Category: Residential

The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist For Your Plumbing System

Is your spring cleaning in full effect yet? When you start making your ultimate spring cleaning checklist, don’t forget to add your plumbing system to the list! We’ve made it easy for you, and listed out the most important “to-do” items to start checking off. Here are the top 6 items to add to your spring cleaning checklist.

1. Check For Toilet Leaks

First on the list, make sure you are checking your toilets! Toilets can leak for days or even weeks without you knowing because the leaks aren’t always very obvious. While spring cleaning, try the “food coloring” trick. Drop some food coloring into your tank and wait about 30 minutes. If the water in your toilet bowl doesn’t run clear, that means you have a leak and should have a professional plumber out to your residence quickly.

2. Make Sure Drains Are Cleared

Next, check your drains. If you have any blockages or clogs in your drains, it can cause poor water flow and other problems. While tempting, avoid using chemical drain cleaners or bent wire hangers to clear the blockages and clogs yourself. Homemade contraptions can actually cause more harm to your pipes. Instead, invest in professional drain cleaning to help clear your drains quickly, effectively, and safely.

3. Maintain Your Water Heater

Once a year, you should plan to have your water heater professionally drained, flushed and maintained. As the water runs out of the tank, so will the sediment that has accumulated and built up inside. This can eventually cause your tank to rust and corrosion, which will impact your unit’s efficiency. That’s why it’s so important to invest time and money into having your water heater maintained.

4. Inspect Your Sump Pump

April showers bring may flowers. They can also bring flooding if you’re not careful! Before any rain makes an appearance, check your sump pump’s ability to operate. Over time, gravel, pebbles an dirt can get caught in your pump and make it unable to operate efficiently. You can have a professional plumber assess its condition this spring. Your plumber should also be able to tell you any additional things you should consider adding to your sump pump in order to avoid flooding.

5. Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Your garbage disposal works hard for you – now is the time you work hard for it! Garbage disposals are designed to break down waste, but over time, it can collect food scraps, bacteria and other debris. Not only can this cause your garbage disposal to work inefficiently, but it can also cause your kitchen to smell. A simple garbage disposal cleaning will help keep it working well for you. However, remember to never put your hand down the disposal – even if it’s off!

6. Check Your Pipes

Your toilet isn’t the only thing that can experience leaks. Make sure you’re checking all the pipes around your house – inside and outside – for any signs of visible leaks. If you spot anything off, such as musty smelling rooms, wet spots, foundation cracks, mold and mildew, high water bills, or damaged ceilings, walls, and floors, don’t wait. Contact a professional right away.

Cool Touch Is Here For All Your Plumbing Needs In the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas!

We are here for all your plumbing needs in the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas! For over 20 years, we have been your trusted home comfort specialists for all things HVAC, plumbing, and indoor air quality. Contact us today to schedule your plumbing appointment by visiting us online here.

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Does My Air Conditioner Need To Be Covered In The Winter?

We get asked this question a lot: does my air conditioner need to be covered in the winter? Long story short, no – but there’s a lot more to it than just that. We cover everything you need to know about covering your AC in the winter, below.

Your AC Was Built For Snow

Truthfully, modern air conditioning units were built and designed to handle tough weather conditions. They were made with weather-resistant materials. That being said, they’re usually able to withstand everything from rainfall to snow to high summer temperatures. In fact, you shouldn’t be as concerned about snow and rain as you should be about debris and leaves. In fact, if items like leaves, branches, pine needles, and other debris build-up in or around your unit, it can cause damage and impact the overall performance of your AC unit.

You Should Cover Your AC – But Winter Isn’t The Time To Do It

Like we mentioned briefly above, what you should really be concerned about is leaves, branches, and other debris getting trapped inside your air conditioner. And you know what time of year you’re most likely to experience that? Fall. That’s why you should consider covering your AC in the fall, to avoid having any of the typical fall debris get lodged inside your unit. However, before you cover your unit, you want to make sure the unit is off for the season. You also want to make sure you weigh the pros and cons of covering your unit. For example, AC covers tend to trap moisture and cause mold growth. Not only that, but they could also cause pest problems, as small animals try finding a warm place to hide when the temperatures drop. But on the contrary, it can protect your unit from expensive damage – which might mean covering the unit is worth it, after all.

