Category Archives: Plumbing

Five Nagging Plumbing Problems That Drive Homeowners Up the Wall


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A woman wearing gloves is kneeling on the floor.

High on the list of potential headaches homeowners experience are plumbing problems. Those gurgling drains, dripping faucets, and mysterious leaks can turn even the most patient homeowner into a mad scientist. Let’s delve into the five most common plumbing woes in Arizona and explore solutions to keep your sanity and plumbing pipes intact.

1. The Drip, Drip, Drip of Dripping Faucets:

This seemingly minor annoyance can quickly evolve into a major source of frustration and wasted water. The culprit behind most drips is usually worn-out washers or faulty faucet cartridges. Luckily, replacing these is often a fairly simple DIY project. However, if you’re feeling less than handy, don’t hesitate to call your local top-notch plumber to silence the incessant dripping and save yourself precious water.

2. The Gurgling Drain Debacle:

That unsettling bubbling sound coming from your sink or shower could indicate a clog lurking somewhere in the drainpipe. Hair, soap scum, and other debris are the usual suspects. Plunging, a plumbing snake, or using an environmentally friendly drain cleaner can often dislodge the blockage. However, if the gurgling persists, it might signify a deeper issue requiring professional plumbing intervention.

3. The Phantom Flush of Running Toilets:

A continuously running toilet is more than just annoying, it’s a silent money drainer. Worn-out flappers, leaky valves, or faulty fill mechanisms are common culprits. Your trusty plumber can quickly diagnose and fix the problem.

4. The Low-Flow Woes of Shower Frustration:

A weak shower flow can quickly turn your morning ritual into a frustrating experience. Mineral buildup, clogged shower heads, or faulty pressure regulators can be the reason behind the lackluster pressure. Cleaning the shower head, checking for clogs, and adjusting the pressure regulator might do the trick. If not, an experienced plumber can help identify and address the specific cause of the low flow.

5. The Unwelcome Guest Called Leaky Pipes:

Even a small leak can lead to a major headache. Leaks behind walls, under sinks, or around fixtures can cause water damage, mold growth, and skyrocketing water bills. Don’t ignore leaks! You should promptly address them, even if it seems minor. Early detection and repair by your local qualified plumber can save you significant trouble and cost down the line.

At Cool Blew, we pride ourselves on providing first-rate professional plumbing services. Call us today for all your plumbing and HVAC needs at 623-872-2900 to schedule an appointment. We’re available 366 days a year, 24/7 on this leap year for any plumbing emergencies.

Thanksgiving Plumbing Tips

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A family gathered around a table, enjoying a meal with a turkey as the centerpiece.

There’s a lot to do before any holiday, but Thanksgiving can be especially busy and stressful. Meal planning, housecleaning, and decorating all come to mind. Yet, it’s easy to overlook one very important holiday checklist item—your plumbing. Two of the busiest days of the year for plumbers are the day after Thanksgiving, followed by the day after Christmas. Plumbing emergencies tend to arise after a big holiday meal and when there’s a house full of guests.

Cool Blew wants to save you from potential plumbing disasters this Thanksgiving. To avoid having to deal with an unexpected holiday hassle, here are some tips to help you prepare and protect your plumbing for the holiday season.

Bathroom

  • Ensure bathrooms have a plunger and extra toilet paper before any guests arrive. Also, have a garbage can in every bathroom. This will help ensure that guests won’t be tempted to flush items that shouldn’t be placed in the toilet such as cotton balls, wipes, sanitary items, and paper towels.
  • A toilet that’s constantly running or doesn’t flush properly is a toilet that will not make it through the holidays. Your toilet works extra hard during the holidays and a broken toilet will be a major source of stress. Schedule your local plumber in advance.

Garbage Disposal

  • Don’t place turkey skin or bones, potato peels, eggshells, stringy vegetables like green beans, or onion peels in the garbage disposal. They’ll clog the disposal.
  • Keep all oils, grease, turkey gravy, and fats out of the garbage disposal. These items can easily stick to plumbing pipes and cause clogs.
  • Scrap plate leftovers in the trash or compost pile. Not everything should go down the disposal.
  • Feed food gradually down the drain to prevent overloading the garbage disposal.
  • Wipe off greasy casserole pans and Pyrex dishes before washing them. You may save yourself from a clog or two.
  • Don’t operate the dishwasher if you think there may be a problem with the disposal. The garbage disposal can actually discharge debris into the dishwasher.

