Month: August 2019

7 Signs You Should Call for Toilet Repair in California

Aug 30, 2019

7 Signs You Should Call for Toilet Repair in California

Toilets are probably one of the most used bits of plumbing in your home. They’re very important to living a sanitary and comfortable modern life. However, since they’re used so often, they’re likely to break down from frequent use. Depending on your handyman skills, you might be able to fix minor problems. However, you’ll still want to know when it’s time to call a professional. Let Crystal Blue give you some advice on when you should call for toilet repair for your California home.

Here are seven signs you should call us to help you with toilet repair in you California home:

 

Frequent clogging

As long as you aren’t flushing anything you shouldn’t, your toilet shouldn’t clog very often. However, if your toilet is clogging up more than once per week, you might have a problem. One of the likely causes is that there’s a partial blockage somewhere in the pipes. Alternatively, the parts in your toilet used for flushing might be getting worn out. Either way, you should call one of our professionals to take a look and fix the problem.

 

Constant running

A toilet that’s constantly running often prompts people to try jiggling the handle. Doing this moves the flapper valve and sometimes gets it to close correctly. If this keeps happening, you may have to get a new flapper handle or even a new toilet altogether.

 

Weak or no flushing

When your toilet is having difficulty flushing or isn’t flushing at all, that means your toilet needs new parts. You’ll want to call an expert to help you determine what parts you need and to install them. At Crystal Blue, we come fully stocked and have the knowledge to install them.

 

Rust and corrosion

A rusty, corroded toilet is one that needs replacing. Sometimes, you can get away with swapping out a rust-covered part for a new one. Other times, you’ll have to replace the whole thing. Hard water is a common culprit when it comes to rust and corrosion, so getting a water softener can help you preserve your toilet and other plumbing.

 

Standing water around the base

Standing water in strange locations often signifies a leak. When you see standing water around the leak, it’s usually a problem with the seal. You’ll want to replace the seal quickly so you avoid water damage and increased water bills from the leaking water.

 

Cracked porcelain

When you’re cleaning your toilet, keep an eye out for cracks in the porcelain, especially in the tank or bowl. This can be another source of leaking water. Always check your toilet after it gets hit by anything or if anything heavy or solid lands on it.

 

No refills

If your toilet’s tank or bowl won’t refill, there’s one thing to blame: the fill valve. You’ll most likely have to locate it and replace it with a new one. However, if you don’t have the experience, this is a job best left to a professional plumber.

 

What makes Crystal Blue my best choice for plumbing repairs?

Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating & Air is a licensed and insured plumbing contractor who has served Sacramento, CA and the surrounding areas since 1976. Our plumbers are reliable, friendly, and their #1 goal is to see you receive the best customer service, no matter the size or type of job. We stand behind our products and our work, and we want you to feel you can trust us with your bathroom plumbing. Whether it’s a toilet repair to stop it from running or a new faucet installation—or even extensive repiping—we’re the people who’ll get the work done and deliver you peace of mind. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you!

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When Is It Time For AC Replacement in Auburn?

Aug 26, 2019

When Is It Time For AC Replacement in Auburn?

 

AC Replacement in Auburn, CA: When Is It Time for a New Air Conditioner?

When summer temperatures climb in Auburn, CA a reliable air conditioner is essential for keeping your home comfortable. If your current system is getting older, needs frequent repairs, or can no longer cool your home effectively, AC replacement may provide better comfort, efficiency, and reliability.

Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating & Air provides professional AC replacement in Auburn, CA, helping homeowners determine when replacing an aging cooling system makes more sense than continuing to repair it. Our HVAC technicians evaluate your existing equipment, your home’s cooling needs, and available replacement options so you can make an informed decision.

Before the AC replacement in Auburn

 

 

Signs It May Be Time to Replace Your AC

An air conditioner doesn’t have to stop working completely before replacement becomes worth considering. Older systems often show warning signs as their performance begins to decline.

You may want to consider AC replacement if:

  • Your air conditioner requires increasingly frequent repairs
  • The system struggles to keep your Auburn home comfortable
  • Some rooms are considerably warmer than others
  • Your cooling costs have increased without a major change in usage
  • The AC frequently turns on and off
  • The system makes unusual or increasingly loud noises
  • Major components are beginning to fail
  • Your existing air conditioner is approaching the end of its expected service life

A single problem doesn’t necessarily mean you need a new system. An experienced HVAC technician can inspect your equipment and help determine whether AC repair or replacement is the more practical option.

AC Repair vs. Replacement: Which Is Right for Your Home?

