmful side effects. This type of system can also do something that salt based water softening systems cannot.  It will remove any scale that is already in your pipes of appliances. This means that regular use of the water softening system will actually improve and extend the life of your existing plumbing and appliances. No more lugging bags of salt, cheaper to run and will not require you to do any rearranging of your home’s plumbing.

Contact us today if you’d like more information on soft water and installation in your home!

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Water Conservation Tips and Facts for Your Temecula/Murrieta Home

Posted on July 18, 2012 by admin

Water Conservation Tips and Facts

Water conservation is extremely important.  Wells Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning offers these tips and  facts ensuring Temecula/Murrieta residents do their part.

Tips to help conserve water:

  • Do not use excessive amount of detergents, bleach chemicals that may kill the natural bacteria in your septic system.
  • Use biodegradable soaps and detergents.
  • To prevent excessive watering of your lawn in the summertime, purchase an inexpensive spring-loaded timer which attaches directly to your outside faucet.  This will prevent overwatering in the event you forget to shut off the sprinkler.
  • Water pressure in your home above 60 pounds per square inch is harmful to your plumbing system and will cause excessive water usage.  Contact your local water authority to find out what the water pressure is on your street.  If it exceeds 60 pounds, consider installing a pressure reducing valve that will limit the water within your home.
  • Check your water meter during a period of time when no water is being used.  Make a note of the meter reading and check it 8 to 10 hours later.  If the meter has moved, there is an indication you may have an undetected water leak, which should be corrected.

Facts about water conservation:

  • Toilets consume more than 40% of your total water usage. Installation of a new toilet flapper and fill valve will keep your toilet running efficiently.
  • Conserve energy by checking the temperature setting on your water heater. It should not be about 120 degrees or medium setting on older models.
  • Replacing an old shower head can save up to 7.5 gallons of water per minute without sacrificing full spray action at low or high water pressures.
  • A leaky faucet that drips once per second can waste more than 8 gallons a day.  That is 3,000 gallons per year!

If you have plumbing concerns or questions, contact Wells Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning.

 

 

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Tips and Facts about Leaks in Your Temecula/Murrieta Home

Posted on July 4, 2012 by admin

Detecting Leaks in Your Home

Do plumbing leaks in your Temecula home have you worried? Wells Plumbing, Heating, and Air offers easy ways you can detect problems.

You may have a leak if:

  1. You can hear the continuous sound of water (for instance, a toilet running) when nothing is turned on.
  2. Your water meter reading changes when you are using water. To check this, mark the indicator on your meter; don’t use any water for an hour and then check the meter.  If the indicator moved, you may have a leak.
  3. Your water bill escalates over a period of weeks or months.  Do a month to month comparison of your bills.
  4. Your walls or floors have wet, spongy, damp or discolored areas where nothing has spilled.
  5. You can smell foul odors coming from floors or walls near drains or sewers.
  6. Your foundation cracks, vegetation grows unevenly, or earth shifts for no apparent reason.
  7. You find warm spots on your floor, particularly on concrete slabs.

Some facts about leaks:

  1. A 1/8 inch hole in a metal pipe, at 40 pounds per square inch (psi), leaks 2,500 gallons of water in 24 hours.
  2. A leak the size of a pinhead can waste 360,000 gallons per year, enough to fill 12,000 bathtubs to the overflow mark.
  3. A leaking toilet can use 90,000 gallons of water in 30 days.
  4. A dripping faucet/hose bib can lose up to 180 gallons per month or 2160 gallons per year.
  5. Approximately 1 in every 20 swimming pools has a leak.
  6. Approximately 1 in every 318 homes has a leak.
  7. A typical toilet leak at today’s rate can add $500 to a single water bill.
  8. Using a pool cover prevents about 1000 gallons per month from evaporating.

Do you suspect a leak in your home? Wells Plumbing, Heating, and Air can help.

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More Springtime Plumbing Tips for Your Temecula Home

Posted on June 19, 2012 by greg

More Temecula and Murrieta Plumbing Tips

Once you have completed the “spring cleaning” checklist for kitchen, bathroom and appliances,  Wells Plumbing, Heating, and Air offers a few outdoor and miscellaneous tips to safeguard your home against plumbing problems.

General

  • Pour a gallon of water into infrequently used drains (including floor drains) to fill the trap and prevent odors from entering the house. Slow floor drains should be snaked to ensure they will carry away water quickly in the event of a flood.
  • Check exposed pipes under sinks and in the basement for signs of leaks.
  • If your home has a sump pump, make sure it operates properly by pouring a few buckets of water into the sump pit. The pump should quickly turn on, discharge the water then shut off without any problems.
  • Install a backflow valve in the floor drain if you live in an area where sewers sometimes backup into homes. This device will prevent future backups.
  • Inspect for slow leaks in your home by taking a reading on your water meter before bedtime. The next morning, without using any water overnight, take another reading. If the reading has changed you have a leak that should be repaired.
  • Install flood alarms. Like a smoke alarm, a flood alarm is a battery-operated device that sounds an alarm when it comes in contact with water. It alerts you to potential flooding or leaks.

