One of the greatest conveniences of the modern age is undoubtedly fridges that let you get water and ice through the door. However, to do this, the refrigerator is going to need to be hooked up to a water supply. Hooking up water to a fridge may sound a bit complicated, and you would be right. Knowing how to hook up a fridge water line, and actually attaching a water line to the fridge without leaks are two completely different things.

We’re going to look at the process of attaching a water line to a fridge, and what exactly is involved. We’ll cover how to make sure it doesn’t leak, and go over a few tips for smoother installation at the end.

How To Hook Up A Fridge Water Line

1. Shut Off The Water

Underneath your sink is the water shutoff valve, which you’ll need to turn off. Turn the valve or lever clockwise a ¼ turn, or until it stops. To relieve the pressure still in the lines, turn on the cold water at the faucet.

2. Disconnect The Faucet Water Line

With a small rag or bucket under the connection, disconnect the faucet supply tube from the top of the shutoff valve. You’ll need two pairs of pliers for this, one to hold the valve, and one to wiggle the tube out after loosening the nut.

3. Connect Add-A-Tee

You’ll be putting in a tee above the shutoff, so you can run a line to the fridge. It will have a pipe nipple to go into the shutoff, and then two outlets. Tighten by hand, then finish with pliers. 

4. Connect Supply Tubes To Supply

Reattach the faucet supply line from earlier, and tighten the connection. Then attach one end of the new supply for the fridge into the tee, and tighten.

5. Connect Supply Tube To Fridge

Attach the remaining end of the water supply to the fridge’s water inlet, and tighten it securely. In most cases, this will simply be a ¼” supply fitting that the line will connect directly to. Hand-tighten, then snug slightly with pliers.

6. Turn On Water

Turn on your water under the sink by opening the shutoff valve again. With the knob it will generally be a ¼ turn, if it’s a lever handle, the handle will generally move from perpendicular to parallel in relation to the supply line. Once the supply is pressurized you’ll need to keep an eye out for leaks.

Tips For Attaching A Water Line To A Fridge

Here are some tips about the general process to help you get the project done right, quicker, and easier.

• Before you start a potentially complicated installation, move your fridge a bit and check behind it to see if there are any hookup provisions already in place. You may find that you have a valve and supply in place, and all you need is a flexible tube to connect them. 
• Be sure to use a manual or automatic flush function to make sure the dispenser runs all of the air out of the line. Continue flushing with at least several gallons of water to remove any contaminants, and let the icemaker make two batches of throwaway ice before you use any.
• Don’t use a saddle valve. They aren’t terribly common anymore, but you might still see them here and there. They were once the standard, but they were prone to leaking, so conventional shut offs are standard now. Making sure you aren’t using a saddle valve will save you time fixing leaks later.

Save Time & Money By Working With A Local Expert

If you want to make sure the job is done right, and in as little time as possible, reach out today and speak with your local plumbing experts. They can answer any questions you may have and provide any information you might need.

Moving from an electric stove to a gas stove, or simply upgrading your gas stove and line, may leave you wondering who installs gas lines for stoves or maybe who can run a gas line to your kitchen. Working with propane or natural gas is incredibly dangerous, and making sure the installation is done correctly is vital to ensuring the safety of your home and everyone in it. 

We’re going to look at not only who can install a gas line for a stove, but what type of contractor can install gas service lines if you need more extensive installation needs. Then, we’re going to look at what the process involves, and why it’s important to have a local professional complete the installation. 

Who Can Install A Gas Line For My Stove?

If you need a gas line installed for your stove, you will need a plumber, and in most states, that plumber will need appropriate credentialing. Installing a gas stove can be relatively simple, but connecting it to the gas service, whether propane or natural gas, at the installation location, is where the potential for danger comes in. Before hiring a plumber, you should know what to look for in quality plumbing service, as well as what the basic process is going to look like. 

Why Do I Need A Plumber To Install A Gas Line For My Stove?

Here are a few big reasons why you may want to avoid the DIY route for your stove’s gas line installation.

