The first day back to school – it’s exciting, nerve-wracking, filled with hope and also filled with anxiety. Everyone in the family needs to get back to a daily, morning routine. It is often hectic and chaotic, with the entire family doing their “get ready for the day” routine all at one time. This includes everyone showering, brushing teeth, preparing and eating breakfast and getting dressed.

There is no time for drain back-ups, low water pressure, no hot water, overflowing toilet, pipe leaks or a faucet leak.

Everyone in the family needs the bathroom at the same time for showers, the toilet, brushing your teeth and primping time.

You then head to the kitchen and breakfast is prepared, with multiple dishes and glasses being used. Whatever you do not finish eating goes into the garbage disposal and you complete the morning routine by preparing lunch for the day, using more plates and utensils.

Later in the day (or sometimes even in the morning) there is laundry to be done with daily school outfits, football/track/cheerleading practice, dance class, karate class and many other school and extra-curricular activities. This is an increase over your Summer laundry loads.

Some easy ideas to be sure your home and plumbing is ready for going back to school:

• Check your water pressure and be sure it is running at normal pressure.
• Check your faucets. Are they all functioning properly with no leaks?
• Set a shower schedule for everyone in the family and stick to it. You may even want to split up the showers between night time showers and morning showers. Plus night time showers are likely less expensive, with utility companies charging off-peak rates in the evening.
• Inspect your garbage disposal for clogged drains and leaking pipes.
• Always wash your clothing in full loads.
• Check your clothes washer and dryer and be sure they are operating at normal capacity with no broken or leaking pipes.
• Inspect your water heater, to be sure you have hot water for showers as well as the clothes washer and dishwasher.
• Check your toilet to be sure it is flushing properly. There is nothing worse than a flooded bathroom with an overflowing toilet as you are trying to get out of the house.

Be ready for the excitement of the upcoming school year and be sure your plumbing is ready to handle the morning routine and overall increased activity of your family as school starts up again for the year.

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In our homes, we don’t give much thought to flushing a toilet – it’s just something we have to do. We do this every day, several times a day. In some public places, like restaurants and airports, we have seen those modern toilets where you do not have to press a lever and the toilet flushes with no touching. But did you ever think there would be something similar available for your home?

We love seeing progress in technology and products that are beneficial to all of us. Kohler has brought to the public for our homes, touchless flushing toilet products and a touchless flush kit if you do not need to purchase a new toilet. The Touchless Flush Kits can be retrofitted on many existing toilets and it’s easy to do. It is also affordable at just under $100 for the kit.

What are the benefits of Kohler’s Touchless Technology?

• This format reduces hygiene problems.
• This is virtually maintenance-free. Only batteries need to be replaced.
• The Touchless Flush Kits are powered by 4 AA batteries (which are included in the kit).
• The Kohler touchless toilet models use four AA batteries that last almost one year depending on the toilet use.
• The technology they use – an electromagnetic field, is more reliable and accurate than beam based sensors.

If you have any further questions about the benefits of this technology for your home, contact us. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and help if you want to install a touchless flush kit or a new touchless flush toilet.

Check out the Marlin Services Facebook Page for our previous posting:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/marlin-services/have-you-heard-about-touchless-flush-kits-for-your-home/761545643896338

Check to see what Kohler or Sterling toilets are compatible with the kit:
http://www.us.kohler.com/webassets/kpna/catalog/pdf/en/1233087-5_A8407.pdf

Flushing toilets is as easy as a wave of the hand!

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We have been speaking about the benefits of using a programmable thermostat for a while now. It just makes good sense to help control the temperature in your house when you and your family are there and also, when you are not at home. Not only can you save energy, you can save money on your utility bills during these very hot summer months and throughout the year.

There are a variety of great programmable thermostats on the market – from products with simple, basic features at the low end, to the capability of controlling your thermostat remotely. Think of how many times in the past, you left the house and realized that you never adjusted the thermostat to a higher temperature when no one is home. Now you can make those changes remotely through your phone, tablet or computer, with some models of thermostats.

Honeywell has taken it one step further with voice recognition cloud technology. You can change the temperature of your home, through simple voice commands. Even in a busy household, their advanced technology can break through the ambient noise and recognize the voice commands.

This voice control thermostat is a combination of their advanced voice recognition technology and their Smart WiFi technology. This makes staying comfortable year round easier than ever, with saving money top of mind.