What If I Experience Heavy Snow and Ice Where I Live, Though?

Depending on where you live, covering your unit in the winter might not actually be the worst idea – especially if you experience heavy snow and ice. Covers can protect your outdoor condenser from ice build-up and the weight of heavy snow. People who live in the north often do invest in covers just as a precaution to protect their AC unit. However, like we said, your AC unit was built to withstand the elements and isn’t something that we deem a true necessity.

Cool Touch Is Here For All Your Air Conditioner Needs In the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas!

We are here for all your air conditioner needs in the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas! Whether you need air conditioner maintenance, repair, replacement, or installation, we’re the trusted name for the job. For over 20 years, we have been your premier home comfort specialists for all things HVAC, plumbing, and indoor air quality. Contact us today to schedule your maintenance appointment by visiting us online here.

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5 Reasons To Hire A Professional Commercial Plumber

While there are some plumbing jobs that can be done on your own, such as plunging a clogged toilet, there are many that require the skills and expertise of a plumber. Especially if you have a commercial establishment, it’s important you never attempt to fix the plumbing problems yourself. Any type of commercial job is best left to the professionals. Here are 5 reasons why.

1. Access To The Right Tools

Commercial plumbers have high-quality, industry-leading equipment to tackle even the most complex commercial jobs. If you use DIY methods and the wrong tools to try and fix the problem yourself, you could actually cause more damage to your pipes. Commercial plumbers use the right tools in order to fix your plumbing issue without creating more problems or costing you more money. Let’s face it, a commercial plumbing system is far too complex and large for just anyone to attempt to fix.

2. Available 24/7

Most commercial plumbers work around the clock to help with your plumbing troubles. Rarely do plumbing troubles happen during normal business hours, so finding this 24/7 availability is very helpful. Plumbing issues could cause a variety of issues if not addressed swiftly, like decreased employee productivity, lower sales, and more, so it’s important you find someone who can fix your situation as soon as possible.

3. They Follow Plumbing Codes

Your area might have certain plumbing codes that you need to follow, otherwise you could risk being shut down if any violations are discovered. It’s risky business to try and handle plumbing issues yourself, as you could violate these plumbing codes. Commercial plumbers are well-versed in what these plumbing codes look like based on the areas they’re working in. They will help ensure everything they do is in accordance with the plumbing codes established in your area. That peace of mind, alone, is reason enough to hire a professional commercial plumber.

4. Insight and Training

Commercial plumbers have gone through extensive training to be able to handle all plumbing issues, no matter how big or small. They are well-equipped to troubleshoot all equipment, as well as being able to identify issues and come up with solutions. When you attempt to fix commercial plumbing problems on your own, you run the risk of creating even bigger issues. Not only can this be damaging to your plumbing system, but it can also cost you more money in the long run. It’s better to hire a plumber right off the bat.

5. Help Minimize Disruptions

You have a business to run. When plumbing problems come up, this can really disrupt your business operations. Luckily, commercial plumbers can help minimize this as much as possible. They will work efficiently and quickly, as to not waste your time. Nothing can truly beat the knowledge and hardwork of a commercial plumber.

Cool Touch Is Here For All Your Commercial Plumbing Needs In the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas!

We are here for all your commercial plumbing needs in the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas! For over 20 years, we have been your trusted home comfort specialists for all things HVAC, plumbing, and indoor air quality. Contact us today to schedule your appointment by visiting us online here.

The post 5 Reasons To Hire A Professional Commercial Plumber appeared first on Cool Touch Air Conditioning & Heating.

