Clogged Sewers & Drain Expertly Cleaned & Repaired

Do you have a clogged up or slow running drain?

You’re not alone. Each year, more than 20% of   Americans find themselves with a blocked-up toilet, sink or tub. And each year, many of these same people try to solve these problems themselves. You can try using a plunger, but more often than not, that just makes the problem worse. You can try one of those store-bought chemical products to dissolve the blockage, but they can damage pipes, fixtures, clothing and skin.

For fast, reliable, and longer lasting results, we urge you to contact Falcon Plumbing today.  We are sewer drain specialists.  We expertly clean, unclog, repair, and install new sewer and drain lines.

At Falcon Plumbing, we offer Miami home owners like you our drain line video inspection service.  That way, we can pinpoint the exact location and extent of any drain line problem.  And that leads to quicker and more accurate drain cleaning results.

For fast and dependable same-day service, contact Falcon Plumbing today.  And check out our $99 drain cleaning special for greater value and instant savings.

Miami Dade: 305-251-7333
Broward: 954-455-6444
Contact us today to schedule service now

Gas, Electric, & Tankless Gas Models

If you need a new water heater right away, or even if you’re just now planning for a future purchase, it’s a good idea to consider all your options before you buy.  To help point you in the right direction, Falcon Plumber offers you the following comparisons among and descriptions of the various types of hot water heaters now on the market.  And that includes the increasingly popular gas tankless water heaters.

Gas & Electric Storage Tank Water Heaters

Gas water heaters use natural gas to heat water.  A chamber filled with water is heated by burning the gas, like much a pot on the stove.  Gas costs less to heat water than oil, and heats the water twice as fast as an electric unit.

By contrast, residential electric water heaters use an electric coil is to change electric energy into heat energy.  With an electric unit, you need a larger tank than gas units require to compensate  for the slower recovery time of heated water.  Gas units typically provide 40 gallons of water water, while electric units provide 20 gallons per hours.

On the other hand, electric water heaters typically cost less to operate.  That and other factors make electric water heaters the better choice should your home not be natural gas accessible.

Advantages of Natural Gas Water Heaters

1. Quick recovery.  Gas water heaters recover twice as fast as electric units. 

2. Lower operating costs.  Typically costs less to operate than an electric storage tank model.

3. Safety.  Natural gas water heaters have an excellent safety record, especially when properly maintained.

4. Minimal environmental impact.  Of all the fossil fuels, gas burns the most efficiently.

Advantages of Electric Water Heaters

1. Lower initial purchase cost.  Electric water heaters cost up to $700 less to purchase.

2. Lower installation cost. 

3. Longer lifespan.  Natural gas water heaters have built-in corrosive elements that typically shorten their lifespan when compared to electric water heaters.

4. No greenhouse emissions.  Electrical water heaters are more environmentally friendly than gas.

5. Greater accessibility. Electric water heaters can be installed in any home electricity.  Natural gas, on the other hand, in not readily available in all residential areas, if available at all.

Gas Tankless Water Heaters

While tankless water heaters are available in electric and propane-fired models, natural gas units are the most popular since gas models are the least costly to operate. Tankless water heaters have built-in computer boards and sensors that monitor the flow of water and change the firing rate to provide the exact amount of hot water needed at any given time. They are extremely efficient and use no more than the amount of fuel needed to heat whatever source of water you are currently using.

For an average-sized family, a tankless hot water heater can reduce energy use by nearly one-third. Larger families with greater hot water needs can install more than one instant tankless water heater, each unit dedicated to a major hot-water appliance such as a dishwasher or washing machine. In homes with more than one tankless water heater, energy savings can reach as high as 50%!

Contact Falcon today and Save $50.

If today is your day to purchase a new water heater, contact Falcon Plumbing and we’ll help you select the right size and type for you.  Plus, you’ll save $50 on your purchase with the coupon on our website internet specials page.  Contact us today for a free quote.

Miami Dade: 305-251-7333
Broward: 954-455-6444
Send us an email to schedule your free quote

Which do you prefer…calm or frazzled nerves?

