Frozen Air Conditioner Unit, Arizona

Arizona AC Unit has Frozen
Arizona, Tempe, Phoenix, Gilbert, Mesa, AZ

You might be surprised at how often Arizona AC units fail due to ice build-up on the coils. Restricted air flow from dirty or clogged air return filters can cause ice to form on the coils. Once ice begins to form, it will continue to accumulate as long as the cooling system is running. This photograph (taken today) shows just how much ice can build-up and completely restrict air flow! The coils need plenty of free air flow around them to prevent this from happening. The best remedy is to make sure you change all filters regularly.

The other culprit for freezing Air Conditioning coils in Arizona is a low refrigerant level. When refrigerant levels are too low, the system has to work harder and stay on longer allowing more time for ice to form. Make sure to have your system checked each year for refrigerant levels and other potential problems.

Arizona AC units tend to freeze up more often during the higher humidity levels of the monsoon season. Now is the perfect time for an AC system tune-up! Call Rainforest Plumbing & Air to schedule service today - 602-253-9376.

Protect your commercial property from flood damage

Leaking Pipe | Broken Water Heater Pipe | Flood cause by Water Heater Leak
Arizona, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Phoenix, AZ

Have you ever got a phone call in the middle of the night with a tenant telling you they have a leaking water heater pipe? Even just a little water from a leaking pipe can cause extensive damage to your property. Many times what causes the water damage is from the pipes of an appliance, like a water heater, washing machine, dish washer, ice maker or sink. Protect your floors, carpets and furniture from water damage and prevent water leaks with FloodStop.

The FloodStop water leak detection system works by detecting a water leak using a sensor and automatically shutting off the supply at its source using a motorized ball valve. This is a smart way to protect your business from flood damage associated with a plumbing leak. Designed for both residential and commercial, if a property appliance should begin to leak, the sensor tells the water valve to close and alert you with an alarm.

Don't wait until it's too late. Many property managers will have a FloodStop System installed after they have experienced a damaging water leak on their property. Don't take the risk. Prevent flood damage and avoid costly repairs by calling a professional plumber and have this product installed.

Does an Air Conditioning System - AC tune-up Really make a Difference...?

Temperatures are rising in the Phoenix AZ area which means it's almost time to turn on the air conditioning. It's the perfect time to call your AC service provider and have them perform a tune-up on your system. Don't wait until it's too hot or your unit fails!

An AC tune-up will increase the efficiency of your unit this summer and help reduce energy bills. Remember that air conditioners are the biggest electricity hogs in any home or office. Springtime is the perfect time for this preventive maintenance as it is usually a slow period for AC contractors so they will most likely be able to schedule your tune-up right away.

A good tune-up help fight the dirt build up that reduces your unit's efficiency and can trigger resistance within the AC compressor.This causes your system to work harder increasing unit wear and tear as well as power consumption. The hotter the summer, the more you run your air conditioning system, the faster you'll recoup that tune-up cost and the more money you'll save on your electric bill.

So... yes, regular AC system tune-ups do make a difference. According to some... annual tune-ups can double the life of your AC unit. Others may think annual tune-ups are over kill... when they do, ask them if they live in Arizona where the dust levels are high and the AC units run hard for five months straight :)

Better safe than sorry... right?

Arizona Plumbing and Water Pressure Problems...

Yep, we definitely live in a "hard-water" area. Arizona's hard water can wreak havoc on your plumbing pipes and fixtures in no time. If you are experiencing water pressure problems, here are a few considerations...

Is the water pressure low throughout the system, or is it isolated to a specific faucet or fixture? If all the plumbing has low pressure problems, it is most likely the result of a failing or broken pressure regulator valve on your water main supply line. If you suspect this is at the root of your water pressure problems, make sure to contact a professional plumber to inspect and repair the PRV valve. Also, in the case of "high" pressure problems, it is almost always the PRV valve. High pressure can cause a multitude of other problems and leaks throughout the plumbing system, it is extremely important to remedy high pressure problems immediately to relieve the stress on your pipes and fittings.

Another culprit for low water pressure could be a hidden leak in the system somewhere that is causing the system to lose pressure. It can be a real chore to find these water leaks as many times they are under slab or underground. Special leak detection equipment is usually required to locate these hidden water leaks.

On the other hand, if the low pressure issue is isolated to a certain faucet (for example), there are a variety of conditions that could be causing the water flow restriction. Here are the most common causes and potential solutions for low water pressure in Arizona:

- Faulty or corroded stop valves under the sink - be careful not to brake these valves if they have not been turned for awhile. They need to be exercised from time to time by opening and closing them. Hard water minerals can build up and cause failure.

- Supply lines from the stop valves to the fixture are damaged - Quite often these water lines become kinked, or crushed restricting water flow and making the lines more prone to clog with hard water build up. In most cases, the supply lines or entire fixture will need to be replaced.

- Clogged Aerator - Most fixtures have a small metal screen at the mouth of the faucet which evens out the flow of water. In a hard water environment, these screens become clogged with sediment and mineral build up quite easily. This problem is usually an easy fix with a good cleaning solution like CLR or similar product.

- Faulty fixture - This doesn't happen very often, but occasionally a plumbing fixture will slip through the factory with an internal defect causing water pressure problems or complete failure. It is best to replace these fixtures rather than try and patch the product back together.

If your plumbing problems persist... make sure to contact a professional plumber in Arizona to help remedy the situation.