How To Clean Your Garbage Disposal
You may not think about it very often, but your garbage disposal needs to be cleaned out too. Depending on how often you use the disposal, every few months should happen. However, if you have noticed a decrease in performance or an increase in noise level after using the appliance, then now is the time to clean your garbage disposal. This article will help clean your disposer without much work at all. Ice Cube Trick The first way is to use ice cubes. You can run the cold water and drop about three or four ice cubes into the disposal while it runs, which will knock off any food particles that have accumulated on your blades. The next step you should do after this is to take a sponge with dish soap applied over it and clean all of the blades. Vinegar and Baking Soda Another way to give your garbage disposal a good cleaning is by pouring ¼ cup of baking soda, followed by ½ cup white vinegar into the drain. Allow it to sit for about 30 minutes before turning on the water and flushing out all of those nasty particles that have been clinging onto your blades. If this does not work right away, repeat it one more time. You should try this method at least once every couple of months if you are using the disposal regularly or twice per year if not used often. Ice and Salt Another way to clean your disposal is by using ice and salt. This method works amazingly well after the vinegar and baking soda, but we do not recommend trying it on its own because you could end up damaging or corroding your blades! After waiting 30 minutes from when you used the vinegar and baking soda, turn on your cold water with a cup of rock salt in one hand. Push out all of those particles with an Ice Cube created from another cup filled with fresh running water, then allow everything to sit for about 15 more minutes before draining. Repeat this process if needed until all food residue has been flushed away. Lemon and Salt Another way to clean your garbage disposal is by using lemon and salt. Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle some Kosher or sea salt onto the exposed fruit part, then rub it around the entire surface of the disposal. Please turn on your cold water for about two minutes and let the citrus do its job. If this doesn’t work the first time, try again until all particles are gone. Baking Soda and Citrus Another way to clean your garbage disposal is baking soda and citrus. Crush about a cup of fresh oranges, lemons, or limes to release their juices. Then add ½ cup of baking powder into the mix and pour it all down the drain while running cold water for 30 seconds. Allow everything to sit inside the disposal for 15 minutes before turning on more cold water for another minute or two; then turn off the faucet but allow everything to continue sitting until you are ready to use it again for about an hour. This mixture will help eliminate any bad odors that might be lingering around from other methods you have used before. Boiling Water If you want to avoid using any harsh chemicals or anything that might damage your disposal, boiling water is a great way to clean it without any fuss. Boil about two quarts of water and pour it down the drain while the disposal is turned off. Allow the hot liquid to sit for about five minutes before turning on cold water for one minute; then turn off the faucet and allow everything to cool before using again. This process can be repeated every few months if needed. Pineapple Last but not least, we have the pineapple method. Cut off one of the fruit’s crowns and remove the skin; then cut it into small pieces that will fit down your drain. Place them in the disposal and turn on the cold water for about 30 seconds; then wait 15 minutes before turning on more cold water until everything has been washed away. This is a great way to get rid of any bad odors and can be repeated every month or two if needed. These are seven great ways to clean your garbage disposal without using harsh chemicals or spending a lot of money. All you need is some time and patience, and you will be able to get your disposal looking and smelling like new in no time. If one method doesn’t seem to work, don’t give up; just try a different one until the job is done.
