Questions? Call us at 619.843.0997

Causes of Sewer Line Blockages in San Diego Homes

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The first signs of a sewer line blockage that could require repair in a San Diego home or business can be obvious or subtle. It often starts with a slow drain or clogged toilet, or a putrid smell from a drain or shower. Homeowners may see temporary success in unclogging drains with household drain formulas like Drano or Liquid Plumber. But often, especially in San Diego’s older neighborhoods like Mission Hills, Kensington, Hillcrest and North Park, drain problems can be traced to sewer line blockages far from the drain or toilet. If the plumbing in your house is old, meaning installed between the 1920’s and the 1970’s, there’s a good chance that the city main sewer lines are old as well.

Sewer line blockages can usually be categorized as follows:

Build-up of cooking oils and other kinds of grease

Tree or plant root intrusion into the sewer pipes

Sewer line collapse caused by old and deteriorated sewer pipes

Debris entering the sewer system from illegal or improper pipe connections.

What Is a Belly in a Sewer Pipe?

A sewer line belly is kind of what it sounds like” a sag or low spot in the sewer line. A normal sewer lateral as illustrated below has a slope that relies on gravity to help with flow regulation. A sewer pipe with a “belly” obstructs the normal flow of waste water, causing backups and other issues because waste water, organic sediment and man-made materials collect in the belly “curve.”

Diagram comparing the downward slope of a

The Main Causes of Sewer Bellies?

Sewer belly problems can often be traced to poor initial specification and planning of the waste system.  Inferior installation is also a common cause of sewer line bellies. It’s critical that proper compaction of the soil underlying the sewer pipes; high quality landscaping materials; and correct slope are all taken into consideration to help avoid a sewer belly problem. But even with careful planning and proper installation, normal occurrences of nature can help roots find their way into pipes; and elements including sun, rain or heat can shift the soil or contort plastic pipes, eventually causing sewer bellies.

Diagnosing Sewer Line Belly Problem?

Professional plumbing technicians at Carini use the latest technologies and best practices to diagnose sewer problems and determine if the problem is related to a sewer pipe belly.  Sewer line video camera inspections can often find and help diagnose these types of problems or rule them out for other appropriate repairs.  For prompt service on sewer line problems and repairs, call our plumbing department 619-843-0997.

2nd Annual Carini Women’s Golf Tournament A Smashing Success!

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On December 3rd, 2017, Pro Kids | The First Tee of San Diego held its 2nd Annual Carini Women’s Golf Tournament at the Colina Park golf course in City Heights. Eighteen teams of five players, each consisting of four woman golfers and a young woman golfer from the Pro Kids program, took to the greens to compete and raise money for a variety of Pro Kids programs.

The event featured themed holes such as a “donut hole” with donuts from Nomad Donuts, as well as a party hole with live music and craft beer from Clem’s Tap House.

The funds raised will benefit the Pro Kids Academy, Golf & Life Skills Program and Girls’ Mentoring Committee.

Carini Blog

Evaporator Repair San Diego: The Common Evaporator Coil Issues

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Most homeowners who switch the AC on when the hot days kick in rarely give any thought to how this amazing invention actually operates. There are several components that work in unison to cool your home and one of the main parts of any AC unit is the evaporator coil. As such it is prone to issues that could render your AC unit inoperable.

In order to help you understand what issues could be causing your AC to malfunction, we asked our evaporator repair experts in San Diego to explain how the evaporator coil functions and what the most common issues it faces are.

How Evaporators Work

The AC cools your home by removing the heat and venting it outside. This is done by circulating a compressed refrigerant fluid between two sets of coils called the evaporator coils and condensing coils. Evaporator coils are housed in the inside AC unit, while the condensing coils are inside the outdoor unit of the AC system.

As the evaporators get very cold a fan pulls in the warm air from your home and into the AC unit. It passes through the cold coils and the refrigerant absorbs the heat. The cooled air is then passed to the condensing coils in the outdoor units where the heat is vented. The cool air now passes the coils and enters the ductwork and your home.