Love Is in The Air: Top 6 Indoor Air Quality Tips For Valentine’s Day

Love should be the only thing in the air this Valentine’s Day. If harmful pollutants are causing you and your Valentine to feel sick (and no, we don’t mean lovesick), then it’s time to take action. Here are the top 6 indoor air quality tips for a happy and healthy Valentine’s Day.

1. Use Exhaust Fans

6. Invest In Indoor Air Quality Solutions

Maintaining clean air quality is an important part of preventing aggravated asthma, allergies and contagious illness. There’s nothing like being sick to ruin a romantic evening. Consider investing in indoor air quality solutions. Cool Touch offers a variety of indoor air quality services, such as air cleaners, humidifiers and UV germicidal lights.

Cool Touch Is Here For All Your Indoor Air Quality Needs In the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas!

We are here for all your indoor air quality needs in the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas! For over 20 years, we have been your trusted home comfort specialists for all things HVAC, plumbing, and indoor air quality. Contact us today to schedule your indoor air quality appointment by visiting us online here.

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Top 6 Signs You Have A Slab Leak And What To Do About It

Many leaks are easy to identify. After all, it’s pretty difficult to ignore water pooling around your toilet or sink. However, a lot of leaks could be hard to identify – such as slab leaks. Slab leaks are hidden under a layer of concrete. Because they’re more difficult to spot, it’s important to pay close attention to the warning signs. Here are the top 6 signs you have a slab leak and what you can do about it.

1. Increasing Water Bill

Do you notice an unexplained spike in your water bill? Water bills can increase for a number of reasons, but one of the most common ones is that you have a leak somewhere on your property. When you have a slab leak, it means that water is running all day, every day. That being said, it’s no wonder you might see your water bill increasing.

2. Low Water Pressure

If your water pressure has decreased, it’s worth looking into. Slab leaks, for one, can be a cause of this. To test if you have a slab leak, turn off all your fixtures and look at your water meter. If you water meter still runs even though there’s no water running through your home, then you could have a slab leak. Watch it for about 15 minutes though to be absolute sure.

3. Foul Smells

A musty smell often means there’s mold and mildew. Mold and mildew grow best in moist, humid and dark conditions and really only need 24-48 hours to start growing. If you have water leaking underneath your home due to a slab leak, it’s common for moisture to get trapped under the floors, causing mold growth. Because mold is harmful to your health, it’s not something you want to just ignore. Check for signs of leaks if your house starts to smell musty, or you notice visible signs of mold and mildew.

4. Damp Flooring

When you have a leak that is severe enough, or doesn’t get addressed quick enough, can cause damage throughout your home. If you find that your floors are damp, or appearing warped, then you may have a leak under your home. With carpet, be aware of random damp spots that are unexplained. With hardwood or laminate, be aware of a warped appearance that is also unexplained.

5. Water Around Your Foundation

Unless it’s a wet day, or you have a water source close by (like a garden hose), then you shouldn’t notice any water around or under your foundation. Standing water around (or under) your home’s foundation can be a sign of a slab leak.

6. Water Is Continuously Running

Do you hear water running underneath your floors, even when your plumbing appliances and fixtures are turned off? This isn’t a good sign, and could be an indication you have a slab leak.

What To Do If You Have A Slab Leak?

If you notice any of the above signs, it’s best to contact a plumber right away. The faster you contact someone, the faster you can resolve the issue and avoid extensive water damage to your home. Many plumbing companies will specialize in slab leak repairs.

Cool Touch Is Here For All Your Slab Leak Needs In the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas!

We are here for all your slab leak needs in the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas! For over 20 years, we have been your trusted home comfort specialists for all things HVAC, plumbing, and indoor air quality. Contact us today to schedule your appointment by visiting us online here.

The post Top 6 Signs You Have A Slab Leak And What To Do About It appeared first on Cool Touch Air Conditioning & Heating.

