Plumbing Tips

Every homeowner should be prepared for plumbing emergencies, large or small. Taking some time now will give you security and help to prevent expensive damage in the future.

The following are steps that can be taken to avoid problems:

1. Shutoff Valves

Find all the emergency shutoff valves in your home's plumbing system. There will be both hot and cold valves under the kitchen sink and under the bathroom lavatory. The toilet has a cold water shutoff behind the toilet. Tub valves can be hidden behind the cover in back of the faucets. Appliances and the water heater usually have valves located nearby.

2. Main Shutoff Valve

Every home has a main shutoff valve located on the outside that will cut off water throughout the house. This valve is for the water line coming in from the street and the valve may be located near the house water meter. Use this cutoff for more serious emergencies or sometimes when part of the plumbing system is being repaired.

3. Preventative Maintenance

a) Valves - Keep your valves from "freezing up". Every so often close the valves and re-open. Stop short of opening to the end as this will help to keep it from freezing. Check for leaks as you are doing this procedure.

b) Sink Drains - Be sure to keep screens over sink drains to prevent items from being dropped into the trap. This creates an obstruction and eventually stoppages will occur. If this happens, do no run any water. There is a curved pipe under the sink called a "P-Trap". This can be removed and the items retrieved. Be sure to use a bucket under pipe.

c) Toilets - All new toilets today are only 1.6 gallons. Therefore, it is even more important to be careful not to put any items in the toilet other than toilet paper and do not use excessive amounts. No paper towels, Q-tips, cigarettes, etc. These toilets block easily.

d) Water Heaters - Check water heaters periodically for leaks. Leaks are usually caused by corrosion and the tank will need to be replaced.

e) Garbage Disposals - Do not put coarse items such as celery, onion skins or artichokes in disposal.

f) Cleaners - Chemical cleaners may be used for minor stoppages or sluggish drains. Handle with care as these cleaners contain lye and are dangerous.

Organic cleaners will help to keep your drain clean and are completely safe. But they cannot handle stoppages.

4. Tools/Supplies

The following tools or supplies are handy to have on hand: wrenches, screwdrivers (including phillips), adjustable pliers, plunger, "snake", pipe joint compound, plumber's putty.

Have a toilet plunger on hand for quick emergencies. The rubber suction cup can clear minor obstructions. Also it is handy to have a "snake" or augur which is a flexible cable that can be run down drains to clear deeper obstructions.