Remember, take care of any plumbing problems now before holiday guests arrive. Small issues like running toilets or unresolved clogs can turn into bigger problems that can put a damper on holiday festivities.

Your Emergency Plumber During the Holidays

Hopefully, you’ll have a Thanksgiving holiday free from any plumbing issues. But, if you do experience a leak, clog, or other issue, you can rely on your go-to plumber at Cool Blew. With valley-wide emergency services, we’re here to help keep your holidays on track and running smoothly. We’re available 24/7 including holidays and weekends at 623-872-2900. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Why You Should Install a Water Softener

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Woman pouring water into glass in kitchen, closeup

Buying a water softener may seem like an additional piece of home equipment that you don’t need. However, the benefits of purchasing and installing a water softener in the Phoenix metro area far outweigh the disadvantages. We have some of the hardest water in the country which is a result of two common minerals that are naturally occurring in Arizona soil – magnesium and calcium. These minerals dissolve in our water and create those unsightly, white chalky deposits. Signs of hard water in your house include stains on sinks and bathtubs, spots on clean dishes, and scale deposits that we commonly see on shower doors and in toilets.

The solution for reducing water hardness is to install a water softener. It works by removing water hardness by a process known as ion exchange. Sodium and potassium ions replace the calcium and magnesium ions creating soft water. Here are some of the advantages of installing a water softener.

Your Skin and Hair Will Look Healthier

Mineral residue can dry out your skin and dull your hair along with affecting pH skin balance. Soft water doesn’t cause this problem. Shampoo and soap won’t lather as well in hard water, nor does it rinse away as well as it does with soft water.

Soft Water Tastes Better

Another benefit of soft water is better tasting water. When ion exchange occurs, it adds a trace amount of sodium to the water that most people won’t taste or notice, resulting in taste-free water. You’ll no longer have to deal with any unpleasant tastes or smells from hard water.

Makes Cleaning Easier

Soft water doesn’t contain minerals that leave residue behind. You won’t have any limescale residue in sinks, bathtubs, and toilets nor red stains from ferric iron in hard water. Soft water also leaves your home’s pipes free from mineral deposits that can cause leaks and clogs.

Keeps Clothing Softer

Washing your clothes in hard water can leave them feeling rough and dull looking. With a water softener, you’ll be amazed by the softness and appearance of your clothing.

Extend the Life of Your Appliances

Appliances that use water, such as washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators can be impacted with a variety of issues due to the build-up of minerals. Over time this can reduce the lifespan of your appliances. By making the switch to softer water, you can go a long way towards extending the lifespan of your home’s appliances.

Learn More

When you look at the advantages of a water softener, you’ll be impressed with how it can improve the overall comfort and value of your house. At Cool Blew, we can recommend and install water softeners for homeowners. Learn more today by calling your plumbing professionals at Cool Blew at 623-872-2900.

Tap into These Water-Saving Plumbing Tips

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Fresh shower faucet

You’ve probably seen or heard some of the water slogans in the Valley of the Sun such as “In The Desert Every Drop Counts” or “See Water Differently” to encourage homeowners to reduce water usage. Even though Arizona had a very wet monsoon season in 2022 followed by a wet winter, our state is still in the midst of a 29-year drought.

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons to inspect your home plumbing for potential water leaks and the advantages of installing water efficient products.

Fix Leaks

Inspecting your indoor plumbing is an essential task for every homeowner. According to EPA studies, bathrooms are the largest use of water in your house, using over 50% of all indoor water. By discovering and fixing any leaks with a simple visit from an experienced plumber, leaks can be quickly resolved to prevent water loss. One leaky faucet dripping at the rate of only one drip per second adds up to over 3,000 gallons of wasted water annually.

Running toilets can become a big problem over time when water spills into the overflow tube and the toilet doesn’t shut off properly. Hundreds of gallons of water can easily be flushed down the toilet without you being aware of it until you get your monthly water bill.

Replace Bathroom Fixtures

  • Replace shower heads with WaterSense labeled models to save at least four gallons of water every time you take a shower.
  • Replace outdated, inefficient faucets with WaterSense models to save over 700 gallons of water per year.
  • Just by replacing faucet aerators, you’ll reduce water waste by 30% without sacrificing water flow.
  • WaterSense labeled toilets prevent 20% to 60% of water from being flushed down the pipes, and this will save over $3,000 over the toilet’s lifespan.

