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FAQ
Question: Recently, my water bills
appear to be rather high. None of the faucets appear to leak. What else could contribute to a high water bill?
Answer: You may want to check to see if a
toilet is leaking. First, check the water level to ensure that water is not overflowing the tank by way of the overflow pipe.
This is the pipe in the middle of the tank. It has a small tubing connected to it. If water is running into the overflow,
adjust the fill valve to stop the flow approximately one (1) inch below the top of the overflow tube or to the water
level mark stamped on the side of the tank. Second, put a few drops of food coloring into the tank to test the flush valve
mechanism. If the water in the bowl changes color within 15 minutes, this is an indication that water is leaking into the
toilet bowl and that the ball or flapper needs to be replaced.
Question: How often should I have my septic
system inspected?
Answer: Septic systems should be inspected
and pumped a minimum of once every three to four years. You may not be experiencing any problems now, but a full septic tank
may allow unwanted solids to flow into the drain field, which is the part of the system that consists of a distribution box,
with a series of connected pipes. Each pipe allows water to flow into a bed of stone that drains into the ground. If paper
and other solids flow into the drain field it becomes blocked and ineffective. A blocked drain field is costly to repair or
replace.
Question: The temperature of my hot water seems to be higher than
what I think I need. How can I conserve energy, yet also be sure that there is an adequate amount of hot water?
Answer: Most people are comfortable with
their hot water set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is also the new standard that manufacturers use when pre-setting it at
the factory. If you have an older model, set the thermostat at medium. On a gas model, there is a dial on the front of the
gas valve. On electric models, the thermostats (there may be two) are concealed behind the two panels on the side of the tank.
NOTE: Turn off the electricity before removing the panels. There are exposed wires behind the panels containing HIGH VOLTAGE.
Question: I have a foul odor coming from
my garbage disposer. What can I do to eliminate this odor?
Answer: Foul odors occur from a buildup of
food debris within the disposer. To eliminate this odor, place ice cubes and lemon or orange peels in the disposer and run
for 30 seconds. Next, squirt a little liquid dish detergent into the disposer, while it is still running. Finally, run cold
water for about 30 seconds to rinse all the debris away.
Question: I am getting a foul odor from
a bathroom in the basement. We hardly ever use this bathroom except when we have company. This is embarrassing. What can we
do?
Answer: Plumbing systems are designed to
prevent foul odors from entering the house by means of the trap attached to fixtures. Traps contain water to seal out foul
odors; if the water seal evaporates, the odors enter the house. To solve this problem, pour a bucket of water in each trap,
sink, shower and floor drain. This will prevent the odors from entering the house.
Question: We live in northern Ohio. Winters
are cold, and we were told to turn off the outside faucets in the fall before the freezing weather arrives. We did this, however,
the pipes leading to our outside faucet still froze and broke. What did we do wrong?
Answer: Turning off the water is not enough.
You must also disconnect the garden hose connected to the faucet to allow the water in the pipe to drain out. This will allow
the piping to withstand the cold weather.
Question: My shower head and faucet aerators
have a buildup of a white substance around the area where the water comes out. Is there anything I can do other than replace
them?
Answer: The unsightly buildup is mineral
deposits. To remove these deposits from the showerhead, take a plastic bag and pour a cup of vinegar in it. Place the bag
over the showerhead and use a twist tie to hold it in place overnight. In the morning, remove the bag and use an old toothbrush
to gently scrub off the deposits. You might be able to remove the aerators from the faucets and allow them to soak in the
vinegar overnight.
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