Frequently Asked Questions.
Q: What is a Sacrificial Anode Rod in my water heater?
A: The sacrificial anode rod is a metal rod usually made of magnesium or aluminum to prevent corrosion of the water heater tank. Electrolysis eats away the anode instead of eating at the steel of the tank.
Q: What is a sewer cleanout?
A: A sewer cleanout is a point of access at the property line where the sewer lateral can be serviced. It usually is 4" in diameter and has a steel or plastic cover over it. Normally, this cleanout is found in the basement of your home.
Q: How can I tell if my home has a sewer cleanout?
A: Search your basement for a capped 4" diameter pipe. If you don't find one, check outside, in or around your house.
Q: I can not locate my sewer Cleanout. What can I do?
A: If you are unsuccessful in locating one, you either do not have one or it may be buried under dirt or concreter. A plumber can assist you in locating it.
Q: Can I get my town or city to install a sewer cleanout if I do not have one?
A: No. Sewer cleanouts belong to the property owner. It is the responsibility of the property owner to install a property line cleanout.
High Water Bill?
There are several ways to find out if your water bills are higher than they need to be.
1. Check faucets for dripping water.
2.
Fix a leaky faucet promptly. Be sure to check under sinks for moisture or leaks.
Periodically check yoru toilets for leaks by:
1. Place a few drops of food coloring in the tank-not the bowl. A couple of tablespoons of instant coffee or Kool-Aid will work too. Check the toilet after about thirty minutes. If te water in the bowl has some color in it, the tank is leaking and the stopper and valve seat may need to be replaced.
Check for underground leaks or undetected leaks in the home:
1. Turn off the main water valve inside your home and then go outside and check your water meter. If it is still turning you may have an underground leak.
2. Alternatively, write down the numbers on your water meter at the beginning of a period when your home is going to be unoccupied for a few hours. Check the meter when you return; if the numbers have changed, there may be a leak somewhere inside the home.
Keep your drains in working order!
Place a strainer over kitchen and bathroom drains if they do not already have one; this will prevent hair, pieces of soap, and other debris from clogging drains. Clean the strainer as needed.
Unclog a drain mechanically rather than chemically when possible.
Use chemical drain cleaners sparingly, especially if yoru pipes or traps are brass, steel or cast-iron; some chemicals may corrode metal pipes. Try this instead: pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down yoru drain every month. The drains in showers and in bathroom sinks typically need extra care; pour two or three gallons of boiling water down each bathroom drain about once a month to clear out hair and greasy particles. Every week or two, remove sink and tub pop-up stoppers and rinse them off.
Every three or four months, remove the overflow plate on the tub- then pull up the pop-up assembly to reach the spring or rocker arm. Remove accumulated hair and rinse thoroughly.
Out of Control Disposals!
It is best to use COLD water- not hot water- when you run your disposal. Let the cold water run as long as the motor is running, and be sure to avoid overloading the disposal.
Corn husks, artichokes, onion skins, celery, and other high-fiber material can clog your disposal.
Do not pour fats or cooking oils into your sink. Liquid fats can solidify in cold drainpipes, trap food particles, and clog the drains. Do not put coffee grounds down the drain. Food particles which remain in your disposal can cause odors. Put a combination of ice cubes and lemon peel in teh disposal, run it for about thirty seconds, and then run cold water through the disposal. Disposal cleaner or degreaser my help too.
BIO-CLEAN The natural drain cleaner is.. . a blend of bacteria and enzymes. The bacteria are natural, not genetically-engineered. The enzyme concentration is the most powerful on the market. Natural Drain cleaner
Bio-Clean The natural drain cleaner is non-poisonous. It creates no heat, no fumes, no boiling. It does not attack live tissue nor inorganic materials, only organic wastes like grease, hair, food particles, paper, cotton & sewage. This makes BIO-CLEAN safe for people, plumbing and the environment.
For more information, call Tiger Plumbing today!