Touchless Water Faucets

Touchless water faucets eliminate wasted water running down the drain as the typical kitchen faucet pumps out about two gallons per minute. They’re hands-free and easy-to-clean with a pre-fixed flow to help conserve water. These faucets also can be installed in bathrooms and the laundry room to conserve even more water.

Contact Your Plumbing Experts

Are you ready to reduce water usage? You can count on Cool Blew’s plumbing expertise to recommend, repair, and replace your plumbing fixtures. Cool Blew specializes in preventative plumbing maintenance and best of all were available 24/7/365. Call us today at 623-872-2900 to schedule an appointment. We’ll make certain your home will be saving water for years to come

What Are the Advantages of a Tankless Water Heater?

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Shower head with drops of water falling down.

During this scorching hot time of the year, you may not be thinking much about hot water for your home. Yet, heating water can account for over 12% of your house’s daily power usage—even during the summer months. That’s a large amount of energy resources. Traditionally, electric and gas water heaters have the largest market share. Newer options available for homeowners include tankless water heaters. They’re extremely energy efficient and reduce the risks of leaks and water damage. Check out these five advantages of installing a tankless water heater in your home.

Tankless Water Heater Advantages

  1. Low Water Usage

    With a tankless water heater, there’s no wait time for the water to heat up. The typical water heater takes three minutes to produce hot water and another 30 minutes to fill up the water tank reserve. Tankless water heaters save time and money because there’s no wasted water going down the drain waiting for the hot water to begin flowing.

  2. Space Saver

    A tankless water heater uses much less space than a traditional tank as they’re only about 1/5 the size. They can be mounted on the wall saving you space to utilize for shelving or other needs.

  3. Pure Water

    A traditional water heater’s reserve tank will begin to rust over time which can contaminate your water supply. With a tankless water system, there’s a continuous stream of pure, clean running water.

  4. Longer Lifespan

    A tankless water heating system can last up to 20 years before replacement. This is because there are no minerals and impurities gathering inside the tank which leads to wear and tear. The high mineral contact in Arizona water reduces the lifespan of conventional water heaters on average to 10 years or less.

  5. Continuous Hot Water

    Since there’s no tank involved, the problem of stand-by heat loss is eliminated. Tankless water heaters provide a constant supply of hot water that allows your family to run the dishwasher, take showers, and wash a load of laundry all at the same time.

Cool Blew Plumbing Services

Your local plumbing experts at Cool Blew can help you decide if a tankless water heater is the best choice for your home. We offer a wide variety of options for all your plumbing needs. Call us today at 623-872-2900 to schedule an appointment. Your complete 100% satisfaction with our service is our guarantee. Best in class locally owned service since 2002.

What to Do When a Major Water Leak Happens at Your House

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Most home leaks are caused by excess water pressure, broken seals, clogged lines, loose water connections, and damaged pipe joints. But sometimes there can be burst pipes inside your home that can cause major damage. You might not have experienced any major home water leaks, but you’ll want to know what to do when this type of situation occurs. Here are a few basics when it comes to major water leaks and shut off valves.

Water Shut Off Valves

When there’s a major water leak anywhere at your home, it’s vital to know where the water shut off valves are located. You’ll want to turn off the water quickly before water begins to flood the surrounding area.
For the entire house, there’s a primary shut off valve where the cold-water supply goes into your home, usually located near the front door or on the side of your house.

For water leaks at specific fixtures, there’s generally a valve behind or below the fixture to turn off the water supply.

A leaky hot water heater is a common issue that can result in a large volume of water loss. It’s one of the most used appliances in your home and the last thing you want is for it to break down and not know how to turn off the water supply. If it’s leaking, you’ll want to immediately turn off the water supply to the entire house. Then, call your local knowledgeable plumbers at Cool Blew for additional assistance.

Burst pipes inside your house can be caused by a number of factors. When a pipe bursts, it might start as a small leak, but before you know it, hundreds of gallons of water can flood inside your home. There are a number of common causes for burst pipes including aging pipes, slab shifts, pipe clogs, and tree roots growing into pipes. Immediately turn off the water to your entire house and call your plumbing experts at Cool Blew for help.

When to Call a Pro

Cool Blew has expert plumbers available 24/7/365 in the Valley of the Sun to quickly handle minor and major plumbing problems. Call us today at 623-872-2900 for help finding your shut off valves or to schedule plumbing service. There’s no better choice locally than Cool Blew to help with your plumbing issues.

