Free Plumbing Tips951-526-2409 for QuestionsCalifornia State License #450585 Water Plumbing Tips, Sewer Plumbing Tips and General Information
Cleaning the aerator (the small screw-on screen at the spout of the faucet) can vastly improve the water flow. Simply unscrew the aerator and clean the screen with an old toothbrush to remove the sediment and mineral deposits. A build up of sediment and mineral deposits occur more often when the water supplied by your local water district is considered "hard" water. The build up is white to gray in color. The procedure can also be used on a showerhead and washing machine hoses. Cleaning sediment from your washing machine hoses will improve water flow and reduce the time it takes your machine to fill. Free Plumbing Tips We'd Like to ShareToilet Leaks Many local water districts supply customers with dye tabs that can be used to test for water leakage. Drop the dye tabs into the toilet tank. If color has seeped into the bowl after 30 minutes or so, the toilet is leaking. Also, if you hear the toilet running then stopping, that's a good indication that there is a leak. Another sign of a toilet leak would be any water movement, swirling or gurgling in the bowl when there's been no flushing. Call Your Local Water District Your local water district is a good resource for water plumbing conservation devices usually provided for free. The water district may provide low-flow showerheads, toilet dye tabs as noted above, free irrigation seminars, free inspection of your irrigation systems, free loans of conservation and pressure gauges. Services provided vary. Contact your local water district for further information. Odor from a Lavatory Sink If there is an odor coming from the lavatory sink, fill the sink with water adding approximately one half a cup of chlorine bleach to the water in the sink. Continue filling the sink slowly with a trickle of tap water for approximately 30 seconds, so that the water overflows into the sink's overflow holes on the side of the sink. It's important to let the water trickle slowly so that the water in the sink doesn't overflow onto your floor. The bleach in the water should reduce or eliminate the odor. Performing this simple procedure one time per month should reduce odors coming from the lavatory sink. Why are there odors from time to time? Bacteria accumulates in the overflow area on the underside of the sink, and under certain conditions (heat and moisture), odors occur. Running a sink full of water with one half cup of bleach into the overflow holes helps reduce bacteria. Another Cause of Odor Bathroom fixtures that are not frequently used, lose the water seal in the trap. Not having a water seal can cause a sewer odor. Running water at least once very two weeks prevents the water seal in the trap from evaporating. Garbage Disposals Run a quarter of a lemon rind cut into small pieces along with plenty of cold tap water in the disposal. Do this every other week to freshen the garbage disposal. Free Plumbing Tips We'd Like to Share
Pressure Regulator The pressure regulator is a bell-shaped device that is usually located where the water ties in to the structure. It may be located at a hose bib or in the garage. The purpose of a pressure regulator is to protect the houseline plumbing so that the pressure is kept at a safe, constant pressure. A pressure regulator protects against a slab leak, and other costly water leaks, fixture and appliance damage. Water Pressure Checking the water pressure: Use a pressure gauge to check the pressure. Some water districts will loan a pressure gauge. There's really no need to purchase one if your water district can loan one to you. Call your local water district for information regarding a loan of a pressure regulator gauge. A standard pressure regulator gauge should be screwed onto the hose bib at the feed side of the regulator. Do not run water while you are checking the pressure to get a correct read. Normal pressure should range between 45 psi to 65 psi. Free Plumbing Tips We'd Like to Share
Water Turn OffWater can be turned off at the house, where it ties in to the houseline plumbing. Turning off the water at the house will not turn off the water to the front yard irrigation system. Water can also be turned off at the meter located at the curb in front of the house in the ground. Keep in mind that turning off the water at the meter at the curb will turn off the water to the entire property. Water can also be turned off at the appliance. Toilets usually have a water turn off (a handle) behind the unit. Water Measurements 1 Cubic Feet = 7.48 gallon of water An acre foot equals 325,851 gallons of water. An acre foot equals the amount of water needed to cover one acre with water, one foot deep. Free Plumbing Tips We'd Like to Share
Call Dig Alert When Digging When digging you are required by law to call the Underground Service Alert at: 1-800-422-4133. Need to call 2 working days ahead so that the various utilities can mark their lines. Sewer A sewer lateral line is a line coming from the city's sewer line (in the center of the street) laterally to your property. The property owner is usually responsible for their sewer lateral line beyond the property line up to the city's line in the center of the street. Call your sewer district for more information specific to your property. We hope our free plumbing tips and general information have answered some questions. We will be expanding this page. Please check back often. See below for additional resources.
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