Self Help Tips from Smithmyer Plumbing & Heating, LLC.
Taking a trip and your water heater
Turn the water heater control to the vacation position when you are away or on vacation. This setting will keep the water temperature below or around 90 degrees and will prevent high levels of thermo-expansion or force building up from accumulating ~ eliminating the potential of a faucet or pipe breaking.Clogged Drains
Unclog a drain mechanically rather than chemically when possible.- Use chemical drain cleaners sparingly, especially if your pipes or traps are brass, steel, or cast-iron; some chemicals may corrode metal pipes. Try this instead: pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down your drain every month.
- The drains in showers and in bathroom sinks typically need extra care; pour two or three gallons of boiling water down each bathroom drain about once a month to clear out hair and greasy particles.
- Every week or two remove sink and tub pop-up stoppers and rinse them off.
- Every three or four months remove the overflow plate on the tub.
- Then pull up the pop-up assembly to reach the spring or rocker arm.
- Remove accumulated hair and rinse thoroughly.
- If your toilet is stopped up and if the water level is low, then follow these simple tips if your plunger in unsuccessful.
- Fill a bucket or plastic wastebasket with warm water and pour it into the bowl from waist level or higher.
- Repeat if necessary after the water level is once again low.
- Periodically check your toilets for leaks:
- Place a few drops of food coloring in the tank not the bowl. A couple of tablespoons of Kool-Aid will work too.
- Check the toilet after thirty minutes. If the water in the bowl has some of the color in it, the tank is leaking and the stopper ("flapper") and/or flush valve seat may need to be replaced.
- Do not flush facial tissue, sanitary products or diapers as they do not dissolve and can clog the lines.