It’s easy to use. Check out the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAPnUbrZBaA

Go to the Honeywell website to see all the features of the Voice Control Thermostat and learn all about it:
http://www.honeywellstore.com/store/products/wi-fi-smart-thermostat-with-voice-rth9590wf1003u.htm

If you have any questions, give us a call and we can surely help you make the right decision on the best thermostat for your family.

For more information on how we can help you save BIG this season, contact us NOW: (602) 470-1040

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Everything we put into a garbage pail should be able to go into the garbage disposal, right? No…that is not right! Unless you want one of our plumbers to come and visit you to fix your garbage disposal, you do need to consider what can and cannot go in a garbage disposal. After all, it is so convenient to have a garbage disposal…isn’t it difficult to live without, once you’ve had one?  Here is a list that goes in the category of “do not put in the garbage disposal”:

• Anything that will solidify in the drain, over time – This includes oil, grease and fat.
• Pasta – Because it expands with contact with water, it can clog your drain over time. If it doesn’t clog your drain, it will fill up the disposal trap.
• Rice – For the same reasons as pasta, you do not want to put rice in the garbage disposal.
• Fruit pits or seeds – Stay away from hard pits and seeds, like peaches, plums and cherries, as they will damage the garbage disposal.
• Starchy and stringy vegetables – They can easily wrap around the blade so you want to be sure you don’t put vegetables like celery, corn husks, asparagus, lettuce and potato peels down the garbage disposal.
• Coffee grounds – They may look harmless and like they go down the drain easily, but they can get caught in the disposal trap.
• Bones – They are too strong to handle and they will get caught in the garbage disposal (fish bones are fine to put in the disposal).
• Garbage and non-food items – A garbage disposal is not really designed for things like paper, balloons, styrofoam or cigarette butts.
• Anything in bulk – It is best to feed small amounts of food and then grind it up before adding more small amounts.

We did not put these in the list, because they should be “no-brainers”…but be sure you do not put metal objects (like utensils) and even more so, your hands in the garbage disposal. No explanation necessary…just don’t do it! Some things you can do that are helpful in maintaining your garbage disposal:

• Run the cold water 30-60 seconds after you have deposited the waste down the garbage disposal. It will help keep the motor, bearings and shredder assembly from overheating and will carry the food waste down the sewer line.
• Cut large items into smaller pieces. However, if you find you have a large amount to dispose of, you should consider using the trash instead.
• Clean the garbage disposal regularly. Throwing ice down the drain will help knock off debris build-up.
• Pour vinegar down the drain and let it sit for about an hour to remove scale. Follow with hot water. A great suggestion to combine the last 2 points is to use vinegar ice cubes.

Taking a less is more approach is always a smart way to think when using your garbage disposal properly. This will help prevent unwanted repairs that will happen much earlier than you expect.  The average lifespan of a garbage disposal is 12 years, as long as it is maintained properly and not over-used. Be sure to take care of your unit and it will be around a long time!

For more information on how we can help you save BIG this season, contact us NOW: (602) 470-1040

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We are getting close to the last day of school for the kids and summer vacation for the whole family. This means your home will be empty. There are things you should do before leaving the house for the airport on your way to your favorite beach or European city. Remember, you don’t want to be paying for energy and water bills that you are not using while you are away. In addition to saving money, you want to prevent things like coming home to a flooded house because a water hose burst.

