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Is the Water Polluted in Your Home?

By on February 5, 2018 in Bathroom, Kitchen, Residential

The United States adheres to strict regulations when it comes to the water that comes out of the faucet in our homes. However, there are times water can become contaminated. This is the moment when the local news issues a boil water alert in certain areas. Boiling water helps kill bacteria that can be harmful to our health. If you aren’t sure if your water is contaminated, consider the following causes.

The Location of Your Home

Where is your home located? Are there work industries or construction located nearby? A common cause of water pollution is contamination due to construction errors and materials. If your water appears cloudy, discolored or has a strong taste, it could be contaminated.

Swimming Pool Maintenance

South Florida residents often install a swimming pool in their backyard for a variety of reasons. One of them is to cool off in the hot humid weather. Swimming pool water needs to be balanced and treated with chemicals to maintain a healthy swimming environment. If not properly treated your family can be exposed to algae and harmful bacteria. Some bacteria are dangerous, especially if it enters an open cut on the skin.

Indoor Water Pollution

Rusty pipes can easily contaminate your water as it flushes through the pipes. You can be drinking rusty water and tiny particles as well as bathe in them without realizing it. If your water appears to have an orange tint to it or have a strong taste, chances are the pipes are rusted and exposing your family to contamination.

Well Water

If you have access to well water, it probably saves you plenty of money. However, well water is not tested or held to US standards and regulations. It is your responsibility to test your well water on a regular basis to assure you are consuming and using healthy water. There are test kits available that will help you maintain access to healthy water from your well.

Drainage Systems

Do you wash your car in the front yard? Some car wash detergents contain toxic chemicals that can harm your health. As you wash the soap off your car the water flows into the drain that leads directly to local waterways or the ocean. In addition, weed killers and fertilizers drain into the same areas when it rains, or the sprinklers are used. You can do your part by using organic or non-toxic detergents and lawn care.

If you think your water is contaminated, contact us today for further assistance.

Mokher Profile PicSince 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 Remove Rust Stains from Sinks, Tubs and Toilets

By on January 29, 2018 in Bathroom, Kitchen

Your state-of-the-art bathroom fixtures can look bad real fast due to rust stains. Generally, rust stains are caused by the contents of your water such as dissolved iron, low pH water, sulfur bacteria and acid water. The rust stains are often highly visible and difficult to remove. If you have already tried every rust stain remover on the market, here are some home remedies that will get rid of those stains easier than you expect.

  • Baking soda and vinegar – Mix ½ cup of baking soda and slowly add water until a thick paste is created. Then rub the paste on the rust stains allowing it to sit for 24 hours. Next, scrub and rinse the area. The stains should be gone. If not, repeat the process again.
  • Hydrogen peroxide – This remedy works best on sinks and drains that have rust stains. Pour a reasonable amount of peroxide directly on the rusted area and allow it sit for 10 minutes. Then scrub until stains disappear.
  • Lemons and salt mixture – This is an easy remedy that requires two ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Pour the salt over the rusted area so that it is fully covered. Then squeeze lemon juice over the salt until it is fully saturated. Leave the mixture on the rust stain overnight. The salt will absorb the rust stain and reveal a clean area after removal.

These home remedies should remove rust stains on the first try. However, some stains that have been there for a long period of time and have become extremely dark might need a few cleaning sessions until perfection is reached.

If you have difficult rust stains that re-appear you should consult a professional plumber for further assistance. Sometimes the rust stains are caused by rusty water pipes that need to be replaced. If rusty water pipes are the case, you need to get them fixed immediately. Rusty pipes can lead to leaks that cause damage to the wall and flooring. These repairs can lead to expensive repairs if ignored. If the rust stains in your home concern you, contact us today for further assistance.

 

 

 

What Causes Shower Heads to Leak

By on January 22, 2018 in Bathroom

You don’t know how important the showerhead is until it doesn’t work properly. Homeowners are often surprised when they turn on the shower one day only to find it spraying in all directions except for the general one they need. While this is usually a quick fix such as a good cleaning a leaking shower head is another story.

A leaking showerhead that constantly drips or flows water out of it will hike up your water bill more than you expect. Imagine a faucet dripping 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This will add up to a costly expense every time you get your bill.

Usually, a constantly running shower head is caused by the shower valve. This is fairly an easy fix that needs to be done by a professional. However, a shower valve that leaks behind the wall can be a disaster. It’s essential that you have a plumber inspect the issue to assure water is not gathering behind the wall. This can lead to mold and bacteria development as well as damage the wall and other areas of the house.

Whether it’s an easy fix or a complicated one, you need to get it done quickly before it gets worse. Homeowner’s often see the shower head dripping very slowly, maybe just a few drops. So, they put off inspecting the issue or contacting a plumber. Sometimes homeowners wait until they receive a high water bill or notice the water is flowing out of the shower head instead of just dripping.

Homeowners should never hesitate to call a plumber. Even the smallest issues can quickly develop into serious issues. If your showerhead is leaking and you prefer to inspect it yourself, you need to remove the shower head carefully and know what to look for. If you see rust or broken pieces, it’s time to replace the showerhead.

Replacement of a shower head is fairly easy. Basically, you purchase a new shower head and attach it. This can be an easy process or a complicated one depending on the type of showerhead. If you are not familiar with plumbing you can accidentally cause more damage than good during the attachment process.

If you have any issues with your showerhead or plumbing in your home, contact us today for further assistance. Our friendly and professional staff are standing by to help you.

Mokher Profile PicSince 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