When an air conditioner breaks down, replacing the entire system isn’t always necessary. Newer systems with relatively minor problems may have many years of useful service remaining after a professional repair.

Replacement becomes more attractive when you’re facing a major repair on an aging or inefficient system. Continuing to put money into an AC that regularly breaks down can eventually cost more without solving problems with comfort or efficiency.

Crystal Blue evaluates the condition of your system before recommending a solution. We’ll explain the available options so you can weigh the cost of repairing your current equipment against the potential benefits of installing a new cooling system.

Benefits of Replacing an Older Air Conditioner

Installing a properly selected modern cooling system can improve more than just your home’s temperature.

Depending on your existing equipment and the replacement system you choose, benefits can include:

  • More consistent cooling throughout your home
  • Improved energy efficiency
  • Quieter operation
  • Better humidity and comfort control
  • Fewer unexpected breakdowns
  • Improved reliability during Auburn’s hottest weather
  • Modern HVAC technology and controls

The right equipment is important, but so is proper system sizing and professional installation. An oversized or undersized air conditioner can have trouble maintaining comfortable temperatures and may operate less efficiently.

Choosing the Right Replacement AC for Your Auburn Home

Every home has different cooling requirements. Square footage is important, but it isn’t the only factor that should determine system size.

When recommending replacement equipment, HVAC professionals may consider factors such as your home’s layout, insulation, windows, sun exposure, existing ductwork, and overall cooling load.

Crystal Blue performs the necessary evaluation to help match your home with an appropriately sized system rather than simply replacing the old equipment with another unit of the same size.

An Auburn AC Replacement: The Turner Family’s Story

One Auburn family experienced firsthand how important the right AC replacement can be.

On a hot August morning, the Turner family turned on their thermostat and discovered that their aging air conditioner was no longer producing cool air. Because the system was already advanced in age, they knew replacement was becoming increasingly likely.

The family began gathering estimates for a new cooling system. After receiving several quotes, Mr. Turner connected with a Crystal Blue technician and invited our team to evaluate the home.

Rather than simply recommending replacement equipment based on the existing unit, Crystal Blue performed a heat-load calculation to determine the home’s cooling requirements.

The Turner family ultimately chose Crystal Blue for their AC replacement. Our team installed a high-efficiency variable-speed system with two-stage cooling and heating, providing the family with a new system designed around their home’s needs.

Financing was also available to help make the replacement more manageable.

What to Expect During an AC Replacement

A professional AC replacement starts before the old equipment is removed.

The process typically includes:

  1. Evaluating your current system. A technician assesses the existing equipment and determines whether replacement is appropriate.
  2. Determining your home’s cooling needs. Proper sizing helps the new system cool your home effectively and efficiently.
  3. Reviewing equipment options. You’ll be able to compare appropriate systems based on efficiency, features, comfort, and budget.
  4. Removing the old equipment. The existing system is safely disconnected and removed.
  5. Installing the new AC system. The replacement equipment is professionally installed and connected.
  6. Testing system operation. The system is tested to make sure it is operating properly before the installation is completed.

How Can You Get the Most From Your New AC?

Proper installation is only the beginning. Regular AC maintenance can help your new system continue operating reliably and efficiently.

Homeowners should replace or clean air filters as recommended, keep outdoor equipment clear of debris, pay attention to changes in system performance, and schedule routine professional maintenance.

Catching small problems early can help prevent them from developing into larger repairs and protect the investment you’ve made in your new cooling system.

AC Replacement FAQs

How do I know whether to repair or replace my air conditioner?

The answer depends on the system’s age, condition, efficiency, repair history, and the cost of the current problem. A professional HVAC inspection can help you compare the cost of repairing your existing AC with the benefits of replacement.

Will a new air conditioner lower my energy bills?

A newer, more efficient system may reduce cooling energy use compared with older, inefficient equipment, but actual savings depend on the equipment, your home, thermostat settings, weather, ductwork, insulation, and other factors.

Why does proper AC sizing matter?

An improperly sized air conditioner can struggle with comfort, efficiency, humidity control, and equipment longevity. Evaluating the home’s actual cooling requirements helps determine the appropriate system capacity.

Can I finance an AC replacement?

Crystal Blue offers financing options for qualifying customers, which can make an unexpected HVAC replacement easier to manage.

How can I make my new air conditioner last longer?

Regular professional maintenance, timely filter changes, keeping the outdoor unit clear, and addressing performance problems promptly can all help protect your cooling system.

Schedule AC Replacement in Auburn, CA

If your aging air conditioner is becoming unreliable, struggling to cool your home, or requiring increasingly expensive repairs, Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating & Air can help you determine the right next step.