Your Local Laws May Require It

First and foremost, in many areas, the best reason to call a licensed plumber is that working on gas lines yourself may be illegal. In San Diego, for example, a homeowner or property owner can get what’s known as a “no-plan” permit for installing a gas appliance or doing minor repairs, but failing to do so can result in consequences. A more substantial permit is needed for all other work, and your plumber will know the application requirements and how to best get it done.

Your Plumber Is An Expert

The reason that plumbers work on both water and gas lines is that they are both incredibly similar in function and installation. Not only will your plumber know the best way to get the project done, but it’ll also be done quicker and with less danger than doing it yourself.

The Consequences Can Be Devastating

Gas lines need to be installed 100% correctly because even a slight misstep in the sealing process can lead to a leak. Installing a gas line may seem straightforward, but there is a significant chance for a non-professional to make a mistake. If there is a leak, you’ll need to have a professional address the problem anyway, so it’s usually a lot easier to simply have them install it in the first place.

What To Look For In A Plumbing Service

Before you commit to any work, make sure you do a little due diligence in researching your potential plumber. Here are some things to remember:

• Make sure they can prove they have a current business license for your state
• They should have a surety bond to protect you from subpar work, also known as being “bonded”
• They should have current liability and workers’ compensation insurance
• Most reputable plumbers will have references or even portfolios they can furnish to you, so you can see previous projects or speak with customers who agree to act as references

Trust The San Diego Experts With Your Next Project

No matter the scope of your gas line project, we can be your trusted local plumbing partner. Whether you need a gas line for your stove or more extensive repairs on your existing gas lines, reach out today to Emory Plumbing to speak with a professional.

How Do I Stop My Water Heater From Making Noise?

“How do I stop my water heater from making noise?” That’s a question we often hear from our customers. The answer  depends on what’s causing the sound in the first place. Here are four of the most likely culprits:

1. Sediment in the tank itself.
2. Electrical short circuits.
3. Changes in water pressure.
4. A malfunctioning anode rod.

In this post, we’ll look at each of these problems and offer a potential solution. Please get in touch with Emory Plumbing in San Diego today if you need a professional’s help with the issue.

How Do I Stop My Water Heater from Making Noise? Start By Checking for Sediment

No public water supply is completely free of dirt and granules. Over time, these contaminants can build up inside your water heater, causing banging, rumbling, or exploding sounds.

The simplest way to deal with this problem is to drain the water tank. In fact, this step is recommended by water heater manufacturers for most of their models. Check the product manual or visit the company’s website for details. An Emory water heater technician can also be of help.

How Do I Stop My Water Heater from Making Noise? Call a Professional

All water heaters use electricity, even those that run on gas or oil. If you’ve noticed a crackling or popping sound from your heater, then it’s possible that you’re dealing with an electrical issue.

If so, then it’s important to contact a qualified service technician right away. Trying to fix the problem yourself puts you at risk of electrocution. At Emory, our experts have the specialized training needed to diagnose and correct this issue.

How Do I Stop My Water Heater from Making Noise? Change the Valve Settings

If you hear a ticking noise coming from your water heater, then the problem might be caused by abrupt water pressure changes. Adjusting the heater’s valves often corrects this problem.

Sometimes changes in pressure are impossible to avoid due to irregularities in your city’s water delivery system. This problem can reveal itself by the heater vibrating or banging against the surrounding walls. In such cases, your heater may need clamps or straps to keep it stable. Installing these products is another job that’s best left to an Emory professional.

How Do I Stop My Water Heater from Making Noise? Check the Anode Rod

The anode rod helps to reduce the amount of sediment and harmful bacteria in your water heater. Like all electrical components, it will eventually begin to fail. When it does, you’re likely to notice a popping or clicking sound.

Replacing the anode rod is the only way to deal with this problem. It’s also a good idea to remove any built-up sediment at the same time. Because this repair involves electrical components, we recommend trusting the job to an Emory-trained technician.

Other Possible Causes

When it comes to water heater noise, sometimes the cause is a little harder to detect. If you try the above steps and they don’t work, then other possibilities include:

• A stuck pressure valve – the pressure valve is normally located on the side of the tank. If it’s emitting a screeching or screaming noise, then you may find yourself asking, “why is my water heater making a whistling noise.” If so, then cut off the power supply to the unit and call a plumbing professional immediately. Otherwise,  the tank may rupture or even explode.
• Water hammering – this problem is usually accompanied by a banging noise in your plumbing fixtures or pipes. It’s caused by changes in water pressure from outside the home. Correcting the issue may require installing a water hammer arrestor.
• A leaking tank – the only solution for this problem is the installation of a new water heater altogether. Our experts can help you to choose a new model that will provide you with trouble-free service for many years to come. Just give us a call.

