• Although a small drip may seem inconsequential , it will cost you money. Washers that will tighten your faucets and get rid of those leaks take only minutes to install.

• Have the tank pumped and cleaned every 2 to 5 years.
• Don't pour ANY solvents, chemicals or oils of ANY kind into the drain or toilet.
• Only flush toilet paper down the drain, no other paper or plastic products. Use bleach and other cleaners sparingly.
• NEVER dispose of grease, coffee grounds or popcorn in the sink.

• Do not use commercial drain products.
• Use cold water at all times when the disposal is operating.
• Grind ice cubes to clean, lemon peels to freshen.
• Read your maintenance manual

Bathrooms:

Recaulking the Bathtub: House settling often results in cracks between the wall and bathroom sink or tub. Clean and dry the area, removing any loose caulking with a putty knife. Use some waterproof caulking compound to fill the cracks and let dry overnight before using the bathtub, shower, or sink.

Shower Heads - New vs. Old: New showerheads use no more than 2.5 gallons per minute, therefore saving you water and energy. By replacing your older showerhead for a new one an average family ,(of four people), can save $150 on electric hot water or $60 gas. The amount of water saved per year equals about 15,000 gallons!

Mineral Deposits: To clean mineral deposits from a clogged shower head, try soaking it in some vinegar. Also, for a little extra money you could go to your neighborhood hardware store and pick up some calcium removing solvent. For Example: Lime-Away or CLR.

Moisture:

Ventilation: Make sure your kitchen and baths are vented to the outside of the house. These rooms generate the most moisture in your house. A timer switch on the ventilating fans will help you remember to run the fans long enough to clear out all the moisture, and shut off automatically. Also, if the house walls are not insulated, water vapor will condense on the drywall. Think about installing some needed insulation in these rooms.

Mildew: Mildew is a fungus that grows under damp conditions on just about any surface causing stains, discolorations and eventually rot. Clean mildew, then try to remedy the conditions that caused it in the first place.

• Ventilate basements, or run dehumidifiers to dry the air, walls and furnishings.
• Let clothing get completely dry before hanging into closets.
• Keep bathroom shower/tub areas free of soap scum.The film retards drying of the area, thereby promoting the growth of mildew.
• Air out cabinets regularly, especially bathroom and under the kitchen sink ones.

Bathroom Moisture: Moisture in the bathroom often comes from the toilet tank. The tank sweats because the cold water in the tank cools off the tank , which in turn causes the humidity in the room to condense on the tank , running onto the floor or wall. Buy a terry cloth tank cover to absorb the moisture. Or the best bet is to install a mixing valve- this warms the water coming into the toilet tank. Less condensation and less mess!

Water:

Soft Water:

• Soft water can save more than half the money you spend on soaps, detergents and shampoo.
• Also, it can save up to 50% of your time and energy spent on cleaning!
• Soft Water reduces scaling that clogs pipes , thereby slowing your drains.
• Can also reduce rings in tub and toilets, soap scum buildup and other staining.
• It helps appliances, plumbing, clothes and linens last up to twice as long!
• It eliminates the need for acids, bleaches and abrasives in your home.
• You get softer and whiter clothes, shinier hair, and smoother skin. Soft Water definetely saves on your energy bill

It might be cost efficient to rent, lease or buy a water conditioner that removes calcium, magnesium, and iron by the process of ion exchange. Conditioners operate automatically and requite little maintenance.

Hard Water Deposits: Much tap water is “hard”, and leaves deposits on everything. Therefore an acid cleaner is needed to get rid of the deposits. Phosphoric acid (4%) in tile cleaner works well, or you can get 8 to 9 % solutions at a janitorial supply store.

• If you dont know how your system works, please check out our Plumbing Basics page. It shows you how your pipes run through your house, and also explains about how your system should be setup.
  
  
• For more information on Knowing Your Plumbing check out this link. It explains more about your responsibilites and the basics of what your plumbing system consists of!
  
  
• Fooling around with plumbing can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. View our Plumbing Safety Tips to make sure you don't do anything you might regret later.
  
  
• In a plumbing emergency, you'll need to stop the flow of water quickly. To do this, you and each member of your family needs to know the location of the shutoff valve for every fixture and appliance, as well as the main shutoff valve for the house, and how they operate. Check out our Plumbing Emergency Info to better equip you and your family with the knowledge of how to handle a plumbing emergency.
  
  
• Water Conservation is important! Their are many things that you can do to help with conserving water and a lot of it has to do with your plumbing systems. Plumbing and Water Conservation Tips by San Diego Plumbing - Check it out!