How To Unclog My Bathtub & Shower Drain
How many times have you been in a hurry to get out of the shower and had a clogged drain? It is frustrating, time-consuming, and can be dangerous. Luckily some easy steps will help prevent this from happening again. You may not know it, but hair care products contribute to clogs because they contain oils that create a barrier around your hair strands, preventing them from being cleared away by water. Other things that can clog a bathtub are dirt, soap scum and dead skin cells. To keep your drains clear for good, avoid using these products altogether or use ones that have less oil content, such as baby shampoo or conditioner. To unclog a bathroom drain of any kind, first, remove the stopper or cover and place a bucket underneath. Next, make up a solution by mixing dish soap with baking soda in equal parts. Pour the mixture into the drain, then follow that with boiling water from the faucet. The heat of the water will help dissolve hair and other blockages while at the same time loosening it up for removal. To clear out stubborn clogs, pour vinegar mixed with baking soda into your drain (1 part vinegar to 2 parts baking soda). Follow this with more boiling water or saltwater. You can also try using a plunger if your drain is clogged right now, and you do not want to wait for the chemicals to work their magic. Use the plunger immediately after taking a shower to prevent hair from building up around your drain. Press firmly, but not too hard, or you will end up splashing water on the floor of your bathroom instead of clearing away the blockage. Repeat as necessary until there is no more standing water in the basin of your tub. If plunging proves ineffective, it may be time to invest in a product that liquefies hair build-up so that it flows down the drain more easily by trapping hair with an enzyme that dissolves it after several hours. Pour one down each drain once a week to keep it clear. If you do not want to invest in a product that liquefies hair, try pouring half a cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by several cups of vinegar. The chemical reaction between the two should create bubbles that lift away any blockage. Let this sit for at least five minutes before flushing with hot water to help remove any standing liquid from the basin. You can also try using a chemical product that prevents hair from building up. Pour one down each drain once a month to keep it clear. Most are made of enzymes that dissolve any blockage over time, but you may have to wait several hours for this to happen. To avoid clogged sinks and bathtubs, do not pour these products down the drain while they are still in liquid form. This causes them to solidify and clog your drains rather than dissolve them. Before pouring a product like this down your drains, it is best to mix it with something that will liquefy it, such as dish soap or hot water. To prevent hair from building up around your bathroom sink drain after using it, cover the opening with a small filter that will allow water to flow through but trap hair before it can settle on top of standing water. This also works for shower stalls and tubs where hairs tend to build up at the bottom-most point of the basin. If a filter does not solve When hair is not the culprit, you could have a clog caused by something other than hair products or one that is too severe for any of the previous options. Call a plumber immediately if it is. Do not attempt to remove it yourself if you are not sure how because you could cause even more damage and cost yourself more money in the long run. You can prevent blocked drains entirely by removing all jewelry before showering and always be very gentle when rinsing out hair care products, so nothing gets splashed around. If your drains are still clogged after all these steps have been attempted, there may be an additional issue in need of repair, which will require the expertise of a plumber. These professionals can identify what exactly is causing your problem and take measures to prevent it from reoccurring in the future so that your bathroom stays clean and clear without all of the efforts.
HVAC: Here are some maintenance tips.
When summer comes, you might feel too hot to want to do extra work, especially if it involves fixing your air conditioner. So, before the hot weather comes, it’s a good idea to know what summer HVAC maintenance tasks you need. Put these tasks on your calendar for April or May when you do your spring cleaning to ensure you are ahead of the game. Below, we list 5 of them. Plan for a tune-up A tune-up is a great way to fix the little things before they become big problems. When you get your HVAC system tuned up, you can be sure that you did everything you could to prepare it for the hard work it will have to do. Clean the fans in your bathroom Many homeowners forget to do this, but you should also clean your bathroom fans to help your HVAC system. After all, your bathroom fan probably works harder than any other part of your heating and cooling system. So, while cleaning and getting ready for everything else, you should also take care of your bathroom fans. Turn off the power to the bathroom and remove the fans. Before you put the covers back on, wash them with soap and water and use a toothbrush to clean the blades. So simple, but it will save you so much trouble in the long run. Consider an Upgrade Getting a whole new HVAC system can be expensive, but it is a good idea if your current one is at least ten years old. It would be smart to do this before your old system breaks down and leaves you without air conditioning in the hot summer. Not only that, but a more efficient system will save you money on your utility bill, which makes the upgrade well worth it. Our team can help you choose a new HVAC system that is right for your home. We will also help you choose a system you can afford and help you make a payment plan. Clean the outside of your unit