Reasons to Thank Plumbers This Month

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Essential Services Local Plumbers Offer 

When confronted with a plumbing problem, homeowners have two options. First, they could resort to DIY repairs that only serve as band-aids for major problems. Or, they could consult a plumbing repair service. A professional can inspect one’s plumbing system, advise a homeowner on the best solutions, and even suggest upgrades. 

This Thanksgiving, homeowners should give thanks to plumbers and the services they provide. These licensed and bonded professionals offer the following: 

Help with Water and Sewer Lines 

sewer lineIn an ideal world, a homeowner never sees their house’s water or sewer lines. However, not everyone is so lucky. There comes a time when a professional's help proves invaluable. When faced with a water or sewer line problem, an expert can: 

  • Use non-invasive measures to identify problems: These days, plumbers don’t have to destroy homeowners’ lawns to find problems. Instead, they can resort to other measures, like video inspection equipment and trenchless pipe repair, to remedy specific issues. 
  • Suggest preventative maintenance measures: Ideally, a home’s underground plumbing system can last decades without significant problems. However, this lifespan isn’t magic; it requires homeowners to practice preventative maintenance measures. Some considerations include refraining from flushing certain items and regularly scheduling professional maintenance. 

Gas Line Repair 

Gas line repair does more than keep a home’s appliance running; it also keeps a home safe. Gas leaks affect many homes each year, with some yielding lethal consequences. When performing gas line repair, a professional understands: 

  • The importance of safety: A trained professional will turn off the home’s gas supply before performing any repairs. This eliminates the likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, and other health concerns. 
  • How to replace specific components: Nothing lasts forever––and that goes for the home’s appliances and gas-powered systems. A professional understands how to remedy certain issues without causing further problems or endangering homeowners’ health. 
  • How to reduce energy costs: A faulty gas-powered appliance or system can waste hundreds of dollars in energy bills. A professional knows how to remedy seemingly-minor problems to save homeowners money on their gas bills. 

Gas line leaks are serious matters. If a homeowner suspects that they have one, they should evacuate the house and consult a professional immediately. 

Water Heater Services 

water heater The U.S. Department of Energy reports that water heaters can last anywhere from 10 to 20 plus years. However, even to reach the 10-year mark, homeowners must regularly consult with trained professionals for water heater maintenance. When a technician evaluates a water heater, they will: 

  • Check for any leaks
  • Flush the water heater tank
  • Evaluate the home’s energy bills for any unexpected increases 
  • Replace any faulty or malfunctioning components, like heating elements 
  • Measure how hot (or cold) the water gets 
  • Suggest replacing the water heater (if it’s more than 15 years old) 
  • Address any potential problems 
  • Seal any pipes 

Water heater maintenance does more than cut down on problems and unexpected expenses; it also makes a house a home. No one wants to deal with cold water during the holiday season, even in mild places like Miami. Reaching out to a water heater professional isn’t just smart––it’s crucial to a home’s habitability. 

About Falcon Plumbing 

Falcon Plumbing is family owned and has over 25 years of experience serving Miami, FL, and the surrounding areas. They provide upfront pricing, same-day service, and live, friendly greetings whenever someone calls. Call them today for plumbing services in Miami, FL.

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Meet These Historic Women Plumbers!

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These Women Transformed the Plumbing Industry as People Know It Today 

It’s no surprise to many that plumbing is a male-dominated field. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 97 percent of plumbers and pipefitters are men. Less than three percent of plumbers are women, but that number’s slowly rising. 

Many historical figures paved the way for today’s women to enter the workforce––women like Madam C.J. Walker, the first female self-made millionaire in the US. This Women’s History Month, one may be interested in learning about some of the women who changed the plumbing industry. Continue reading to learn more. 

Fast Facts About Women in the Plumbing Industry 

plumbing Emerging Infectious Diseases notes that while women have not always held official plumbing jobs, women have played a massive role in homes’ water consumption for centuries. Throughout history, women have been tasked with bathing small children, cooking, and laundry––all of which involve water consumption. Along the way, many homemakers learned a thing or two about plumbing systems yet never earned a single paycheck for their efforts. 

Here are some other things to know about women and the plumbing industry: 

  • Contrary to the information provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America notes that even more women are entering the home improvement industry than previously thought. About nine percent of newcomers to the field are women in the HVAC industry alone. This could mean more women are becoming plumbers than initially expected. 
  • Wolfram Alpha notes that over 417,000 people are employed as plumbers in the United States. In 2019, the number was much higher. 
  • Studies show that despite the number of vacancies in the plumbing industry, women are hesitant to enter the field because of harassment and discrimination. 

Yet, that has not stopped the women on this list from making their marks in the plumbing industry. 

Meet the Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers 

At the turn of the 20th century, more and more men were finding work as plumbers. However, while they performed their duties, they were concerned about what their wives would do in the meantime. This led to the birth of the Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers, which eventually grew to include tens of members. 

Surprisingly, men were first in charge of the Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers. They organized social events, such as luncheons to keep their wives occupied. Eventually, women took charge of the organization and changed the focus from socializing to advocating for various causes, including: 

  • Women’s right to vote: Many members of the Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers believed that women should have the right to vote, just as men did. 
  • Sanitation: When the Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers was in full swing, many public restrooms (especially those at Texaco gas stations) were not regularly cleaned. The organization launched a campaign urging businesses to clean their bathrooms, which would limit the spread of disease. 

Today, the Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers still exists but under a new name. True to the organization’s original purpose, it continues to combine social activism with socializing as part of its activities. 

Meet Lillian Ann Baumbach (also known as the “Pretty Plumber”)

lillian

Lillian Ann Baumbach knew she wanted to be a plumber from a very young age. Her passion started when she was just 12 years old and went out on service calls with her father, a plumber by trade. When she graduated from high school in 1947, she knew she wanted to be a master plumber. 

Yet managing her father’s plumbing business and going out on calls was only one part of Baumbach’s life. In the 1950s, she became a pin-up girl, a favorite of those serving in the Korean War. At one point, she was penpals with over 250 men, some of which proposed marriage. 

She continued leaving her mark on the plumbing industry and retired peacefully in 1987. At the time of her passing, she was survived by her two daughters. 

About Falcon Plumbing 

Falcon Plumbing provides homeowners peace of mind with 24/7 emergency services, no overtime charges, and comprehensive plumbing services in Miami, FL. Call them today to hire a trusted and experienced plumber.

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