The Best Prevention is Washing Your Hands

Hand washing can help prevent the spread of infections!
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities who have weakened immune systems.

MRSA infections that occur in otherwise healthy people who have not been recently hospitalized or had a medical procedure (within the past year) are known as community-associated (CA)-MRSA infections. These infections are usually skin infections, such as abscesses, boils, and other pus-filled lesions.

Hand washing, good personal hygiene and avoiding sharing personal items such as towels, razors, etc., can reduce the risk of acquiring an infection. Should you suspect you have this type of infection, you should contact your physician.

For more information on MRSA please log on to the link for Center for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/ mrsa

 
Water Conservation
Water conservation is extremely important. Here are some ways you can do your part:

Don't use excessive amounts of detergents, bleach or chemicals that may kill the natural bacteria in your septic system.
Use biodegradable soaps and detergents.
Water pressure in your home above 60 pounds per square inch is harmful to your plumbing system and will cause excessive water usage. Contact your local water authority to find out what the water pressure is on your street. If it exceeds 60 pounds, consider installing a pressure reducing valve that will limit the water pressure within your home.   Check your water meter during a period of time when no water is being used. Make a note of the meter reading and check it 8 to 10 hours later. If the meter has moved, there is an indication that you may have an undetected water leak, which should be corrected.        
Toilets consume more than 40% of your total water usage. Installation of a new toilet flapper and fill valve will keep your toilet running efficiently.         
Conserve energy by checking the temperature setting on your water heater. It should not be above 120°F or medium setting on older models.
Replacing an old shower head can save up to 7.5 gallons of water per minute without sacrificing full spray action at low or high water pressures.       
A dripping faucet can waste as much as 150 gallons of water each day, or 4,500 gallons per month. Repair the faucet to save water and reduce your water bill.      

Bathroom 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. 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.       

Showerhead Maintenance
Showerheads 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 showerhead.   
Gently clean the outlet and inlet holes of the showerhead using a thin wire.    
Flush the head with clean water.  
You may want to soak the showerhead 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. 

Kitchen Helpful Hints
These helpful hints should help keep the plumbing in your kitchen running efficiently.

Never put hard-to-grind, stringy or fibrous waste (poultry skins, carrots, celery or banana peels) into the garbage disposer.          
Run cold water down the drain for 15 seconds before and after using the garbage disposer to flush waste through the line.
Don't pour liquid grease down the drain. Wipe congealed grease from pots and pans with a paper towel and dispose of in the trash.   

Cleaning Your Garbage Disposer
Foul odors can occur from a buildup of food debris within the disposer. Try these steps to eliminate odors:

Grind ice cubes and orange or lemon rinds in the disposer for about 30 seconds
While the disposer is still running, pour a small amount of liquid dish detergent into it.        
Rinse any remaining debris away by running cold water for about 30 seconds.          

Garbage Disposer Stops Working
Your disposer has an overload protector that senses if the motor is overheating and shuts it off. If your disposer cuts off during operation, it may be this broken electrical connection.

Turn the disposer switch off.
Do not put hands or objects down drain.   
Make sure the appliance is plugged in securely at the outlet.  
With power switch turned off, press reset switch on front or bottom of the garbage disposer.
Restart disposer by turning on power switch. 

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.         

Other Plumbing and Drain Helpful Hints
These helpful hints should help keep the plumbing in your basement running efficiently.

To prevent sewer gases from backing up into your home through your basement floor drain or other infrequently used drains, periodically pour a bucket of water down the drain to keep the trap seal full.           
Check your water meter during a period of time when no water is being used. Make a note of the meter reading and check it eight to 10 hours later. If the meter has moved, there is an indication that you may have an undetected water leak, which should be corrected.        
Stop annoying water hammer noises by installing shock absorbers that absorb vibrations in water lines.    
NEVER store flammable liquids such as gasoline, adhesives or solvents near the water heater, furnace or other gas-fired appliance as they may ignite.  
Check your washing machine hoses for bulges or leaks. Replace any hose showing signs of weakness.       
Conserve energy and prevent scalding by checking the temperature setting on your water heater. It should not be above 120°F or medium setting on older models.
Septic tanks should be inspected and pumped every three to five years to help prevent costly replacement of the filter field.    

Finding Your Water Meter and Main Shutoff Valve
The shutoff valve is usually found right where the main supply pipe enters the house coming up through your basement floor either next to or very close to the water meter.

The main shutoff for the house will be one or two valves near the main water supply pipe that can be turned on and off by hand.

There may also be an additional shutoff outside the house, buried in a cavity that is sometimes referred to as a "buffalo box." If you have a buffalo box, it will generally be found in the ground near the street or the edge of your property. The box will often have a round metal cover. Pry open the cover and look inside with a flashlight. There will be a valve that you can turn by hand or with a long-handled "key."

If you will need to shut down the system often during the course of a project, find your external shutoff and use it to shut off the water. Don't depend entirely on the inside shutoff (particularly if you have an older home) -- it can break, leak or stop shutting off.

Annual Maintenance for Water Heaters          
Once a year, drain several gallons of water from the tank to flush your water heater. Flushing will remove sediment buildup that can cause corrosion and reduce heating efficiency.         
Test the pressure relief valve by lifting up on the lever and letting it snap back. The valve should allow a burst of water into the drainpipe, if not, call a professional to have a new valve installed.          
Check your temperature setting on the thermostat; it should be set to 120°F. Lowering the temperature setting lowers your energy use, reduces risk of damage to your tank caused by overheating and prevents scalding.          
Reassemble the unit and screw back on to the faucet.

 

 

The Pipe Doctors offer three major types of services: New construction, Remodels, Repipes of Plumbing, Sewer, and Water mains.
The Pipe Doctors charge by the job and not by the hour. Often the first question in your mind is ?How much will this cost?? We answer this question right away for you, so the work and the price are approved before we begin. That way there are no surprises for you, even if the job takes longer than we expect.