As part of your spring cleaning, you should clean off your central air conditioning unit if it is outside. Your unit should have at least two feet of space to ensure that nothing will block the airflow. You should not only clean up any grass or trash that may have gathered during the winter, but you should also cut back the plants nearby. Check the condenser fan again while you’re at it. If there is anything in there that could stop it from working right, you need to take it out right away. One of the most common service calls is for a broken condenser, which can be a pricey call. Alter the Particle Trap Filter You must change the air filter regularly to keep your system running smoothly and for as long as possible. If you don’t change the air filter in your HVAC system once every 30 to 90 days, you should start thinking about doing so now that fall is here. Since the air filter’s job is to keep dust, allergies, and other particles out of the air you breathe at home, a dirty filter makes for polluted air. Keeping the air purifier’s filter clean could also help you save money. To accomplish this, follow these steps: -Change the filter out. Using the correct filter is crucial, so be sure to consult your owner’s manual before making a purchase. -Shut down the machine. Before you try to replace the filter, be sure the machine has been turned off entirely. Disconnect the power at the main breaker panel if you can’t figure out how to shut it off. -Taking out the old filter. Typically, filters can be slid out from the right side of the device. But you might also find filters inside your home’s vents. If you suspect you have these kinds of ducts inside your home, it is important to contact a skilled HVAC technician to get them replaced. At least once a year have a qualified technician check your home’s heating and cooling systems at least once a year. Expert HVAC technicians know more about the inner workings of these systems than the average do-it-yourself homeowner.
The Biggest Plumbing Myths
Plumbing is a complex and often scary topic. There are many myths that people believe to be true, but the truth is that these ideas will only end up costing you money and time down the line! In this blog, we will cover some of the most common plumbing myths and explain why they’re actually false. There is nothing to worry about Hard water The myth that “hard water causes calcification” persists because people are concerned about the build-up of minerals in their pipes. It is true that hard water does contain more calcium and magnesium than soft water, although it’s not enough to cause any damage. Despite what you’ve heard, there is no evidence that hard water damages your plumbing or your health. The only way that hard water could be an issue is if your pipes were thoroughly rusted, which would indicate other issues. Furthermore, the minerals in hard water actually act as a natural solvent which prevents calcification. It is safe to flush baby wipes This is one of the biggest plumbing myths around. Many people believe that it’s okay to flush wipes because they’re “disposable,” but think again! Baby wipes do not break down like toilet paper and can easily clog toilets or even damage septic systems. The best thing to do with your used wipes is to put them in the trash can. Low water pressure is a simple inconvenience Not necessarily. When someone experiences problems with their plumbing, the first thing to check is where the water pressure is coming from. If it’s low when using both hot and cold water, it could mean that the issue will require professional attention. This includes issues like leaks in your fittings or partially-blocked drains. Low water pressure isn’t something you should ignore! There’s nothing left for me to learn This myth states that if you know enough about plumbing, there is no need for you to hire a plumber because you’ll only end up paying more money. However, this isn’t true at all! Plumbing requires special training which water filter will prevent hard water build-up: While water filters are good at reducing the impurities found in tap water, they will not prevent mineral build-up on your plumbing fixtures. If you want to save money on maintenance and hardware replacement, it’s best to invest in a home water softener. A plumber is only there for emergencies The work of a plumber is not limited to emergencies. A plumber can help with many household plumbing issues, including leaks, clogs, blockages, and other problems that require immediate attention. It’s best to consult your local plumber before you try dealing with any serious plumbing issue on your own! You don’t need insurance if you’re doing DIY plumbing This myth is an especially dangerous one. In some jurisdictions, it’s even illegal to perform plumbing repairs on your own unless you have the necessary license and insurance! Building code varies from province to province, but in cases where hazardous issues are involved, it is best not to take any chances. Even if doing a small plumbing project on your own seems safe enough, you never know what might happen down the line. A plumber can fix all problems While a plumber certainly knows how to deal with most household plumbing issues, he/she is not a miracle worker. Some plumbing jobs will require professional assistance simply because they are too much for the average person to handle. If you need help getting rid of leaky or sluggish appliances, make sure you consult your local plumber before doing anything else! There is nothing wrong with using the toilet as a trash can Believe it or not, some people use their toilets to dispose of all kinds of waste. While this may seem like an innocent act, it actually poses many risks. For example, throwing away toxic or flammable material in your toilet can cause serious problems when they interact with your sewage system. Furthermore, clogging your plumbing by putting items like baby wipes down the drain is never a good idea.