• Shut off water lines to washing machines to avoid flooding problems. If a washing machine water hose bursts while you are away, it can result in thousands of dollars of damage. And dependent on when it happens, in the beginning or end of your vacation, this can be a factor in how much damage is done. It can damage all of the appliances, flooring and drywall and furniture.
• In addition to the washing machine, consider turning off the water supply to your to dishwashers, ice-makers and toilets. This will help prevent unexpected problems and help with your water bill as well.
• Do not leave the dishwasher, dryer or washing machine running when leaving the house. This is especially true if no one will be home or available to check if these appliances shut off.
• Make sure all appliances are turned off, stove, oven, coffeemaker, etc. This can help with your energy bill as well as with safety of your home.
• Be sure the gas stove is turned off. It is easy to overlook and can be dangerous if left on, unattended and for a long period of time.
• Unplug all electronic items. A great tip is to plug all your electronic devices to a power strip so, with one flip of the switch, you can turn off or unplug all items at one time.
• Lower, don’t turn off a water heater. Like air conditioners, water heaters temperatures can be set for the best temperature while you are away and not utilizing hot water in your home. Do not completely shut off a water heater while away as it can cause serious complications when turned back on. Lower the temperature to save on energy and a little money.
• Make sure all doors and windows are locked. This seems like a no-brainer but it is another one of those things that can be easily overlooked.
• Make Sure Toilets Are Not Running. As we learned in one of our April blog posts, a running toilet can lead to a very high water bill. (You can check out the blog post for additional information at http://marlinservices.wordpress.com/2014/04/08/running-toilet-very-large-water-bill/.)
• Close the window treatments on your windows. Especially during the summer, you want to help control the temperature in your house as best as you can.
• Set your programmable thermostat for “vacation temperature”.  Set your thermostat while you are away at one temperature which is higher than when you are home. You do not want a very cool home when no one is home to enjoy it. It will result in an unnecessarily higher energy bill.

Now it’s time to enjoy some great family vacation time!

For more information on how we can help you save BIG this summer, contact us NOW: (602) 470-1040

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You likely have heard this before and it is not merely a sales pitch. Now is the perfect time for preventive maintenance on your HVAC system – when the weather is not too warm in the spring, before the heat of the AZ summer kicks in and in the fall before the cooler weather starts. It is similar to your annual physical check-up with your doctor. In both cases, it is far better to be sure all is operating properly before big problems build up than to wait and have to fix a big problem after the fact. This is especially true of your Air Conditioning/Heating system.

The benefits of an annual “check-up” far outweigh the costs of the annual preventive maintenance service appointment. You will enjoy:

• Lower energy bills – When your system is maintained properly it is performing at its optimum level and highest efficiency. That translates into savings on your energy bill.
• Extended life of your system – When your system is performing at its optimum level on a regular basis because you have been properly maintaining it, you give your system its best chance to live a longer life. This is because it is working most efficiently and with less stress on multiple moving parts that are necessary to have a well operating system.
• Lower repair costs – When you regularly examine your system, you are likely to catch small fixes before they grow to a larger, far more costly problem. Even small issues cause stress to the other moving parts in your system and can eventually lead to a larger problem. Solving these smaller problems now contributes immediately to lower energy bills and extended life for your system.

Marlin Services does a 17-Point Tune Up in order to cover all the important items that should be checked to avoid a system break down. This includes:

• Check thermostat operation
• Clean or replace filter (customer supplied)
• Check system temperature split
• Check Freon level
• Inspect fused disconnect
• Inspect wiring and tighten electrical connections
• Inspect contactor, relays and pressure contacts
• Inspect electrical safety circuits
• Check voltage and amperage to all motors
• Inspect indoor blower and motor for dirt buildup
• Inspect bearings and lubricate all moving parts (as required)
• Inspect belt and adjust tension (as required)
• Inspect and clean condensate drain
• Inspect outdoor coil
• Inspect duct seal at unit and secure panel
• Explain and document all necessary repairs
• Run and test system

For a variety of reasons, it just makes good sense to practice preventive maintenance and to do it when you are not in desperate need for servicing or repair – particularly in the 100+ degree summer weather we have here.

And don’t forget to change your air filters regularly! This is such a simple thing to do and it will help greatly in properly maintaining your HVAC system.

Here are some good articles and an infographic to check out regarding the importance and benefits of a well maintained HVAC system:
http://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/maintaining-your-air-conditioner

http://home-repair.yoexpert.com/heating-and-cooling/how-can-i-benefit-from-air-conditioning-preventive-5279.html

http://visual.ly/benefits-well-maintained-ac-system

https://www.ashrae.org/resources–publications/free-resources/top-ten-things-about-air-conditioning#5

For more information on how we can help you save BIG this season, contact us NOW: (602) 470-1040

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With low-flow faucets and showerheads installed in your home, you may see anywhere from a 25%-60% savings in water consumption. That will translate into a lower annual water bill.

Showerheads:

The new showerhead flow rates, mandated by federal regulations, can’t exceed more than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) at a water pressure of 80 pounds per square inch (psi). To give you a point of reference, prior to 1992, some showerheads had flow rates of 5.5 gpm. That is quite a difference and imagine the water usage as a result.

