Are water filtration systems worth it? When you turn on your tap, it’s easy to assume that the stream gushing out is pristine and untainted, but how can you be sure? 

Even a crystal-clear appearance is no guarantee of safety, as many harmful contaminants are invisible to the naked eye.

As a skilled plumbing contractor in Southern AZ, we at Al Coronado Plumbing have received many queries concerning this topic. Keep reading as we discuss the cold, hard facts and help you make informed decisions. If you need reliable plumbing service, give us a call at 520-834-8400.

Doesn’t the Municipal System Filter Our Water?

You can think of treatment plants as our first line of defense against the undesirable elements present in our water. Even with the impressive machinery and stringent protocols, though, they cannot guarantee absolute purity. 

Your water supply can still contain chloramines, magnesium, fluoride, calcium, byproducts from insecticides and pesticides, and even suspicious solids in rare cases.

Reap the Worthwhile Rewards of Installing a Whole-House Water Filter System

Are water filtration systems worth it? If you have reservations about making this upgrade, consider the following benefits these systems provide.

Better-Tasting Water

With a water filtration system, every gulp you take is free from the off-putting metallic taste of unfiltered water. You can also bid adieu to that unpleasant chlorinated swimming pool smell that sometimes wafts up when you’re trying to enjoy a refreshing drink. Quench your thirst, and savor the difference!

Fewer Health Risks

The beauty of a personal system is that it handles any pesky pollutants that might have slipped through the municipal nets. As such, you can avoid issues like:

• Skin irritation
• Gastrointestinal diseases
• Neurological complications
• Certain types of cancers

Remember, this isn’t just about drinking water; it’s about the water you bathe in, cook with, and use for cleaning too.

It’s Cost-Efficient

Think about the money you’ve forked out for bottled water or those individual filters for your faucets and showers. 

Now, imagine redirecting all that money into a one-time purchase. The maintenance also becomes easier, cheaper, and far less frequent, making water filtration systems surprisingly cost-efficient.

Protected Plumbing

Does your area suffer from hard water? The mineral deposits that form inside your plumbing can lead to clogging, impacting the water pressure and reducing the lifespan of your system. Most larger systems have water-softening capabilities to combat this headache.

A softer water source also:

• Makes your laundry brighter and softer
• Leaves your hair and skin feeling silky smooth
• Speeds up the dishwashing process
• Eliminates unsightly residue in your kitchen and bathroom fixtures

Upgrade Your Water Quality Today

Are water filtration systems worth it? If you recently got a water test and were left aghast at the results, even whole-house water filters worth a few hundred dollars can make a world of difference.

Call 520-834-8400 and let our crew at Al Coronado Plumbing recommend a tailor-fit solution for your property. Explore more of our blog and learn how to avoid plumbing emergencies this winter.    

Professional plumbers utilize several drain-cleaning tools to eradicate troublesome pipe clogs in record time. Although most Tucson residents know the basic plumbing tools, many don’t know the more obscure plumbing equipment. That’s why our team at Al Coronado Plumbing put together this guide on essential drain-cleaning tools plumbers use to eliminate pipe blockages. 

Al Coronado Plumbing is one of Tucson’s most trusted professional plumbing companies. If you need professional drain cleaning in Tucson, AZ, call our experts at (520) 834-8400.

Three Professional Drain-Cleaning Tools Every Professional Uses

Clogged pipes can hinder your plumbing system’s operations and make it difficult to use your fixtures without adversely affecting your drain lines. However, professional drain-cleaning tools can make vexing pipe blockages a thing of the past while preserving your piping’s structural integrity. Below are some efficient tools and drain cleaners most plumbers use on a near-weekly basis:

1. Plumbing Snake

A plumbing snake is a long, flexible, corkscrew-like wire that penetrates clogs and dislodges them from pipes. They break apart drain obstructions and allow them to flow through the drain without obstructing operations or damaging the pipe’s interior. Plumbing snakes, also called augers, come in motorized and manual model variations and are one of the most useful tools to eliminate drain blockages. 

2. Video Inspection Devices

Before a plumber eliminates a drain blockage, they must find it and determine the best unclogging method. However, uncovering clogs deep within pipes isn’t always easy. Video inspection devices allow plumbers to find and assess hard-to-reach drain blockages and plan their approach beforehand.

Video inspection equipment typically features a small waterproof camera attached to a long, narrow cable. The camera sends images and videos of the blockage to the plumber’s monitor to help them determine the best approach to the clog. Once the plumbers examine the clog, they can efficiently remove it and restore your plumbing system’s operations.

