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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It’s spooky season, which means you may already be on edge. When you hear a strange noise in your home, it can easily send you into a panic. Before you start swinging your bat around, though, pay close attention to the sound you’re hearing and where it’s coming from. If you hear any of these freaky furnace sounds, it’s important you know what’s causing it and how to solve the issue.

1. Rattling

No, there aren’t ghosts or monsters in your furnace. However, it can still be a pretty scary situation. Rattling noises may indicate you have a cracked heat exchanger, which is the biggest cause of carbon monoxide leaks and shouldn’t be ignored. On a less scary note, rattling doesn’t automatically mean a carbon monoxide problem. It could also mean you have a loose panel or a loose screw that needs to be tightened. All that being said, never ignore a rattling sound. Contact an HVAC professional right away to inspect the cause of the noise and offer solutions to fix it.

2. High-Pitched Squealing or Screeching

Yikes! A squealing or screeching furnace? Talk about freaky. If you hear this sound coming from your furnace, it’s usually due to an issue with the blower or motor in your equipment. It’s possible that your blower or motor has overheated, or it’s older and worn out from years of use. If your blower has overheated, it’s likely due to dirt buildup or a bad capacitor. It’s best to contact your local HVAC contractor to come take a look and determine whether it’s something that can be repaired, or if it needs to be replaced.

3. Scraping

Is your furnace making a scaping sound, like metal against metal? This might mean you have an issue with your blower wheel. It could also mean there’s a loose part that is scaping against other parts of your furnace. Whether it be an issue with your blower wheel or a loose part that needs tightening, it can impact the overall efficiency of your furnace. Don’t wait to contact an HVAC professional if you notice scraping.

4. Banging

If your furnace bangs when it shuts off, it could be due to a dirty air filter that needs changed. When your filter is dirty, it restricts airflow and causes warm air to back up into your furnace. This can cause the metal of your ducts and your furnace to expand. But once the heating cycle stops and the metal panels cool, it can produce this banging sound you’re hearing. All that being said, you shouldn’t ignore a banging noise. Have an HVAC professional come inspect your unit, determine the cause of the noise, and offer solutions to fix it right away.

Do You Hear Any Of These Freaky Furnace Sounds? Cool Touch Is Here For All Your Furnace Needs In the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas!

We are here for all your furnace 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.

Fall is officially in the air – and what better time to focus on improving the air quality inside your home? This time of year, air conditioning isn’t needed as much to keep cool which can lead to poor humidity levels inside your home. Here are 5 ways to improve your indoor air quality so you can stay comfortable and breathe easier this season.

1. Use Natural Air Fresheners

Air fresheners aren’t really all that “fresh” after all. They might smell good, but they’re not great for your indoor air quality – or your health – a lot of times. Many air fresheners contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which are gases that release into the air from processes or products. Exposure to VOCs can cause a host of problems, like headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and irritation in the eyes, throat and nose. Long-term exposure can cause even worse problems, like cancer, and damage to your kidneys, liver, and central nervous system. To help reduce indoor air pollution and improve your health, consider using natural air fresheners in place of commercial air fresheners this fall.

2. Clean Your House Regularly

Many of us clean our homes regularly, already, but we don’t just mean vacuum and wipe down counters. We mean really clean your house. This includes dusting off ceiling fans, vents, and registers, or anywhere that collects dust. Vacuum and steam clean your carpets often. Remove shoes at the door before entering your home. Use natural cleaning products instead of those that are loaded with chemicals. All of these cleaning efforts can really help improve your indoor air quality this fall.

3. Maintain Your HVAC System

The purpose of an air filter is to help improve your home’s air quality, so you should plan to change it every 30-90 days. Your air filter collects dust, dander, dirt, and other particles.  When your filter is clogged with these particles, they can’t filter as easily and can end up circulating throughout your home. Changing your air filter every 1-3 months and scheduling HVAC maintenance annually are great ways to help improve your indoor air quality.

4. Invest In Indoor Air Quality Solutions

Indoor air quality solutions, like air cleaners, are designed to purify your indoor air and remove contaminants like dust, pollen, and dander. Many companies, like Cool Touch, offer products and services like air cleaners, humidifiers, and UV germicidal lights that can help boost your air quality. Take care of your indoor air, and invest in indoor air quality solutions.

5. Have Good Ventilation

When you’re cooking or bathing, make sure to turn on the exhaust fans to exhaust pollutants. This helps circulate indoor air and improve your ventilation. When you’re cooking, the fan will help vent out any fumes, smoke, heat, or steam that builds up and impacts the air you breathe. If you can, also consider opening some doors and windows to let fresh air in and stale air out.

