Question 1

Should I shut my water off to my home if I am going on vacation?

Accepted Answer

It depends upon what type of main shutoff valve you have. If you have a 1/4 turn type valve such as a ball value we recommend shutting if off. If you have a gate valve we recommend against shutting it off because these valves have a tendency to break off in the closed position and this could leave you with no water in your home!

Question 2

How do I keep my garbage disposal smelling fresh?

Accepted Answer

Use a natural bacteria enzyme such as Bio-Clean once a week! It will smell great! You can use it for a fresh smelling liter box as well.

Question 3

Why am I changing my toilet flapper every four or five months?

Accepted Answer

Toilet bowl cleaner tablets such as '2000 Flushes' typically contain a bleach usually chlorine based. Do not use these tablets as they will destroy all the rubber items inside your toilet! Use the kind that hang on the rim of the bowl instead. Also make sure to get a silicone impregnated flapper when you purchase your next one. This type will hold up better in city water with a high chlorine content.

Question 4

Why do my pipes rattle when I turn my faucet off?

Accepted Answer

This is known as water hammer. The air chambers in the walls have leaked out the air and filled with water. To correct this follow these steps. First, turn off the water to your house using the valve outside your house or at the water meter. Next, turn on every faucet in the house, including outside hose bibbs and shower valves. After they have been drained, get a shallow pan and disconnect the toilet supply lines, allowing the water to drain into the pan. This will ensure that as much water as possible has been drained from your water pipes in the walls. Next, put that toilet valves back together and turn all of the faucets you previously turned on, off. Turn the water back on to the house. Wait 10-15 minutes before turning a valve on. This procedure will recharge the air chambers and eliminate the water hammer.

Question 5

Should I place a cover on my air conditioner condenser during the cooler months?

Accepted Answer

We recommend against using an air conditioner covers because they can trap moisture inside the unit which wreaks havoc with the electronics.

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