Troubleshooting Common Evaporator Coil Issues

The evaporator coil is a very delicate piece of equipment and as such faces many different problems that could cause it to malfunction. If you are experiencing any issues with your AC unit, the problem could be the coil and some of the most common issues that prevent its normal operation are:

Dust and Dirt: Air is not the only thing that passes through the evaporator coil as it cools your home. Specs of dust and dirt can also get sucked in and caught on the evaporator coils. This prevents the evaporators from functioning properly, and depending on how much dirt it accumulated it can display various symptoms, from ineffective cooling to complete malfunction. This is why it is important to schedule a routine maintenance so the problem is dealt with before it can cause any permanent damage.

AC Evaporator Coil Repair San Diego

Moisture: Condensation is another issue that evaporator coils face. As the warm air from your home passes through the AC unit, the water condenses on the coils, and can attract bacteria, dust, dirt and even mold if not regularly drained.

Freezing: Not having enough refrigerant in the AC unit could cause the evaporator coils to freeze. The same thing could happen if not enough air passes through the coils. This issue can be caused by several different factors, including a clog in the air filter or the malfunctioning fan. When frozen, evaporator coils result in inadequate cooling and can additionally strain the AC system. If not dealt with in time, frozen coils could cause your AC system to stop operating completely.

San Diego Evaporator Repair and Maintenance

If you are looking for an experienced San Diego evaporator repair expert look no further than Carini Heating & Air, the leading San Diego AC company offering installation, inspection, maintenance and repairs for residential and commercial AC units. Contact us at 619.843.0997 to request a service.

Is The Cost To Relocate an Air Conditioning Unit On Your Own Too High?

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AC Technician - The Cost to Relocate Air Conditioning UnitEvery year when the home remodeling season sets in, homeowners come to us with the same question: “How much does it cost to relocate an air conditioning unit?” There are many reasons why moving the HVAC system can be beneficial. Often when remodeling their house homeowners want to free up some space for a new room addition, a fence or some landscaping features they plan on adding. Maybe they simply want to put the outdoor unit a little more out of sight.

Sometimes, the owners need to have their home comply with some new regulations recently passed. Finally, they may simply want to move it out of their pets or their children’s reach. Another set of questions we often get asked is whether homeowners can do this on their own, if such a thing is even possible, and whether the cost of failure is too high.

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Four Issues Caused by a Dirty Air Filter

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When the AC system fails, especially during the roughest of seasons, many of our clients start panicking in fear of expensive repairs or dread having to buy a brand new AC system. However, in the majority of these cases the problem was caused by a dirty air filter. If the air filter hasn’t been cleaned in a while and your AC starts acting up, this element is most likely the reason.

But a malfunctioning AC is not the only downside to a dirty air filter.

In fact, not cleaning the air filter in your AC can have a major impact on your quality of life. Our air conditioning experts explain just how a dirty air filter can affect your everyday life.

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Carini Launches New Mini Split TV Commercial Campaign

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Carini Heating, Air and Plumbing has just launched a new series of 15 and 30 second TV commercials to illustrate the energy saving and individual room comfort features of its industry leading ductless mini splits from Mitsubishi Electric. The commercials compare traditional heating and air systems to running water in every room in your home when you turn on a single faucet. With ductless mini splits, you can tailor your hvac system to run either heating or air conditioning is one room at a time or an entire house, depending on your specific needs.

Check out the new ads and give us a call to set up a free estimate with one of our factory trained Design Specialists. 619-843-0997

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO VIEW THE COMMERCIAL

Looking for One Room Heating and Cooling Units? Here are 5 Reasons to Choose Ductless

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HVAC Technician San DiegoDuctless air conditioning systems, also known as mini-split systems, are a great solution for any home due to their unwavering room comfort. Depending on the design of your home, these systems can be used for a number of applications. Ductless air conditioning systems can heat and cool everything from the whole house to a single room thanks to a technology known as Variable Refrigerant Flow.

Some of the situations where going ductless is your best choice include new home additions, isolated rooms, rooms with special heating or cooling needs like the kitchen, and most cases where you need one room heating and cooling units. Ductless HVACs have a number of advantages over the traditional systems. Here are five most compelling reasons to go ductless today!

