Starting
early next year, the United States will no longer produce or import the
refrigerant chemical R-22, commonly known as freon. This freon ban in Mesa, AZ
might not sound like a big deal to those who aren’t in the HVAC industry, but
it will actually affect us all. Continue reading to learn more about the ban
and how it could potentially impact your day-to-day life.
Why is there a ban?
Freon
does wonders to cool our homes and offices, but it’s horrible for the
environment—the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has gone so far as
to label it as a dangerous greenhouse gas. To protect the ozone layer and help
mitigate the effects of global warming, the EPA is implementing this ban. It’s
not just America implementing the ban, either—all 197 member countries in the
United Nations agreed to start phasing out the use of R-22 over the coming
decades in hopes of combating climate change.
How will it impact you?
There
will be a limited amount of freon left after the ban goes into effect. As any economist
will tell you, a limited supply means prices will rise for the freon that’s
still on the market. More expensive freon means heating and air conditioning
companies may have to start charging customers more when they need a freon
recharge or other HVAC repairs in Mesa, AZ. The good news is that if your AC is
less than 10 years old, it probably doesn’t use R-22, but instead employs a
more eco-friendly coolant.
It’s time to be proactive!
If
your unit is on the older side and still uses R-22, it’s time to get off the
couch and call an HVAC pro. Here’s what we recommend doing:
Make
repairs now: If it’s
been a few years since your older AC has had a freon recharge, it’s a good idea
to do it now! As we mentioned above, the cost of a recharge is likely to go up
when the ban goes into effect, so having it done today will save you some
money.
Schedule
a maintenance call:
Old or new, now is the perfect time to have an HVAC technician take a look at
your AC unit. A routine maintenance call helps ensure your unit is energy
efficient and prevents the need for emergency HVAC repairs in Mesa, AZ. Even
though you might not need to flip on your AC for a while, it’s never a bad time
to have it maintained.
Replace
your unit if necessary:
If you’ve been thinking about replacing your AC for a while, now is the time to
do it! Newer models are both more energy and more cost efficient. You’ll save
yourself hundreds of dollars on your monthly cooling bills over time if you buy
a new unit today.
Put
any worries about the freon ban in Mesa, AZ to rest, and purchase a new air conditioning unit from PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating
and Air. We sell the best brands in the industry and offer lifetime warranties
for all of our units.
A leak anywhere in your
home is bad news, but a leaking toilet might be the worst leak of them all. A
broken toilet can hinder your family’s daily routine and may even cause
flooding in your home. Keep reading to learn a few of the signs of a leaking
toilet in Mesa, AZ:
Sounds of running water: The first thing you may notice with a broken toilet is the
constant sound of running water. The good news is that this could just be a
problem with a valve in the tank—a simple fix that you could perform yourself. However,
it may also be the result of a leak, which will necessitate professional help.
Stains on the floor: Pipe leaks in Mesa, AZ that go unaddressed for long periods of
time leave yellow, brown or gray stains on the floor. If this is the case, your
bathroom floor likely has some severe water damage that’ll need to be addressed
by a professional contractor.
Bad odors: Needless to say, the smell of sewage coming from your toilet is
rather unpleasant. This awful smell is typically a sign that there’s a problem
with a pipe behind the toilet that’s allowing odors from the sewer or septic
tank to rise up into your home. Call a plumber as soon as possible to check out
that smell, as some of that methane gas can be harmful.
Low the water level: A leaking toilet won’t be able to hold water in the tank for very
long. If you suspect a leak, check to see if the water level is lower than
normal. If so, you’ll want to call a plumber right away to see what’s the
matter.
Higher water bill: A constantly running toilet can waste up to one gallon of water
per hour. If you don’t notice any of the signs above, you certainly will notice
an abnormally-high water bill! Be sure to get that leak fixed soon to avoid
paying an arm and a leg on your monthly bills.
What are your options?
You can’t just let pipe
leaks in Mesa, AZ go unaddressed. Here’s what you can do as a homeowner to deal with the
situation:
Call a plumber: Even if you fancy yourself a handyman, it’s a good idea to let a
professional plumber handle any leaking toilet situations. A pro will quickly
be able to identify the source of the leak and fix it up so that the toilet is
back in working order.
Buy a new toilet: If your leaking toilet is on the older side, it’s not a bad idea
to consider getting a new one. New toilets are more water efficient, which can
help you save a ton of money on your monthly utility bills. If you’re going
this route, be sure to choose PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air for
installation. We offer fast and affordable installation for all types of
toilets.
If you’re dealing with a
leaking
toilet in Mesa, AZ, look no further than
PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air to address the issue. Big or small, our
team is well-equipped to handle any leak that’s affecting your home or business.
On top of that, we’re available 24/7 to handle emergency situations!
Winter
in Arizona can still be fraught with heating and plumbing issues. These are
often tiresome circumstances for homeowners, and no one wants to face these
expensive and inconvenient events. But when they arise, the plumbers in Mesa,
AZ at PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air are here to help.
