Top 5 Plumbing Myths

By avoiding these common plumbing myths, you can save yourself big bucks in unnecessary plumbing expenditures!

Running a few Lemons through your Garbage Disposal is a great way to Keep it Clean!

We all know lemons freshen rooms, reduce unpleasant odors and that many common cleaners contain lemon, so it must be a good way to clean the garbage disposal, right?

Not so much. Grinding up a lemon every so often may temporarily improve the aroma of the disposal, but it will not actually clean it.

If You Keep the Water Running While Using the Garbage Disposal, it can Manage almost Any Refuse!

Sorry! Wrong again! Learn the capacity of your disposal; read the User's Manual. You may find that thick banana peels and hard egg shells need pretreatment. Ignoring your Miami home unit's guidelines may lead to costly repairs or even the need to replace it.

As long as things Keep Going Down my Drain, it can't be Clogged!

Wishes! No matter how scrupulous you are, natural and man-made materials exit through the drain that would be better kept at bay. Sticky pasta, long strands of hair, grease and oil from food products, household cleaners etc., all contribute to clogging your drain.

Try using enzyme tablets as directed to prevent clogs and by all means, keep up the good work guarding the drains as much as you can. Your efforts can prevent expensive plumber visits.

You can clean Your Plumbing Fixtures with Common Hand Soap

Many of us have been doing this out of convenience for a long time, but most of your fixtures are metal; it's unlikely that the same soap could appropriately clean hard metal surfaces and delicate skin.

Find a product designed for plumbing fixtures and keep it near the sink so you won't be tempted to take the hand soap short-cut again; it pays to keep your fixtures in good condition.

Plumbing Fixtures Require Little or No Maintenance

This is so well-accepted that few people perform any maintenance on their plumbing fixtures, which is a shame. We all want more in the bank and fewer bills; a good way to contribute to this goal is to add a little plumbing maintenance to your Miami household routine.

Perform a visual inspection for leaks, worn fixtures or any obstruction to drains. Your drains and your bank account will thank you!

If you haven't had your Miami, FL plumbing system checked out, there's no better time than now to call Falcon Plumbing at (305) 251-7333!

Ways to Detect a Water Leak Within Your Home

Water leaks can be a Miami homeowner's worst nightmare. Not only are they costly, but they can decrease the overall value of your investment. If a water leak is not noticed soon enough, it could create thousands of dollars worth of damage.

There are three main ways to detect a water leak within your Miami home that we are going to explore.

Monitor Your Water Bill

One of the easiest ways to detect a water leak that is not within visual site is to check your water bill. Water usage varies from month to month and is reflected on your bill, unless you are on a budget plan that allows for a flat rate.

A jump in your bill without an increase in your water usage is a key indicator that there is a leak somewhere within the home. Often these leaks may be hidden in the ground as well so careful inspection must take place if you believe one exists.

Have a Water Meter Installed In Your Home

Homes that have their own well usually do not contain a water meter since usage does not need to be measured and billed. A water meter can be easily installed into your well system and can help detect leaks the same way that a typical jump on a water bill would.

Another added benefit of installing a water meter is to track the amount of water your family uses, making it an eco-friendly option for those who enjoy saving the planet's resources.

Visually Inspect Your Home For Leaks Frequently

Preventing leaks is always cheaper than fixing leaks. Monthly inspections in and around your home is an easy way to find small leaks and seal them before they become full blowouts.

The only thing you need for this task is a flashlight and a few materials if you discover a leak lurking in crevices. Specific areas to search include sinks, toilets, areas where your water lines run, and soggy spots on your lawn.

Once a year it is a good idea to have a professional plumber conduct an inspection to ensure that your water pipes are working properly and there are no leaks that you missed during your own monthly inspections.

Don't be submerged by the water in your Miami, FL home. Call Falcon Plumbing at (305) 251-7333 today, and get that water leak fixed now!