3. Hydro Jets

Plumbers use hydro jets to eliminate stubborn clogs and clean a pipe’s interior. These jets shoot highly pressurized water into the drains to eliminate clogs that other tools can’t remove. They can remove various substances, including:

• Oil 
• Grease
• Waste 
• Non-degradable materials
• Tree roots

Although hydro jets make eradicating vexing clogs swift and easy, the high water pressure can damage the pipes if someone uses them incorrectly. Always leave hydro-jetting to the professionals to ensure a safe and effective process.

Our Al Coronado Plumbing team has vast experience with these drain-cleaning tools and will have your piping system operating better than ever at a price that fits your budget.

Contact Al Coronado Plumbing for Top-Quality Drain Cleaning in Tucson, Arizona

If you want to revamp your home or business’s piping system and ensure optimal operations, contact Al Coronado Plumbing. Our plumbers will have your pipes clean and pristine using the best drain-cleaning tools in the industry today. Whether you need to fix a clogged drain or want to install a new toilet, our experts have you covered.

Call our Al Coronado Plumbing team at (520) 834-8400 and schedule your appointment today!

If you need plumbing tips for winter, look no further than our expert plumbers in Tucson. At Al Coronado Plumbing, we put together a short list of tips to keep your home plumbing system working like a charm all season. Call us at (520) 834-8400 to schedule an appointment with us.

Read on to learn how to protect your plumbing during the cold season.

Tip #1: Remove Your Garden Hose

You can easily forget your garden hose exists during the winter. But before you do, make sure you detach it from the wall. During extreme cold, any remaining water in the hose will freeze, creating more pressure in your plumbing system.

When pressure builds up, the flow rate can skyrocket. This puts more wear and tear on the whole system. Eventually, seals or pipes may burst, causing dire consequences for your home.

When you remove and store your garden hoses, you avoid destructive consequences.

Tip #2: Flush Your Hot Water Supply

Arizona has hard water containing lots of minerals. When water sits in your water heater, the heating and cooling process causes some minerals to separate. As a result, it builds up in the tank. 

When you flush your water heater, you prolong its lifespan, improve the way it works, and increase its efficiency. This applies to tankless water heaters as well. If you live in Tucson and aren’t sure how to do this, call us for help. 

Tip #3: Run the Heat When You Travel

You probably want to increase your energy savings during the hottest and coldest seasons of the year. As such, you might think it makes sense to turn your heat off completely when you travel. It can’t hurt when you’re visiting your family for the holidays, right?

Wrong! You should leave your heat on when traveling.

When you leave the heat off for days, your HVAC system works harder to reheat your home. Additionally, your plumbing system remains vulnerable to freezing pipes. You’ll find it safer and more energy-efficient to keep your heat running at a lower temperature during your travels.

Tip #4: Let Your Faucets Drip

One of the most common plumbing tips for winter still deserves repeating. Let your faucets drip, especially when frigid temps head your way. When you allow cold water to drip from each faucet, you prevent ice from forming in your pipes. 

When ice forms, it blocks water flow and dangerously increases pressure throughout your house’s plumbing. Even a slow, steady drip keeps your pipes from bursting in below-freezing temperatures. Discover other reasons why pipes burst in Arizona winters.

You do not have to let your faucets drip to prevent freezing pipes if you prepare for very frigid temperatures. Insulating all the piping in your home that you can see can prevent pipes from freezing.

Addressing small leaks before they become big problems is also important. You can save about 10% on your water costs and avoid potential freeze issues. Fix small leaks and replace toilet flappers as necessary.

Tip #5: Address Problems Immediately

Any plumbing problem, no matter how small, can turn into a much larger problem when it is ignored. Addressing problems as they crop up before they become emergencies is the best way to ensure that you never have to call the emergency plumber for repairs or deal with the damage that could have been avoided.

A small basement leak, waste line problem, or appliance failure can be easily resolved when you call for plumbing service as soon as you notice the problem. A plumber can be your best resource for preparing your plumbing for a worry-free winter. Learn more about how a plumbing service can help prepare your home for winter.

Call Us for Any Plumbing Emergency 

As a Tucson resident, you may forget some of these plumbing tips for winter. Local temperatures rarely drop below freezing. However, our plumbing experts wanted to give you a friendly reminder in the event frigid temperatures do arrive. 

Whether dealing with a burst pipe or any other plumbing emergency, call our Al Coronado Plumbing team at (520) 834-8400. Plumbing emergencies can’t wait. So when you need us, we’ll be there.

If your sink or shower won’t drain, you probably have two main questions: why did my drain clog, and how can I fix the clogged drain quickly without spending a lot of money? For help with the toughest clogs, call Al Coronado Plumbing, the experienced plumbers in Tucson, Arizona.

Causes of Clogged Drains

Every clogged drain is different. A professional can help you identify the cause of the clog and recommend ways to fix it.

Cooking Grease

Cooking grease is a common source of clogs. It can seem like a liquid when it goes down the drain, but it quickly solidifies in the pipes.