Excellent customer
service
Owner
Wayne Decker founded PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air to address customer
service gaps he found in the industry. The company focuses on providing
high-quality service at affordable prices, and all work is backed by lifetime
guarantees.
“I
started PlumbSmart as an answer to an industry where basically it preys on the
ignorance of homeowners, like auto repair and other home services,” says Wayne.
“They charge too much. In fact, every one of our company trucks now has our
motto, ‘Plumbers Charge Too Much!’ because they do industry-wide.”
This
focus on service and a desire to be different paid off. PlumbSmart was voted by
consumers as the top plumber in Mesa, with nearly 1,000 five-star reviews. The
company has also earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
“I
will not allow there to be a complaint against me that I’m aware of, whether
it’s money back, redoing it, whatever it takes,” says Wayne. “If a customer
lets us know, and we try our best to get a hold of them, we’ll solve the
problem.”
Service to the community
PlumbSmart
Plumbing Heating and Air’s desire to avoid overcharging also transfers to a
commitment to the community. Wayne considers himself an advocate for customers
in a market that often overcharges and recommends services that may not be
necessary. His mission is to form relationships with customers and offer
transparency in every transaction.
“We
want to be all things to all people,” says Wayne. “If it’s a single mom and
she’s living paycheck to paycheck or an elderly couple who are on a fixed
income, we’re going to fix their problem. We’re going to work with them in
whatever way we need to and that includes benevolent repairs.”
Last
summer, a customer called PlumbSmart when her home air conditioner quit
functioning. She did not have the means to pay for the repairs, and was in a panic
during the hot summer. PlumbSmart not only fixed the problem, but also did not
charge her for the repairs.
“We
remind our guys that they’re servants,” says Wayne. “Life is really, really
tough and when they have somebody that’s pleasant and caring, especially about
their pocketbook, that matters. You want a servant in your home. You want
somebody that’s on your side, not somebody that’s telling things you don’t
really understand and giving you a price that shocks you.”
This
approach also includes a service that is rarely offered in the industry:
PlumbSmart’s professional plumbers in Mesa, AZ also help homeowners make their
own repairs.
“We
have no problem with a customer calling us and saying, ‘Hey we want to change
out our own garbage disposal, can you kind of look over my shoulder over the
phone and tell me what to look out for and give some tips?’” says Wayne.
If
you require the assistance of an HVAC technician or plumber in Mesa, AZ, you
cannot go wrong with PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air. Check out our money-saving
coupons and contact us today to schedule a visit!
When
you return to Arizona for the colder months, it is likely that your winter home
will not quite feel the same. That is because even with good winter HVAC preparation
in Mesa, AZ, your home still requires time and effort to prepare for
inhabitation. Here are five steps you need to make your home a livable space
again for the winter:
Turn on the electricity: Before leaving your home, it is
expected that you will turn off the circuits to reduce fire hazards and
energy waste. Normally, all you need to leave running is the lighting and HVAC
system. Now that you have returned, go to the fuse box and turn everything
back on. Without fully functioning circuits, you will not be able to get
the plumbing to work again.
Replenish water supply: Plumbing is vulnerable in winter, and
even Arizona has freezing nights. You likely emptied the tank heater and
cleared lines before you left, but now it is time to activate all of this
again. Reconnect any pipes that you disconnected and turn on the shutoff
valves. Give water heaters a chance to refill, and run water through
fixtures to clear out rust or debris. If you have a water softener,
reactivate that, too. You will likely hear hissing sounds as you turn on
the main water supply and any shutoff valves. This is normal, as air often
gets trapped while your winter home is unoccupied.
Be careful with plumbing fixtures: You want to handle plumbing during
winter in Mesa, AZ one room at a time. Start with a bathroom and open the
fixture about halfway. You will hear a hiss, and vigorous water flow should
follow. Once you check all the running water fixtures, move on to the
water in refrigerators and ice makers. It is a good idea to change any
filters, as the old ones might leave water tasting stale. Another
challenging appliance is the dishwasher. Run it first without dishes so it
can work out any issues that affect water supply and draining. After that,
it should run well without incident. Once you finish these steps, check
the fixtures again—at this point, they should be running normally.
Plug in appliances: Even if you turn off the electricity,
it is still a good idea to unplug appliances before leaving your home for
the season. Upon your return, you can plug them back in. The same is true
of any lamps or small appliances you left unplugged.
Turn on the gas: Your gas-powered appliances and
hot water tanks will not run without a functioning supply. You likely
turned off the gas supply to prevent leaks and returning to your home to
carbon monoxide poisoning. Now that you are back, turn it back on so you
can enjoy hot water and run your kitchen appliances.
PlumbSmart
Plumbing Heating and Air can assist you if there are any repair or maintenance
issues after winter HVAC preparation in Mesa, AZ. We know plumbing in winter
can be fussy, and we are prepared to get it working again. Contact us today to schedule
a visit.
