HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:
An ounce of prevention:
There are lots of things you can do to save $$$.
An ounce of prevention will go a long way toward keeping your home’s plumbing in top working order
– and you’ll avoid costly repairs!
Faucets and Sinks
Even small drips can waste thousands of gallons of water, as much as 150 gallons a day! Be sure to check under sinks for
moisture or small leaks. And always repair leaky faucets right away to avoid paying for wasted water, and also to avoid
water damage to your fixtures and pipes.
Remove and clean your faucet aerators annually to ensure an even flow of water.
Make sure overflow holes on tubs and vanity are clear and open to prevent water damage to floors and ceilings.
Water Heater
Before doing any maintenance on your water heater
yourself, be sure to shut off the power, and read your owner's manual.
At least once every three months, drain
water from the tank. Over time sediment builds at the bottom of the heater, which can hamper performance, and draining a gallon
or so helps remove the sediment.
You should also periodically inspect your water heater burner. The flame under
the heater should appear blue with yellow tips. If it’s mostly yellow, or if it’s sooty under there, your flue
may be clogged, which is a dangerous situation. Contact a professional to check it out.
At least once every two
years, have your water heater inspected by a service technician. He or she will also check the drain valve for signs of leakage,
and the anode rods for corrosion.
Toilets
Toilet leaks can
be wasteful and expensive. At least once a year, check your toilet for leaks by adding a small amount of red food coloring
to the tank, and then check the toilet bowl later. If the toilet bowl water is colored red, water is seeping through from
the tank. If it is leaking, you should replace the tank ball.
Clogs
To help prevent clogs, fit all your tubs and shower drains with a strainer that catches hair and soap chips, and clean the
strainer regularly.
Do not rinse fats or cooking oils down the kitchen sink. Liquid fats solidify in the cold pipes
and create clogs.
Avoid using caustic liquid drain openers (like Drano or Liquid Plumber) on a drain that is completely
clogged. The caustic ingredients are trapped in your pipes, and it can severely damage them. If you can’t snake the
drain yourself, contact a professional to do so.
Garbage Disposal
- You can extend the life of your garbage disposal by:
- Using
plenty of cold water when running it
- Making sure you avoid overloading it
- Never disposing of things like bones or corn husks
- Never using a caustic drain opener
