Plumbing Tips For Your Home

 

Leaky pipe/fixture:shut off the water

 

Close valve at fixture

Find the shut-off valve - usually behind or underneath the fixture. Turn it clockwise to shut off the water.

Close main valve coming into house

If there's no shut-off valve for the fixture, close the main valve to turn off the water supply to the entire house. This is located where the main water supply pipe enters just inside the foundation wall in the basement or crawlspace. Turn clockwise.

Know where valves are

Every family member should know the location of the shut-off valves for every fixture, as well as the main shut-off valve for the house, and how they operate.

Professional tips – shut-off valves

• If you need a wrench to close the valves, keep one specially labeled nearby.
• Label the main water shut-off valve with a brightly colored tag.
• If you don't have shut-off valves for your fixtures and appliances, consider having them installed, especially to toilets and washing machines.
• Consider having ball valves installed at the washer and main shut-off. Their ease of operation can save money, time, and convenience in an emergency situation.

 

Toilet Leaks

Toilet seal leaks can happen when the toilet is not stable, or the seal is worn out.

RECOMMENDATION: Check for water or visible stains around the base of the toilet. Does the toilet wobble? If you see water, don't delay repairs.

Leaking water heaters

 

 

Hot water tanks are susceptible to leaks, even if they have liners. Water contains sediment that sinks to the bottom and rusts.

RECOMMENDATION: Inspect the flooring around your water heater for signs of leaks. A qualified technician should periodically inspect heaters installed more than five years ago. PEMCO suggests replacing your water heater if it's more than 10 years old. Water pan and safety alarms are also worth considering.

 

Washing machine & other hoses

Rubber hoses eventually leak. Because the laundry room is usually in a low-traffic area of the house, water damage can go undetected and be extensive.

RECOMMENDATION: Check the hoses for kinks and cracks. Replace rubber hoses every five years or have metal mesh hoses installed. Do the same for dishwasher and automatic ice cube-maker hoses.

 

Root-clogged sewer lines

 

What to look for

The drain lines are gurgling, especially when you drain your washing machine water; toilets and sinks are slower than normal to drain; the floor drain has unpleasant odors or water backing up.

Roots love pipes

Trees and shrubbery seek water anywhere they can find it during spring with the onset of foliage growth. One of the prime supplies of water is our sewer systems. Roots only need a hairline crack to gain access into your drain lines.

Once inside the drain lines, the roots can grow quickly, exerting enough force to clog, damage or destroy your pipes.

Manual removal can provide immediate relief, but is only effective on the bottom half of the sewer pipe. And just like pruning a shrub or tree, the roots will come back bigger and stronger until the pipe is replaced.

(Source; various internet websites)