Plumbing

General :

Your house has been equipped with plumbing fixtures and piping manufactured to provide a long period of use, given care.

Keep to a minimum the disposal of grease, fat and similar wastes, especially petroleum products, through the plumbing system. Such materials tend to accumulate in the piping, reducing its efficiency. In addition, continuous or large scale usage of this kind can affect municipal or private sewage treatment systems.

Fixtures :

The smooth and glossy surfaces on your plumbing fixtures are not indestructible. Harsh, abrasive cleaners will, in time, wear through the surface, making the finish dull and porous. Most household cleaners are slightly abrasive, but if used in moderation and with plenty of water, are harmless. Steel pads and some strong cleaners can do irreparable damage however, and you are cautioned against their use.

Avoid scraping the surfaces with metal utensils. Even a stainless steel sink can be damaged by careless use.

Do not use plumbing fixtures such as sinks, as receptacles for photographic or developing solutions; developer stains are permanent.

Never step in the bathtub with your shoes on. The soles of shoes, even though they May appear to be clean, carry gritty particles, which scratch the surface.

Exercise care in using the " telephone shower " if installed. If dropped the tub can be damaged and such items cannot easily be restored to original condition.

Most fixtures are provided with water filled traps to prevent sewer gases backing into the house; these sometimes become plugged with a variety of deposits and may require periodic cleaning to eliminate blockage.

Hot water tank :

The principle causes of tank lining damage are hard water and overheating. If super hot water is needed for special purposes, be sure to reset the tank dial to normal when done. Turn the water temperature down, or switch off the tank, before going on vacation.

Most electric tanks have two elements, one top and one bottom, and the reset buttons and adjustable temperature settings are to be found under the cover plates at these locations. Be careful, when making adjustments, not to contact adjacent wire ends on terminals located near the temperature setting screw. Should the tank cease to function (no hot water) check the fuse or breaker panel before calling a plumber or electrician, or, in the case of a rented tank, the appropriate utility or fuel supplier.

If the cold water is clear but the hot water is discoloured, the probable cause is sediment at the bottom of the tank. This sediment has an insulating effect, especially with immersion type elements, causing the heaters to operate longer than necessary with a consequent increase in cost and energy consumption.

Every hot water storage tank should be equipped with a pressure relief valve at the top of the tank. This is a safety device designed to open and relieve pressure should the water pressure in the tank exceed its rated working pressure; it should not be tampered with.

Faucet repairs :

Forcing faucet handles often cuts the washers and causes drips and leaks; they should be turned just enough to stop the flow of water. Noisy faucets are frequently due to loose washers.

Where the plumbing installation includes valves for individual fixtures, it is only necessary to close the valve to the fixture being repaired before replacing washers. Otherwise, first close the main water valve - usually located near the water meter on municipal systems - as this controls both hot and cold water lines.

Once the supply of water is stopped, lift the cap from the "tap" handle and remove the screw from the top of the shaft exposed inside. Carefully remove the handle by forcing it straight up - it is not threaded. Next unscrew the exposed stem assembly bushing which will allow the entire stem assembly to be removed. At the base of this assembly you wili find a rubber washer held in place by a round-headed screw. Remove this screw and replace the washer with one of the same size and type. While the assembly is loose, inspect the rubber "0" ring located on the stem body. Replace this if necessary.

If you do not have the proper tools, or if you are not mechanically inclined, do not attempt these repairs.

Ceramic tile :

This type of tile is easy to maintain and needs only to be wiped down occasionally with a damp cloth. Do not use excessive water when cleaning ceramic tile floor. A mild solution of soap and water is usually adequate.

Shower and tub enclosures should never be used without a shower curtain or door to prevent the water running onto the bathroom floor. If a separation occurs around your bathtub between the tub and the wall tiles or in the grouted joints of the tile, it was probably caused by shrinkage or by the weight of the water in the filled tub. This gap should be filled immediately with a tub sealer or caulking compound available at hardware stores. Leaving the gap may cause serious water damage to adjacent materials.

Consideration may be given to adding a silicone sealing to the tub enclosure tiles every six months.