What You Should Know about Garbage Disposals

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One of the most useful gadgets in your kitchen is your garbage disposal. Rather than scraping every bit of food into the trash can, you can grind it up in the disposal. You probably don’t think too much about this kitchen appliance until it stops working. There’s a long list of items not to put in the garbage disposal. Here’s the scoop on some of those items to avoid and ways to keep your garbage disposal running in tip-top shape.

Hands and Fingers Out

Keeps your hand and fingers out of the disposal. Drop something in the disposal that shouldn’t be in it? Never put your hand in. Items like coins, broken glass, or kitchen implements should be fished out using tongs after you’ve unplugged the disposal. If you’re ever in doubt, call your handy local plumber.

Keep Out Rice, Potato Peels, Eggshells, and Celery

Rice expands when it’s in the drain, celery is excessively stringy, eggshells, and potato peels can all cause the disposal blades to lock up. These items are difficult for the disposal to break down. Best to toss in the garbage can or mulch pile.

Keep the Water Running

Always run water when you’re using the garbage disposal. Food is ground up by the blades and water helps flush it down the disposal. Running water keeps food from sticking around on the garbage disposal sides and stinking up the kitchen.

No Bones

Even if the garbage disposal is rated to grind up bones, hard bones should be thrown in the garbage can. Animal bones are strong and most bones other than soft bones such as fish and chicken, will clog up the disposal.

Grease, Oil, and Fat

Tossing oil, fat, and grease down the disposal will end up catching all the food waste coming through after, eventually causing a clog. These three offenders will solidify in the plumbing. In any case, run cold water at all times when running the garbage disposal.

Meat and Poultry Skin

Put all meat skin in the garbage can. Meat skins are rubbery and filled with a lot of fat. They’re hard to grind up and will lead to smelly clogs.

Call Cool Blew for the Best Plumbing Advice

If you need garbage disposal repair or replacement, call our experienced plumbers today at 623-872-2900. We know how to get the job done right the first time. There’s no better choice than Cool Blew to keep your disposal running every day.

Plumbing Tips to Help Keep Your Super Bowl Party Flowing

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4 millenials cheering while watching a football game. one of them is wrapped in an american flag and another holds a football. there are beers in front of them in green bottles

Super Bowl Sunday is a great reason to host a party. Especially this year since it’s being played locally at the Cardinal’s Stadium in Glendale. Yet, the addition of extra house guests can sometimes put a strain on your home’s plumbing system. Prepping all the food and drinks in the kitchen combined with extra trips to the bathroom can stress out your plumbing. Here are some tips to keep the party going.

Don’t Sink the Dishwasher

The additional cooking, dishes, and plates means the dishwasher is key to keeping this party flowing. Make sure to clean your dishwasher before the heavy use on Super Bowl Sunday. Film, gunk, and food debris can build up on the sides and bottom of your dishwasher over time. Using store bought dishwasher cleaner or a homemade cleaner will help keep the dishwasher running on time and prevent clogs.

Dispose of It

The garbage disposal needs to be blockage free when you’re entertaining. Watch what you and your helpers put down the disposal. Keep grease, fat, large chunks of meat, and non-food items on the sidelines. If you have to guess what to put in the disposal, trash it instead. Run the disposal regularly with lukewarm running water to keep things moving along.

Prep the Bathroom

Party guests and your bathroom can sometimes cause unexpected problems. It’s best to be thinking ahead and inspect, repair, and clean before the party starts. If you have a running toilet, fix it beforehand. Have a toilet brush, extra toilet paper, and a plunger on hand in the bathroom. Make certain the sink drains freely to avoid a plumbing disaster.

Overtime Plumbing Tips

  • Get yourself familiar with the toilet shut-off valve underneath the toilet tank in case it overflows.
  • Eject the garbage in the garbage can in the bathroom and keep the can in a handy location so nothing goes in the toilet that shouldn’t.
  • Throw food scraps in the trash to not sink the party vibes.
  • Intercept disposable wipes before your guests flush them, which can cause clogs in the plumbing system. Another great reason to make sure the trash can is easily accessible.
  • Fibrous and starchy foods need to stay on the bench and out of the garbage disposal.
  • Placing chicken wing bones down the garbage disposal will result in broken bones, your plumbing down, and an extended time out for garbage disposal blades.

