Four Quick Back to School Plumbing Tips

We know that when the new school year starts, a change in your day to day schedules happens: increased loads of laundry, more showers in a condensed period of time, extra use of the garbage disposal, etc.  If you’re catching our drift, this means your home’s plumbing system is likely to see an increase in usage.

It’s hard work getting the kids ready for school in the morning and getting them to the bus on time, so there is no time for your plumbing to act up.

Here are a few plumbing tips to get you through the 2016-2017 school year without plumbing mishaps:

Let’s talk about bathroom safety…

• Make sure your water heater is set no higher than 120 degrees F.  This will prevent everyone in your home from being scalded in the tub and the sink.
• You’ll want to purchase a non-slip bathmat for your tub(s).  You can easily pick one up from your local home improvement or department store!  This will help reduce the risk of anybody slipping in the tub.

How to avoid the “no hot water dilemma” after one shower:

• If somebody in your household perpetually takes that 20 minute shower, there’s no doubt it will take a while to replenish your hot water supply.   We advise our customers to wait at least 15 minutes between each shower.  Also, it’s good to know that heating water accounts for up to 30 percent of the average home’s energy budget.  This might be good enough evidence to cut the showers a little bit shorter!
• Most water heaters last eight to 12 years and if you haven’t had any water heater maintenance you might be due for a new water heater.  While we install gas water heaters and electric water heaters, we also install tankless water heaters.  If you’re interested in an endless supply of hot water, reduced energy costs, longevity in the system, saved space and reduce water waste, you may want to consider going tankless

Loads of laundry advice

• You should replace your laundry machine hoses, especially if they’re rubber, every three years or so.  Just like your drains, build up and debris can get clogged in the hose, which can cause a flood (and a headache).
• Make sure each load of laundry is full!  Up to 90 percent of the cost of washing clothes comes from heating the water; use hot water only for very dirty clothes, and always use cold water in the rinse cycle.

Keep these things out of your garbage disposal

• With all of the lunches and dinners being made, it’s almost guaranteed that your garbage disposal will be put to work.  Make sure you avoid these foods when it comes to putting it down your garbage disposal.

A new school year can be hectic for the entire family, but if there is one thing you don’t have to stress about it’s that Len The Plumber is always here for you.  We know you don’t have time for plumbing issues, so we’ll take them off your hands!  Give us a call today or schedule an appointment online and one of our certified technicians will be at your door the same day.  For Same Day Service, 7 Days A Week, call us at Len The Plumber!  And remember, there is never an extra charge for evening, weekend, or holiday appointments.