Plumbing Tips

Serving Calgary and Area Since 2000

Kitchen Tips

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 Disposal

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 Quits 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 faucet or water leaks from the handle are usually caused by lime buildup and sediment blocking the small openings inside the aerator. Clean the aerator 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 aerator and screw back on to the faucet.

Bathroom Tips

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, cotton balls, make-up pads, sanitary products or diapers as they do not dissolve and can clog the lines. Keep a trash container in each bathroom and toss these items away.

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 in the toilet bowl has changed color, the ball or flapper is leaking and needs to be replaced.

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 mineral deposits. Reassemble the showerhead.

Cleaning an Aerator

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 aerator and screw back on to the faucet.