Duh!  Well, to succeed in your quest, you want to do all you can to keep your plumbing in top working order.  Here are three home plumbing inspection services you should request proactively that will help you do just that:

Leak Inspection

Leaky pipes can lead to a whole host of problems you don’t want. Even the smallest amount of water can lead to structural damage, mold growth, and provide a safe harbor for insects and pests. A dry home is a good home. One of the biggest aspects of keeping your home dry is making sure you don’t have any plumbing leaks. Ask about getting your pipes inspected for leaks. If you wait until the problem is blindingly obvious, it may be too late.

Water Heater Inspection

Just because you get hot water when you turn on the faucet, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a problem with your water heater. Certain problems are difficult to detect, such as a buildup of sediment in your tank or a CO (carbon monoxide) leak from your gas water heater.  An annual inspection can catch these and any other problems in the making before they become expensive repairs.

Regular Maintenance

At Falcon Plumbing, we offer our VIP service plan which includes, among other benefits, an annual whole-house plumbing inspection.  It’s the same idea as scheduling a water heater inspection:  to help keep everything in top working order through preventive maintenance.  Our service plan also includes a 15% discount on all plumbing repairs, priority scheduling, and more.

To learn more or to enroll in our VIP Service Plan, contact Falcon Plumbing today, serving all of Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Miami-Dade:         305-251-7333
Broward:               954-455-6444
Contact us today to ask questions or schedule service now

Sometimes a leaky shutoff valve (on the water supply pipe to the toilet, sink, or other plumbing fixture) is simply turned too far open, meaning too far counterclockwise or to the left. Often, aslight turn in the opposite direction will stop the leak.

Replacing a shutoff valve, if it comes to that, is a fairly simple procedure. The pain comes from having to turn off the water supply for the whole house and draining the water out of the pipes up to the location of the shutoff valve.

Step 1 – Turn off the Water Supply

After turning the valve to the full “off” position (all the way to the right), detach and drain the pipes using a wrench or pliers. Use a small plastic tub or pan to catch any water that might otherwise spill onto your floor.

Step 2 – Untwist the Nut

Dis-assemble the valve, remove the screw from the handle and untwist the packing nut. Remove the threaded valve system. In the process, remember the position of the neoprene washers so that you can easily put them back together later.

Step 3 – Clean the Washers

Clean the washers with a rag to remove any mineral deposits.  Keep cleaning until their flexibility returns.

Step 4 – Assemble the Valve

Re-assemble the shut-off valve. Make sure the washers are positioned properly. Once again, tighten the packing nut 1/8 to ¼ turn at a time with your wrench or pliers. Do not use plumber’s putty or you might have a hard time fixing the shut-off valve in the future. Make sure you don’t over tighten the nuts as that could damage the valve.

Step 5 – Turn the Water Supply Back On

Turn on the water from the main water supply. Watch out for leaks as the line is being filled. If you see that the valves are still leaking, then your shut-off valve needs to be replaced.

Not the handy type or just don’t have the time to handle plumbing problems yourself?  At Falcon Plumbing, we’re always ready to lend a hand with same-day service and no overtime charges ever.  Give us a call for all the plumbing help you’ll ever need.

305-251-7333
Schedule service with our Miami Plumbing service

An outdoor shower is an outdoor shower, right?

Hear that buzzer sound?  That means the answer is “wrong.”  Because not only are there three  main types, but you also have a wide range of features, options, and styles to choose from…including built.

Portable Outdoor Shower

Portable showers are the most budget friendly option. You can move them around in your yard and even take them camping…or anywhere else with a water supply and a hose.

Stand-Alone Outdoor Shower

Stand-alone outdoor showers are built away from a house or building with their own underground plumbing. Some stand-alone showers can be moved and attached to a garden hose or a double hose that runs hot and cold.  If you’re not sure where you want to place your shower, this is an option well worth considering.

Wall-Mounted Outdoor Shower

Another kind of outdoor shower is the wall-mounted variety. These are a more permanent choice as they need to be fitted and attached to your home.  Most often, wall-mounted showers are  found next to a pool or other convenient spot.  With a wall-mounted shower, you also have the option of building an enclosure for greater privacy.  These are also the most durable of your three options.

Design and Installation of an Outdoor Shower

When it comes to design and scope, you can go fancy, discreet, large, small, decorative, plain…and that’s just where your options begin.

For outdoor shower design ideas and expert installation, contact the plumbing professionals at Falcon Plumbing today.  The people who can help make your great outdoors even greater.

Miami-Dade:   305-251-7333
Broward:          954-455-6444
Click here to schedule service now

The worst way to treat a water leak is to ignore it.

