It’s not just our staff. Any experienced Chandler plumber will tell you emergency can strike any time, often when you least expect it. Don’t meet disaster head on; avoid it altogether. The most common preventable measures you can take to preserve your plumbing system include:

1. Don’t pour grease down the kitchen sink: Perhaps the biggest plumbing no-no our Chandler plumbers warn our customers about is pouring cooking grease down the kitchen drain. Grease sediment builds up not just in your plumbing, but also in the pipes that support your entire neighborhood. When this happens, all the wastewater running through those pipes doesn’t make it to a treatment facility. Worst of all, this untreated water can find its way back inside your home and the homes of your neighbors. So, next time you’re in a bacon coma, don’t mistakenly pour that grease down your kitchen drain! Your neighbors will thank you for it.
2. Never use chemical drain cleaners: Any respectable Chandler plumber will warm you about the harmful effects of using chemical drain cleaners in your pipes. Any chemical you pour down a drain can wreak havoc on your plumbing system after just one use. Because although potent chemical cleaners eat away at clogs, they also eat away at your pipes. Such cleaners can dissolve small holes in your plumbing,  potentially subjecting your entire system to costly damage. Besides, not only are these cleaners bad for your entire plumbing system, they are also toxic and harmful to the environment. Our Chandler plumbers recommend that you use a homemade, environmentally-friendly drain cleaner that contains baking soda, warm water and vinegar before you opt for commercial products like Drano. If a clog persists, contact a Chandler plumber. For the most part, snaking a drain is the best way to remove a clog. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive.
3. Reduce hard water:Arizona is home to some of the hardest water in the country. Although no studies indicate that high levels of mineral content in water are necessarily unhealthy, they are confirmedly harmful to plumbing systems. According to city statistics, the average hardness level of the water throughout the City of Chandler is 16.5 grains per gallon (gpg). This hard water calcifies inside your plumbing system and considerably shortens the lifespan of your pipes and home appliances. Our Chandler plumbers advice our customers to install a water softener on the water main entering their homes. Water softeners can be somewhat costly up front; however, they drastically extend the life of intricate plumbing systems and expensive home appliances.
4. Watch what you flush: Knowing what is acceptable to flush down a toilet seems inherently understood, but time and time again our Chandler plumbers receive house calls to service compromised plumbing systems that resulted from toilets being used as trash cans. Things that should never be flushed include sanitary napkins, condoms, tissues, dental floss, cotton swabs, and diapers. We’ll spare you some of the other “items” we have found in our time as plumbers as long as you promise to only use your toilets for what they were intended for. We’ll let you have your privacy.

Most plumbing predicaments can be solved with simple maintenance and every day TLC. By taking the following plumbing advice to heart you can avoid unnecessary service calls and extend the life of your plumbing system and home appliances. Contact All About Water today for additional plumbing advice or to schedule a maintenance appointment with one of our skilled Chandler, AZ plumbers. 

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Written by Molly Scott

Because here at All About Water AZ, we know that kitchen sink clogs can be a common (and pesky!) problem, our experienced and professional plumbers have come up with a few easy tips to help you unclog a sink the DIY way. Here is the All About Water AZ guide to unclogging a kitchen sink!

1. Start with boiling water: Though some clogs may need more drastic fixes, it’s always a good idea to start at square one. Bring three cups of water to a boil and slowly, carefully pour the water down the drain. If it’s a smaller clog, the heat should break it up in the pipes. But if the water simply backs up and starts to fill the sink, you know it’s time to try something else – or enlist some help from an All About Water AZ professional.
2. Pick a plunger: One tried and true way to unclog a drain is with a little help from a very common plumbing tool – the plunger. Once you’ve decided that boiling water on its own just won’t do, the first step of the plunging method is to fill your kitchen sink about halfway with hot water. Next, place a plunger directly over the drain. Plunge quickly and steadily until the water starts to drain and the clog is completely dislodged.
3. Go natural: Instead of spending money on expensive gel clog removers that could end up damaging your pipes in the long run, try this homemade solution with ingredients you can find in your cabinets! Pour one cup of vinegar and one cup of baking soda down the drain, and quickly cover it with the stopper. Wait five minutes and run hot water down the drain to break up the solution and test the effectiveness. Your clog should be long gone!

Hopefully you’ll find success (and a clog-free sink!) with one of these easy and natural quick-fixes. But if you’ve tried each of the DIY solutions and you find that you’re still stuck with a stubborn clog, it may be time to call in the experts at All About Water Arizona. To read more DIY plumbing tips or to speak with an All About Water AZ plumber today, visit us at http://www.ecowateraz.com/!

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Written by Molly Scott

And though a Chandler, AZ plumber is always only just a phone call away if you do experience a garbage disposal clog, there are a few ways you can prevent a drain problem before it even happens. Here is the All About Water list of garbage disposal tips and tricks:

1. Toss that grease: Though pouring excess cooking grease down the kitchen sink may seem like an easy solution, it could come back to haunt you – and your drain. Though it may be fluid at the time, when that grease cools, it will solidify and make for a stubborn clog. Avoid the problem by bottling your grease and throwing it in the trash instead.

