Plumbing Tips

We hope you find our Hints and Tips helpful.

1. If no fixtures are needed while you are gone shut off the electric/gas to hot water
   tank and just shut down the whole system at the main water shut off. When you return from vacation your house will be dry and there will be no surprises.
2. Always make sure you know where the main water and gas shutoff to the residence is.
   Make sure everyone living in the residence knows about the water and gas shut off locations.
   You never know when a emergency could happen always be prepared.
3. When leaving your residence for any length of time its a good idea to shut off any unnecessary valves serving fixtures and appliances such as the kitchen sink, the bathroom sinks, toilets and a really important one is the washing machine.
4. For a stubborn bolt, screw or any fastener a little heat will help loosen it. If that does not work I use a screw extracting kit which can be purchased at any hardware or tool store.
5. Always remember to disconnect your garden hose from the hose bib and cover the spigot with a foam cover to protect it from freezing during cold months. Disconnecting the hose from the spigot will prevent any chance of the hose holding water which can cause a freeze and a hose bib burst!
6. When installing new valve stems or other plumbing parts make sure all the old parts are removed. Often when removing and replacing valve parts some older parts will stick to the valve body and may need to be removed with a small screw driver or other tool. You can get an "O-Ring Pick" at any hardware or tool store which is designed to remove o-rings and gaskets without damage.
7. If you replace a part but the leak continues or a loss of pressure or volume occurs a gasket and/or o-ring may still need to be removed. Local tool and hardware stores will have a tool called a "O-Ring Pick" which is great for removing small things that many tools wont remove without damaging the gasket or o-ring.