Plumbing Maintenance

There are two types of water heaters, traditional water heaters and tankless water heaters. Traditional water heaters store and preheat 30-50 gallons of water in a tank. Tankless water heaters use a heat source to warm up cool water on-demand whenever you need it rather than storing hot water in a tank.

Maintenance on a traditional water heater:

• Inspect the valve and set the temperature.
• Check the anode rod annually – replacing this can prevent you from replacing the entire tank later. Without the anode rod, hot water will corrode the inside of your tank.
• Flush the tank of sediment and debris annually.
• Consider adding insulation to reduce heat loss.

Maintenance on a tankless water heater:

• Flush and remove mineral deposits from your tank annually. This involves descaling your water heater with vinegar and flushing your tank. Instructions can be found in your water heater owner’s manual.
• Clean the screen filter annually.

Keeping your garbage disposal performing at its best helps you eliminate food waste on a regular basis. These easy tips will prolong the life of your garbage disposal and improve the smell of your kitchen:

• Place ice cubes and a cup of rock salt in your garbage disposal, then run it for ten seconds to remove waste and built-up debris.
• Grind small lemon peels in your garbage disposal while running warm water through it to deodorize and improve the smell of your kitchen.

Home Plumbing Systems – Checking your toilets, sinks and pipes annually can help you prevent big problems and terrible inconveniences. An annual self-inspection should include the following:

• Check drains for even flow and clean buildup if necessary.
• Test your toilet by adding food coloring to the tank, waiting a few hours, then checking the water in the bowl. If the water in the bowl is colored, you may need to replace the tank ball.
• If no one in your home takes regular baths, fill the tub about three-fourths full then open the drain. The pressure from the water will help clear the drain and prevent clogs.
• Examine the main water shut-off valve. Open and close the valve annually to make sure it is not stuck in the open position. In case of a water emergency, make sure everyone in the home knows where the main water valve is and that the first step to stop leaks is to shut it off.

Checking pipes, faucets and drains in the fall and spring can prevent serious problems related to temperature changes. Avoid breaks and leaks that can lead to costly repairs with these simple inspections:

• Washing machines can be a source of costly repairs and water damage if hoses break or crack. Make sure to check hoses for bulges as the seasons change and remember to change hoses about every three years.
• Frozen pipes are one of the most dangerous winter plumbing problems. Check the water pressure in your home after the first night of below freezing temperatures. The first sign of a frozen pipe is restricted water flow; if you think a pipe may be freezing, call Pro Rooter for a closer look.
• Disconnect all garden hoses and drain outdoor pipes before temperatures reach the freezing point. Disconnecting hoses prevents frozen water from backing up into your home.
• Check hoses and faucets in the spring for leaks.
• Always keep your home above 55° to avoid the costly repairs of frozen pipes.
• Check your sump pump and the sump pump discharge line to make sure everything is working properly. Breaks in the line or blockage around the drainage area can cause freezing or flooding in your home.
• Check your dishwasher and make sure to clean the filter periodically to prevent clogging. Adding rinse-aid can also help your dishwasher clean more effectively.

Cleaning all the drains in your home and inspecting them on a regular basis can prevent messy backups and costly repairs. At Pro Rooter, we are equipped to handle all sorts of drain clogs from your kitchen sink to your bathtub drain. Avoid drain malfunctions with these easy maintenance tips:

• Kitchen Drains – kitchen sinks drain non-water substances everyday, like grease, food waste, and soap. These substances can build up in your kitchen sink drain, causing slower draining over time and eventual clogging. Make sure to avoid putting eggshells, instant mashed potatoes (or any other “just add water” foods), celery, cornhusks (or other “stringy” foods), pasta andor rice down your drain. Make sure to run cold water for 15 seconds every time you use your garbage disposal to avoid clogs.
• Toilet Drains – Plunging the toilet is never a fun task. To avoid toilet clogs, never putting anything other than toilet paper in the toilet. Even facial tissues and feminine products can clog toilets in older homes. If your toilet requires frequent plunging, call Pro Rooter for a professional inspection.
• Shower and Tub Drains – Installing a mesh strainer to your shower or tub drain can help to catch hair and soap scum that could slow the draining of your tub. Make sure to clean the strainer regularly. If the drain does become clogged, call Pro Rooter for a professional drain cleaning.
• Bathroom Sink Drains – Soap and toothpaste can cause clogs in the bathroom sink. Make sure to run cold water down the drain after you wash your hands and face and after brushing your teeth to avoid clogs. If you lose jewelry in the bathroom sink, stop running water immediately. Pro Rooter should be able to retrieve your jewelry as long as the water flow has been stopped - call right away!

A leaky faucet may seem like a small problem but waiting can turn it into a huge and expensive repair. Likewise, an unnoticed leaky pipe can cause water stains and mold to build up in your home. Make sure to inspect all faucets and exposed pipes annually to avoid costly repairs. Here’s what to look for:

• Check pipes below kitchen and bathroom sinks for signs of leakage such as water stains and mold. If you suspect a leak, call Pro Rooter right away.
• Check pipes for signs of corrosion that could cause breaks or leaks in the future. Discoloration of pipes or connections may indicate corrosion.
• Turn on each faucet and inspect the handles and valves for water flow. Make sure water stops completely when the faucet is turned off and does not continue to drip.
• Make sure to check the shower faucets in your home for leaks and pressure. Low water pressure may be a symptom of sediment buildup that can be fixed with basic maintenance of the shower head.
• Flush each toilet in your home and make sure the water does not continue to run excessively after flushing. Also check the handle to make sure the flushing mechanism is functioning properly.
• Check for broken or missing tiles in the shower. If you notice any problems, call Pro Rooter for a professional inspection. The cause of tile damage may be from a pipe leaking inside the walls of your home.
• Check your lawn for unusually lush spots, which can form from broken or leaky pipes under your home. This can cause backup of water into your home come winter and major spikes in your monthly water bill.

Cooling your home with a swamp cooler (or evaporative cooler) can be affordable, energy-efficient and better for the environment. However, swamp coolers should be cleaned seasonally and inspected on a monthly basis to ensure they are working properly. Unplug your unit and follow these instructions:

• Before and after the cooling season, uncover your cooler, remove the panels and give it a thorough cleaning. Inspect all of the parts for any cracks or wear. Your owner’s manual will have specific directions for how to best clean and inspect your specific swamp cooler.
• Once a month, check the motor’s belt tension in your swamp cooler for any damage or wear. You may lightly oil the bearing on the blower assembly and the motor if it has an oil receptacle.
• As water evaporates, it can leave mineral deposits on the pads in your swamp cooler, which can lead to less effective cooling of your home. Inspect your pads regularly and replace any pads with excessive mineral deposits, or “scale”.
• If the water level in your bottom tray is too high or too low, adjust your float arm. If this doesn’t work, call Pro Rooter to see if the float valve needs to be replaced.
• Bleed valves and sump dumps regularly drain water from your swamp cooler, helping to prevent mineral deposits. If your swamp cooler does not have bleed valves or a sump dump, you may consider installing them for more effective cooling. Coolers without bleed valves or sump dumps should receive an additional cleaning during the cooling season.