New year’s resolutions are a chance for you to set new goals and develop new habits. While you may be thinking of your personal resolutions, and how you can take better care of yourself this year, why not think about how you can also take better care of your plumbing system? Here are the top 6 new years resolutions for your plumbing system.

1. Be Careful What To Flush Down Your Toilet

A toilet is designed to handle two things and really two things only: toilet paper and waste. Avoid flushing anything that’s considered “non-flushable”, like cotton balls, hair, toys, garbage, paper towels, diapers, and feminine hygiene products. You should also consider refraining from using “flushable” wipes because they don’t break down as easily in your sewer system and can clog your pipes.

2. Fix Leaks Right Now

Do you have a small leak you’ve put off fixing? Make the new year the time to have it fixed! A leaking faucet or weird sounds from your pipes can all be small signs of a much bigger problem. Fixing leaks and addressing problems, no matter how big or small, will help you avoid high water bills and water damage.

3. Throw Out Your Chemical Drain Cleaners

Start the new year off right by throwing away all store-bought chemical drain cleaners. These are no good! Most drain cleaners contain toxic chemicals that are not only harmful to your health, but can also be harmful to your pipes. No matter how tough your piping material is, these drain cleaners can eat through the pipe itself while trying to clear the clog. Instead, hire a professional for routine drain cleaning – like Cool Touch!

4. Flush Your Water Heater

Make sure you are flushing and draining your water heater frequently. This can help prevent malfunctions, costly repairs, and even breakdowns. Flushing your water heater can help remove any mineral, dirt, or sediment build-up that has accumulated over time.

5. Pay Attention To Your Water Quality

Do you notice your skin drier than normal? Your hands feeling cracked? Your hair not feeling clean no matter how much you wash it? Does your water taste funky, and do you notice stains on your dishes? You may be dealing with hard water and poor water quality. One way to resolve this problem this year is to invest in a water filtration system.

6. Be Kind To Your Garbage Disposal

Treat your garbage disposal better this year. It’s important to remember that garbage disposals aren’t a replacement for a garbage can. Refrain from putting items, such as coffee grounds, bones, grease, fat, oil, pits, fibrous vegetables, potato peels and more down the drain. These items can cause damage to your blades, or lead to clogs.

Add Plumbing Maintenance To Your New Year’s Resolutions List! Cool Touch Is Here For All Your Plumbing Needs In the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas

Ready to start making New Year’s resolutions for your plumbing? We are here for all your plumbing needs in the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas! For over 20 years, we have been your trusted home comfort specialists for all things HVAC, plumbing, and indoor air quality. Contact us today to schedule your plumbing appointment by visiting us online here.

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Who doesn’t want the gift of a warm home for the holidays? Before you start to host guests in your home, it’s a good idea to schedule a furnace maintenance. Here are the top 5 reasons why furnace maintenance is so important.

1. Ensures Efficiency

When used extensively and for many years, parts of your furnace can begin to wear down. Let’s take your air filter for example. An air filter is designed to remove common pollutants from your air, like dust, dirt, dander, and more. When the air filter is dirty or clogged, it greatly restricts airflow and can cause your furnace to work much harder to heat your home. This can negatively impact the efficiency of your unit.

2. Extends the Lifespan of Your Unit

A furnace maintenance can help address minor, small issues before they turn into major, costly issues. A properly-maintained unit can last anywhere from 15-20 years usually. However, if you don’t maintain your furnace, you may find yourself replacing it much sooner than that.

3. Saves on Energy Costs

As briefly mentioned above, when a furnace is dirty or worn out, it’s less efficient. Not only will you notice a change in your comfort as a result, but you’ll also likely notice higher-than-usual energy bills. Neglecting maintenance can result in an inefficient unit that increases energy bills.

4. Keeps Your Family Safe

Many things can go wrong with a furnace that isn’t properly maintained. For one, it can experience electrical issues that can be a huge risk to your home and health. Not only that, but you have a crack or a leak in your heat exchanger that is causing carbon monoxide to leak out which is a serious issue. A professional can check for leaks and make sure that all carbon monoxide is exiting your home, and your family isn’t being exposed to the harmful and deadly gas.

