Sinks and drains and showerheads and faucets. There’s lots of plumbing in your house. Here’s a plumbing quiz that’s fun to take. And maybe we’ll even learn a thing or two!
True or False
A good way to clear a toilet drain is to pour boiling water in it.
Most toilets are made from porcelain. Porcelain stays cool, especially in the winter. Boiling hot water can cause the porcelain to crack, creating a much bigger problem than a clogged drain. Use a plunger first. If you choose to pour water down the toilet, make sure it’s cool to luke warm.
Soaking a shower head in vinegar can improve the flow of the shower head.
Over time, mineral deposits accumulate in shower heads and faucet aerators. Vinegar will break down and dissolve the mineral deposits.
Grinding ice cubes in your garbage disposal helps keep it clean.
Put two cups of ice and some salt into your disposal. Turn on the cold water and then run your disposal for 5-10 seconds. The grinding ice will help clean the interior of the disposal.
It’s ok to put celery into a garbage disposal.
Though we tend to see the garbage disposal as having an endless appetite capable of eating anything we feed it, there are some items best fed to the trash can. Seeds, fiber foods like celery, pasta and rice are all best suited for the garbage can. Stringy foods like celery can wrap around the blades. Pasta and rice can actually expand in the drain. When using your disposal, always have the water running and make sure to continue running water for a few seconds after you turn it off.
A running toilet means you might need a new flapper.
That rubber stopper connected to the chain in your toilet tank is called the “flapper”. It “flaps” up when you push the handle, releasing the water in the tank into the bowl. If your flapper doesn’t seal properly, the water in the tank will continue to leak into the bowl. Because of that the float in the tank will not be able to shut off the water valve. Replacing the flapper will create the proper seal in the tank and stop the toilet from running.
You should set your water heater at 140 degrees.
This is a big “false”. Water heaters should be set no higher than 120 degrees. Water hotter than 120 degrees can burn skin quickly. On a less important note, keeping your water heater set at 120 degrees or lower will save you money on energy costs.
The professionals at Sinclair are here to solve all your plumbing problems, be they big or small. Give us a call today and we’ll be happy to keep your water flowing freely! 806-749-COOL (2665)