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Common Mistakes that Ruin Your Plumbing

Little kittens bathing in the sink


Homeowners often take plumbing issues into their own hands. This is fine for an experienced DIY homeowner. However, it can be dangerous and costly for those who are not familiar with plumbing issues. It is always wise to contact a professional for assistance. The following are common mistakes that should be avoided.

  • Flushing Garbage in the Toilet – The toilet is only meant to be used for human waste and toilet paper. Plumbers receive numerous calls every year related to garbage or other items being flushed down the toilet. Sometimes it could be an accident, while other times it is done intentionally. Flushing garbage down the toilet can clog pipes which result in the toilet overflowing into your home.
  • Grease Down the Drain – Bacon grease is often thrown down the sink with the use of a garbage disposal. While this may seem like a great idea after cooking breakfast on a Sunday morning, it is actually a bad idea. Bacon grease, and others similar to it, contains fat that clog drains whether you use a garbage disposal or not.
  • Running Water During Repairs – All plumbing repairs should be conducted with the water valve off. This means that nothing in your home that uses water should be working during repairs. If you fail to turn the water off, your home can become flooded quickly causing extensive damage to your home, flooring and other areas.
  • Soldering Pipes – A favorite project of some homeowners who take pride in their DIY projects is soldering pipes. While it is an easy enough job for those with experience and a steady hand, it can be dangerous for others since you can easily burn yourself and the area around you.
  • Fixing it Yourself – Homeowners have a variety of reasons why they don’t want to call a plumber. It could be lack of money to pay a professional or simply that the homeowner has confidence in their own abilities. While replacing a washer on the faucet is a simple job, others are more complicated. If you find yourself watching an online video and trying to install, repair or replace a plumbing problem, it might be best to call a licensed plumber in your area.

Many homeowners don’t realize the danger in plumbing issues, especially when electricity and water are combined. For example, installing a water heater can become rather difficult if you haven’t done it before. It can also be highly dangerous to the homeowner. Always call a professional plumber when in doubt. You will feel more confident and secure knowing a professional plumber has fixed the issue safely.

Do Economy Settings Really Save Money?

close up of dollar bill

close up of dollar bill

As a homeowner, you most likely have a dishwasher or washing machine in your home. Some homeowners are dedicated to using the economy settings while others don’t even realize that is an option. Economy settings often give the impression it saves money or energy. This topic has been debated by homeowners for many years. Continue reading below to learn more about this setting and if it really saves money.

The Good News

You do save money, twice! Economy settings on washing machines, hot water heaters and dishwashers conserve water by using less and don’t use heated water. This means you are saving money on your water bill by using less water and at the same time saving money on your electric bill because the hot water heater doesn’t get used to heat up the water for the appliance. So, it is true that you do save money.

The Bad News

While you are saving money using the economy settings, the job the appliance is intended for, may not being meeting your standards. For example, let’s say you load your dishwasher after a large family party. You are too tired to scrape off tiny bits of food particles off the dishes, so you just load the dishwasher. You fill the reservoir with your favorite dishwashing detergent and let it go to work on the economy setting. The results are not great. The food is still stuck to the plate and you have to run the cycle again.

In this scenario homeowners are quick to blame the dishwasher detergent instead of the economy setting, usually because the economy setting has always been able to handle the dishes on a daily basis. However, this time you end up running the economy cycle twice. This causes you to use water and energy twice, as well as twice as much detergent. All of it costing you money and voiding the reason for using the economy setting in the first place.

There’s a time and place for economy settings. When used on small loads of laundry that don’t have a lot of stains it is perfect. But used on a small load of laundry with a lot of dirt, grime and stains will not produce the best results. You have to learn the right time to use the economy settings on your appliances to get the best out of each use.

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Since 1968, Chip Mokher & his team has provided South Florida with quality service with a commitment to our customers’ satisfaction. Our many years of experience has allowed us to serve thousands of homes and businesses in Miami-Dade County. We welcome the opportunity to serve you, please call us at 305-446-8266 or email us at chip@mokherplumbing.com

How to Avoid Garbage Disposal Clogs

potato peels img-3414-432Summer is about to begin and the kids are going to be spending a lot of time at home. This means your kitchen is going to get a lot of use! One of the most common plumbing issues during the summer is clogged garbage disposals. Teenagers who stay home alone during summer vacation often eat a variety of snacks and often use the garbage disposal. The following tips will help you avoid garbage disposal clogs this summer and all year long.

  • Run the Water – Turn the faucet on set at the cold temperature before turning on the garbage disposal. The cool water will flush food particles down the drain faster, as well as help solidify grease and fat. Always use cool running water before, during and after using the garbage disposal.
  • Feed the Disposal Gradually – It’s always tempting to stuff tons of food debris into the disposal and let it do its job. But this can overwhelm the disposal and also damage the blades. Slowly feed the food to the disposal in small doses to avoid overloading the disposal.
  • Clean with Vinegar Ice Cubes – Make 6 to 12 ice cubes out of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Then feed them into the disposal. The ice will clean the blades and the vinegar will deodorize the disposal and well as disinfect.
  • Use the Disposal Frequently – Some homeowners only use their garbage disposal on occasion. It is best to use it daily or as frequently as possible. The reason is to avoid rust or damage to the blades.
  • Avoid Potato Peels – Potato peels are one of the most common items that get placed into a garbage disposal, however this is a big mistake. Potatoes are starchy and actually turn into a paste that can get on the blades and other motorized parts causing the disposal to stop working.
  • Avoid Stringy Items – Sweet potatoes, artichokes and celery have natural strings. Have you ever bit into a raw piece of celery only to have a long string be revealed? These strings can get caught in the blades and other components of the garbage disposal causing damage. You can either don’t put these items down the disposal or chop them into small pieces to avoid long strings.

Garbage disposals are a convenience in today’s modern kitchens. They are easy to use and require little to know maintenance. Always use water to flush the disposal to keep it running at it s best. Avoid over feeding the disposal as well as stringy items. Avoid clogs by teaching your family how to properly use the disposal.

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Since 1968, Chip Mokher & his team has provided South Florida with quality service with a commitment to our customers’ satisfaction. Our many years of experience has allowed us to serve thousands of homes and businesses in Miami-Dade County. We welcome the opportunity to serve you, please call us at 305-446-8266 or email us at chip@mokherplumbing.com