Plumbing and Heating Professionals You Can Trust

Since 1944, Emory has served the people of San Diego by providing top-quality plumbing and heating repairs at affordable prices. So if you’re wondering what’s wrong with your water heater or how to stop a baseboard heater from making noise, then we invite you to get in touch with us today.

What is Considered Smoke Damage? Everything You Need to Know About Repairing Your Home

Although we would like to think so, no one is immune to a house fire. A house fire is a devastating, stressful event that can happen to anyone, at any time. Smoke damage is considered as the leftover residue on clothing and furniture after a house fire has occurred.

If you’ve recently experienced a house fire, you’ll want to keep reading to find out what to do when all of your valued items were damaged by a fire.

What is considered smoke damage? What types are there?

It’s important to keep in mind that smoke damage is caused by smoke, not by the fire
itself. Smoke damage occurs when an object is physically damaged or destroyed by the enormous amounts of smoke that are produced by fires. While smoke doesn’t destroy the same way fire does, smoke still manages to wreak havoc on many daily objects used every day.

However, the type of smoke damage you’ll see depends on how the fire started, and the temperature at which it burned. Note that fires not only occur at homes – they also can occur at other public places such as schools and places of business. Smoke damage can come from:

Wet Smoke

Commonly known as one of the hardest types of smoke damage to get rid of, wet smoke is ultimately caused by low temperature, slow-burning fire. If there’s damage from wet smoke there will be a sticky residue left over which is tough to clean.

Dry Smoke

Unlike wet smoke, dry smoke happens with high temperatures and fast-burning fires. Smoke damage from dry smoke leaves behind a powdery residue, however, it can be wiped off hard, solid surfaces with ease.

Petroleum Smoke

Everyone has burned oil at least once, and this is where petroleum smoke comes in. The smoke from burnt oil is unmistakably dark and thick. Petroleum smoke residue should be cleaned up immediately, the smoke will make furniture and flooring greasy to touch.

Protein Smoke

This type of smoke damage comes from food that has thoroughly burned. Protein smoke has an unpleasant, strong odor that can stay around for hours on end. Since protein smoke is so light in color, it’s hard to find the soot from protein smoke.

What are the health risks associated with smoke damage?

Your health can be at major risk if you are around smoke damage for extended periods. Smoke damage needs to be cleaned and removed to prevent an increased risk for health issues.

If you don’t repair smoke damage, you have a chance of:
❖ Eye Irritation
❖ Asthma
❖ Chronic Bronchitis
❖ Respiratory Issues
❖ Emphysema

Now you’re probably wondering what smoke damage does to a home. Spoiler alert: any type of smoke damage can make your home completely inhabitable.

How does smoke damage affect your home?

Experiencing a house fire means smoke damage is guaranteed to happen to all of your belongings. When you have belongings that have obvious smoke damage, it’s not safe to be around them.

Furthermore, the air inside of your home becomes unsafe to breathe because of the fine particles from the smoke that stay in the air once a fire has been put out. Smoke
damage isn’t only harmful to furniture, it hurts the current state of your health.

Can smoke damage be repaired? How much does it cost to repair smoke damage?

Smoke damage can be repaired, and should be repaired, particularly for health and safety reasons. It’s best to have professionals take a look at the damage. They can take care of the damage in a cautious, effective manner.

Repairing smoke damage normally costs homeowners around $3,000 to $40,000. The cost will be heavily based on the size of your house, and the amount of smoke damage that has been done to your personal belongings.

Is it safe to stay in a house that has smoke damage?

Unfortunately, it’s unsafe to stay in a house that has smoke damage of any kind. If you decide to stay in a house that has extensive smoke damage, you are putting yourself and other members of your family at risk.