Outside

  • Make sure yard drains, gutters and downspouts are clean, open, and free of debris.
  • Check for bird nests in plumbing vent pipes.
  • Check faucets and hose bibs to make sure water flows freely. If an outdoor faucet drips or if there is leakage inside your home the first time the hose is turned on, you may have had a frozen pipe that cracked and needs to be replaced.

Contact Temecula and Murrieta Plumbing experts Wells Plumbing, Heating, and Air with any of your plumbing concerns!

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Springtime Plumbing Tips for Your Temecula Home

Posted on June 12, 2012 by admin

Temecula/Murrieta Spring Plumbing Tips

This is the time of year when many do “spring cleaning.” Wells Plumbing, Heating, and Air offers simple tips to safeguard your home against plumbing problems.

Kitchen/Bathrooms

  • Check faucets for drips or leaks. Make repairs to save water.
  • Ensure that all drains have strainers to prevent hair, soap and debris from clogging the drain lines.
  • Check toilets for hidden leaks. Add six drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.
  • Inspect tank and bowl for cracks or leaks.
  • Exercise water supply valves under sinks and toilets to prevent them from sticking.
  • Make sure toilets flush properly. If the handle must be held down for a thorough flush or jiggled to stop the water from running you may need to replace worn tank parts. They’re inexpensive and you will notice a lower water bill.
  • Clean mineral deposits from shower head. Unscrew it and soak in vinegar or fill a plastic baggie with vinegar; place it over the shower head and hold in place with a rubber band. Soak overnight then remove and gently scrub with an old toothbrush to remove deposits.

Appliances

  • Check the temperature setting on your water heater. It should be set no higher than 120°F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use.
  • Carefully drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out corrosion causing sediment, which reduces heating efficiency and shortens the life of the heater. Check your water heater manufacturer ‘s website for specific instructions concerning your make and model.
  • Consider replacing a water heater more than 15 years old. (The first four digits of the serial number represent the month and year it was made.) Newer water heaters are more energy efficient.
  • Make sure flammables are not stored near the water heater or furnace.
  • Check dishwasher, washing machine and ice maker supply hoses for bulges or leaks. Replace hoses showing signs of weakness or older than ten years. Use stainless steel hoses wherever possible. They are more reliable and less prone to bursting than other types.
  • Clean out washing machine lint trap, if equipped, and place a wire trap or a piece of pantyhose over the end of the hose that drains the washer.

Check back in 2 weeks for more plumbing tips from Wells Plumbing, Heating, and Air, Temecula and Murrieta’s plumbing specialists.

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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Held for Temecula’s Wells Plumbing

Posted on January 19, 2012 by admin

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Held for Temecula’s Wells Plumbing

The Wells Company, certified heating, plumbing, and air conditioning specialists, is pleased to announce their new affiliation with the Temecula Chamber of Commerce.  Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held on Wednesday, January 11, 2012.

“We’ve been serving the Temecula Valley now for nearly a decade and we feel that our membership in the Temecula Chamber will allow us to serve the Valley at a new level,” said company founder Bob Wells.  “We’re very excited about the direction of our company and this community.”

The Wells Company services both home owners and business owners, specializing in repair and maintenance of residential and commercial refrigeration, heating units, and all plumbing needs.  Known for their commitment to fast and reliable customer service, they employ a staff of technicians that boasts over 35 years of experience in the industry.
Mr. Wells concluded by adding, “Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony represents a renewal of our commitment to this great community.”

The Wells Company can be reached at 951-375-6856.

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Temecula and Murrieta Sewer Repair

Posted on December 7, 2011 by admin

Temecula and Murrieta Sewer Repair

Having Temecula Sewer Repair problems in your home used to mean digging massive trenches in your yard, ruining your landscaping, and a huge (not to mention expensive) mess.  Fortunately, as your Murrieta and Temecula Plumbing experts, we have turned that inconvenience into a thing of the past. Thanks to new advances in sewer pipe repair technology, you can replace or repair your broken Temecula or Murrieta sewer line without the nightmare of destroying your yard, walkway, porch, garage, or driveway.

Using a Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP) method we can reline an existing sewer pipe. Upon completion the relined pipe will be impenetrable to root infiltration with minimal or no excavation required. Primary uses for this are in heavily landscaped properties, under buildings, vertical roof drains, and under sidewalks or roadways.

