Back to school plumbing checklist
The summer break is over and you’re rushing around getting the kids ready to head back to school. The last thing you need is a plumbing breakdown.
Amidst all of the extra frenzied morning showers and washing loads, we’ll show you how to keep your home running smoothly during the school season.
Keeping your shower hot
Your shower works hardest in the morning, as everyone is showering before work or school, and whoever is last in the bathroom will usually end up standing below lukewarm or cold running water.
To prevent this from happening, try leaving at least 15 minutes between each shower so your water heater has plenty of time to replenish.
Alternatively, you may consider installing a tankless water heater, which uses gas to heat your water supply instantly – but only when it’s needed. Tankless water heaters are also known to be more economical in the long run, as you won’t be paying for wasted energy.
Preventing your rubbish disposal from getting clogged up
With all the packed lunches added to your to-do list, your morning routine gets hectic once the children are back at school. However, no matter how much of a rush you’re in, never put grease, oil, onion peel, fruit skins, eggshells, or any other hard-to-dissolve food waste down your rubbish disposal.
To keep your disposal in optimum condition, run the tap for several seconds after each use to flush out any leftovers that may otherwise become lodged in it. Also, schedule in a regular maintenance check to ensure the blades are sharp and there are no blockages in the pipe.
Protecting your washing machine from a breakdown
The dirty laundry piles up during the school year, thanks to messy uniforms and after-school activities sports kits.
If your washing machine stops draining, there are two potential causes. Firstly, you may have a blockage somewhere in the machine, which can happen from the build up of debris over time, even from small fibres such as dog hair. The second possible problem could be that the drain tube has worn out, which again is common, as most tubes do need replacing every 3-5 years.
In either case, you must call out a professional plumber to diagnose and resolve the problem as soon as you detect an issue, as attempting to fix a washing machine yourself can lead to electrical and plumbing damage, or a major flood inside your home. Needless to say, home flooding destroys carpets, furniture, and entire buildings, plus a flood would certainly make you late for the school run!
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