Septic Tank Cleanup.
Septic tanks are a necessity for human life. They collect waste from your home and help to keep it clean and healthy. A septic tank should be inspected every 3-5 years to ensure it is still working correctly, which is very easy. Septic tanks are crucial for our homes and an essential part of a healthy environment. Some of the waste in septic tanks include animal waste, laundry detergent, human waste, grease, and oil. The smell produced by these things combined is unappealing as well as hazardous. Suppose a septic tank is leaking or there is a larger amount of non-standard waste present in the tank than usual. In that case, it may be time to contact a qualified service person to perform necessary repairs and ensure everything is cleaned out properly. The following factors are important when determining when one should inspect and pump their septic tanks: 1) Size of the house The size of your house is a significant factor in determining how often you should clean your tank. If you live in a house with more than two people, you will fill up the septic tank faster than in homes with fewer people. The septic system will break down much quicker if it is not pumped regularly. 2) Size of your Septic tank The size of the tank is also a significant factor in making this determination. If you have a larger septic tank, it should be pumped out more often than a smaller one. A larger septic tank will need to be pumped every 2-3 years as opposed to a smaller one, which will only need to be cleaned every 4-5 years. 3) How close to the waste your drain is located If your drain is next to your septic system, you will have a more challenging time keeping the area clean and safe. If you’re located too close to the tank, it will be harder to keep the area clean. 4) How bad the smell is If your septic tank is leaking and the smell is quite strong, you should get a pump done as soon as possible so that everything can be fixed and cleaned out. 5) The type of soil involved If your drain is on top of clay soil, it will be more challenging to clean than if it’s on top of the sand. This means that you will have to pump your septic tank more often. 6) How long the septic tank has been installed The average time a septic tank will last is 15-20 years. If you have a larger system, you should get one pumped out more often than if your system is smaller. You should also replace your septic tank after 15-20 years or sooner if it has been leaking for a very long time or becoming weak in terms of performance. 7) Volume of the wastewater The more wastewater your septic tank receives, the harder it will be for your septic system to keep up. This means you should pump it out regularly to ensure it is operating to peak performance. Septic tanks also need a good amount of space between the top of the wastewater and the ground’s surface. If your septic tank isn’t pumped out often enough, there may not be enough room for all the waste to go in, and the water may not be able to leave properly. 8) Clogs If your septic tank has a clog in it, you will need to empty the tank and pump it out. This may require you to hire a plumber to come in and remove the clog. The septic system needs to be emptied and pumped out immediately once something like this occurs. 9) The weather It would be best if you got a septic tank pumped out more during the summer months, or you may have to have a plumber come in and clean it for you. Depending on how cold the ground gets, you may also need to get it pumped out more often during the winter. If your lawn is frozen, it can make it harder for your wastewater to reach the drain properly. Inspecting and pumping your septic tank can be very difficult. The reason for this is that this task can be hazardous if not done by an individual who specializes in the job or by professionals.
