Home Improvement News Bureau

Preventing Plumbing Problems

Take Time for Repairs Now to Reduce Rising Tides Later

MONEY PIT NEWS BUREAU – September 13, 2004:  The dishwasher draining onto the floor, the hose on the washer splitting and leaking, the toilet tank running endlessly…Plumbing disasters happen to the best – and even most prepared – among us, usually at the worst possible times.

Home improvement experts Tom Kraeutler and Debby Robinson, co-hosts of the nationally syndicated Money Pit Home Improvement Radio Show, suggest some general home plumbing maintenance tips that can help homeowners avoid costly repairs and clean-up.

Detecting Leaks
Sometimes a slow deterioration in the system might not show up until a pipe bursts.  Robinson suggests a test with your water meter to catch little leaks before they become floods.

“Before bed, make sure all water in the house is turned off.  Check the water meter display and write down the exact number of gallons used.  In the morning, check the meter again.  If the display has changed, you’ve got a leak,” she says.

“Toilets tank problems are often the cause of a leak but repairs are the most common do-it-yourself household plumbing project ,” adds Kraeutler.  “Usually it is caused by a faulty or worn flapper – when you have to jiggle the handle to stop the water from running.  One leaky toilet can waste 78,000 gallons of water in one year – enough to fill a backyard swimming pool.” 

To check your toilet, open the tank and pour a little food coloring inside.  Check the bowl in the morning – if the dye shows up, you probably need a new flush valve, a part that costs a couple of dollars in most hardware stores and is easy to install yourself.

Robinson suggests a visit to www.fluidmaster.com to understand how your toilet works, diagnose the problem and identify the parts needed. 

“Along with clear diagrams and troubleshooting questions and answers, the Fluidmaster site provides detailed information on identifying and replacing the correct parts,” she says.  “You’ll also find toilet trivia and suggestions on ways  to conserve water.”

Check Your Main Water Valve
The main water valve is the most important part of the system, because it controls the flow of water into your house.  It’s vital to know the location of this valve in case of a leak – it can save you thousands of dollars in damage.  To locate it, Kraeutler says to find the utility company’s water meter.  The valve is usually on the side of the pipes feeding into your house.  He also advises testing it by turning on a faucet somewhere in the house and turning off the main valve.  All water flow should stop.  If the valve is stuck, leaks or does not turn off all the way, have it replaced by a licensed plumber.

Washer Woes
The rubber connecting hoses on your washing machine are possibly the weakest links in any home plumbing system.  These hoses can dry out, burst and allow thousands of gallons to rush into you home.  To avoid this, Robinson suggests getting into the habit of turning off the washer supply valves every time you are done with a load of clothes.  If they are hard to reach, have them replaced with a single-lever turn-off that operates both hot and cold water supply valves with a single switch.

Frozen Faucets
Winter plumbing problems are often caused by freezing weather.  If the thermometer drops too low, open sink and vanity cabinet doors to warm the pipes.  Be sure that outside hose faucets are turned off and drained for the winter by loosening the brass cap on the side of the valve.

“It’s a good idea to insulate any supply pipes that are exposed in a crawl space or on an outside wall of the basement to avoid frost damage,” says Kraeutler.  “If they do freeze, call a plumber or use UL Certified heat tape to thaw them.  If you’ll be away from home overnight or longer, let the faucet most likely to freeze drip to keep the water moving, or consider turning off your water at the main valve to eliminate potential problems while you are gone.

Leaky Waste
Leaks in the waste pipes are unsanitary.  Check pipes carefully for leaks by running water and watching the drains.  Older homes often have cast iron or steel drains that can rust out, crack and leak.  Whenever making a home repair that involves opening floors or walls, Robinson suggests taking time to upgrade any old pipes before closing the house up again.

Remember a few minutes of preventive maintenance on your plumbing system now can help you avoid taking a bath that you didn’t count on.

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