Explore the “Tools and Tips” section of our site for more useful information about maintaining your home and making efficient use of your mechanical systems.

Plumbing

Leaky Faucets

Leaky faucets that drip one drip per second wastes 8.64 gallons a day. This problem can be both annoying and a preventable waste of money. Most leaks occur commonly in faucets, pipe joints and the toilet. Anyone can follow a few simple plumbing steps to solve this common household problem.

Look closely at where the leak is centralized. Is the drip in the faucet or could it be that the water is leaking in the handle?

Always start any plumbing repairs by turning off water shut off valve to your home so you can work on the pipes without water flowing through them.

Faucet Leaks

Bathroom and kitchen faucets will often leak due to the washer or O-ring wearing out. Washers are made of rubber and sometimes metal. The washers are discs that seal and restrict the flow of water when the handle is turned. This type of faucet is known as a compression faucet. To replace a washer, remove the decorative cap by screwing it off or pulling it depending on it's design. Next, unscrew the packing nut that holds the valve in place by turning it counterclockwise.

Value washers come in many various sizes and shaped. I would suggest that you take the valve stem with you to the hardware store to add in matching the exact size needed to the old washer. After replacing the washer if your faucet still leaks, the seat may have been damaged.

Garbage Disposal

Obstruction Removal

If any solid object drops down the sink, it can jam the garbage disposal. If this happens, turn off the power and unplug the disposal from the wall outlet. Look down the disposal with a flashlight. If you are unable to free the object, turn the disposal with an Allen wrench or rotate the grinder with a broom handle. Once the object is free, remove the obstruction. Turn on the cold water and test the disposal.

If your disposal motor shuts off during operation, its overload protector has sensed overheating and has broken the electrical connection. Wait a few minutes for the unit to cool, and push the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal. If you have any doubts that you can safely remove the stuck object, call American Drain for professional assistance.

Maintenance Tips

To avoid maintenance problems, use the following guidelines when operating your garbage disposal:

Turn on a moderate to strong flow of water, and then turn on the garbage disposal.
Continue to run cold water for 15 seconds after the grinding has come to a stop in order to flush the drain line.
Run hard objects, such as ice or egg shells. This produces a polishing action inside the grind chamber.
Grind up peelings from citrus fruits to remove unwanted odors and freshen up drains.
Feed vegetable peels into your disposal a little at a time, rather than all at once.
Avoid grinding tough materials, such as corn husks and artichokes, that can cause possible drain blockage.
Pour leftover cooking grease into a jar or can and dispose in the trash. Putting grease down the drain can cause build-up on pipes and cause drain blackages.
Never turn off the garbage disposal until all grinding has come to a stop.

Fixing A Damaged Valve Seat

If the washer has become to worn prior to replacement, the metal will grind against metal and damage the valve seat. Water particles and mineral deposits can become trapped between the seat and the washer so that closing and opening the faucet handle grinds the particles inside and damages the seal beyond simple washer replacement.

Hardware stores have a seat-grinding tool that is commercially available for do-it-yourself home repair. The tool comes with easy steps on hoe to reshape the damaged seat to accept the new washer properly.

Pipe Joint Leaks

Leaks along a pipe joint are the easiest to locate and generally the fastest to fix. Pipe clamps are a effective way to temporarily fix a leaking pipe and come available in a repair kit. They consist of a neoprene sleeve and screw hinge. You insert the rubber gasket the kit between the pipe and the clamp and slowly tighten the screws until the leak stops. Manufacturers suggest this method of repair will last 5-10 years.

Another way to patch a leak on a pipe joint is to apply plumbers two part epoxy putty around the leaky joint. This method is not as effective as a line-clamp repair made on a straight section of pipe and will not make a proper bond if your pipe is rusty.

Basement Flooding

Basement flooding due to sewer backup is an all too frequent occurrence in certain areas during heavy rainstorms. Many people are not aware that they can modify the plumbing in their houses to positively prevent sewage from entering their basements. Three different approaches are common and the one you choose depends on the piping layout of your house.