2. Skip the seeds: Though this one may be a little more well-known, it’s also one of the most important. From olive pits to pumpkin seeds, the seemingly harmless fruit cores can damage your garbage disposal blade and create a blockage to the pipes.

3. Rice and pasta: Unlike pits and seeds, this tip might be a little less well-known. Because rice and pasta expand when wet, they can collect in your disposal trap and create a rather large clog as more and more water inevitably pours in.

4. Egg shells: Though undeniably part of a great debate, every Chandler plumber will tell you that egg shells really shouldn’t find themselves anywhere near your garbage disposal. Though it’s been said that they benefit your disposal (by sharpening the blades), they really only stand to create a clog. Because eggs have a thin layer of stretchy membrane lining their shells, the blades can become damaged, causing one messy situation.

5. Stringy foods: From celery stalks to onion peels, stringy foods should never find their way into the garbage disposal. Though their soft consistency may seem safe for the drain, their fibrous skins can easily wrap around the blade and cause big problems in the long run.

To learn more tips from a Chandler, AZ plumber, visit our website today at http://www.ecowateraz.com/.

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Because the professionals at All About Water Arizona know that water conservation can help you not only save money, but also save our natural resources, we’ve come up with a list of 5 easy steps to help you conserve water:

1. Turn off that faucet: This one’s an easy one – instead of letting the water run while you’re brushing your teeth, washing your hands, or doing the nightly dishes, turn it off when you’re not immediately using it.  Instead of watching your excess water go down the drain right before your eyes, you’ll be able to start conserving it on a routine basis!
2. Skip the veggie shower: After bringing home produce from the grocery store, replace your fruits and veggie cleaning method. Instead of holding them under running water, fill a pan or bowl with water and wash them on your counter. You’ll be saving gallons (and dollars!) by limiting your running water usage.
3. Check for leaky pipes: Though we’ve discussed the importance of making sure your pipes aren’t leaking before, this step is a crucial one when dedicating yourself to saving water and money. Leaking pipes mean that your pipes aren’t doing their job, and that you’re paying for water that you aren’t even using. Make it a monthly habit to check your pipes for any potential problems.
4. Take a shower break: If you’re really dedicated to conserving water, try taking a break during your shower. By turning off the water while you wash your hair, you could save up to 150 gallons a month. By turning it off while you shave, you could save up to 300!
5. Try a toilet trick: Drop just a few drops of food coloring into your toilet tank. If you see it reappear into your toilet bowl, you might just have a leak. You may want to consider calling in an All About Water AZ professional to help you fix it.

By implementing these 5 small steps into your routine, you can save time, money, and water in the long run! For more tips and tricks on how to conserve water, call and speak with one of our All About Water Arizona trained professionals, or visit us online at http://www.ecowateraz.com/!

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But for all the smaller things in a world that revels in the power of DIY projects,  just how do you know when it’s time to call a Chandler AZ plumber? Because it’s certainly not a question we’ve heard only once or twice, and because sometimes the decision is a big one, here at All About Water, we’ve compiled a list of 3 plumbing jobs that should simply never be DIY:

1. Replacing a toilet: While there are certainly hundreds of “How To” articles online, replacing the toilet can be one of the harder plumbing jobs to do on your own. Because replacing a toilet is a meticulous three step process – removing the old, installing the base, and attaching the new – there are dozens of things that can go wrong. Unless you’ve done it before or you’re absolutely sure you know what you’re doing, avoid a broken bowl or poorly sealed bolts by calling in a trained Chandler plumber instead.
2. Fixing a broken water heater: Because fixing a broken water heater means dealing with gas, pipes, and high levels of heat, going the road alone can mean more than just a mess – it can mean a dangerous situation. When it comes to water heaters, its best to leave it up to your trusted Chandler, AZ plumber!
3. Unclogging the garbage disposal: Unless the clog is a relatively superficial one (i.e. you can easily see what’s in the drain’s way), it may be best to call in the pros when it comes to your disposal. Because you’re dealing with pipes and blades, sometimes working with a seriously clogged disposal comes down to keeping yourself safe and your kitchen mess free!

If you’re ever caught in between and are trying to decide whether to take on the task by yourself or enlist some professional help, never hesitate to call your local Chandler plumber at All About Water! Visit us today at http://www.ecowateraz.com/.

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Just because our Phoenix and Chandler AZ plumbers spend most of their time working on the back end of the bathroom doesn’t mean we don’t have a flair for style! Bathroom fixtures like sinks and faucets are often the last pieces installed when a bathroom is remodeled, but can comprehensively polish the look and feel of your bathroom. Who better to take lavatory style advice than a Chandler plumber? We spend all day in the bathroom!