It’s not just the wasted water…it’s the incredible amount of damage a water leak can cause, even where there’s barely evidence of dripping water in the first place.

That’s why we recommend that, from time to time, that you pull your refrigerator out from the wall to check for accumulated water.  Believe it or not, the smaller the amount of water, the bigger the potential problem.  That’s because water could be seeping into your flooring to your subflooring.  If not caught early enough, that could cause wood rot plus damage to the ceiling below…both of which can occur long before visual detection happens.

The greater the damage, the more expensive – and extensive! – the repair.

That’s just one more reason why Falcon Plumbing recommends a whole-house plumbing inspection.  Our professional plumbers will check all the plumbing fixtures and systems in your Miami area home, and point out any problem areas…or problems in the making.

A whole-house plumbing inspection also includes a safety check of your water heater, and that’s always a good idea.

To schedule service, contact Falcon Plumbing today.
Miami Dade:    305-251-7333
Broward:          954-455-6444
Contact us today to ask questions or schedule service now

Click here for current web specials

Plumbing, to most people, is a “grudge” vs. a “planned” purchase in that we rarely call a plumber until we really need one, and often in emergency situations.

Which means that if you don’t already have a plumber you know and fully trust, you’d be likely to conduct a somewhat hasty search the next time you need service…and then HOPE you found one who has all the skill, training, integrity, and the several other qualities you look for in a home service contractor.

Well, at Falcon Plumbing, we recommend that you don’t wait for that emergency to occur.  Instead, why not do some research now so that when the time comes, you’ll feel very comfortable with the plumber you’re already screened and chosen.

To help you in that pursuit, here’s a list of the most important questions you can ask to help you measure a company’s worth:

• Are you a licensed plumber?
• Are you insured?
• Do you offer 24-hour emergency service?
• Does your company do drain cleaning?
• Are all of your service technicians licensed plumbers?
• Is service and repair work your specialty?
• What is your normal response time once a call for help is placed?
• Are you a member of the Better Business Bureau?
• Do you have a website?
• Do you charge extra for after-hours, holiday, and weekend service?
• Are your trucks fully stocked, or do you charge for going to get parts?
• Can you provide 5 references of clients who I can talk to?

At the same time, keep in mind that this is not an interrogation and, as such, it would be very easy to put even the most qualified of plumbers on the defensive with the wrong approach.

Call, express your concerns, tell them you’re looking to establish a business relationship and not for someone to handle a one-time problem, and you’ll get the kind of cooperation you’re looking for…and ultimately, the kind of plumber you want in your home, no matter what the plumbing need.

Need a plumber today?  Then call Falcon Plumbing for fast, reliable service…and don’t hesitate to ask us all the questions you like!

Miami-Dade:   305-251-7333
Broward:         954-455-6444
Click here to schedule service now

Backflow happens when water reverses the direction of its flow in anywhere in your plumbing systems.  It’s a dangerous condition because it can allow drinking water in plumbing systems to become contaminated and unusable.  So dangerous, in fact, that all commercial buildings in Miami-Dade County are required by law to have backflow prevention valves and to have them tested periodically.

What is a backflow preventer?

Backflow preventers are mechanical plumbing devices installed in a plumbing system to prevent water from flowing backward in the system. A properly installed, tested and maintained backflow preventer at the water service entrance to your home or building  can reliably prevent the backflow of water of an unknown quality from flowing back into the community water system.

What are the primary causes of backflow?

The primary cause are a sudden drop in water pressure due to heavy usage, heavy demand caused by fire-fighting, or even a water main break.

What harm can backflow cause?
Plenty. When water is delivered to your property it is exposed to many different types of fixtures, including sprinklers, washing machines, hose-bibs, kitchen faucets, tubs, showers, and toilets.  Connections between your drinking water system and potential sources of pollution, or contamination, are called “cross connections.” When backflow occurs through a cross connection, contamination will follow without proper protection.  Also, it’s important to note that backflow conditions can originate on or off your property.  That’s right, if cross connection fails in the public water supply, contaminated water can enter your home along with those of your neighbors.

Where are backflow prevention devices needed?

Wherever a cross-connection risks exists. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Lawn irrigation systems

• Fire sprinkler systems

• Medical facilities

• Dental offices

• Veterinary clinics

• Soft drink dispensers

• Photo processing labs

• Commercial car washes

Why is annual testing important for backflow preventers?