Every time you take a breath, you’re breathing in harmful particles floating around in the air from the smoke damage. Even short-term exposure to these particles increases your chances of problems with the health of your lungs. The best thing you can do is create a plan to fix anything valuable that’s been damaged by smoke.

The Importance of Fixing Smoke Damage

Taking care of any smoke damage inside of your home should be a top priority after a house fire. To begin repairing what smoke damage does to a home, we highly suggest contacting a professional company to start the process. By getting in contact with professionals who know exactly what they’re doing, getting rid of smoke damage ends up being a piece of cake. Let them worry about everything, so you can focus on other important tasks at hand. They can properly assess the amount of damage that occurred, and take the right steps to fix the state of your home.

Here Is How Water Can Damage a House Foundation and How to Identify Problems

A house foundation is a platform that holds a home together, providing a critical base to properly insulate and protect the structure from moisture. Water can erode the foundation over time and the stability of the house.

That is why it is important to prevent water from damaging the foundation, which can experience cracks, instability, and ultimately failure from water damage in the most serious of cases. If you ask, can water damage the house foundation, continue reading to learn how and how to identify problems early.

Can water damage a house’s foundation?

Of course, the answer is yes. Water can damage a home’s foundation in a number of ways. But there also are ways to resolve the problem and fix the damage if you identify it soon enough.

First, it is important to understand: how can water cause foundation problems? Water saturates the soil all around your house, weakening its ability to handle the weight of the home and foundation over time. This can occur during severe rain, floods, snow melts, plumbing problems and damaged water lines.

Excessive water can create hydrostatic pressure around the foundation, which can cause the foundation to fracture or bend. This leads to foundation leakage.

Excessive water can also lead to the expansion of the soil around the foundation after minerals absorb the water. This pushes the soil against the foundation, which also can cause fractures in the walls or floor. As the soil dries, it shrinks from the foundation. This expansion and shrinkage cycle puts stress on the foundation, which can damage the house.

Water also erodes the soil, which over time can lead to foundation settling. This happens slowly and can weaken the foundation before the typical homeowner even knows to ask: can water damage the house foundation?

If you are wondering how long it takes for water to damage a house’s foundation, the answer is it can vary. In some cases, the damage may take years to surface and in other cases of significant flooding or stormwater, it can occur more quickly. That’s why it is important to contact a professional as soon as possible.

Emory Plumbing offers professional inspection services in San Diego to look for signs of water damage to the foundation. In an area known for its occasional storms, fires and floods, Emory Plumbing provides expert analysis and diagnosis of potential foundation water damage or potential damage that can be avoided. No need to wonder, “Can water cause foundation problems?” Contact Emory Plumbing to learn more.

What are signs of water damage to a foundation?

There are signs of water damage to a foundation that many homeowners do not realize suggest potential danger.

The most obvious signs are the foundation and wall cracks that can appear both inside and outside of a house. It is not the few hairline cracks that might surface just as a result of the foundation being exposed to the elements. But when there are horizontal cracks or stair-step fractures in block walls or corners, those are signs of water damage to the foundation. These can expand into window sealing, the joints where walls and ceilings meet and around doorways.

Another sign is pooling water in the basement or in a crawlspace. This may be evidence of a plumbing problem caused by bad pipes or equipment, such as a sump pump. It could also be water coming in through foundation fractures. Difficulty opening windows and doors that seem stuck also could be signs of water damage to foundation. In some severe cases, this could be evidence that the foundation shifted, causing problems with the doors and windows aligning correctly.

Mold surfacing in patches also could be evidence of a problem. Even the smell of mold can suggest a problem that is in its early stages, as water and moisture enter through the foundation and penetrates the wood and other materials. You can also look for soggy soil around the house, which may be an early sign of water starting to damage the foundation. 

It is important to contact a professional if you identify any of these signs of foundation water damage. The experts at Emory Plumbing can determine the cause of the problem and offer solutions to protect your home.

Protect your foundation from water damage

If you see any signs of excessive water or foundation damage, contact Emory Plumbing immediately to remedy the problem. Emory Plumbing has served San Diego since 1944 as one of the largest, affordable plumbing companies. As a family-owned business that takes pride in serving the community, Emory Plumbing has earned a reputation for its expertise in diagnosing and solving plumbing and water problems for homeowners.