5. Maintain Your Manufacturer’s Warranty

You should plan to double check your paperwork, as many manufacturer’s will void the warranty if you don’t have your equipment regularly maintained and inspected. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and always make sure you’re maintaining your unit so your warranty can stay intact.

Cool Touch Is Here For All Your Furnace Maintenance Needs In the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas!

We are here for all your furnace maintenance needs in the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas! For over 20 years, we have been your trusted home comfort specialists for all things HVAC, plumbing, and indoor air quality. Contact us today to schedule your furnace maintenance appointment by visiting us online here.

The post Warm Home For The Holidays: The Importance Of Furnace Maintenance appeared first on Cool Touch Air Conditioning & Heating.

Many homeowners invest in a water filtration system because they want better water for drinking. While this is one of the major benefits, there are so many other advantages of having one installed in your home.

1. Better Tasting Water

Let’s start with the obvious one – a water filtration system helps provide better tasting water. It helps your water taste better because it eliminates the risks of your water being contaminated with harsh and toxic chemicals.

2. Purified Water

A water filtration system provides purified water for daily activities like drinking, cooking, washing fruits and veggies, taking showers, cleaning, laundry and more.

3. Extends Lifespan Of Appliances

Appliances like your dishwasher, washing machine, showers, toilets, faucets, fixtures, and more will get to enjoy a longer life if you use filtered water. Unfiltered water is full of sediment, heavy metals, chemicals chlorine and more which can cause pipe damage, worn faucets, and clogged drains.

4. Keeps Out Heavy Metals

Not only can a water filtration system keep heavy metals out of your water, but it can also keep the good minerals from the water. Luckily, it doesn’t strip everything from your water – just the stuff you don’t want.

5. Filters Out Chemicals

Many homes have contaminated and polluted water that isn’t safe for consumption. A water filtration system will filter out all of these dangerous contaminants like chlorine, pesticides, and other toxic chemicals.

6. Lessens Corrosion

Does your water have discoloration? Do you notice stains around your appliances, fixtures and sinks? These could be signs of corrosion in your pipes. If not addressed, rust and corrosion in your pipes can cause a series of health problems.

7. Saves You From Water Pollution

In instances when your local water supply becomes polluted, you will be glad you have your own system. You can have peace of mind knowing that you never have to worry about water pollution.

8. Eliminates Water Problems

Unsightly stains, tastes and odors can really turn you off from drinking and using your water. Have you ever taken a sip of your water and it smells fishy or tastes like chlorine? These are signs of impurities. If you notice any stains, awful tastes and foul odors, it’s likely due to bacteria in your water.

9. Helps The Environment

Did you know we use about 40 billion plastic bottles a month in the United States? A water filtration system significantly reduces your dependence on plastic bottles, saving you money and also helping the environment.

Cool Touch Is Here For All Your Water Filtration System Needs In the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas!

We are here for all your water filtration system needs in the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas! For over 20 years, we have been your trusted home comfort specialists for all things HVAC, plumbing, and indoor air quality. Contact us today to schedule your appointment by visiting us online here.

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If you plan on hosting people at your home this holiday season, then the last thing you want to deal with is a plumbing emergency. Let’s be honest, plumbing troubles can be very draining – no pun intended. Luckily, there are ways you can avoid this! Here are some tips to avoid a plumbing emergency this holiday season.

1. Don’t Put THAT Down The Drain

2. Use Your Garbage Disposal Correctly

As mentioned briefly above, putting certain items down the drain can really wreak havoc on your plumbing. Contrary to popular belief, a garbage disposal isn’t a replacement for a garbage can. It may be easier to toss leftovers down the drain, but we strongly advise against this. You should always throw leftovers in the trash or compost pile to avoid clogging your drains. Garbage disposals are designed to grind up small bits of food. You want to make sure you are always using cold water when your garbage disposal is turned on, and only grinding up waste that won’t clog or damage your unit.