Some Chandler AZ Plumber advice on bathroom fixtures:

• Make the faucet the focal point: channel your inner Poseidon and embrace the power of water by centering the room’s focus on a chic, attention-grabbing faucet. For a modern bravura, consider the stylish wall-mounted faucet, paired above a freestanding basin and separate wall mount valve.

• Experiment with innovation: your lavatory isn’t “just a bathroom” – it’s an opportunity to tryout features and innovations you haven’t used yet. If it’s within the budget, take a look at touch-sensitive faucets and easy clean surface coatings.

• Finish strong: the finish on your fixtures depends on the style of bathroom you’re designing. Traditional bathrooms are often donned in a handsome rubbed-bronze. Contemporary bathrooms are made all the more modern in polished nickel and chrome. Visit a showroom to see each contender in person before making your order.

For more bathroom insight, call your Chandler plumber! We’re here around the clock to serve all your plumbing needs!

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Your professional and friendly Phoenix and Chandler plumber at All About Water can recommend a water filtration system to optimize your home’s water quality. Because although the quality of Greater Phoenix tap water is improving, runoff from tech and other manufacturing plants leaves water quality falling short. Make no compromise of your home’s drinking water with an All About Water filtration system – water to refresh and nourish your mind and body is the first step to a healthier home and family.

Save money and go green with our All About Water’s Chandler AZ plumber products. Your water will be so clean and refreshing, you’ll no longer need to waste money on plastic disposable water bottles. For all your water and plumbing needs, don’t hesitate to call the dependable plumbers at All About Water! Or, visit our website at http://www.ecowateraz.com/.

From the All About Water family to yours, Happy New Year!

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DO clean out drains often: If you make it a habit to clean out your drains on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, you decrease the chances of having to square off with a big clog weeks down the road. Simply pouring some hot water down the drain every so often may save you time and money in the long run!

DO keep an eye out for leaks: By inspecting toilets and showers for leaks at least once every six months, you’ll be much better equipped to spot any plumbing irregularities. Taking care of a leak earlier rather than later means reducing the chance of having to deal with an even bigger mess.

DON’T pour hot water everywhere: Though hot water down a clogged drain may be the perfect quick fix, don’t pour hot water into the toilet. The rapid change in temperature may crack the bowl, leaving you with a substantially worse problem than a clogged toilet.

DON’T overdo the chemicals: Though a mixture of hot water and ammonia or bleach can work wonders on an extremely clogged drain, try not to overuse household chemicals. An excess of chemicals used over time may start to cause damage to your pipes.

DON’T leave your toilet lid up: When not in use, leaving the toilet lid up increases the chance of a blockage. With any number of objects able to fall in at any given time, the risk just isn’t worth it.

And of course, no matter what DIY plumbing project you’re planning to take on, make sure you use the proper equipment and protective measures to ensure a successful and safe outcome! For all your larger plumbing needs, don’t hesitate to call the dependable plumbers at All About Water AZ!

To learn more DIY Do’s and Don’ts or to speak with an All About Water Arizona plumber today, visit our website at http://www.ecowateraz.com/.

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Read our Chandler AZ plumbers’ five favorite amazing facts about plumbing:

1. The average person spends about three years sitting on a toilet throughout their lives
2. More than 3 billion people worldwide do not have access to any form of toilet or latrine system. That’s about half of the global population.
3. The first shower was invented around 300 B.C. in Greece. Ancient Greek athletes would use the showers to freshen up before entering the stadium arena.
4. On average, 9,000 gallons of water are wasted every year while homeowners run the tap waiting to get hot water. These extra gallons can add up to 15% of your annual water heating costs. (A tankless water heater would solve that problem!)
5. Mario, the Italian-American plumber from the Mushroom Kingdom, is the most recognizable plumber in the world.

For more fun facts and plumber insights, stick with All About Water!

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How do you make sure your child won’t accidentally drop her favorite toy in the bowl and require an emergency Chandler plumber rescue mission? And more importantly: how do you make sure she’s safe while in the bathroom?

At All About Water, we know there are some accidents that just can’t be helped. But we also know that when it comes to your children, nothing matters more than safety. Here are three safety tips from a Chandler AZ plumber on how to childproof your bathroom:

1. With a toddler, try a toilet lock: The best way to guard against dropped toys, pinched fingers, and curious hands is to invest in a toilet lock. These are small, easy to install and will prevent your toddler from lifting the lid without your supervision.
2. Secure a safety guard: Many local stores sell soft plastic or rubber safety guards that slip easily over the potentially sharp metal of the tub spout. With these rubber guards, you can ensure that if your child bumps his or her head during bath time, the impact will be significantly softer.
3. Get a nonslip mat: Nonslip or rubber-backed mats are perfect for bathrooms shared by children. They can turn a slippery situation into a safe one, and will help ensure that if your child does take a spill, he or she will land on a mat, not the tile of the bathroom floor.

Whether you have a baby, infant, or toddler, these tips from a Chandler plumber will help you childproof your bathroom and keep your family safe.

To learn more about All About Water or read other helpful tips from a Chandler AZ plumber, visit our website at http://www.ecowateraz.com/.

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