Universal Plumbing | Tips & Techniques


		General Tips & Techniques for Your System

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Daily Basics
• Don't pour liquid grease
• down the drain. Before
• washing pots and pans,
• wipe out congealed
• grease with a paper towel.
• Once a week run hot
• water down the drain to
• help keep it free-flowing.
• Tubs and showers should
• be fitted with a strainer
• that catches hair and
• soap chips. Clean the
• strainer regularly.
• Foul odors occur from a
• build up of food debris inside your garbage disposer. To
• eliminate these odors, place ice cubes and lemon peels in the
• disposer and run for about 30 seconds, then rinse with water.

Maintenance Tips
• Check your water meter during a period of time when no water
• is being used. Make a note of the meter reading and check it
• eight to 10 hours later. If the meter has moved, there is an
• indication that you may have an undetected water leak,
• which should be corrected.
• Periodically, drain water from the bottom of your water heater
• to remove sediment, which extends the life of your water heater.
• Stop annoying water hammer noises by installing
• shock absorbers that absorb vibrations in water lines.

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System Tips
• Don't use excessive
• amounts of detergents,
• bleach or chemicals
• that may kill the natural
• bacteria in your
• septic system.
• Use biodegradable
• soaps and detergents.
• To prevent excessive
• watering of your lawn
• in the summertime, purchase an inexpensive spring-loaded
• timer which attaches directly to your outside faucet. This will
• prevent overwatering in case you forget to shut off the sprinkler.
• Water pressure in your home above 60 pounds per square
• inch is harmful to your plumbing system and will cause
• excessive water usage. Contact your local water authority to
• find out what the water pressure is on your street. If it exceeds
• 60 pounds, consider installing a pressure reducing valve
• that will limit the water pressure within your home.