What is CIPP?

Cured in Place Pipe is a trenchless technique that allows Wells Plumbing to repair pipes in your sewer through relining rather than replacing the existing pipes.  The method accounts for tens of thousands of kilometers of sewer repair worldwide. CIPP is a trenchless technique that avoids traffic problems, excavation, resurfacing work, and the hassle of digging up your beautiful landscaping due to a Temecula or Murrieta sewer problem.

No digging is required when you use our sewer relining services. Regardless of whether your pipes are cracked, broken, root infested, or any other degree of damage, we can clean out any debris present and install a new pipe sleeve inside, essentially making your Temecula sewer pipes new again!

Contact us today with any of your plumbing repair needs.  We’ll be glad to provide you with friendly, speedy, and affordable service.

Proudly serving Temecula and these surrounding areas:

Murrieta Plumbers
Lake Elsinore Plumbers
Hemet Plumbers
Menifee Plumbers
Wildomar Plumbers
Winchester Plumbers

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Angle Stop Replacements: Preventing Leaking Valves In The Pipes Of Your Kitchen Sink And Toilets

Posted on November 21, 2011 by admin

Angle stop replacements can often help to keep household plumbing in good condition. Angle stops may be located under the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink and the toilet. Unfortunately, these parts sometimes fail after a few decades of disuse and corrosion, and replacing them becomes necessary.

Start by shutting off the water supply to the house as well as the shutoff valve behind the hot water heater. Open the faucet above the leak and run it until the water stops flowing. Then, disconnect the lines that connect the stops and the faucets, and move them away from the repair area.

To remove the valves, turn them clockwise using a crescent wrench. When the mechanism has loosened, grasp it and turn it manually until it comes loose from the pipe. If the fitting is a compression fitting, use channel lock pliers to grip the compression collar while using a crescent wrench to turn the fitting.

Take the stops to the hardware store and purchase two identical new stops. If needed, speak to someone knowledgeable in the plumbing department and ask them to find an exact replacement. Before screwing the stops back into place at home, wrap the ends of the pipe or the compression stop with Teflon tape.

Once the stops are installed, they should be turned off by spinning them fully to the right. Then, turn the water supply on and check to ensure that there are no leaks. If no leaks are present, reconnect the water lines.

If the faucet is not yet connected to stops using flexible lines, take the time to purchase flex lines at the hardware store and replace your old metal water lines. Also, before changing the entire valve, try turning the packing nut underneath the valve knob to see if the leak stops. Be careful not to apply too much torque to any valve as the plastic parts may become damaged or break.

Of course, it’s never wrong to seek professional assistance with this task and as your premier plumber in Murrieta and Temecula, Wells Plumbing can get the job done quickly, effectively, and affordably!  Call us today!

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Temecula and Murrieta Plumbing Answers: High Efficiency Toilets

Posted on October 19, 2011 by admin

Murrieta Plumbers: High Efficiency ToiletsThroughout our long history as plumbers in Murrieta and Temecula, we have seen water shortages become more common and regulations are increasing in regards to conservation. The issue is relatively simple- find ways to meet our needs while using less water. One popular approach is the installation of high-efficiency toilets. Did you know that your old toilet may consume as much as 7 gallons per flush. If you have one or more old toilet in your home or business, it makes sense both from an economic and environmental standpoint to replace it with a water-conserving model. Many of these high-efficiency toilets can cut water usage in half or more!

Consider these economic facts…

According to the American Water Works Association, Americans flush the toilets in their homes an average of five times per person per day. In a family of four with older toilets in the home consuming 5 gallons per flush, this translates to about 25 gallons per person per day (5 flushes x 5 gallons per flush) for a total of 100 gallons just for the family to flush the toilet every day. That’s a staggering 36,500 gallons per year! Installing a high efficiency toilet that uses only 2 gallons per flush cuts this annual number all the way down to 14,600 gallons- a marked decrease.

It doesn’t take much to realize the type of savings and consumption you could see if the older toilet is in your place of business. Imagine a restaurant with two toilets, a dozen employees, and customers 7 days a week. The usage numbers can skyrocket, along with your water bill, faster than you think. Installing a high-efficiency toilet could save you a substantial amount of money.

In rural areas just outside of Temecula and Murrieta and in other parts of Riverside County, municipal services may not be available. Water-efficient toilets in these situations reduce the amount of waste flowing into septic tanks and extend the lives of the systems. If you use well water, an efficient toilet reduces the run time of your well pump, reducing your electrical consumption and increasing the life of your pump.

We realize that you may have specific questions regarding high-efficiency toilets for your home or business and as your Temecula and Murrieta plumbing specialists, we welcome your calls and inquiries. Please feel free to contact us at any time with questions.

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