HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS

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Plumbing

BATHTUBS/SINKS/SHOWERS

In order to prolong the life of your bathtubs, sinks, and showers, follow the tips:

  1. Do not let wastes stand in the sink. If you have a garbage disposal, dispose of food waste as it accumulates. If you do not have a disposal, place the waste in an appropriate container.
  2. Do not use bathtubs or sinks to hold paint cans, trash, or tools when you are redecorating; cover bathroom fixtures painting walls, ceilings, and woodwork.
  3. Do not wear shoes in a bathtub or shower for any reason. Shoes carry hundreds of gritty particles that can scratch the surface, regardless of the material.
  4. Do not use photographic or developing solutions in bathtubs or sinks. Developer stains are extremely difficult to remove.

By following these precautions and using the proper cleaning techniques, bathtubs, sinks, and showers will retain their luster for many years to come.

STAINLESS STEEL

Stainless steel fixtures generally resist staining and require a thorough scrubbing on occasion. It is important that a non-abrasive cleanser or a stainless steel cleanser be used during cleaning.

PLASTIC AND FIBERGLASS

A non-abrasive cleaner usually works well with fiberglass substances, but you could ask your plumbing contractor to recommend a cleaner for the material. You may apply a wax or other surface protector to make cleaning easier and to enhance the appearance.

GLASS SHOWER ENCLOSURES

To keep your glass looking clean, wipe down after each use. To clean glass shower enclosures, use an ordinary dishwashing detergent. If you have a build up of hard water minerals, use a household glass cleaner.

MILDEW

Even in climate controlled homes, mildew can appear in high humidity areas such as bathrooms and laundry rooms. To help reduce the occurrence of mold growth, keep the humidity level in your home low. Should you have any mildew growth, scrub clean with a commercial tile cleaner.

RUST STAINS

Rust stains can occur when wet metal utensils are left on the surface of the sink or tub. Steel wool soap pads will also rust and cause stains when wet and should be kept in an appropriate container. On fiberglass surfaces, rust stains are almost always permanent.

DISPOSALS

If your home is equipped with a garbage disposal, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on proper operation. It is important to always use cold water when running the disposal and especially when grinding greasy substances. Do not clog disposal drains with grease. You should also avoid putting banana peels, corn husks, bones, or other hard materials down the disposal. If the drain becomes clogged, do not put chemicals down the disposal.

DRAINS

Each plumbing fixture in your house has a drain tap. This piece of pipe is designed to provide a water barrier that prevents airborne bacteria and sewer odor from entering the home. Because of their shape, the traps can also be the source of most clogging problems. If a drain becomes clogged, try a plunger first, if that doesn’t release the clog, then you may want to call a plumbing professional. To avoid clogging drains or toilets, never pour grease into them.<

FAUCETS

Even during normal use, the faucets in your home will need maintenance or repair on occasion. If you experience a leaky faucet, first replace the washer. In most cases, this should fix the leak. However, some faucets that have single controls for hot and cold do not have washers, they have cartridges instead. Cartridges typically last longer than washers, but still need to be replaced occasionally. Always turn the water off at the nearest intake valve before repairing a faucet. You can find cartridges and washers at most hardware stores.

It is very important that the outside faucets be drained and turned off during the winter months to prevent the pipes from freezing. When doing this, always leave the outside faucet open so it can drain any excess water. Remove and store the water hose during the winter as well.

PLUMBING

Your plumbing system should require minimal maintenance, however, there are a few things you need to know about it.

COLD WEATHER TIPS

There is a much greater possibility of pipes bursting in extreme cold weather. In order to prevent damage to pipes during cold weather, follow these tips:

  1. DO NOT turn the heating thermostat to OFF or set it at a minimum heat for extended periods of time.
  2. Let the hot AND cold faucets drip.
  3. Keep your garage doors closed.
  4. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to expose pipes to heated air.
  5. Shut off the water supply to outside lines and drain them.
  6. Disconnect garden hoses from spigots.

CUT-OFF VALVES

If there is a leak in your plumbing, shut off the water at the nearest cut-off valve. The valves for toilets and sinks are generally located underneath the fixture. The valve for the dishwasher is usually located next to the hot and cold water cut-offs underneath the kitchen sink.

All of these cut-offs as well as the main water shut-off should have been shown to you at your Home Owner Orientation.

Please contact your local water authority or your plumber if you need assistance in shutting off these valves.

Condensation occurs on pipes due to a temperature difference between the pipe and the surrounding air and should not be cause for concern. This is NOT considered a plumbing leak.

Some noise should be expected from your pipes, this is considered normal and is caused by water flowing through the pipes or the expansion and contraction of the pipes themselves. Noise from expansion sounds very similar to water dripping.

Toilets are 1.6 gallon flush units as required by law. If you are moving from an older home or apartment, you will notice a much reduced flow rate. Usually if you hold the handle down when flushing, you’ll get a much improved water flow.

The following items can and will clog your toilets: sanitary napkins, tampons, hair, baby wipes, grease, and paper towels. Please be careful not to flush any of these items.

Clean your toilets with a good store bought cleaner. Do not use a drop-in cleaner as it may cause unwanted deposits in the system.

Showerheads and faucets are designed for water conservation as required by law. For example, the showerhead will have a flow of 2 gallons per minute which can seem gentle if you are accustomed to an older showerhead. Faucets and valves should not leak due to defects in material or workmanship. Leakage may be caused by worn washers or seals and changing out washers and seals are considered regular homeowner maintenance items.

Faucets are durable fixtures and usually only require minimal care. There is a protective coating over the finish. To maintain them, clean with a soft, damp cloth. Use warm water to remove dry water spots.

Aerators are installed on all faucets and must be cleaned periodically to prevent build-up of deposits. To clean, simply unscrew them from the faucet, rinse and replace.

Porcelain kitchen and bathroom sinks must be cleaned with a non-abrasive household cleaner, warm water and a sponge. These surfaces can be chipped or scratched rather easily. Be careful not to leave anything containing harmful acids, such as tea bags, in the sink. Be aware that cigarettes will permanently burn and scar the surface of these fixtures.

Bathroom sink plungers should be adjusted periodically with a small wrench to keep them operating properly. The plunger action is located under the sink.

Stainless steel kitchen sinks have brushed finishes. To maintain their appearance, clean these surfaces with a sponge, warm water and a non-abrasive household cleaner. Do not clean them with steel wool or metal brushes as these can and will scratch the steel surface. Placing rubber mats in the sink can trap water and cause permanent discoloration of the steel.

Clogged drains may be cleared with a rubber plunger to dislodge a minor blockage. If in a double sink, make sure the other drain is closed before plunging.

Hose bibs (or spigots) are located on the outside of your home in the front, back, or sides depending on the plan. The water source should be shut-off during freezing periods. Backflow preventers are installed on all of the outside hose bibs to prevent chemicals and other substances from contaminating your water line.

TOILETS

It’s important to remember to never flush items such as hair, grease, garbage, lint, diapers, sanitary products etc… down the toilet. This type of waste can and will cause a serious blockage. The new low flush toilets use less water than the older models, and can offer substantial savings on water bills in the long term.

To clean toilets, there are a variety of commercial cleaners available that are made especially for toilets. Please follow the manufacturer’s directions when using cleaners. Do not mix cleaners or use them with bleach or any other cleaning product. Never use them in anything but the toilet.