Hot Water Heater Maintenance

Most hot water tanks in Central Ohio will last 6 to 8 years, but you can prolong the life of your tank with routine maintenance performed twice a year.

The first thing you can do is flush the sediments out of your tank. To do this follow these simple steps

1. Turn the gas control to the pilot position. On an electric tank turn the power off to the tank.
2. Attach a water hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and place the other end in your floor drain.
3. Open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.
4. Shut off the drain valve and disconnect the water hose. Turn the gas control to the ON position. On an electric tank turn the power back on.

The next thing you should do is to inspect your tank for leaks. Inspect all of the fittings and the water shut-off valve. Any signs of dripping or leaks should be repaired as soon as possible. Call your plumber to make the needed repairs.

Sump Pump

The sump pump installed in your home should last about 2 to 3 years. To prolong the life of your pump you should inspect the pit upon moving in and remove all construction debris that may be in the pit. Any debris will be sucked into the pump and cause it to wear out quickly. You should continue to inspect the pit 2 times a year and remove any debris that may have found its way into the pit. It is very important to keep the pit clean at all times.

Should your pump quit working, there are a couple of things that you can do. First unplug the pump and then plug it back in. These pumps have an internal thermo-switch that will trip when the pump becomes overheated. The second thing is to check the circuit breaker, trip it and re-set it. If your pump does not work after these tests please contact your local plumbing contractor to have it replaced.

Garbage Disposal

A Few Things That You Should NOT Put Down Your Disposal:

Celery, coffee grounds, onion skins, large amounts of spaghetti, potato skins, and potting soil. Any of these things will result in a clog and force you to call your local plumber to unclog your disposal as well as your drain.

Proper Operation

First turn on the water and let it run for a few seconds in the sink with the disposal. Turn on the disposal and let it run and SLOWLY feed whatever you want to put down it with a wooden spoon. Once you have slowly put the garbage into the disposal, let the water and the disposal run another 30 seconds or so. This assures everything is out of the disposal. Now turn off the disposal and then turn the water off.

By following these procedures you will have fewer problems with your disposal and it will smell fresher all of the time.

Problems And How To Fix Them

Jammed or locked-up disposal:

If you turn on your disposal and hear a humming noise, you probably have a jammed or locked-up disposal. To fix this problem, turn the switch off and locate your disposal wrench; it is usually attached to the inside of the cabinet. Reach under the disposal, and toward the center you will find a cup-like protrusion on the bottom. Put the disposal wrench into this. Turning the wrench will allow you to move the blades manually. Keep turning the blades back and forth until they turn freely. Now turn the disposal on, and repeat if needed.

The Disposal Does Nothing When Turned On:

If you turn on your disposal and it doesn’t at least make a humming noise, it is likely that the internal circuit breaker has tripped. This usually occurs when it has become severely jammed.

To re-set the disposal, locate your disposal wrench as described above. Reach on the bottom of the disposal and run your finger around the outside of the bottom. You will feel a button sticking down. Push the button in and now follow the instructions for unclogging the disposal.

Models featuring Diamond Seal Technology, by Delta.

Diamond Seal Technology provides an exclusive new water delivery system. This feature uniquely utilizes the durability of the hardest substance in existence, along with a one-piece PEX waterway construction, making this a good looking and well engineered investment. To assure the highest quality, it has been stress-tested at 500 psi and 200 °F. Models featuring these qualities have a lifespan 10 times longer than the industry standard.

Better Safe Then Sorry!

As far as health goes, water is numero uno. Contaminates in our water compromise our well-being. The one-piece PEX waterway keeps water from coming in contact with potential metal contaminants, keeping the water as pure as it was when it entered the device.

Save Time and Water

There is no way to know when something in the house is going to need to be repaired, and when it does happen finding the time to assess the fix is never convenient. How long has that faucet had a drip? With the Diamond Seal Technology the threat of leaks is all but eliminated. This is because of the exclusive one-piece supply lines, diamond valve and no dynamic seals. Plus, all the parts needed for installation are in the box, so all you add is a wrench and screwdriver, no risers required!