Hair 

Hare is a persistent problem with shower drains. Humans naturally shed a small amount of hair regularly, and long hair can form particularly troublesome clogs in the drain.

Food Products

Some food products will break down over time. Others, such as bones and eggshells, will stay in drains and accumulate with other drain-clogging materials, causing kitchen sinks to back up.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes are a common cause of clogged drains. In winter, the pipes can become cold enough to freeze even in warmer climates. If water sits in a cold pipe for hours, it could freeze solid, producing an ice dam that stops water from getting through.

Wipes and Tissues

Toilet clogs often happen when people flush facial tissues and “flushable” wet wipes down the toilet. Toilet paper breaks down in the water and is safe to flush. Other paper products can mix with other waste and clog up the plumbing. If your bathroom or shower sink won’t drain, it could be from toilet waste clogging up your bathroom plumbing.

Obstructions

Branches, animal nests, and other obstructions block the drain lines. These can be difficult to remove and generally require a plumbing professional.

Solutions for Stubborn Clogs

If you are having trouble with stubborn or repeated clogs, try these tips to get rid of the clog using simple tools that won’t damage your pipes. If DIY remedies don’t work or if you want to save yourself time and hassle, call a professional plumber you can trust.

Hot Water

The first step is to pour hot water down the drain and give it time to permeate the clog. 

Plunging

Using a plunger designed for the correct type of drain, submerge the plunger head to form a tight seal before plunging. Use the plunger to generate suction to dislodge the clog.

Snaking

Clogged drains could yield to snaking. Drain snakes go inside the drain pipe to physically break up the clog.

Gentle Cleaners

If other methods fail, resist the urge to use commercial drain cleaning products because they can damage your pipes to the point where you have to replace them. Instead, use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.

Trust Al Coronado Plumbing for Plumbing Solutions

Al Coronado Plumbing uses the best equipment and time-tested techniques to fix clogged drains properly. We help our clients understand and respond to all kinds of plumbing problems. Learn why you’re experiencing low water pressure at home by calling (520) 834-8400 to speak with a professional plumber today.

Low water pressure in your shower is one thing. The limited water force takes longer to fill your tub, doesn’t create a strong flow from the showerhead, and leaves your hair lifeless after a wash. But when low water pressure extends to other parts of your home, it also takes longer to fill dishwashers, washing machines, sinks, and toilets. 

Low water pressure in households is usually a job for the professionals since the problems run deeper than changing the fixtures. Al Coronado Plumbing has expert plumbers in Tuscon, AZ, capable of five-star repairs within one visit. Trust us to remedy your water pressure that could originate from the following concerns.

Mineral Deposits That Clog Pipes

When you notice dirty water slowly going down your shower or sink drain, your first instinct is to clear away hair or other items. Just like blockages bar the water drainage, mineral deposits in your plumbing fixtures occur over time, clogging pipes. 

Limescale and other minerals originate from calcium and magnesium from hard water. It leaves less room for water flow and requires replacement piping. While it’s normal to notice low water pressure in household fixtures over 40 years, frequent buildup means you may need a water softener to protect your pipes.

Failing Pressure Regulator

Another reason for poor water pressure is a faulty water control valve. While not all homes have this pressure regulator, the ones that do use it to monitor how much water comes through the pipes. It keeps the pipes safe from too much pressure that could cause leaks, cracks, and split seams throughout the piping system.

However, misreadings, stress, and aging are common issues that cause pressure regulators to fluctuate or fail. It creates high or low-pressured water with little warning.

A professional will test your pressure regulator by attaching it to a pressure gauge and checking the flow of water. The flow should have a pressure of 75 pounds per square inch. 

Semi-Closed Water Meter Valve

Each home has two main shutoff valves that the water company controls, including the water meter valve. This valve either sits on an outer wall of your home or an underground box. It can restrict water flow to your household once turned off.

This valve should remain untouched. However, if you’ve had a contractor recently conduct household or plumbing repairs, they may have turned it off and didn’t fully reopen it. 

Check to ensure the valve handle is parallel to the water pipe. If slanted, it is only partially open, causing low water pressure in household plumbing.

The #1 Choice in Tuscon, AZ

While the above are common concerns contributing to low water pressure, other causes also have residents calling the #1 plumbing company in the state. We have over 1,000 five-star reviews because our experienced team gets the job done right the first time. 

Have questions for emergency plumbers or want to know other reasons for low water pressure in your house? Call Al Coronado Plumbing at (520) 834-8400 today for a free consultation in Tucson, AZ, and the surrounding areas!

Some forms of technology are easy for people to follow. Companies advertise new phones and computers, but no one seems to promote new toilet technology.

As a plumbing contractor in Tucson, we see new toilet technology as it comes out. There are several types of toilet flush systems that manufacturers have released over the years, and here are eight of them.