If your garbage disposal seems
to have given up, the issue is probably due to one of several common problems.
Fortunately, you may be able to handle the repairs yourself. Many garbage
disposal repairs in Mesa, AZ are quite simple DIY fixes.
Use the following guide to
garbage disposal fixes in Mesa, AZ to get your disposal up and running again.
Of course, if you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact your local
professionals at PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air:
Broom it: If your disposal is jammed, an
easy fix is a broomstick. Place the broomstick into the drain and gently pry
the broom handle against one of the blades. This can often free up the jammed
mechanism and allow your blades to rotate freely once again.
Reset it: If your garbage disposal stops
working, look for a reset button on the bottom of the unit. This is usually
located underneath the sink somewhere on the disposal. You may need to get
under the sink with a flashlight to locate it. If you press this reset button,
you may find that your disposal begins working again. If not, contact the
experts at PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air to walk you through additional
DIY options.
Drain it: If your disposal is not working
because your drain is clogged, try this home remedy. Boil a medium-sized pot of
water and pour it down the drain. Next, pour one cup of baking soda and a
mixture of one cup water and one cup vinegar down the drain. After you’ve
poured all of this into your drain, cover it for 10 minutes. Then, flush the
drain with another pot of boiling water. The combination of acidic reaction,
bubbles and boiling water can help remove any clogs in your pipes.
Maintain it: You’ve probably heard that
putting ice cubes through your disposal will help sharpen the blades.
Unfortunately, this isn’t true. There’s really nothing you should be putting
into your disposal to try to make it run better or smell better. (Lemon peels
may be harmful over time.) To properly maintain your disposal, simply run
plenty of hot water through it occasionally, with a little vinegar.
Repair it: If you try these DIY garbage
disposal fixes in Mesa, AZ and are unsuccessful at resolving the issue, don’t
hesitate to contact professionals.
Beyond these simple solutions, more extensive repairs may be needed for your
disposal or other plumbing components. An expert can quickly determine the
cause of the problem and make the necessary repairs. This will save you
additional time and headaches.
Call for backup
At PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating
and Air, we aim to level the playing field for consumers who are caught off guard
by excessive service fees by providing the highest quality service, combined
with the best warranty in the industry, at the lowest possible price. We make
it our goal to exceed expectations in every job we do. For industry-leading
garbage disposal repairs in Mesa, AZ, contact our team today. Reach out to us
for more DIY tips or to schedule professional repairs!
Sewer inspections in Mesa, AZ
are a crucial component of ongoing sewer maintenance. For the best results,
sewer video camera inspections in Mesa, AZ are highly recommended. These inspections
offer several benefits, and they’re currently on sale!
Check out the special below and
the many benefits you can reap from these professional inspections. You don’t
want to miss this opportunity to provide appropriate care for your sewer system.
Sewer video camera inspection special
Right now, you can get a sewer
video camera inspection for just $99. This professional service is good for
your system and even better for your budget. Read on to discover how this
inspection can benefit your property. If you have an older home with frequent
drainage issues, this service is particularly good for you.
Pinpoint the problem
You know you have some type of
issue with your plumbing, but you’re not sure exactly where or what. Perhaps
you’ve been experiencing low water pressure, or you’ve seen signs of a leak.
Trying to put a bandage on the problem can result in expensive and unnecessary
repairs and a lot of wasted time. Delays in repairs by ignoring the issue can
also result in more extensive damage. To avoid all this, order a sewer video
camera inspection in Mesa, AZ. By using detailed video equipment, the
technician can investigate the issue and locate a leak or pipe break.
Skip the guesswork
If you’re unsure about the
location or source of a leak, you may resort to digging a hole in your yard.
Before you know it, you and your plumber have created an enormous trench in
what used to be your detailed landscaping. If you suspect the leak is inside,
you may bust through walls to try to locate the problem. Fortunately, you can
avoid converting your yard into an eyesore or digging into your walls. A plumber can perform a sewer
inspection using a video camera. By inserting the camera into your sewer line,
the plumber can locate the issue and target all work in the proper area.
Inspect the condition
It’s common for homeowners to
be completely unaware of the condition of their plumbing. When you purchase a
home, or if you’ve been living in your current home for a while, it’s important
to know how your pipes are doing. A video inspection is the ideal solution.
This non-intrusive method will reveal the condition of your pipes, so you can
take proactive steps to prevent leaks if corrosion or other issues are
detected.
Document your system
A video sewer inspection
documents the condition of your plumbing. This can be a great tool to have on
hand in the case of insurance claims or claims from the new owners after a
sale. The inspection puts evidence on file of the precise condition of your
sewer lines, which you can reference as needed.
Reap the benefits
The professionals at PlumbSmart
Plumbing Heating and Air make it our goal to exceed expectations in every job
we complete. Our team aims to level the playing field for consumers who are
caught off guard by excessive service fees. Order your sewer inspection in
Mesa, AZ today for just $99. Call to schedule your appointment!
