3 Simple Rules to Save Water

Each one of us has the responsibility of reducing their water consumption. We all know that water scarcity around the world is reaching alarming levels. You may be living in South Florida where you have ready access to clean water, but you must still do your best to conserve it. This may need a change in lifestyle or the help of a plumber in South Florida.

Reducing water consumption:  Many people are unaware of how wasteful they are when they use water. So, the first thing to do is be mindful of unnecessary water usage. Keep your shower short; always use your washing machine and dishwasher on full loads.  Keep checking your water meter and bill to know your consumption pattern. The bill can also act as an incentive to reduce use.

Reducing water waste: Changing small habits can save habits.Don’t keep the water running when brushing your teeth, shaving, or rinsing dishes. Fix leaking toilets and dripping faucets. You may need the help of plumber in South Florida to fix leaking fixtures that wastewater.

Recycling: think about recycling water when you can. Left over water from boiling an egg can be used to water plants one it cools.

Call your plumber: Every average home in America wastes enough water through drips and leaks to actually meet their own water needs for a month. Most of these cannot be fixed by simple DIY. Call your plumber in South Florida to fix leaky faucets and pipes. It can make a world of difference to your overall water consumption.

How to Deal with Sudden Hike in Water Bill

Have you noticed a sudden spike in your water bill for no logical reason? The average American uses 80-100 gallons of water a day. If your water consumption seems significantly higher, there are two potential reasons: Your water consumption is wasteful and excessive or there is a leak in your house. Let’s assume that the first is not the case.For unknown leaks, you may need to call Miami beach plumbing services.

Finding the leak

Sometimes leaks are not as obvious as leaking faucets. Here’s a simple test that can help you find out if there is a leak:

  • Turn off all the faucets in your home.
  • Check your water meter. If the red dial is moving, it means there is a leak somewhere.
  • Turn off the water to all toilets one by one, checking the meter each time. The moment the red dial stops moving, you have found your leak.
  • If the dial moves even after turning off all toilets, the leak is somewhere else. Check each faucet and fitting again.
  • Take a reading right before you go to sleep, when water usage is over for the day.
  • Check the reading next morning. If you find a significant difference, there is a leak somewhere in your home. Since it is not immediately visible to you, call Miami beach plumbing services to find the leak and fix it.

Reducing water consumption

Apart from fixing the leaks in the house, you also need reduce your overall water consumption. Think of reducing, reusing and recycling water wherever you can. Not only can it help to reduce your water bills, it is also environmentally responsible. Do ensure that devices like water heater, dish washer and washing machine are also serviced regularly for optimum performance. You can ask your Miami beach pluming services to check devices for leaks.

5 Tools that Every DIY Plumber Needs

Like everywhere else, the plumbing in Miami Beach can get a bit problematic at times. Faucets can start leaking and drains can get clogged. Calling a plumber for every small problem can be both expensive and frustrating. So, it’s always better to know some DIY techniques that can help you fix the immediate problem. This also means that you need a few essential tools, such as:

Pliers: You will need a pair of water pump pliers or slip-joint pliers.These pliers have long handles and adjustable jaws that are designed to grip different sized pipes. These versatile pliers are the most essential tools in a plumber’s kit.

Plungers: Everyone should have a plunger to clear drains. There are two in use — flange plungers and sink plungers. They are the simplest tools for clearing a clogged drain. The rubber cup of the plunger is placed over the drain and you push down on it. The force of air and water pressure clears the clog.

Pipe wrench: The function of the pipe wrench is like that of a plier. However, it is more effective when dealing with softer metals like iron and steel pipes. It is also the preferred tool when we are using rounded fittings.

Sink and closet auger: These are useful tools for clearing drains. An auger has flexible steel cable which is attached to a hand crank or a control mechanism that helps in guiding the steel cable. The sink auger is like a rotating drum snake. It can be very effective against tough clogs. A closet auger, also known as a toilet snake, is a similar tool that is used for the toilet bowl. It is built in such a way that it can reach the bends in a toilet. If you cannot clean a drain with an auger, it is time to call someone specializing in plumbing in Miami beach.

When to Call a Plumber for Your Water Heater

The average life span of a water heater is 10 to 15 years. But like any piece of machinery it can break down at any time. Heater repairs are best handled by an experienced plumber in south Florida. But what are the warning signs you should look out for?

No hot water: This is the first sign of trouble. No hot water means that something is wrong with your heater since it is obviously not functioning. Sometimes it could be as simple as the thermostat turned low. Low pressure can also cause heating problems. If the cause does not seem obvious to you, call your plumber.

Banging noise: Water heaters, particularly old ones make noise all the time — when someone flushes or opens a tap. It is the unusual noises that you have to watch out for — hissing, gurgling or knocking. The reason could be air in the system, or it could be due to a loose connection inside the heater. Call a plumber in south Florida to diagnose and fix the problem.

Water leak:A water heater can start leaking because of several factors, such as a crack in the body or a loose valve. You should get this repaired immediately. A leak can cause flooding inside the heater, causing corrosion or damaging it irreparably.

Pilot light going off: If the pilot light keeps going off, the heater won’t function properly. Once you have ruled out factors like lack of power, you should get a professional to check out the problem.

Low pressure: If you see that your heater is working, but the water pressure coming from your tap is very low, you could be dealing with more than a heater problem. The trouble may lay with the overall plumbing of the house or a blockage in the pipes. Low water pressure could also be the result of a water leak. It is best to get it checked from a plumber in south Florida.

Signs Your Garbage Disposal Needs a Plumber

No matter how great your garbage disposal is, it is bound to break down. It is subjected to the constant onslaught of running water, soap, garbage, and clogs. Sometimes it is simply because the disposal is not switched on, alternatively, it just needs a reset, but there. But there are other situations that only a plumber in south Florida can fix for you:

When it does not make a noise: If there is no problem with the power, a disposal which is making no noise means that it has broken. You’ll need a plumber who can fix it or replace it.

When it is leaking: The common reason for a leaking garbage disposal is usually the wearing down or loosening of the sink flange. Tightening or resealing with plumber’s putty may fix the problem. Sometimes a the wall of the garbage disposal wall can wear out or  crack. The leak may also occur at connecting points to the drainpipe or dishwasher. It is best to call a plumber to fix these problems.

When it gets jammed: Most disposal units come with a wrench to remove the jam. However, if your don’t have one, call a plumber to resolve this issue.

When it’s draining too slowly: This is usually due to congestion in the drainpipe. You can use a natural cleaner to clear the drain. Chemical cleaners are not recommended because they can damage the unit. If this does not solve the problem, you should contact a plumber in south Florida who specializes in garbage disposals. A professional knows the construction of the disposal and how it should be cleaned and fixed.