Something as small as a leaky faucet can waste up to 5,000 gallons of water each year. But with a bit of maintenance, you can not only make your home and life greener, but also prevent the little drips as well as the big plumbing catastrophes.

Here, 10 tips to help you avoid plumbing problems, and the tools you need to be your own plumber in times of crisis!

1. Replace worn hoses on washing machines.

2. Inspect water pipes and fittings annually.

3. Know where the water shutoff valve is in case a hose or pipe breaks.

4. Check the water pressure—normal pressure is 60 to 80 psi.

5. Check the grout and caulking around toilets.

6. Exercise the angle stop on your main water valve by turning it every four months.

7. Make sure that sump pumps are free of debris.

8. Drain water from the bottom of the water heater until it runs clear to get rid of sediment.

9. Don’t leave the house with the dishwasher or washing machine running.

10. Turn off the water supply to the washing machine when you’re taking long vacations.

And the tools you need around the house for basic plumbing procedures:

Adjustable wrench
Basin wrench (to remove and replace the nuts that hold a faucet in place)
1/4-inch flat-blade screwdriver
Philips head screwdriver
Pliers
Teflon tape
Assorted washers and O-rings

by Home Minders

This entry was posted on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 8:53 am under Plumbing Tips. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.