 |
Maintenance Hints
High Water Bills
If you water bills seem to be getting higher you might want to check the following items:
Toilets
Remove the tank lid from your toilet and add a few drops of food coloring into the water. Wait about 15 minute and check the toilet bowl. If the water has changed color then you may need to replace the tank ball or flapper.
Bleach tablets
Do not use bleach tablets in your toilet tanks to clean the bowls. The bleach tablets cause accelerated concentrations of chlorine. The higher chlorine levels will attach the rubber components, like the flapper or flush ball, tank to bowl gaskets and will cause premature failure of the components. The best thing to use for cleaning would be the type that will hang from the rim of the toilet bowl.
Water Supply
If your meter is located outside, you can turn the water off at the main valve inside the house. Remove the lid from the top of your water meter pit. There is a small red triangle dial or a red hand, (like a second hand on a watch), that will be moving still if there is a water leak in the water service.
Faucets
Check each faucet in the house to make sure it is not dripping. You may also want to check your outside faucets or hose bibs.
Foul Odors from Disposer
The foul odor from your disposer is usually caused from food particles that are still left in the disposer. As they start to decay you will get a foul odor.
To clean your disposer, just add some ice cubes and a lemon peel or an orange peel. Run the disposer for about 30 to 45 seconds and then continue to flush with water for another 30 seconds.
Water Heaters
To improve water heater performance, manufacturers suggest flushing a few quarts of water through the drain valve located at the bottom of the tank every month or two. This will remove the sediment that can build up in your water heater causing poor performance, low efficiency, or even premature failure of the unit. Tank-less water heaters should be flushed annually with vinegar to clean out the heat exchanger.
You should also test the temperature and pressure relief valve. It is located on the top or on the side of the heater. To test, simply lift the lever to allow water to flow for several seconds. When you let go of the lever the spring loaded valve should snap shut. Be very careful when performing these tasks because the water from the heater can be very hot.
Drain Lines
To keep drain lines clear and draining freely, you can use a product called Bio-Clean. Bio-Clean is a blend of natural bacteria and the market's most powerful enzymes. It speeds up slow drain pipes by removing waste accumulation, naturally. It is safe to use on the following areas: kitchen sinks, lavatories, bathtubs, showers, floor drains, garbage disposers, septic tanks and fields.
Within an hour of putting a small amount of the product in your system, the bacteria begin to eat their way into waste that has accumulated on the sides and top of the drain pipe. During this process, Bio-Clean changes waste particles into water, carbon dioxide and mineral ash, which simply run out of your waste system.
To use Bio-Clean just mix a scoop in the mixing cup and pour down the drain. Let the Bio-Clean sit in the drain for about 6 hours before running water. (Best if done before bed). This will allow the enzymes time to embed themselves into the build up in the pipe and not be washed away the next time you run water.
|
 |