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Carini Named as Presenting Sponsor of Charity Women’s Golf Tournament

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carini-womens-golf

Pro Kids | First Tee San Diego Women’s Golf Tournament
Raising Money and Awareness for Underprivileged Kids Program

Carini Heating, Air and Plumbing named as Presenting Sponsor

San Diego, CA – Pro Kids | The First Tee San Diego will hold its first Women’s Golf Tournament at the Colina Park Golf Course in City Heights, Saturday, December 10 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The tournament proceeds will go 100% to supporting the non-profit’s mission of providing a safe haven for underprivileged kids in the community, through the game of golf and a variety of character building, leadership and academic skill activites for kids age 7 to 17.

“Golf is the hook. Education is the pay-off,” according to the late Ernie Wright, a former NFL Charger and founder of Pro Kids | The First Tee San Diego. This is just one of many motivational sayings Wright used with the kids and donors that helped him start this innovative program in 1994. The program is headquartered at the Colina Park Golf Course with a North County branch near the Oceanside Municipal Golf Course. Young people are recruited to Pro Kids | The First Tee to learn the game of golf, but in the process, receive academic assistance and are required to actively participate in the organization’s Academy. At the Academy, students must enroll for full-year increments, and commit to attending at least two days of afterschool classes per week. The First Tee facility also gives the kids a safe haven to hang out after school in neighborhoods that can be dangerous.

“The Women’s Tournament is a fun and high profile event, which give us another opportunity to introduce more people to the great work that is being done here. Everyday we are inspired by the growth we see in the children participating in our program,” said Andrew Holets, CEO of Pro Kids | The First Tee San Diego. “They are developing so much more than golf skills. Their grades are improving and their confidence is growing as they progress through the steps of the First Tee program.”

Carini Heating, Air and Plumbing is the presenting sponsor for the Women’s Golf Tournament, and is underwriting a variety of expenses and helping to market the event to players and potential organization donors. Company CEO and Founder Gabriel Carini learned of the Pro Kids/The First Tee San Diego program while golfing in a tournament that had a number of First Tee kids participating. “I was so impressed with the maturity and talent of the kids I met from the program, and they really turned me into a supporter by the end of the tournament,” Carini said. “We love that the program stresses both life and academic skills, while using the game of golf to teach concepts such as patience, persistence, honesty and teamwork.”

There are still a few tournament slots open for singles or foursomes. Details are available at thefirstteesandiego.org, or by calling (619) 582-7884

The 18-hole, par-3 course will feature special fun-challenge holes sponsored by Srixon/Cleveland Golf, Innova Disc Golf and Suja Juice, to name a few. A few hole sponsorships are still available.

About Pro Kids | The First Tee San Diego: Founded in 1994 by former NFL player Ernie Wright, Pro Kids’ mission is to challenge underserved youth to excel in life by promoting character development, life skills, and values through education and the game of golf.  Pro Kids serves more than 1,200 youth ages 7-17 each year at campuses in City Heights and Oceanside.

About Carini Heating, Air and Plumbing: Founded in 2005, Carini is a leading San Diego Heating and Air Conditioning company that specializes in high energy efficient ductless mini split technologies. The company believes in the importance of helping under privileged children gain access to high quality educational, athletic and character building opportunities.

For more information, contact Pro Kids | The First Tee San Diego, 4085 52nd Street, San Diego, CA 92105; 619-582-7884; http://www.thefirstteesandiego.org/.

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Carini Sponsors La Mesa’s First Cornhole Tournament, Saturday, Nov. 5th, 11 Am to 5 Pm

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Carini Heating, Air and Plumbing Sponsor Community event in La Mesa, CA 91942

Carini Heating, Air and Plumbing Sponsors Community event in La Mesa, CA 91942

 

Carini Heating, Air and Plumbing Sponsors Ist Cornhole Tournament and Family Festival in La Mesa

Tournament Presented by La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation, November 5, 2016, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

San Diego, CA —  November 1, 2016 –  Carini Heating, Air and Plumbing is one of the major sponsors of the first Cornhole Tournament and Family Festival, presented by the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation in La Mesa’s La Mesita Park, 8855 Dallas St. in La Mesa, CA, 91942. According to Wikipedia, Cornhole (also known as dummy boards, bean bag toss, dadhole, doghouse, Baggo or Bags) is an International lawn game in which players take turns throwing bags of corn (or bean bags) at a raised platform with a hole in the far end. A bag in the hole scores 3 points, while one on the platform scores 1 point. Play continues until a team or player reaches the score of 21.