How To Fix Low Water Pressure
No force, as water slowly trickles out of your faucet or shower. To put it simply and succinctly: don’t you hate when that happens. When this problem surfaces, usually low water pressure could be the problem. The good news is that it’s not the end of the world, but it will take you or your trusted Plumber ([account_name]) to figure out the problem of low water pressure. If the problem is over your head, though is when you usually call a plumber! Low water pressure after all requires a lot of troubleshooting, exploration of the different causes that may be too time consuming. Just to name a few things here as to the cause of the low water pressure: a water leak, home valves, mineral deposit build up, or even pressure regulators. Have you ever identified a pressure regulator? They kind of look like a bell. Usually found in the front of the home. We advise that a professional plumber look at your pressure regulator. We can either fix it on the spot, or have the whole thing replaced if need be. Unfortunately, a lot of people try to fix the problem themselves, but just make the problem worse. It can sometimes be simple: a valve could have moved just a little from its original position. You could look for the main water valve in your home. Once located, you could check to see that it is 100% open so that you can see if that’s indeed the problem. If you adjust the valve and everything works fine, then you’ve figured out the culprit. More exploration is required if the problem has not been solved. Assess to see if the problem is mineral deposit build-up. If indeed your pipes are clogged, that could be the cause of your problem: low water pressure. What can be easy and simple is to clean all the fausets and shower nozzels in your house. If it fails to solve the problem, but in your mind, you still think it’s mineral build up, at this point you might want to consider calling a professional plumber. In the end, after a fast assessment, you may conclude that hiring us would help in solving your water problem. Professional plumbers will be able to troubleshoot and fix your low water pressure. If not done correctly, trying to save money might cost you more in the end.
How to Unclog a Toilet Without Calling a Plumber
How to unclog a toilet is one of the most common plumbing problems searched for on Google. The good news is that anyone can learn how to unclog a toilet without calling a plumber. Toilets are one of the things those of us in modern society tend to take for granted, until they don’t work. Since most of us have eliminated the outhouse as an option (no pun intended), when our toilets don’t work things can get ugly in a hurry. The good news is that unclogging a clogged toilet is something anyone can learn to do. There are a lot of different shapes and styles of toilets but, with a few exceptions, they all work about the same. Water is released from the tank (many commercial toilets use a special valve instead of a tank) into the bowl to flush the waste into your drainage piping. Basically pretty simple, right? The two main problems that happen with toilets are the toilet running (the water not shutting off after flushing) and the toilet bowl plugged (not draining or stopped up). While a running toilet wastes water and can be annoying, if you have a toilet bowl plugged it’s a little more urgent. On a scale of 1 to 10, maybe a 12! In fact, one Google search term study calls most people’s #1 plumbing problem a plugged toilet. Anyone can learn how to unclog a toilet. It just takes a little patience and the right tools. The first thing you need to fix a plugged toilet is a toilet plunger. These are a little different from a sink plunger, which looks like a rubber bowl on a stick. A toilet plunger is designed specifically to direct the force into the waste outlet of the plugged toilet bowl. The business end of a toilet plunger looks sort of like a ball with an opening to fit into the waste outlet of the toilet. One type that is very effective has an accordion like design and is all plastic, including the handle. The way a toilet plunger works is by filling up with water and then pushing that water through the stopped up drain. When unclogging a clogged toilet, the idea is to plunge up and down a couple of times so the plunger fills with water and then jam the open end, sometimes called a force cone, into the waste outlet in the plugged toilet and start plunging. You may have to pump the plunger up and down several times to clear the blockage. When you are learning how to unclog a toilet you may need to be fairly aggressive with the plunger. The key is to force the water in the plunger through the waste outlet of the toilet, dislodging the blockage in the process. If you don’t splash a little out of the bowl you probably aren’t plunging hard enough. Ever wonder why plumbers charge so much? This will usually be all you need to do to fix a plugged toilet. Sometimes, however, a plunger just won’t do the trick. If you’ve plunged a while with no success you might need to try another approach. It’s time to pull out the closet auger. A closet auger is a special tool that can be used to clear an especially stubborn plugged toilet. A closet auger has a short drain cable, or snake, inside a metal tube that is bent on the end to aim the cable into the waste outlet of a toilet bowl. The cable is just long enough to get through the toilet and is connected to a handle the same length. You can get one of these at your local hardware store for as little as $10. The way to use a closet auger is to pull the handle all the way out, insert the business end into the outlet of the toilet bowl that’s plugged and crank it down into the bowl, making sure the cable goes into the drain. When the bowl drains, flush the toilet while you’re pulling the cable back to help clean the cable. It’s a good idea to flush some toilet paper through a couple of times before you put your auger away just to be sure. With the growing focus on water conservation more and more communities are requiring toilets that use less water per flush. In spite of the best efforts of the toilet manufacturers to increase performance, this is likely to continue to make our most common plumbing problem a plugged toilet. So you might as well go ahead now and learn how to unclog a toilet yourself. You’ll be glad you did.
