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to Threaded Pipe Fittings
to Old Fittings
to Water Supply
to Kitchen Drain
to Garbage Disposal Smell
to Angle Stops
to Tub and Shower Drain
to Sewage Backup
to Aerator
to Water Temperature
to Blocked Toilet
to Doing It Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro

Threaded Pipe Fittings

Don't overtighten threaded pipe fittings. Turn fittings just tight, then test. If they leak, tighten them a quarter-
turn more.

Old Fittings

Don't use old, corroded pipe fittings. They probably will not come apart cleanly.

Water Supply

What if you shut off the water supply, then can't turn the water back on?

Prepare for this possibility. Draw some water for basic needs. Fill a tub so you'll have water to bucket-flush toilets.

Kitchen Drain

The top eight foods that will stop up your drain are:

  • Egg shells
  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Grease
  • Potato peels
  • Banana skins
  • Celery
  • Coffee grounds

    • Garbage Disposal Smell

    Try this to get rid of a bad garbage disposal smell:

    1. Grind up several ice cubes (a couple of trays) in
      the disposal.
    2. Flush the disposal with cold water.
    3. Grind up half a lemon in the disposal.

    You can grind up any citrus fruit (such as orange or grapefruit) peel to help maintain a pleasant smell.

    Angle Stops

    Angle stops are valves under your toilets and sinks. These valves will turn off the water when you or your plumber work on your toilets and faucets.

    Replace angle stops every ten years so they work properly when you need them.

    Tub and Shower Drain

    Clean the hair strainer often.

    Sewage Backup

    If the sewer backs up into the house:

  • Call for help.
  • Plug your nose.
  • Don't pour water down any drain in your home.

    • Aerator

    Reduced Water Flow

    If water flow from the faucet is reduced:

  • Unscrew the aerator from the spout.
  • Clean or replace it.
    • Please note: clogged aerators are big causes of stopped-up drains. That is because a garbage disposal needs so much water to work efficiently. If an aerator is clogged, water flow is reduced, and the drain is not flushed thoroughly.

    Reduced Water Bill

    You might want to deliberately reduce your water flow in order to reduce the water bill. If so, replace your faucet aerator with a water-saving aerator. You can purchase these in the hardware aisle of your grocery store.

    Water Temperature

    If your dishwasher has an internal water heater, set your water temperature to 120 degrees. Higher temperatures can increase heat loss from your water heater and make appliances
    work harder.

    Blocked Toilet

    Most toilet stoppages can be fixed with a plunger. Always keep one in your home.

    Doing It Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro

    Before you try to save money by doing your own plumbing work, ask yourself the following:

    Do you need to buy or rent tools? Do local codes require that the work be performed by
    a licensed plumber who is insured? Is your level of experience adequate? Can a plumber buy hardware you need at less cost? Do you really want to do it yourself, especially when
    the job's as disagreeable as, say, snaking a smelly sewer? Do you have the time?

    Time to Do It Yourself

    Calculate the amount of time it will take you to do a plumbing job yourself.

  • Consider the time it will take to find the correct parts.
  • Honestly consider how long it will take you to perform each step, remembering that all jobs, even for professionals, involve the unexpected.
  • Total these hours.
  • Double that.

    • to International World Toilet History


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