Helpful Plumbing, Heating & A/C Tips

Easy Repairs & Tips That Can Help You Around Your Home

Open Completely Stopped Drains
With a length of wire, a screwdriver, or a long, thin implement, clear the blocked drain by trying to pull the mass out, bit by bit. 
A plunger is the next resort:

1. Cover the drain with the plunger, making sure that there is enough water in the sink or bathtub to cover the plunger cup. Coating the rim of the plunger cup with petroleum jelly can help create a tighter seal for more suction.
2. Press the plunger cup over the drain, and pump the plunger 15 to 20 strokes. In many cases this will clear parts of the blockage and water may begin to flow.
3. If the suction cup does not clear the drain in a few minutes, you will probably have to remove the catch trap below the sink to get the job done.

Leaking Faucets: Tighten the packing nut or replace the packing, which may be a washer, an O-ring, or twine that is wound around the compression stem.

Recover Jewelry That Falls Down the Drain

Immediately close off the water valve so no water washes the item away. Before attempting to tamper with drain pipes try using a SHOP VAC to suck the item out. Simply place the SHOP VAC nozzle over drain opening and turn on.

Bathroom Plumbing Tips:

Weak Shower Pressure: Pour a cup of vinegar into a plastic bag, place over the showerhead and soak overnight. Remove bag and use an old toothbrush to gently scrub off mineral deposits to help restore water flow.

Check Toilets for Hidden Leaks: Add six drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.

Ensure Toilets Flush Properly: If the handle must be held down for a thorough flush or jiggled to stop the water from running you may need to replace worn tank parts. They're inexpensive and you'll notice a lower water bill.

Prevent Drain Clogs in Shower: Install a trap to catch hair: purchase a small shower drain catcher if you have an old bathtub which uses an external drain plug. There are also external drain covers for standing showers. These covers can catch hair, paper from toiletry labels and any other objects which don’t belong in the drain.

Water Heater Tips:

Save Energy: Check the temperature setting on the water heater. It should be set no higher than 120°F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use.

Ready for a Replacement? Check the date of the water heater. The first four numbers of the serial number on the water heater are the month and year. Any heater over 15 years old is a candidate to be replaced.

Garbage Disposal DIY Tips:

Make Your Garbage Disposal Smell Better

1. Citrus Peels - lemon/lime/orange/grapefruit.
2. Cleaning products such as "Plink" and “Disposer Care”
3. Fill the sink with hot water, pour a half-cup of bleach in the sink and a few teaspoons of dish detergent, pull the plug and turn on the disposer. Run for about a minute after the sink drains.

Fix a Jammed Garbage Disposal

1. With the power off, take a flashlight and look down the drain.
2. See if you can find what is causing the jam.
3. Before you stick your hand down the hole, grab a long, thin screwdriver with a thin tip.
4. Insert the screwdriver into the drain and set the tip inside one of the holes found on the bottom of the disposal (this is a turntable).
5. Try to turn the turntable using the screwdriver. It may require some force, but many times, this will break the jam.
6. Most garbage disposal units will have a reset button to re-start the unitafter it has cut out (typically found under the garbage disposal).