Suggestions To Consider When Hiring A Plumber
There are several points to think about when hiring a plumber to work in your home or office. These are some common sense suggestions on the right way to find good, qualified plumbers in your area. These are some points to consider to bear in mind when selecting a craftsman you haven’t worked with before. Don’t automatically choose a brand without first checking other smaller companies. Because somebody works for a company with a famous name doesn’t automatically mean that he/she’s better qualified than the only trader down the road who may have more years of experience and has more of a private relationship with fewer firms, rather than making an attempt to attract the masses. Never rely only on the yellow pages to discover a craftsman. Enormous, fancy advertisements are released by companies with giant promoting budgets. That is the only certain information an advert can provide you with about that express company. The first folks you should always look to for suggestions are your friends and family. The hints they supply are personalized to you. The people who know you and your wishes best will be the most qualified to tell you who you must hire. Check the Net to find the perfect plumber for the specific type of job you want to be done. As with the yellow pages, do not rely solely on corporate promotional efforts. Check online review pages to see how actual clients rated the people they employed. As you peruse the Web for recommendations, keep in mind the reality that there are 2 groups of folks who leave Internet reviews. Individuals who are either very satisfied or intensely unhappy with the help they received are more likely to give online testimonials. Oh…and a 3rd type! Some companies will put up false positive reviews, so it may be more pertinent to give more weight to the critical reviews to see if those discussing issues you would find it tough to get past if they occurred to you. This tip involves your communication with your potential plumber. When you call him, you should expect a pro reply or voice mail message. Pipefitters who are bad behaved or quick tempered on the phone must be avoided. Always ask for a rough figure during your 1st consultation. Not everyone will be offering a cost list on their website. If a pro refuses to offer you a personal guess, deny him the chance to work with you. Don’t allow him to carry out any extra work that wasn’t on the guesstimate without checking with you first. The appearance of the plumber and his automobile should also give you a clue about the pride the plumber takes his work. If his truck is run down and rough up, and maybe his own appearance isn’t what you would expect, then it suggests this person may not respect your house and clean up correctly after himself. So again, beware. An employee you invite into your house should have a company identification. Any person can lay claim to represent a company, so if you’re uncertain ask him/her to wait outside while you call the company to check on the idenfication. If an individual doesn’t look official, be sceptical. The last and most important end of all is that anybody entering your home should respect you. It is not wrong to expect to be addressed by your proper title if you provided it on the telephone. Anybody coming to work on your pipes needs to be able to look you in the eyes and smile and address you courteously and professionally. These are some things you might want to consider when hiring plumbers in Phoenix or whatever city you live in. Those ideas are far more critical when the expert you’re looking for is somebody you haven’t met in person. It is essential to the safeness of your family that you only hire experienced and knowledgeable employees.