The assemblies have moving parts which can foul or wear out. Periodic testing insures the devices are working properly.

Who can you turn to for backflow prevention and annual testing?

Throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, no one is better qualified to protect your home or commercial property from backflow contamination than Falcon Plumbing in Miami.  Contact us today for installation or testing services.

Miami-Dade:   305-251-7333
Broward:         954-455-6444

Click here to schedule service now

Are you experiencing any of these common plumbing problems?

Toilet overflowing

To fix an overflowing toilet, start by pushing the tank stopper belt down to the valve seat and keep pressing on it. The tank stopper and valve seat are found inside the toilet tank.  Next, immediately turn off the valve underneath the toilet. This is the water shut-off valve.  If home remedies like using your own plunger or snake don’t work, then that’s a good time to call Falcon Plumbing.

No Hot Water

You know you have a problem with your water heater when you notice any of the following symptoms:

• No hot water
• Inadequate hot water
• Rust colored water
• Rotten egg odor
• Low rumbling or popping noise
• Higher pitched whining
• Water leaking around base of heater

Before attempting any troubleshooting on your own:

• Turn off power to an electric water heater. Do this by turning off the circuit breaker or fuse powering the heater.
• For a gas water heater, turn the gas pilot control valve to “pilot” setting.
• Shut off the water supply.

What you do from there depends on the type of water heater you have:  gas, electric, or tankless.  If you’re the handy type, go ahead and give it a try.  Otherwise, the plumbing professionals at Falcon Plumbing will be glad to lend a hand.

Faucet won’t shut off

Most faucets work with a rubber or composition washer that closes onto a metal washer seat. Over time, the washer will harden and crack or simply gets worn down. This causes the faucet to leak. You can close the faucet tighter to stop the drip, but this will only be a temporary fix. In fact, you’re just increasing the internal damage to the washer and faucet and the problem is only going to get worse. Usually when the faucet drips, the problem has a relatively simple solution: the washers or other internal mechanisms need to be rebuilt or replaced.

No matter what the plumbing need or problem, Falcon is here to help you day or night, 24/7…with no overtime charges ever.  Give us a call, and stop going bonkers!

Miami-Dade:   305-251-7333
Broward:         954-455-6444

Click here to schedule service now

At Falcon Plumbing, we have a proud history of helping our customers solve plumbing problems of every kind.

We also have a customer-friendly track record of helping you avoid problems in the first place.

Here are several you can employ to good advantage to help keep your plumbing systems and fixtures in top working order.

Self-Help Tips

To keep your repair costs at a minimum, here are some self-help tips we know you’ll find useful:

1. Don’t pour grease down your kitchen drain.
2. Be careful what else you put in your garbage disposal.  Fibrous foods like lettuce, cooked vegetables, and potato skins don’t easily grind up – if they grind up at all – and eventually will cause your drain to back up
3. Use organic vs. chemical drain cleaners for the good of the environment and to help prevent internal pipe corrosion that can later cause pipe leaks and cracks.
4. Run water when you use the disposal and keep it running for a few seconds after you turn it off.
5. Don’t operate the dishwasher if you think there’s a problem. It discharges into the disposal.
6. Check your washing machine hoses from time to time for leaks and loose connections.
7. Always use a screen or filter (hair snare) over lavatory and tub drains to snag hair and other objects that otherwise can cause your drains to clog.
8. To help a blocked toilet from getting worse, keep a plunger and drain snake handy at all times.  Start with the plunger and then move to the snake.  Even if you think you’ve gotten the clog pour a bucket of water down the toilet before attempting to flush it.  If  the water doesn’t go down, the clog is still there.
9. Periodically check the pipes below your kitchen and bathroom sinks for any leaks.
10. Attaching an aerator (the small screen at the end of a faucet) will help reduce water consumption by as much as 50% with no loss of pressure. If your pressure should drop, it could be as simple as removing the aerator and cleaning it.

Of course, no matter how careful and diligent you might be, sooner or later you’re bound to experience a plumbing problem that requires professional assistance.  And that’s exactly what we’re here for, 24/7, and with no overtime charges ever.

Contact Falcon Plumbing today for the service you need…from the people you trust.

Miami-Dade:   305-251-7333
Broward:         954-455-6444
Click here to schedule service now