Below you will find a few money saving tips that any home owner can do themselves!

Please contact a LICENSED PLUMBER for any issues more complicated than the items listed below.

CONSERVATION TIPS

• Don't use excessive amounts of detergents, bleach or chemicals that may kill the natural bacteria in your septic system
• Use biodegradable soaps and detergents
• To prevent excessive watering of your lawn in the summertime, purchase an inexpensive spring-loaded timer which attaches directly to your outside faucet. This will prevent overwatering in case you forget to shut off the sprinkler
• Water pressure in your home above 60 pounds per square inch is harmful to your plumbing system and will cause excessive water usage. Contact your local water authority to find out what the water pressure is on your street. If it exceeds 60 pounds, consider installing a pressure reducing valve that will limit the water pressure within your home
• Check your water meter during a period of time when no water is being used. Make a note of the meter reading and check it 8-10 hours later. If the meter has moved, there is an indication that you may have an undetected water leak, which should be corrected
• Toilets consume more than 40% of your total water usage. Installation of a new toilet flapper and fill valve will keep your toilet running efficiently. If you are a resident of Fort Worth, you may qualify for 2 new, FREE SmartFlush toilets. ClickHERE for more infomation on this program
• Conserve energy by checking the temperature setting on your water heater. It should not be above 120*F or medium setting on older models
• Replacing an old shower head can save up to 7.5 gallons of water per minute without sacrificing full spray action at low or high water pressures
• A dripping faucet can waste as much as 150 gallons of water each day, of 4,500 gallons per month. Repair the faucet to save water and reduce your water bill

KITCHEN TIPS

• Never put hard-to-grind, stringy or fibrous waste (poultry skins, carrots, celery or banana peels) into the garbage disposer
• Run cold water down the drain for 15 seconds before and after using the garbage disposer to flush waste through the line
• Don't pour liquid grease down the drain. Wipe congealed grease from pots and pans with a paper towel and dispose of in the trash

CLEANING YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSER

• Grind ice cubes and orange or lemon rinds in the disposer for about 30 seconds (makes your entire kitchen smell like citrus!)
• While disposer is still running, pour a small amount of liquid dish detergent into it
• Rinse any remaining debris away by running cold water for about 30 seconds

GARBAGE DISPOSER STOP WORKING? TRY THIS FIRST!

1. Turn the disposer switch off
2. Do not put hands or objects down drain
3. Make sure the appliance is plugged in securely at the outlet
4. With power switch turned off, press reset switch on front or bottom of the garbage disposer
5. Restart disposer by turning on power switch

CLEANING YOUR FAUCET

• By hand, carefully unscrew the aerator from the faucet turning counterclockwise. If it will not unscrew, wrap the jaws of your pliers with masking tape (to keep from scratching the faucet) and loosen the aerator with the pliers. Continue by hand.
• Take aerator of spray head apart
• Use a small brush dipped in vinegar to remove sediment
• Reassemble the unit and screw back on to the faucet

BATHROOM TIPS

• Once a week, run hot water down the drain to help keep it free-flowing
• Repair leaky faucets to avoid further damage to the fixtures and faucets
• Tubs and showers should be fitted with strainers that catch heair and soap chips, clean strainers regularly
• To remove unsightly mineral deposits on your shower head, put one cup of vinegar in a plastic bag and place it over the shower head. Hold it in place with a twist tie and let stand overnight. In the morning, remove the bag and wipe off the mineral deposits with a damp cloth
• Do not use your toilet as a wastebasket. DO NOT flush facial tissue, sanitary products, diapers, paper towels or shop towels as they do not dissolve and can clog the lines. Keep a trash container in each bathroom

SHOWERHEAD MAINTENANCE

• Unscrew swivel ball nut - you will need adjustable wrench or channel type pliers (wrap tool with masking tape to prevent scratching the finish)
• Unscrew collar nut from showerhead
• Gentley clean the outlet and inlet holes of the showerhead using a thin wire
• Flush the head with clean water
• You may want to soak the showerhead in vinegar overnight to remove all mineral deposits

TESTING TOILET FOR LEAKS

• If water is running into the overflow pipe, adjust the fill valve until the water stops approximately one inch below the top of the overflow tube (there may be a water level mark stamped on the side of the tank)
• Test the flush valve mechanism by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank
• Check the bowl after 15 minutes, if the water has changed color, the ball or flapper is leaking and needs to be replaced

WATER HEATER & OTHER APPLIANCE TIPS

• NEVER store flammable liquids such as gasoline, adhesives or solvents near the water heater, furnace or other gas-fired appliance as they may ignite
• Check you washing machine hoses for bulges or leaks. Replace any hose showing signs of weakness
• Septic tanks should be inspected and pumped every three to five years to help prevent costly replacement of the filter field
• Once a year, drain several gallons of water from the tank to flush your water heater. Flushing will remove sediment buildup that can cause corrosion and reduce heating efficiency
• Test the pressure relief valve by lifting up on the lever and letting it snap back. The valve should allow a burst of water into the drainpipe, if not, call a professional to have a new valve installed, although it's rare, a faulty pressure relief valve can cause a water heater to "rocket" out of your house. Watch the video below to see what can happen