The last long weekend of summer is here. It’s time for one final celebration of the season. What you don’t need this Labor Day is the hassles of a plumbing problem. Before you fire up the grill or jump in the pool, please read our three plumbing tips.
1. Get to Know Your Main Water Valve
Do you know how to shut off your water if you had to? If you’re like many homeowners, you might not know where the shutoff valve is. Take a few moments to locate it. The valve may be in the garage, a utility closet or outside in the yard.
What are you looking for exactly? The main valve typically looks like a wheel with spokes that turns to the right, or a lever that turns until it is perpendicular to the pipe it’s connected to. Once you’ve located it, turn the valve and see if the water is still running. If it isn’t, you were successful in shutting off the main valve.
If anything unexpected happens this holiday weekend with any of your water-using appliances, you will now know how to stop the water before experiencing a flood. And, if you’re leaving home for an extended summer vacation, it’s always a good idea to turn the water off at the main valve before leaving.
2. Prevent Clogs
Prepare for a possible holiday weekend clog by purchasing a plunger and an inexpensive three-foot auger. These two simple tools can prevent the vast majority of clogs and backups. Of course, prevention is your best strategy. Remind the kids (and the kids at heart) not to flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet. And potato peels, melon rinds and chicken bones belong in the trash can, not in the kitchen sink.
3. Watch the Washer
With summer comes lots of dirty laundry. Dirty play clothes, wet bathing suits and lots of towels can strain your washing machine and its hoses and connections. Take a few moments and inspect behind your machine for any evidence of leaks, cracks, or bulges. If something looks suspicious, consider calling the experts at Cool Blew.
As we wind down Summer 2020, we would like to remind you that you can always count on Cool Blew for all your plumbing needs. We’re here for routine maintenance to emergency calls. Call us whenever you need us at 623-872-2900.