3. Create A Shower Schedule With Guests

4. Prepare Your Bathroom

5. Schedule Plumbing Maintenance

Scheduling plumbing maintenance before you have a house full of guests this holiday is a great way to help you avoid a plumbing emergency. Your plumber will be able to catch problems early and offer solutions to fix them before they really cost you – in more ways than one! Make sure to schedule yours today.

Got A Plumbing Emergency? Cool Touch Is Here For All Your Plumbing Needs In the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas!

We are here for all your plumbing needs in the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas! For over 20 years, we have been your trusted home comfort specialists for all things HVAC, plumbing, and indoor air quality. Contact us today to schedule your maintenance appointment by visiting us online here.

The post Tips To Avoid A Plumbing Emergency This Holiday Season appeared first on Cool Touch Air Conditioning & Heating.

If you find that your cooling system isn’t working as it should, it may be time to repair or replace it. You can usually tell whether or not it’s time to repair or replace your HVAC system based on how often you need repairs, how your system is, and what kind of repairs you need to get it working right again. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common indicators that your HVAC needs repairing or replacing, so you can make an informed decision on how to proceed with your home’s air conditioning system.

Temperature Fluctuations

Older, less efficient, systems are more likely to get stuck in an on-and-off cycle of heating and cooling, which can wear down your system much faster. You may notice that it takes longer for your house to cool down than it used to. The fix could be as simple as weather stripping or repairing a hole in the attic. If you know that your home is sealed properly, a repair may not be an option. If you’re having problems maintaining consistent temperatures, it’s definitely time for an upgrade.

Foul Odor

As your air conditioner runs, it emits smells that can take away from a pleasant environment. If you notice that there is a bad odor coming from your A/C, it’s possible that you have mold growing in your ductwork. You should have an expert come out to investigate and assess what needs to be done next. In some cases, they may recommend a repair; in others, replacement may be required. That depends on several factors including the age of the unit, quality of installation, and usage patterns.

Air Leaks

Leaks are a silent killer in any cooling system. They occur when there is a hole in ductwork, a unit is poorly insulated, or rusted hangers are present, among other things. These leaks can account for up to 40% of your home’s cooling load during the summer months. Think about how much energy that wastes! Leaks will also contribute to dust build-up, leading your air filter life cycle to be shorter and wear on other parts of your system quicker. If your home is currently experiencing an air leak, call the professionals at Cool Touch. It may be as simple as sealing the leak but if the leak is catastrophic, then you may need a replacement. 

Lack of Maintenance

A poorly maintained HVAC system can lead to extreme temperature swings, which can be uncomfortable and even dangerous. If you have neglected to perform maintenance on your system, you will most likely need to replace your system earlier than most. This is because a lack of proper maintenance increases wears on components like motor bearings, filters, belts, and more. These components are all designed to work for a certain amount of time before they need a replacement; however, if they are not replaced when needed, they will likely fail prematurely. This means that you may find yourself in a situation where your system needs to be replaced sooner than you expected, costing more down the road.

Your System Is 10 Years or Older

Since newer systems are more energy efficient and operate quieter, they make homes and buildings more comfortable than older systems. Older units also have a greater risk of failure due to wear and tear. In fact, a system that’s 10 years old can be twice as likely to break down as one that’s only 5 years old. If your system is ten years or older, it may be time for a new one!

Your System Needs Frequent Repairs

If your system is out of commission for a substantial amount of time, and it seems like there’s always something wrong with it, then maybe it’s time to consider replacing it. While repairs are an important part of keeping your equipment running optimally, too many repairs indicate there is a larger problem at hand. 

If your home is currently experiencing one of these problems listed above, it’s time to call the professionals at Cool Touch. Our team of experts will be able to assess your system and provide you with options on whether it is best to repair or replace your system. Give us a call today at 623-230-3658 and let us answer any questions you may have! 

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