Save Money On Plumbing Costs With These Helpful Tips
A lot of individuals are experienced DIY’ers and can do all sorts of remodeling, renovating, and repairing around the home. Conversely, there are just as many who do not possess the necessary skills to do these kinds of tasks and have to rely on the services of professional contractors to do the job for them. A good example of this is when you need to repair and replace plumbing fixtures and parts in the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. However, there are certain things that you can do to save money on plumbing costs around the house. Do regular preventative maintenance – the old cliche “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” definitely applies where care and maintaining plumbing and plumbing fixtures is concerned. Another way to save money on plumbing services is by not needing them and preventative maintenance is the solution. Every month, you should inspect your plumbing for cracks, drips, leaks, slow drains, temperature problems, and water pressure issues. Make sure you have these issues corrected immediately in order to avoid more costly repairs down the road. If you do need to hire a plumber, do your homework – make sure that the plumber you hire is not only based in your local area but is bonded, insured, and licensed as well. Hiring an unqualified plumber can be a costly mistake, so make sure that you hire one who is qualified and reputable. Additionally, ask for all the costs upfront to avoid any unwanted surprises like hidden fees you were not aware of. If you do preventative maintenance, make a list of what you cannot fix – this enables you to have everything taken care of in one visit and avoid multiple service call charges. Handing the plumber your list of things that need to be done ensures that everything is taken care of at once without having to pay them to come back. Look for coupons, deals, and discounts on plumbing parts and services – as with any other business, plumbing contractors oftentimes run deals and specials in order to attract new customers. You can typically find plumbing specials at websites such as Angie’s List and Groupon. By searching these websites, you may find the specific repairs or service you are in need of. Repair and/or replace worn out appliance and plumbing fixtures that you can do yourself – sometimes these fixtures only require a small part like a clamp or washer and you can do it yourself without the need for a plumber. It’s always a good idea to check your plumbing fixtures on a regular basis anyway including faucets, shower heads, taps, toilets, and water heater. Doing preventative maintenance on your plumbing is one of those things that you can do to save money and avoid more costly expenses at a later date. In addition to the money you save on unnecessary repairs, you will be doing your part to conserve a valuable resource which in turn will save you additional money on your monthly water bill.
Basic Plumbing Tips For The Homeowner
Plumbing typically involves the installation, repairing, and replacing of fixtures and pipes that distribute water throughout a commercial or residential structure. However, the responsibilities of a plumber don’t stop there. For instance, plumbers also handle other issues such as: Drainage Systems Drinking Water Systems Heating System Piping Natural Gas Piping Sewage Systems Venting Waste Water Disposal But you don’t always need to call a plumber. Here are a few basic plumbing tips for conserving water and extending the life for the appliances that depend on it. Dishwashers, ice machines, and washing machines – running your dishwasher or doing laundry during the evening helps to conserve water pressure and temperature. Be sure to check all connections to ensure that they are fully tightened and not leaking as well as all hoses for bulging, leaking, and any other indication that they are weakening. Drains – never pour any cooking oil or fats down your drains as they create serious clogs by hardening in your pipes. Make sure that you put strainers over your drains in order to prevent debris, hair, and soaps from plugging up the lines. Garbage disposals – the first rule of thumb is that you should never put any type of food waste in your garbage disposal that is going to be difficult for it to grind up. This would include banana peels, bones, carrots, celery, or chicken skin, all of which can create a drain clog. Before and after you use your disposal, be sure that you run cold water for about 15 seconds. This ensures that all waste will be flushed down the drain. Finally, make sure that you have turned on the disposal before you add the waste. Toilets – you can easily check for hidden leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank. The color will show up in the tank within a half hour if there is a problem. You should also check the speed at which your toilet flushes. Furthermore, you should check the bowl and the tank for leaks on a regular basis. Another issue to watch out for is if your toilet flushes properly. If you have to hold down the handle for a long time so that the toilet flushes completely or jiggle the handle to stop the water from running, there are probably some internal parts that you need to replace. Finally, there are number of things that you should never flush down your toilet including cotton balls, cotton swabs, diapers, facial scrub pads, hair, and sanitary products. These are responsible for the majority of the toilet clogs that are experienced as none of these items will dissolve once they are flushed. In addition to the above here are a few more tips to consider: Limit the amount of water you use when bathing. Take shorter showers by turning off the water to lather your body and shampoo your hair. When you are washing your dishes in the sink, turn the water off while washing and only turn it back on when you are going to rinse them off. In closing, keep in mind that you can install a variety of water-saving devices to help you conserve this valuable resource. Additionally, these tasks are easy enough to handle on your own. For the more difficult tasks, contact a professional plumber.