Bathroom Helpful Hints

These helpful hints should help keep the plumbing in your bathroom running efficiently.

• Once a week run hot water down the drain to help keep it free-flowing.
• Repair leaky faucets to avoid further damage to the fixtures and faucets.
• Tubs and showers should be fitted with strainers that catch hair and soap chips. Clean the strainers regularly.
• To remove unsightly mineral deposits on your shower head, put one cup of vinegar in a plastic bag and place it over the shower head.Plumbing Basics Bathroom Hold it in place with a twist tie and let stand overnight. In the morning, remove the bag and wipe off the mineral deposits with a damp cloth.
• Do not use your toilet as a wastebasket. Do not flush facial tissue, sanitary products or diapers as they do not dissolve and can clog the lines. Keep a trash container in each bathroom.

Shower head Maintenance

Shower heads develop uneven spray when the holes become clogged with mineral deposits from the water. To clean:

• Unscrew swivel ball nut - you will need adjustable wrench or channel‑type pliers. (Hint: to protect the finish from scratches, first wrap the jaws of the tool with masking tape.)
• Unscrew collar nut from shower head.
• Gently clean the outlet and inlet holes of the shower head using a thin wire.
• Flush the head with clean water.
• You may want to soak the shower head in vinegar overnight to remove all mineral deposits.

Testing a Toilet for Leaks

Check the water level in the tank to be sure that the water is not overflowing by way of the overflow pipe (the pipe in the middle of the tank with a small piece of tubing connected to it).

• If water is running into the overflow pipe, adjust the fill valve until the water stops approximately one inch below the top of the overflow tube (there may be a water level mark stamped on the side of the tank).
• Test the flush valve mechanism by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank.
• Check the bowl after 15 minutes, if the water has changed color, the ball or flapper is leaking and needs to be replaced.

Cleaning an Aerator

Low water pressure from the sprayer or water leaks from the handle are usually caused by lime buildup and sediment blocking the small openings inside the sprayer head. Clean the head using the following steps:

• By hand, carefully unscrew the aerator from the faucet turning counterclockwise. If it will not unscrew, wrap the jaws of your pliers with masking tape and loosen the aerator with the pliers. Continue by hand.
• Take aerator or spray head apart.
• Use a small brush dipped in vinegar to remove sediment.
• Reassemble the unit and screw back on to the faucet.