Kitchen and Bath – The Do’s And Don’ts Of Home Plumbing

DO – Run very hot water into your kitchen sink drain either by boiling water on stove or from your faucet, then fill one side of your sink and plunge.

 

DO – When plunging your sink, plug up one side with a cloth and hold.

 

DO – When using your garbage disposal, run hot and cold water at full pressure.

 

DO – Fill up sink after using your disposal and drain.

 

DO – If you have a dishwasher, use after using your garbage disposal.

 

DO – Remove the aerator on your kitchen faucet when pressure is slow and clean, unscrew by hand or use channel pliers.

 

DO – Remove the screws from your kitchen wash bowl and bath tub faucet, and put a few drops of household oil in each screw hole
or under handle if removable.

 

DO – At least twice a year clean out the inside of your toilet tank. When cleaning tank, turn off the water, flush toilet once, add small amount of cleaning detergent inside tank to water remaining, use a cloth or brush to clean.

 

DO – Clean out holes under toilet seat and rim of the bowl – can use small end of a pocket knife.

 

DO – Clean out 3/4″ hole in the bottom of toilet bowl.

 

DO – Replace rubber tank ball at this time if needed.

 

DO – Adjust water level in toilet tank, 1″ below top of 3/4″ overflow pipe.

To adjust type with 1/4″ rod and metal or plastic float ball, put both hands on rod and bend end of rod towards float ball down, this lowers water level. To raise water level, bend rod up.

 

DO – When plunging your bathroom sink or bath tub use a cloth and plug up the overflow and hold tight. It’s a good idea to plunge your drains before they stop up.

 

DO – Remove the stoppers and clean down pipe where stopper connects.

 

DO – When finished plunging, fill wash bowl until it runs into overflow. If you have a small type spring brush, use to clean overflow.

 

DO – Spray disinfectant cleaner into overflow.

 

DO – If bath tub is slow draining and has the lever at overflow for stopper, remove bolts, and pull wire, lift lever out and clean hair from wire.

 

DO – Oil parts in toilet tank that are above the water level, handle and ballcock valve.

 

DON’T – Put coffee grounds in your sink drains.

 

DON’T – Use drain cleaners containing lye.

 

DON’T – Poke any wire or rod from your sink into drain.

 

DON’T – Have a shelf above your china sinks with heavy objects that could fall into sink. Will crack china sink or chip cast iron type.

 

DON’T – Use your toilet tank lid for a shelf.

 

DON’T – Have a knick-knack shelf above your toilet.

 

DON’T – Pour a bucket of dirty water into your toilet; may contain scrub rag.

 

DON’T – Pour hot water into toilet; temperature change will crack the bowl.