Plumbing Tips

Listed below are several tips that will help keep some of the most common plumbing problems from becoming problems:


1.
Foul odors occur from a build up of food debris inside your garbage disposer. To eliminate these odors, place ice cubes and lemon peels in the disposer and run for about 30 seconds, then rinse with cold water.

2.
Once a week run hot water down the drain to help keep it free-flowing.

3.
Tubs and showers should be fitted with a strainer that catches hair and soap chips. Clean the strainer regularly.

4.
To prevent sewer gases from backing up into your home through your basement floor drain, periodically pour a bucket of water down the drain to keep the trap seal full.

5.
To remove unsightly mineral deposits on your shower head, put one cup of vinegar in a plastic bag and place it over the shower head. Hold it in place with a twist tie and let stand overnight. In the morning, remove the bag and the mineral deposits should come off by wiping with a damp cloth.

6.
Repair leaky faucets quickly to avoid further damage to the fixtures and faucets.

7.
Put 12 drops of green food coloring into your toilet tank to test for silent leaks. If the dye appears in the bowl, you may need to change the ball or flapper valve. The toilet is leak free if no dye appears within 15 minutes.

8.
Do not use your toilet as a wastebasket. Do not flush items that can be placed in a trash container.

9.
It is extremely important to know the location of the main water shut off valve in the house. Find it now so you're prepared to shut it off fast if a pipe breaks or the water heater bursts. If located in a locked closet or shed area, make sure a key is readily available.