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DIY Tips
WATER HEATERS
My water heater is leaking. Can it be repaired rather than replaced?
The life of a water heater is usually about eight to ten years. If the heater is ten years or older, you may want to replace it for the sake of peace of mind. If the leak at the water heater is from a fitting rather than the tank, it can be repaired. However, if the tank itself is leaking, there is no other alternative but to replace it.
GARBAGE DISPOSALS
What can I do to ensure that my garbage disposal works properly?
- Do not use commercial drain products.
- Use cold water, not hot when running the disposal. Let the cold water run as long as the motor is running, and be sure to avoid overloading the disposal.
- Grind ice cubes to clean, lemon peels to freshen and refer to your owners manual for more information on getting the best service life from your disposal.
- Avoid putting high fiber foods such as cornhusks, artichokes, onionskins, and celery into the disposal.
- Avoid pouring animal fats or cooking oils into the sink. Liquid fats can solidify in cold drainpipes, trap food particles, and clog the drains.
- Do not put coffee grounds down the drain.
What can I do if my disposal becomes jammed?
If the disposal becomes jammed, turn off the motor and the water. Reach under the sink and insert the service wrench (¼" Allen wrench) into the hole on the bottom of the disposal. Turn it back and forth until it can turn freely in complete circles.
Afterwards, use tongs to remove whatever caused the jam.
Finally, press the red "reset" button on the bottom of the unit in order to reset it.
WATER CLOSET/TOILETS
As of 1992, all toilets sold in the United States are required to use no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Older models can use up to 5 gallons of water per flush. That alone may be reason enough to replace it.
SEWER SMELL
Why do I smell sewer gas coming from the lavatory in my back bathroom?
Occasionally a homeowner will notice a bad smell coming from the vicinity of plumbing fixtures in the home. This may be caused by what's referred to as "dry trap." If a fixture such as a shower or lavatory has not been used in a long time, the trap may dry out and thus allow sewer gas to come back into the home.
The simple solution is to run water into the fixture and allow the trap to again fill up. If the problem persists don't hesitate to give us a call.
FREEZING WEATHER
What can I do to avoid frozen or busted pipes during a freeze?
There are several things that may help you avoid the inconvenience and expense that freezing weather can have on plumbing.
- Know the location of your water shut-off and regularly test it. If a pipe does break you'll be able to do damage control by turning off the water immediately and therefore avoiding extensive water damage. In most single-family homes, the shut-off valve is in a valve box near the city water meter.
- Turn off and drain automatic and manual sprinkler systems prior to the first freeze. You'll thank yourself in the spring. The freezing and thawing cycle can create cracks and weak spots in the sprinkler system, triggering silent underground leaks.
- Turn off outdoor faucets and be sure to disconnect hoses. Make sure the faucet and outside piping is fully drained. Disconnect all garden hoses to insure that frost-free or freeze-proof faucets drain properly.
- Winterize unheated or vacant buildings. Significant water loss and property damage may occur before burst pipes are discovered. Fire protection systems are often most susceptible to such damage.
- Insulate exposed water pipes or those that have been problematic in the past. Pipes close to exterior walls, windows or in unheated basements should be insulated.
The freezing weather is already here. Is there anything I can do or is it too late?
- Keep the doors to cabinets containing exposed pipes open so that household air can warm them.
- Keep attached garage doors shut. Occasionally, plumbing is routed there, leaving it vulnerable to winter's worst.
- Slightly open a faucet farthest from the place where your water enters the house. A very slow drip will keep water molecules moving, reducing the chance that pipes will freeze.
- Keep your thermostat above 65 degrees when leaving your home for an extended period.