A home's plumbing-heating-cooling systems (P-H-C) are essentially the heart
of a house, pumping and circulating water, heat and cool air throughout a maze of pipes and ducts.
    With everything working properly and efficiently, homeowners can enjoy lowered utility bills and trouble-free peace of mind. However, just like we need annual check-ups to make sure we're in top health, a home's p-h-c system requires annual checks as well.
    The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Information Bureau (PHCIB) has developed tips, suggestions and ideas for keeping your plumbing-heating-cooling systems in tip-top shape.

Did you ever wonder what your plumbing system looks like behind those walls?   Well, here's your chance to get a glimpse. This drawing represents an average two-story home plumbing system. As you can see all the major plumbing systems are related to each other. Be sure to keep the maintenance on your plumbing fixtures and pipes current. Small problems if neglected can be expensive to fix.

Jim Trombly Plumbing & Heating Maintenance Checklist

At least once a year, the PHCIB recommends that you have your licensed, professional plumbing-heating-cooling contractor inspect your systems to make sure everything is in working order. Here is a quick checklist of things you can check throughout the year:

Have leaky faucets and toilet tanks fixed or replaced.
An average leak in either of these can waste up to 1,000 gallons of water every month.

Drain a bucket or two of water from the valve at the bottom of your water heater.
This will help eliminate any sediment that may have settled at the bottom of the heater tank. Also, examine the valve and pipes for any signs of water leakage. Be careful not to store items on or around your water heater.

Change your furnace filter every 30 days.
Dirty filters restrict air flow and can contribute to equipment breakdown.

Check the area near your air conditioning unit.
Trim any shrubbery that may have grown too close to the unit. Accumulated dirt, leaves and other debris can increase the electricity consumption and decrease efficiency.

Examine your ductwork closely for air leaks.
Repair any leaks with duct tape.

Avoid rainy day surprises by checking your sump pump to make sure it's in working order.
Keep the pit debris-free, and test the pump by running a garden hose into the pit. The pump should kick on as soon as it senses the water.

Clear your home's rain gutters and downspouts of leaves and other debris.
You don't want excess water collecting around your home's foundation and seeping into your basement or crawl space.

Prevent Inconvenience & Mess of Frozen Pipes

If pipes freeze, they could stop the flow of water into your home, and if they burst, you're in for a messy, expensive repair job. To avoid this homeowner headache, take the following steps when temperatures dip below freezing:

PREVENTION:

Keep the temperature inside the house at a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Let a trickle of hot and cold water (about the size of a pencil head) run from the highest faucet in your home, or the faucet farthest from the water meter. Or, if a faucet has frozen before, let that one run.

Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors under sinks. This allows warm air from the room to circulate around the pipes.

During extremely cold temperatures, place a protected light bulb near exposed water pipes in open crawl spaces, or where the pipes enter the building.

REMEDIES:

You may be able to thaw a pipe using a hair dryer, but do not, under any circumstances, try to thaw a pipe with an open flame.

Try wrapping the frozen pipe in a towel soaked in boiling water, or squirting hot, but not boiling water on the frozen area with a turkey baster.

If you cannot thaw your pipe, call a licensed professional plumbing-heating-cooling contractor. They have the skill and knowledge to thaw your pipes safely and efficiently.

Quick Fixes For Plumbing Emergencies

Starting the day off with a shower of only cold water can be quite a shock. Knowing what to do in a plumbing emergency before your licensed p-h-c contractor arrives may be the difference between a small inconvenience and a major problem. Here are some temporary solutions to the most common plumbing emergencies:

A pipe burst.
Shut off the main water. Reduce pipe pressure by opening the faucets at the lowest level of the home, usually the basement. Then, identify the exact location of the problem. If it's the hot water line, turn off the water supply to the water heater. Turn the main line back on so cold water can be used while the pipe is being fixed. If the water will be off for extended periods of time, turn off the water heater.

Frozen sink drain.
Fill the sink with very hot water and a handful of table salt. If the ice is close to the sink, the salt can penetrate to melt the ice.

Clogged sink drain.
Most sink clogs are due to grease. Simply pour boiling hot water with a few teaspoons of ammonia down the drain. Wait a few minutes then use the plunger. For double-bowl sinks, hold down the drain stopper in one bowl while you plunge the other side.

Bathtub clogs.
Try plunging the drain, but stuff a rag over the overflow so as not to blow the air out.

Sewer problems.
Sometimes drains back up due to sewer problems. To check, flush the toilet. If water bubbles up in the basement sink, the sewer is backed up. Use water sparingly to allow ample drain time. If the sump pump pumps into the sewer, unplug it or sewage will pump through the sink.

Plugged toilet.
For a small to moderate clog, use the plunger. For a more stubborn clog, it is possible, although slightly risky if you don't know what you're doing, to use a closet auger. If the toilet is clogged and overflowing, do not try to flush. Turn off the toilet's water supply using the knob on the water supply pipe under the toilet.

No hot water.
When there is no hot water, one of three things is probably wrong with your water heater. If there is no loss of water pressure, but the water supply is cold, it's probably a burned out pilot light or a blown fuse. Check a gas-fired unit to see if the pilot light is off. Follow the unit's instructions to re-light. For an electric unit, check the fuse panel and flip the correct circuit breaker to "on."

Reduced water pressure.
If there is a reduction in water pressure, check your water heater for leakage. If leaking, turn the valve on top of the heater off. Next, shut off the fuel. Turn the gas control valve off for a gas-fired unit, or flip the circuit breaker off for an electric unit.

    Remember to call Jim Trombly Plumbing and heating for all you plumbing and heating issues.

Call Jim Trombly Plumbing & Heating now, and get answers and results.