Tips of the Trade :: RupCoe Plumbing & Heating

Tips and Tricks

Always disconnect your garden hoses before the first frost even if you have a frost proof hose bib because with the hose connected the front proof hose bib will hold water where its designed to drain and could freeze and split and you won't realize you have a leak until you go to use your hose bib in the spring.
If you install a water softener you will use up to 50% less soap, shampoo, and detergent.
All valves in the home should be manually opened and closed at least twice per year.
Gather as much information as you can before going to the store to buy plumbing parts. Bringing the old or defective item with you can be very helpful to the sales associate. There is extremely little "standard stuff" in plumbing. Always call ahead to be properly advised on your plumbing project.
Pipe used in plumbing applications is always referred to buy its inside diameter! This means that 1" schedule 40 PVC pipe has a 1" inside diameter and the outside is about 1-3/8" or so. If you are going to the store to buy pipe and are not going to bring a sample wtih you, make sure you measure the inside diameter.
To avoid water spots on your glass shower doors, pick up a bottle of Rain-X at an auto parts store. Clean the doors with a good glass cleaner, then follow the directions on the bottle. The water will bead on the doors and avoid those pesky spots.
Always shut off the water supply to your washing machine when not in use. If your valves are too difficult to turn, call us today and we can install an easy-to-use lever faucet.
Remember to change your furnace filters as directed by the manufacturer.
Dry skin? Too much static electricity? Rooms feel too cold in the winter? Consider installing a whole house humidifier to help alleviate these problems. Call us today for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I shut my water off to my home if I am going on vacation?
It depends upon what type of main shutoff valve you have. If you have a ¼ turn type valve such as a ball value we recommend shutting if off. If you have a gate valve we recommend against shutting it off because these valves have a tendency to break off in the closed position and this could leave you with no water in your home!

How do I keep my garbage disposer smelling fresh?
Use a natural bacteria enzyme such as Bio-Clean once a week! It will smell great! You can use it for a fresh smelling liter box as well.

Why am I changing my toilet flapper every four or five months?
Toilet bowl cleaner tablets such as "2000 Flushes" typically contain a bleach usually chlorine based. Do not use these tablets as they will destroy all the rubber items inside your toilet! Use the kind that hang on the rim of the bowl instead. Also make sure to get a silicone impregnated flapper when you purchase your next one. This type will hold up better in city water with a high chlorine content.

Why do my pipes rattle when I turn my faucet on and off?
This is known as water hammer. The air chambers in the walls have leaked out the air and filled with water. To correct this follow these steps. First, turn off the water to your house using the valve outside your house or at the water meter. Next, turn on every faucet in the house, including outside hose bibbs and shower valves. After they have been drained, get a shallow pan and disconnect the toilet supply lines, allowing the water to drain into the pan. This will ensure that as much water as possible has been drained from your water pipes in the walls. Next, put that toilet valves back together and turn all of the faucets you previously turned on, off. Turn the water back on to the house. Wait 10-15 minutes before turning a valve on. This procedure will recharge the air chambers and eliminate the water hammer.

Should I place a cover on my air conditioner condenser during the cooler months?
We recommend against using an air conditioner covers because they can trap moisture inside the unit which wreaks havoc with the electronics.