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 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 maintenance appointment by visiting us online here.

When Should I Schedule My Furnace Maintenance?

You’ve probably heard time and time again from your local HVAC company that a furnace maintenance is important to schedule every year. Despite being told this, most homeowners forgo maintenance as long as the equipment is working as it should be. However, just like your car needs regular oil changes, your furnace needs regular tune-ups. In this blog, we will cover the importance of furnace maintenances, what a maintenance entails, and when you should schedule yours.

Why Are Furnace Maintenances So Important?

Furnace maintenances are important for a number of reasons. First, they prolong the life of your system. The better shape your furnace is in, the longer it will last. In fact, annual maintenance can prolong the life of your heating equipment by up to 10 years. Second, it’s important to the health of you and your family. Your furnace circulates warm air throughout your home, but if it’s not well-maintained, it’ll circulate dust and other particles, too.  By catching small problems before they become serious and costly, you’re improving your safety and comfort. Thirdly, it helps prevent repairs. Did you know up to 70% of heating repairs can be prevents with proper maintenance? Neglecting maintenance can lead to expensive repairs, breakdowns, and other problems that are easily avoidable. And last but not least, it helps improve efficiency. Your furnace needs annual maintenance to run efficiently. A dirty air filter, for example, can decrease efficiency because it restricts airflow and causes your entire HVAC system to work harder. That’s why we recommend you change your air filter every 1-3 months.

What Does A Furnace Maintenance Entail?

A professional HVAC technician will arrive at your home, ready to perform a number of maintenance tasks. They’ll make sure your unit is clean and free of mildew, mold, dust, pollen and other contaminants that impact your health and overall indoor air quality. They will check and clean the burners and heat exchanger, replace any dirty air filters, lubricate the blow fan motor bearings, and check the electrical connections throughout your system. Most technicians, like the ones at Cool Touch, will also check your ductwork and closely inspect your air handler to make sure they’re working properly, too. A furnace maintenance, when done professionally and properly, will ensure your system runs efficiently and remains effective for years to come.

So, When Should I Schedule Mine?

Now for the million dollar question – when should you schedule your annual furnace maintenance? The best time of year to schedule yours is before you need your furnace the most. A lot of homeowners wait until winter, or until an HVAC breakdown happens, which isn’t recommended. The last thing you want to deal with is no heat on the chilliest day of the year. We recommend you schedule your maintenance in the early fall and conversely, your AC in the early spring. That’s because HVAC technicians are less likely to be tied up and busy with emergency calls around these times and it shouldn’t be too difficult to get on the schedule right away.

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 maintenance appointment by visiting us online here.

September is baby safety month and the perfect time to think about how best to babyproof your HVAC system! Young children and babies are curious, and want to touch anything and everything. To keep them out of harms way, here are some ways to protect them when it comes to your heating and cooling unit.

1. Secure Vent Covers

Do you have metal vent covers? Babies are attracted to shiny objects – like metal! Unfortunately, metal vent covers tend to have sharp edges that can cut little fingers and toes. Not only that, but if the covers aren’t secured tightly, your baby may be able to pull up on them. The last thing you want is for your baby to get cut, bruised, or injured in another way by running around with your vent cover. Secure it in place by screwing them down so they can’t be lifted up and taken apart by curious little hands.

2. Switch To Plastic Registers

The thought of a metal vent cover hurting your pride and joy got you feeling uneasy? There are other options – like ditching the metal vent covers and switching to plastic. Plastic vent covers still do its job, but without the risk of injury. With plastic registers, there’s also not really a need to screw them down so that frees up some of your time.

3. Toy-Proof Your Ducts

If you’re a parent, then you know all too well that you find toys and other objects in the most random places. By adding screening to your ductwork, you don’t have to worry about small little toys getting dropped in there.

4. Keep HVAC Remotes Put Away

Just like shiny objects, babies and young kids love to push buttons – literally. Make sure your HVAC remotes are stored away so your little one can’t grab it and mess with it. Not only can they turn your heat up and down and mess with your settings, but handling the remote unsupervised can be dangerous. The last thing you want is for them to accidentally swallow the remote battery and cause serious injury.

5. Be Careful With Your Outdoor Unit

While you don’t think much about your outdoor unit, if you have an “on-the-go” tiny little human running around, then you may want to start paying attention to it. The unit has sharp, spinning fan blades and live electrical wiring that are most certainly not babyproof! To avoid any potential harm, consider fencing in your outdoor unit or enclosing it in a lockage cage so it’s untouchable by your little one.

Need To Babyproof Your HVAC System? Cool Touch Is Here For All Your HVAC Needs In the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas!

We are here for all your HVAC 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.