Three Main Water Heater Regulations

A water heater is one of the most important appliances that your Miami home contains, yet most people don't think much about it until the water coming out of your faucet fails to heat up.

Nearly twenty percent of the energy costs produced by your home each month are the result of using your water heater, making it a necessity and subject to local, state, and federal regulations that are important to follow.

The growing trend towards saving energy in the United States sparked the interest of the Department of Energy, which recently enacted new regulations aimed towards increasing the energy efficient in water heaters.

Other reasons that government officials put various regulations on water heaters are to ensure that they are not only safe, but that they perform properly. There are three main water heater regulations including:

Energy Efficient Standards

Energy consumption has been a topic of debate in recent years. A primary goal of enforcing water heater regulations is to develop good energy efficiency standards by lowering energy bills and reducing overall energy consumption that water heaters use. As a primary factor for your monthly utility bill, consumers should see this as a positive movement that could save them hundreds.

Construction Guidelines

Water heaters are built in a similar manner, even if the design preferences vary between manufacturers. Regulations have dictated the guidelines of how water heaters can be constructed and place restrictions of various details.

Manufacturers are well aware of what is and is not allowed when they are building water heaters. This regulation is in place to ensure safety and efficiency.

Size Guidelines

Based on the manufacturer that constructed your water heater, it will come in various sizes. Regardless of size, all water heaters operate in the same way. Some are taller than others, while many offer more depth or width. This can make specific water heaters more accommodating based on a Miami homeowners use of space.

While some individuals may wonder why water heater regulations are required, it is necessary to understand that water heaters not only affect the atmosphere, but they also are a strain on energy resources.

Carbon monoxide emissions, costly utilities, and potential safety concerns are all factors that are taken into consideration when organizations develop specific guidelines in relation to water heaters. Furthermore, water heaters that comply with all the regulations tend to last longer.

Doing some research on a new water heater for your Miami, FL home? Call Falcon Plumbing at (305) 251-7333 today, and get the proper insight on your new water heater choice.

Easy Ways to Cut Water Usage

Nearly everyone is interested in lowering their bills each month. Fuel and energy costs can be tough to lower, especially in the winter, but everyone should have no problem making lifestyle changes to cut down on their water usage.

If you follow these five tips, then you will lower your Miami home monthly water bill while also helping preserve the environment.

Turn Off Water While Brushing/Shaving

Everyone has the tendency to keep the water running while they are brushing their teeth or shaving, but you can greatly cut your water usage by turning off the water during these activities. Only turn the water on when you absolutely need it.

There is no reason to have water gushing in the sink when you do not need it just to make your brushing and shaving more convenient.

Shorter Showers

Everyone should strive to stay in the shower for only five minutes. This is plenty of time to get clean without wasting too much water. Cutting your average shower time down to five minutes from 10 minutes will save nearly 5,000 gallons of water each year.

Run Dishwasher/Washing Machine When Full

It might be tempting to run a small load of laundry or dishes, but this is only going to raise your water bill. Dishwashers and washing machine use the same amount of water for every load, so you are just wasting water if you do not fill them up to capacity. Running one full load instead of two half loads cuts your water usage in half.

Check For Leaks

Water pipes, sinks and toilets are bound to start leaking eventually. Finding and repairing these leaks in a timely manner is the only way to keep down your water usage. More water has to be used to compensate for the leak, so your water bill just goes up even more every time you use the water with leaky pipes or toilets.

Don't Water Lawn or Plants

Having beautiful grass and plants in your yard may make your Miami home more appealing, but it comes at a high cost. Grass and plants are meant to live off of rain water, so you are just wasting a valuable resource every time you water them.

If you live in an area without much rain, then it is best to decorate your yard with plants that can live without much water.

Everyone may take it for granted, but water is a precious resource that needs to be used as carefully as possible. Your wallet and the environment will thank you for taking these five steps to cut your water usage.

Put savings in your pocket this month by cutting the water usage in your Miami, FL home. Call Falcon Plumbing today at (305) 251-7333, and see how much you can save this month.