If you experience a broken-down garbage disposal, a clogged toilet, or a backed-up sink disaster during your Super Bowl festivities, call Cool Blew. Our experienced plumbers are MVPs and can help keep the party going smoothly. Call Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900 anytime of the day or night, weekends, and holidays.

Three Easily Fixable Plumbing Problems

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Three Easily Fixable Plumbing Problems

Plumbing issues unfortunately go hand in hand with homeownership. Many of the most common plumbing problems homeowners face can be directly linked to normal wear and tear, aging plumbing fixtures, absence of maintenance, or improper use. And, plumbing issues usually pop up at inconvenient times, requiring immediate attention, quick repairs, or in some cases replacement.

Usually, the most bothersome plumbing problems are the preventable ones. Here are three common plumbing issues many homeowners run into, and what you can do about them.

1. Dripping Faucet

American homes’ leaky faucets account for millions of gallons of water wasted every year, according to the EPA. That’s a significant amount of water going down the drain anywhere, but particularly in drought-stricken Arizona. Think about this additional fact from the EPA. A leaky faucet dripping at the rate of one drip per second adds up to 3,000 gallons of water wasted annually. Yet, dripping faucets are an easily repairable plumbing issue that will rapidly pay for itself in lower monthly water bills. With a simple visit from a plumber, you’ll resolve the problem and prevent all that wasted water.

2. Faulty Washing Machine Hoses

One of the most common causes of water damage in homes is from bursting or faulty washing machine hoses. The rubber hoses that are generally installed with your washing machine tend to lose pliability over time as they go through a great deal of stress as the water hoses are repeatedly turned on and off. Over the course of time, these hoses can simply fail without warning and cause expensive flooding. Now is the perfect time to have your washing machine hoses checked and replaced with stainless steel braided hoses that won’t break over time.

3. Running Toilet

You’ve probably heard a high-pitched water noise coming from the toilet after you’ve used the bathroom. This is caused when water spills into the overflow tube and the toilet does not shut off properly. Often, you simply need to jiggle the handle to stop the water tank from over-filling. This becomes a big problem when you’re not at home or you don’t hear the toilet running and the water runs unchecked for hours. You can literally waste hundreds of gallons of water without being aware of it until you get your monthly water bill. Save time and money by fixing the issue promptly.

Call Your Plumbing Professionals

Do you have questions about plumbing problems you’ve noticed in your house? Call Cool Blew today today at 623-872-2900. We’ll do a complete inspection and professionally repair all your plumbing problems quickly, efficiently, and affordably.

Six Practices to Extend the Life of a Water Heater

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A water heating system is one of the most unnoticed and underappreciated appliances in your home. Think about how much you rely on your water heater each and every day. From providing warm showers to washing your clothes and cleaning the dishes, the water heater is the workhorse of every home. This is exactly why it’s a good idea to perform routine maintenance on it, so that you can keep it running optimally for many years to come.

Caring for your water heater is a straightforward DIY project. And if you’re not particularly handy, you can always rely on your local plumber – Cool Blew.

Set the Temperature

Keep the thermostat at 120 degrees or below. You can save up to five percent in monthly energy costs for every 10 degrees you reduce your water heater’s temperature. You’ll also reduce its workload and any risk of scalding.

Space It

Make certain your home’s water heater has plenty of free space surrounding it. This increases airflow and reduces fire risks.

Drain It

Another best practice is to partially drain your tank to remove sediment and debris at least yearly. In the Valley of the Sun, our water is particularly hard. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), most of Arizona’s water contains high concentrations of calcium carbonate. These minerals can build up and will corrode your tank over time. To drain the tank, turn off the cold-water supply and hook up a garden hose to the drain valve. Water can be drained into a bucket or onto your landscaping until the water runs clear.

Relieve Pressure

At least yearly, test the water heater’s pressure relief valve by discharging it two or three times. Look for small leaks from the valve which signal a need to call for service.

Install Insulation

Installing a fiberglass insulated jacket for your water heater tank and insulation around the cold and hot water pipes will improve efficiency all year-long. When the weather turns warm outside, insulation will keep the pipes from sweating or forming condensation.

Vacation Mode

Whether you’re away for part of the year or only for a one-week vacation, you can extend your water heater’s lifespan and save a bit of money on utility bills by turning it to the vacation setting. This maintains the pilot light without continuously heating the water.

Whenever you’re in need of advice on your water heater, require repair or maintenance, or need a replacement, call locally owned Cool Blew at 623-872-2900. We’re here to ensure 24/7 that you and your family are never left in the cold.