General Plumbing
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DO
| DON'T
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- Call BeforeYou Dig.
- Open and close all cutoff valves twice a year.
- Spray oil or WD-40 on seldom used valves to prevent seizing.
- Keep warranty card handy on all appliances, including water heaters and softeners.
- Have a diagram of your sewer system handy in case of emergency.
- Keep your plumber's phone number near the phone in case of emergency.
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- Dig deep holes or trenches in your yard before locating water, gas, and sewer lines
- Plant trees or large shrubs over sewer lines
- Leave water turned on to hoses for washing machines, dishwashers, and garden hoses when not in use.
- Hire a plumber to do work without understanding precisely what he plans to do.
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Water Supply Pipes/Valves
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DO
| DON'T
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- Open sink cupboard doors on outside walls in severe cold weather.
- Insulate water pipes that may be exposed to freezing temperatures or wind.
- Use a blow dryer or heat gun to thaw frozen pipes.
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- Use open flames or torches to thaw frozen pipes.
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Drains
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DO
| DON'T
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- Run water into seldom used sink and other drains once a month
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- Put coffee grounds in your sink drains
- Keep wastebaskets under sinks. Bumping drain pipes cause leaks.
- Use drain cleaners containing lye.
- Pour fats or cooking oils into your sink.
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Toilets
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DO
| DON'T
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- Inspect and test toilets for leaks annually.
- Keep toilet seat down when not in use.
- Oil parts in toilet tanks that are above water level.
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- Hang a shelf for heavy objects over a sink.
- Hang a knick-knack shelf over your toilet.
- Use toilet tank lid for a shelf.
- Pour hot water into toilet. It could crack the bowl.
- Put any mechanical cleaning device in your toilet tank.
- Use chlorine based cleaners that sit in the tank
- Throw sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, or paper towels in toilet.
- Let children play in bathroom with small toys.
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Dishwashers
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DO
| DON'T
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- Run the dishwasher if disposer is full of food waste.
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Food Disposers
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DO
| DON'T
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Food Disposers
- Run water at full pressure when using disposer.
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- Run the dishwasher if disposer is full of food waste.
- Place cornhusks, artichokes, onionskins, celery, or other high-fiber material in a disposer.
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Bathtubs/Showers
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DO
| DON'T
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- Check caulk line on walls around tubs and showers regularly.
- Check inside edge of shower door track to make sure there are no leaks.
- Pour two or three gallons of boiling water down shower or tub drains once a month.
- Periodically remove and clean all aerators.
- Teach children to always turn cold water on first and hot water off first.
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Outside Faucets
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DO
| DON'T
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- Shut off all outside valves in wintertime in cold climates.
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- Leave garden hoses attached to the hose bib in winter.
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Water Heaters
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DO
| DON'T
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- Open drain on water heater twice a year to remove sediment.
- Turn off hot water system when leaving on an extended vacation.
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- Set water temperature above 120°F
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