Some interesting stats:

• 17% of our indoor water usage is from the activity of showering.
• For the average family, showering results in an additional 40 gallons of water usage per day.
• This equals 1.2 trillion gallons of water used in the U.S. annually from showering.

If you are unsure of your current gallons per minute, there is an easy test you can do.

• Turn on your shower with the normal pressure you usually use and put a bucket underneath the showerhead.
• Make sure the bucket is marked with gallon increments so you can clearly see the number of gallons that accumulate.
• Time how long it takes to reach the one gallon mark.
• If it takes less than 20 seconds to reach one gallon, you likely would benefit by changing your current showerhead to a low-flow model.

Types of low-flow showerheads:

• Aerating – These showerheads form a misty spray by mixing air with water. They may not be the best choice in areas of high humidity.
• Laminar-flow – These showerheads form individual streams of water.

Faucets:

Federal regulations mandate that new faucet flow rates can’t exceed 2.5 gpm at 80 psi or 2.2 gpm at 60 psi. The aerator is what determines the maximum flow of the faucet. This is the screw-on tip of the faucet. It is an inexpensive item and easy to replace. They can be one of the most cost effective water conservation actions you can take. New kitchen faucets typically are equipped with aerators that restrict flow rates to 2.2 gpm. New bathroom faucets are typically equipped with aerator that restrict flow rates from 1.5 to 0.5 gpm.

These are simple fixes that can save you money each year. Get started now!

For more information on how we can help you save BIG this season, contact us NOW: (602) 470-1040

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You may not realize it but you could be losing money each year as a result of wasted energy through air leaks in your home. The good news, though, is there are quick and simple ways to reduce wasted energy. Caulking and weather stripping your home can make a big difference in reducing wasted energy in your home and reduce your energy bills in the process.

Tips to reduce air leaks:

• Test your home for air leaks.
• Caulk and weather strip doors and windows that are leaking air.
• Caulk and seal leaks in plumbing, electrical wiring and ducting that come through walls, floors and ceilings that are leaking air.
• Seal outlets and wall switch plates by installing foam gaskets behind them.
• Seal leaks in your insulation with low-expansion spray foam. (Dirty spots in the insulation are key signals that there is a leak.)
• Cover single-pane windows with storm windows or install double-pane, energy efficient, heat-resistant windows.
• Use foam sealant on areas that may produce leaks including larger gaps around windows and baseboards.
• When your kitchen exhaust fan is not in use, cover it.
• Clean out your dryer vent, which saves energy and prevents fire.
• Add pliable sealing gaskets to door bottoms and thresholds.
• When fireplaces are not in use, keep the flue damper closed tightly.
• Seal air leaks around fireplace chimneys, furnaces, and gas water heater vents with proper fire-resistant materials.
• Seal the leak caused by the installation of the drain assembly of a bathtub by fitting foam board around the pipes and seal any gaps with spray foam insulation.

You can test your home for air tightness by looking at these areas – electrical outlets, switch plates, door/window frames, electrical and gas service entrances, baseboards, weather stripping around doors, fireplace dampers, attic hatches, wall or window-mounted air conditioners, cable TV and phone lines, where dryer vents pass through walls, vents and fans, all exterior corners, outdoor water faucets, where siding and chimneys meet and areas where the foundation and the bottom of exterior brick or siding meet.

Sources: Zillow, energy.gov, the Allstate Blog and House Logic

Check out these sites for additional information:
http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/air-sealing-your-home
http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/insulation/biggest-air-leak-home/#
http://blog.allstate.com/feeling-a-draft-how-to-find-and-stop-common-air-leaks-in-your-home/
http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/detecting-air-leaks

For more information on how we can help you save BIG this season, contact us NOW: (602) 470-1040

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Your Phoenix plumbing company has skilled professionals and technicians that can assist you with all of your plumbing repair needs. Anything from a simple leak to a major repair, Marlin Services is able to assist you with your questions or repairs. We have been offering quality work to local business and to home owners for years. We are recognized and recommended by many because of our loyalty and helpful assistance.

We specialize in, but are not limited to:

– Plumbing Repairs

– Heating services and repairs

– A/C installation and repairs
For more information visit our website MARLIN SERVICES

Or call now at: (602) 470-1040