Plumbing Tips and Advice (147)
Here’s How to Drain Your Home’s Plumbing System
There are several reasons you may need to drain your home’s plumbing system. You may have a vacation home that will be unoccupied during the winter months, and the water needs to be drained to prevent damage from frozen pipes. You may be undertaking a major plumbing, repair, or you need to drain the lines […]
Read MoreHow to Drain a Water Heater Tank for Maintenance
One of the best ways to extend the life of your water heater and ensure it operates efficiently is to flush the tank annually to remove sediment buildup. The process is straightforward, here are the steps: Shut off the water supply – Locate the cold water supply valve at the top of the water heater […]
Read MoreGarbage Disposal Jammed? Here’s How to Safely Fix It
It’s a common problem, a wash cloth or other object falls into the sink, jams the garbage disposal and it stops running. Now what? First, and most importantly, never attempt to clear the disposal until the power has been disconnected. Do not rely on turning power off at the switch, unplug the disposal from the […]
Read MoreThe ABC’s of Plumbing – Toilet Fill Valve
The toilet fill valve a.k.a. “ballcocks” are the plumbing part that enable the toilet tank to drain, then refill after flushing. When it’s time to replace the ballcock, you will first need to know what kind you have. Here are the 5 main types of fill valve: 1. Plunger / Piston Fill Valve – Plunger or piston […]
Read MoreToilet Filling Slowly? Here are Some Things to Check
One of the more common plumbing problems we see is a slow filling toilet. Depending on the water pressure, a toilet tank should refill in around 3 minutes. If the toilet tank is slow to fill, the first thing to check is the shut-off valve located behind the toilet. Make sure it is fully open […]
Read MoreWill a Low-Flow Toilet Work In an Older Home?
Installing low-flow toilets is a great way to conserve water and reduce your water bill. By using about half the volume of water as a standard toilet, you can save around a gallon and a half of water per flush. That adds up to thousands of gallons of water saved every year. Many states and […]
Read MoreFall Plumbing Maintenance Tips
Fall is a good time to insect your home’s plumbing system to identify any problems that could lead to damage, wasted water and unexpected repairs. 1. Fix Leaks – Inspect shower heads, faucets and other plumbing fixtures for drips. A single dripping faucet can waste hundreds of gallons of water in a year. Check toilets […]
Read MoreThe ABC’s of Plumbing – Toilet Wax Ring
If you’re noticing water around the base of your toilet, the cause may be a worn toilet wax ring. Made from a molded wax loop around a short plastic tube, wax rings are designed to fit almost any toilet and floor drain by conforming to the shape and size of the fitting. One benefit of […]
Read More6 Items That Should Never Get Flushed Down the Toilet
Many consumer products are labeled as “flushable” while others seem harmless enough, but the reality is many common items can cause a major clog when flushed down the toilet. Cigarettes — Cigarettes can not only clog a plumbing system, like prescription medications, they are bad for the environment. Cotton Balls, Q-Tips, Paper Towels and Facial […]
Read MoreSewer & Drain Line Maintenance Tips
We don’t often think about our drains and sewer line until there is a problem, but there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your home’s drains sewer line and are kept in good condition both from inside and outside of the pipe. Homeowners are responsible for keeping the sewer lateral, […]
Read MoreNeighbors Are Saying About ABC