Plumbing Tips from the Plumber Philadelphia Company

This section provides helpful plumbing tips and plumber advice on how to repair plumbing problems in your home or business. Our expert plumbing technicians at the Plumber Philadelphia Company have spent 30 years helping homeowners and businesses throughout the Philadelphia area. Here are some plumber tips and plumbing advice that may help you in certain situations.

Leaky Faucets

Besides being annoying, fixing a leaky faucet also saves you money! Dripping water at one drip per second wastes 400 gallons of water in a year. If this is hot water, you are watching even money go down the drain! Although a small drip may seem inconsequential, it will cost you money. Washers that will tighten your faucets and get rid of those leaks take only minutes to install.

Top

Pipes

To eliminate sweating cold water pipes during the summer months, place foam pipe insulation over the pipes. The tubing keeps the warm humid air from condensing on the cold pipes.

Leaky Pipe Quick Fix

For a small leak quick fix on a copper pipe, keep handy an easy repair kit. All that is needed is a hose clamp and a small piece of firm rubber, such as a small section of garden hose. Simply insert the rubber around the leak and clamp. It will save you from having to drain the system, until you have more time on your hands. The clamp and rubber section of hose can help you out of a jam, especially if you don't have copper or solder on hand, it could save the weekend! For a quick fix, all you may need is a clamp and some rubber and a screwdriver.

Septic System

Here are some basic tips for keeping your septic system healthy.
  1. Have the tank pumped and cleaned every 2 to 5 years.
  2. Don't pour ANY solvents, chemicals or oils of ANY kind into the drain or toilet.
  3. Only flush toilet paper down the drain, no other paper or plastic products. Use bleach and other cleaners sparingly.
  4. NEVER dispose of grease, coffee grounds or popcorn in the sink.

Top

Toilets

To replace a toilet seat, use an adjustable wrench to remove the bolts that hold the toilet seat in place. If the bolts are metal and have corroded, try soaking them with penetrating oil overnight. If the bolts will not budge, just saw off with a hacksaw. Coat the new bolts with some petroleum jelly to help in future removal of your toilet seat.

Drains

Clogs in the Drain:
Most drain blockages occur because homeowners put materials into the drain that should never go there. Often liquid materials are put down the drain, and then solidify and cause clogging. Instead please let the materials harden and then place in trash - not in the drain. For example, do NOT place any kind of oils down drains, sinks or toilets.

Drain Odors:
Run very hot water through your drains.This will help keep them free of odors some of the time. About once a week, pour a handful of baking soda and hot water down the drain. Another option is to pour 1 cup of vinegar down the drain, let stand 30 minutes and then run some hot water. Keeping all grease, hair, and vegetable matter out of the drain also helps prevent odors and possible clogging.

Maintaining Your Garbage Disposal:
  1. Do not use commercial drain products.
  2. Use cold water at all times when the disposal is operating.
  3. Grind ice cubes to clean, lemon peels to freshen.
  4. Read your maintenance manual.

Top

Bathrooms

Recaulking the Bathtub:
House settling often results in cracks between the wall and bathroom sink or tub. Clean and dry the area, removing any loose caulking with a putty knife. Use some waterproof caulking compound to fill the cracks and let dry overnight before using the bathtub, shower or sink.

Shower Heads - New vs. Old:
New showerheads use no more than 2.5 gallons per minute - saving you water and energy. By replacing your older showerhead with a new one, an average family of four can save up to $150 on electric hot water or up to $60 gas. The amount of water saved per year equals approximately 15,000 gallons!!!

Mineral Deposits:
To clean mineral deposits from a clogged shower head, try soaking it in some vinegar. Also, for a little extra money you could go to your neighborhood hardware store and pick up some calcium removing solvent.

Moisture

Ventilation:
Make sure your kitchen and baths are vented to the outside of the house. These rooms often generate the most moisture in your house. A timer switch on the ventilating fans will help you remember to run the fans long enough to clear out all the moisture and then shut off automatically. Also, if the house walls are not insulated, water vapor will condense on the drywall. Think about installing some needed insulation in these rooms.

Top

Mildew :
Mildew is a fungus that grows under damp conditions on just about any surface causing stains, discolorations and eventually rot. Clean mildew, then try to remedy the conditions that caused it in the first place.
  1. Ventilate basements, or run dehumidifiers to dry the air, walls and furnishings.
  2. Let clothing get completely dry before hanging into closets.
  3. Keep bathroom shower/tub areas free of soap scum. The film retards drying of the area, thereby promoting the growth of mildew.
  4. Air out cabinets regularly, especially bathroom and under the kitchen sink ones.
Bathroom Moisture
Moisture in the bathroom often comes from the toilet tank. The tank sweats because the cold water in the tank cools off the tank, which in turn causes the humidity in the room to condense on the tank, running onto the floor or wall. Buy a terry cloth tank cover to absorb the moisture. Or the best bet is to install a mixing valve - this warms the water coming into the toilet tank. This will provide less condensation and less mess.

Water

Soft Water:
  1. Soft water can save more than half the money you spend on soaps, detergents and shampoo.
  2. Also, it can save up to 50% of your time and energy spent on cleaning.
  3. Soft Water reduces scaling that clogs pipes, thereby slowing your drains.
  4. Can also reduce rings in tub and toilets, soap scum buildup and other staining.
  5. It helps appliances, plumbing, clothes and linens last up to twice as long.
  6. It eliminates the need for acids, bleaches and abrasives in your home.
  7. You get softer and whiter clothes, shinier hair, and smoother skin. Soft Water saves on your energy bill.
  8. It might be cost efficient to rent, lease or buy a water conditioner that removes calcium, magnesium, and iron by the process of ion exchange. Conditioners operate automatically and requite little maintenance.
Hard Water Deposits:
Much tap water is “hard”, and leaves deposits on everything. Therefore, an acid cleaner may be needed to eliminate the deposits. Phosphoric acid (4%) in tile cleaner works well, or you can get 8% to 9 % solutions at a janitorial supply store.

Top
Top