Helpful Plumbing Hints & Tips

• LOCATE AND TEST EVERY VALVE IN YOUR HOUSE, Lavatory, Kitchen sink, Ice Maker, Washing Machine and Water heaters all have shut off valves. Open and close all valves once a year. This will ensure that they will work when you need them to. They can seize up over a period of time. Familiarize yourself with their location, so that if a major problem develops you can turn the water off there instead of at the main which shuts all the water off to the whole house.
• In order to prevent any damage to your property during a plumbing emergency, you should know the location of the main water shut-off valve in your home. This will be very helpful if a broken pipe causes water to flow into your home. Shutting off the main water shut off valve will prevent any more water from entering you home.
• When going on vacation or leaving for an extended period of time you may want to exercise these preventive measures. Remember to turn off the main water supply to your home and turn off the electricity supply to your hot water system so that you save money on your power bill. This will also prevent the unlikely but possible occurrence of damage to your property from a burst hot water pipe during your absence.
• When grinding waste in your garbage disposal you will want to make sure you are running cold water to ensure that the waste moves all the way through the drain lines. fats and grease will harden in cold water and can then be flushed through the system more easily.
• Build-up of food debris in your garbage disposal can lead to a foul odor. Placing ice cubes and lemon peels in your disposal and running for thirty seconds will eliminate that odor.
• Repairing leaky faucets promptly is extremely important. Leaky faucets can waste gallons of water in a short amount of time. And cause damage to the faucet.
• You may want to make sure that your tubs and showers are equipped with strainers that catch hair and soap chips which help to prevent drain stoppages. Be sure to clean the strainer regularly to keep water flowing properly.
• Have you been trying to get rid of those mineral deposits on your shower head? Measure out one cup of vinegar and pour it into a plastic bag. Place the plastic bag with the vinegar over the shower head. Use a twist tie to secure it to the shower head and let stand overnight. When you get up in the morning, remove the plastic bag from the shower head and wipe with a damp cloth. No more mineral deposits!
• Do not leave hot water in kitchen or shower hoses. The hoses will last longer if you run cold water through them after using the hot water. Also put new washers in all your hoses twice a year.