Here is a list of Do and Do Not tips that have been compiled here for your viewing pleasure, courtesy of Jack Hines, owner of Hines Plumbing, Inc. This list will help you to save money, save time, and save your plumbing from an unfortunate instance.
Do - get your hot water to you quicker. Install a recirculating pump near your water with a seperate supply line going to your furthest plumbing fixture. This creates a loop between the two (furthest fixture and water heater) and gets you hot water quicker with every plumbing fixture along the way. And in some cases, (ranch homes) some homes will not need a pump, just a separate line to furthest fixture, hot water will naturally migrate through the -line hence making of the constant loop.
Do – Have efficient hot water. Get an on-demand water heater.
Don’t – put pasta down your drain or garbage disposal. It gets mushy and creates a paste after sitting for a while. And it sticks to the insides of the drain pipe.
Don’t - pour grease down the drain. It also sticks to the insides of pipes.
Don’t – put shrimp shells or peanut shells in the garbage disposal. It gets under the teeth of the disposal and jam it.
Do – turn off and disconnect your garbage disposal before tending to it. That will save you a hospital visit.
Do - use correct cleaning products. Jack recommends using products like Scrubbing Bubbles to clean showers, toilets and sinks. To get rid of lime and calcium deposits on shower heads and faucets, soak them in CLR or use Lime Away.
Do – use a drain cover to catch hair. Hair is a drains worst enemy as it clogs them and slows drain flow.
Don’t - let your water softener run out of salt. When a water softener runs out of salt it can’t create its ion exchange and the water will just regenerate.
Do – use the correct type of salt for your softener. If you don’t the salt won’t break down and then that’s 300-400 lbs of salt that you will have to remove from your softener by hand.
Do – save water. The aforementioned recalculating line can also save gallons of water because the desired hot water will be instant. You don’t have to wait while the running water gradually becomes hot.
Do –save more water. Get an energy saving shower head.
Do - save even more water. Get leaky faucets and leaky toilets fixed.
Do – ask your plumber questions. When you have them out to fix something for you feel free to pick their brains. They want to help you. This way, you not only get the service that you paid for, you also get free knowledge. And Jack says that he personally loves being asked questions. It’s not only helpful to the customer, but it creates a connection that is so important between the business and client.
And if you have any plumbing questions or concerns, call Hines Plumbing, Inc. today, visit their website, find them on Facebook, or send in your questions to the Hines Plumbing column “Ask Jack”. Be sure to visit the Hines Plumbing, Inc. Partner Profile on ValpoLife.com!