“Cornhole has sort of come out of nowhere to be one of the most popular games around,” said Gabriel Carini, CEO and Founder of Carini Heating, Air and Plumbing.  “The game started in the Midwest from players throwing finished corn cobs into a trashcan, and has evolved into what it is today. It has gained in popularity at tailgate events and fairs throughout the country, with national championships even broadcast on ESPN.”

“We are delighted to have Carini H&A sponsor this community event. Without contributions like theirs this event wouldn’t be possible,” said John Fonseca, President of The La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation.  “We are very grateful and appreciative to have their support.  I look forward to seeing Gabe Carini and his crew tossing bags in support of the la Mesa Parks.”

This year, Carini has ramped up its participation in community events, and La Mesa is near and dear to Gabriel Carini’s heart, as he grew up in the city and is a current La Mesa resident. “We also have a lot of customers in La Mesa and hope to meet them during the day,” he said. “We are having an employee appreciation event the day before the tournament, and two of our employees will be competing to see who gets to participate in the La Mesa tournament the next day on the Carini team.”

Attendance at the Cornhole Tournament and Family Festival is free for all and there will be events for kids, craft exhibits and a beer garden with barbecue cuisine. Participation in the tournament is $100 per team for the Open Division; and $50 per team for the Novice Division.  Cornhole contestants will be competing for a 1st Place prize of $1250 in the Open Division; and a $500 1st Place prize for the novice division.

For more information or to register for the event, call 619-667-1331; or visit lamesaparks.org. For more information about Carini Heating, Air and Plumbing, visit www.cariniair.com, or call 619-843-0997.

 

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Single Stage Air Compressor vs Two Stage: What’s The Difference?

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Single Stage Air Compressor vs Two Stage - AC Repair San DiegoLooking for a new air conditioner for your San Diego home, you may have come across terms like “single stage” or “two stage” air compressor or AC system, and had no idea what they mean or how they could affect your choice. Unbeknownst to you, this choice could make all the difference when it comes to the cost, efficiency and comfort, which is thy the experts at Carini Heating & Air, the premier San Diego air conditioning repair company, have decided to give a thorough explanation of the difference between the two.

Single Stage Air Compressor vs Two Stage Air Compressor: The Basics

A single stage air compressor is the one most commonly found in San Diego homes and operates at a single speed: full speed. When the temperature in your home is above the one set on your thermostat, the AC kicks in and supplies cold air until the two match. Once it has achieved the desired temperature, it turns off and continues this cycle throughout the day.

In contrast, the two stage air compressor has two modes of operation or two speeds: high speed and low speed. When the temperatures are mildly warm, the air conditioner unit will run on a low speed setting for longer periods of time. When the outdoor temperature increases, the AC unit will switch to high speed setting to match.

Cost

Two stage air conditioners usually cost more than their one stage counterparts, and the price is higher due to the components that make up each type. This fact initially turns most homeowners away from buying a two stage AC unit, but the latter might prove to be a more cost-saving option in the long run.

Efficiency

As we previously mentioned, the single stage air compressors run at full capacity in cycles throughout the day. These on and off cycles significantly reduce the AC system’s efficiency. Imagine you had to turn your car on and off every time you hit a red light. The car would use up significantly more gas and would be a lot more time consuming to drive.

With two-stage air compressors the home is cooled at a lower speed for a long period of time. As far-fetched as it may sound, the two stage AC unit saves a lot more by constantly running. Naturally, when the extremely hot days set in, the two stage unit can run just as fast and efficient as the one stage counterpart.

Comfort

Two stage AC variants are easily the winner in this category as well, as running throughout the day ensures that more fresh air permeates your home and that the temperature is even no matter where you are.

Trust the Leading San Diego Air Conditioning Experts’ Advice

If you are looking to replace your old AC system, make sure you get the value for your money. While a two-stage AC might not be your first choice because of the price, investing in a two stage air compressor is investing in your home and your comfort. And if you ever have any issues with your two stage air compressor, you know who to call.