Determine what plumbing arrangement your home has:

In the most basic type of basement plumbing, the basement drains are joined directly to the sewer pipe before it leaves the house. This plumbing is found in many older homes with basements and no sump pumps. Both sewage and footing drain water enter the sanitary sewer. Excessive footing drain flow from a residence may or may not cause flooding in that particular home. The footing drain flow contributes to any sewer or basement flooding that may occur. Your home may also have one of the following basement plumbing enhancements. Whatever your current plumbing arrangement, there usually are further steps that can be taken to prevent basement flooding.

Three common plumbing upgrades:

Upgrade #1: Add a Sump Pump

A sump pump is needed as part of any corrective measure. The sump pump removes the footing drain water from around the basement wall and discharges it to the surface of the ground, a ditch, or a storm sewer, depending on the surface grading around the house. Many communities require that new homes include sump pumps. Sump pumps in new homes usually discharge to the storm sewer system.

To protect a basement from flooding due to sewer backup, the plumbing fixtures and floor drain in the basement also need to be disconnected from the municipal sewer.

A sump pump, including the basement fixture disconnection, can be installed in existing homes for about $1600 or more. Each home is different.

Upgrade #2: Add a Sump Pump and Valves

If a sump pump is not sufficient, a check valve and a shut-off valve can be installed to provide a good measure of protection from basement flooding. These valves can isolate the house plumbing from the public sewer in the street. The check valve includes a flapper that shuts when water level in the public sewer is high enough to flow back into the house. The shut-off valve can be manually closed as an added measure of protection. The shut-off valve will also need to be closed if debris becomes lodged in the check valve preventing its full closure.

The homeowner will need to discontinue or, at least, sharply curtail the use of the sanitary facilities while the potential for flooding exists. During this time, showers, the clothes washer, and dishwasher cannot be used.

Both the sump pump and the valves can be installed for a total cost of about $2800 or more. Each home is different.

Upgrade #3: Add a Sump Pump and an Ejector Pump

An ejector pump can provide still further protection. An ejector pump can be installed to pump the sewage into the public sewer whether it is flooded or not. If there is a power failure, the homeowner will need to discontinue use of the sanitary facilities.

Both the sump pump and the ejector pump can be installed for a total cost of about $4400 or more. Each home is different.

Drains and Showerheads

Cleaning Showerheads

Showerheads often spray unevenly because the tiny holes have become clogged with mineral deposits. For a quick fix, use an old toothbrush to clean the showerhead. For a more thorough cleaning, take the head apart. Use a pin or thin wire to poke out any mineral buildup and brush away the deposits. Soak the parts in vinegar overnight to dissolve remaining buildup. Reassemble and reinstall the showerhead.
If leaks occur at the arm of the showerhead, or if it doesn't stay in position, tighten the retainer or collar nut. If that doesn't work, replace the O-ring or the showerhead itself. For leaks that persist, consult American Drain.

Preventing Clogged Drains

Plumbers receive more calls concerning clogged drains than for any other service. These calls can be prevented by greater care in the use of drains. Place a strainer over all kitchen and bathroom drains. This will prevent hair, pieces of soap and other materials from clogging drains. Clean the strainer regularly.

Cleaning a drain mechanically is preferred over cleaning with chemicals. Using a corrosive chemical drain cleaner can damage pipes. Instead, pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down your kitchen sink drains once a month. For bathroom drains, pour two to three gallons of boiling water down each drain once a month to remove hair. In addition, remove sink and tub pop-up stoppers once every two weeks to rinse them clean. Every three to four months, remove the overflow plate on the tub and clean. Some tubs, showers and basement floor drains have strainers that are screwed into the drain opening. These strainers are easily removable, allowing you to reach down the drain with a bent wire to clear out accumulated build up.