1. Gravity Flush Systems

A gravity flush toilet is probably the one you have in your home. These toilets utilize water tanks on top of the toilet bowl to flush solid and liquid waste. These are the most common toilets, and plumbers love them.

They often clog from too much solid waste but are easy to unclog if necessary.

2. Pressure-Assisted Flush Systems

Pressurized flush systems are the ones you see in public buildings, airports, or malls. These toilets build up air and water inside the tanks, which the user can release quickly with a button or lever press. The pressurized water fires with a loud whoosh, cleaning the bowl and flushing waste away.

3. Dual Toilet Systems

Manufacturers designed a few new types of toilet flush systems to combat the growing water-use crisis. These are like most gravity-fed toilets but have two flush options. One uses more water while another uses less.

4. Washdown Toilet Systems

Washdown toilets are like gravity-flush toilets but have shorter bowls and wider trapways that allow more waste. These are highly efficient and compact toilets that work well in many applications.

5. Siphon Flush Systems

Siphonic systems use a combination of gravity-powered flushes and water currents to flush waste. These toilets pull water through the system, which siphons waste down and away through the tramways. These toilets are quiet and have a high water level that keeps odors out.

6. Rear Flush Systems

Rear-flush toilets use standard methods of water movement, but the similarities end there. These toilets have a grinder at the end of the trapway that grinds and quickly disperses waste when it flushes, making them highly efficient.

7. Flapper-Flush Valve Systems

These are the most common toilets used in hotels and are an older style. These toilets use a rubber flapper to stop a tank of water, which releases when you flush the toilet. They aren’t the most efficient toilets, but they are the most straightforward toilets to repair when necessary.

8. Ballcock Flush Systems

These systems use technology found in the carburetors of small engines. A rod with a ball floats atop the water level, which controls the amount of water in the system. When you flush, it releases a plunger at the bottom of the tank that releases the water.

At Al Coronado Plumbing, we focus on more than just the different types of toilet flush systems. We love providing quality service for our clients and believe in being there for them when plumbing disasters strike. Read on in our blog to learn how to deal with burst water pipes in your home.

If you have more questions about different toilet systems or have a plumbing emergency, call Al Coronado Plumbing at (520) 834-8400.

Homeowners face many causes of a water pipe burst in their house. With Arizona’s freezing nighttime temperatures, your pipes can burst. If you suspect you have this problem, our plumbing experts stand ready to help you to learn whether you have a burst pipe and what you can do to fix it. 

A premier Tucson plumbing company like Al Coronado Plumbing can help if you have a burst pipe or another plumbing problem. Read on to determine if you have a burst pipe, then call us for further help at 520-834-8400.

How To Determine if You Have a Burst Water Pipe

Pipes can burst under your home’s foundation and elsewhere. Look for signs like faucets sputtering, no or low water pressure, a flooded basement, dirty water, or sewage smells indoors or outdoors. 

Without a quick, effective repair, cracked, broken, or burst pipes cause significant water damage and mold growth. If you have a burst water pipe, one of the following solutions can help resolve the problem. 

1. Turn Off Water Mains

The most important thing to do is turn off the main water flow. The last thing you need is more water after a pipe burst. Find the water shutoff valve and stop the flow until deemed safe to turn the water back on.

Don’t forget to drain excess water from the faucets to relieve water pressure. Now, you can begin temporary solutions until a professional can reach your location.

2. Contact a Professional Tucson Plumbing Company 

If a water pipe bursts in your home, you’ll need to contact professionals immediately. They’ll inspect your plumbing system, locate the source of the leak, and make effective repairs to prevent additional damage. 

3. Try a Temporary Fix

You can apply various temporary fixes to an exposed water pipe burst in your house. You’ll need to allow the frozen pipe to thaw with warm air.

Repair sleeves fit tightly around pipes to prevent water from leaking out further. Clamping rubber against the damaged area can also stop the leak temporarily. 

4. Clean Up Water

Water damage begins quickly with a burst pipe. Significant damage can result in structural problems, damaged possessions, and harmful mold growth. 

Some water damage is unavoidable, but you can reduce its effects. After stopping the water supply from flowing, dry all wet surfaces and seek additional mold remediation if necessary.

Get Top Plumbing Help in Tucson

If you live in Tucson or the surrounding areas and suspect you have a frozen water pipe burst in the house, don’t hesitate to contact a professional plumber like Al Coronado Plumbing. We offer fast, effective, and reliable plumbing services. 

With our transparent business operation, high-quality equipment, and prompt response, we’ll help you navigate plumbing problems of all kinds, including burst pipes. Learn more tips on how to keep your plumbing in good condition this summer, then contact us for service. 

Contact Al Coronado Plumbing in Tucson, AZ, for a burst pipe repair and other urgent needs. Call our friendly licensed plumbers at 520-834-8400 today.