Our experienced HVAC team provides professional AC replacement in Auburn, CA, with careful system selection and installation designed around your home’s needs. Contact Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating & Air today to schedule an AC replacement estimate and find the right cooling solution for your Auburn home.

 

After the AC Replacement in Auburn

It took only 5 minutes to get them approved for financing, and needless to say the results speak for themselves. This new unit will reliably cool their home for many summers to come! Thank you to Mr. Turner and his family for trusting their home to Crystal Blue and joining our family!

 

If you need an AC Replacement in Auburn, Loomis, or the surrounding communities call Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating & Air today!

5 Common Air Filters for Your California Home

Aug 16, 2019

5 Common Air Filters for Your California Home

Being a homeowner allows you to control all sorts of aspects of your home’s design. However, one aspect that can be harder to control is the quality of your home’s air. Unsavory contaminants like mold spores and dust can get into your air and make it uncomfortable to breathe. Fortunately, it’s common for many home service companies to offer air filters for your California home. However, there are many types of air filters for specific situations. It’s important to know the differences between the most common types so you can properly manage your home’s air quality.

Here are five of the more common air filters you can buy for your California home:

 

HEPA filters

First used in the 1850s, HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are an old yet reliable way to stop dust and other debris-based contaminants. Unfortunately, they’re unable to clear out odors, radiation, gasses, or chemicals. “True” HEPA filters have to be able to capture 99.97% of particles larger or equal to 0.3 microns in a lab setting (in Europe, the requirement is only 85% of particles). However, “true HEPA” is also a marketing term that gets thrown around a lot. So do your research on HEPA filters to find ones that are actually effective.

 

UV lights

UV lights are great at destroying bacteria and germs, but can’t do anything against airborne particles. One of the more common types of UV light filters are lamps that zap germs as they pass through the lamp and the UV light. However, there are a couple of health-based caveats concerning these filters. First, UV light can be damaging to your skin and eyes, so they’re best placed somewhere where you can’t easily access it. In addition, they can convert oxygen and water to ozone (O3, as compared to the O2 we breathe,) which is dangerous at even low levels. When looking at UV filters, look for ones with minimal ozone production. This filter works best when paired with a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter (see below,) as these two can destroy contaminants that could shield bacteria from the UV light.

 

Activated carbon

You might know how carbon can absorb contaminants like chemicals and gasses through chemical bonding. Activated carbon is a variant that’s designed to be more porous. By doing so, the carbon has more surface area and can absorb more contaminants. For maximum efficiency, activated carbon works best with HEPA filters to cover the widest range of cleared contaminants.

 

Central air filtration systems

Do you have central air in your home? There are air filters out there that can make use of that. Certain parts of the vents make great choke points for placing air filters as all of the house’s air will eventually flow through your duct system. These systems stay out of sight and can be very effective.

 

Negative ionizers

Negative ionizers clean your home’s air by adding extra electrons to air molecules that pass through it. From there, the air molecules attach themselves to positively-charged contaminants and become heavy enough that they fall to the floor or stick to a surface. They operate very quietly, but they only move the contaminant problem. This means you’ll have to do more cleaning on your walls and floors. In addition, movement can cause the stuck contaminants to break free and be released into the air. More importantly, negative ionizers can produce a worrying amount of ozone. There’s also some evidence that inhaled ionized particles can stick to your respiratory system and cause lung irritation and allergies.

 

Ozone filters

Ozone filters are somewhat rare compared to other air filters, but there’s a good reason for that. That’s because they’re dangerous to your health and highly inefficient. Various studies suggest that it would take months or even years to fully work and that it can’t clear biological pollutants without breaking public health standards. As for the ozone itself, it can create dangerous byproducts when reacting to certain chemicals, such as chemicals from a new carpet. In addition, the EPA says the ozone itself can:

  • Make it more difficult to breathe deeply and vigorously.
  • Cause shortness of breath, and pain when taking a deep breath.
  • Cause coughing and sore or scratchy throat.
  • Inflame and damage the airways.
  • Aggravate lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
  • Increase the frequency of asthma attacks.
  • Make the lungs more susceptible to infection.
  • Continue to damage the lungs even when the symptoms have disappeared.
  • Cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Why call on Crystal Blue to keep my home’s air healthy?

Our technicians at Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating & Air work with a variety of air filters and air purifiers, as well as other IAQ solutions. They’re focused on your complete customer satisfaction and will work closely with you to meet your home’s specific requirements for better air quality. It’s our honor and privilege to serve the needs of customers in Sacramento, CA and the surrounding areas. Call us today to learn more about how we can keep your home’s air fresh!