Home Maintenance Tips

Roto-Rooter Sewer-Drain Service believes that part of providing the best plumbing services in Saskatoon is sharing knowledge with our customers that they can apply on their own. While we love helping customers solve their plumbing problems, we love preventing them altogether even more. Here are some home maintenance tips every homeowner can use.

Water Conservation Tips

Be kind to the environment and save money in the process with these water conservation tips:

•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.
•Ensure the water pressure in your home is not above 60 pounds per square inch. Otherwise, you not only use excess water; you can also damage your plumbing system. If you aren’t sure what your water pressure is, contact your local water authority to find out what the water pressure is on your street. If it is above 60, you can’t really change it, but you can install a pressure valve to limit the pressure going into 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 to 10 hours later. If the meter has moved, that indicates that you may have an undetected water leak, which should be corrected. Leaky toilets consume more than 40% of your total water usage—a new toilet flapper and fill valve will remedy this.
•Don't use excessive amounts of chemicals-- they might kill the natural bacteria in your septic system. Instead, use biodegradable soaps and detergents.
•Conserve energy by checking the temperature setting on your water heater, making sure it is not above 120°F, or medium.

Seasonal Plumbing Tips

Various plumbing tips can save you money and protect your plumbing fixtures during each season. Here’s what you can do in fall, winter, spring, and summer to ensure your products last as long as possible.

•Disconnect outside water hoses to avoid water in the hose freezing during winter, which can cause your pipes to freeze and break. Close and drain water from outside lines.
•Insulate pipes in unheated areas such as garages and crawl spaces.
•Flush out your water heater and remove sediment build up once per year.
•Clear leaves and debris from your gutters and downspouts to ensure water drains easily while it freezes and thaws during winter.
•Avoid pouring fats or oils down the kitchen sink drain when cooking those holiday meals, and never put fibrous waste in the garbage disposal.
•Run the dishwasher and washing machine at night or when you’re not home to conserve hot water and maintain water pressure for when guests are over.
•During extremely cold temperatures, letting a faucet drip can prevent a pipe from bursting.
•In the spring months, check for bird nests in your plumbing vent pipes.
•The warm summer temperatures and heavy rains can lead to standing water. Excess water in the yard may contain waste and bacteria. Children and pets often play in these unhealthy puddles. Often they are a breeding ground for insects and germs. Check the sewer line for leaks and inspect areas in the yard that are overly saturated.

Cleaning an Aerator

Unscrew the aerator by hand or with pliers and take it apart. Use a small brush dipped in vinegar to remove sediment; then reassemble the faucet.

Basement Plumbing Tips

•Check your washing machine hoses for bulges or leaks and replace any that appear weakened.
•Stop annoying hammer noises by installing shock absorbers.
•Prevent sewer gases back up through your basement floor drain by pouring a bucket of water down the drain periodically to keep the trap seal full.

Bathroom Tips

•Run hot water down the drain once a week to keep it flowing freely.
•Clean the strainers regularly of hair and soap chips.
•One cup of vinegar in a plastic bag placed over the shower head will remove mineral deposits. Use a hair tie to hold it in place and leave it there overnight.
•Use a thin wire to clean showerhead holes from the outside, unscrewing it to clean from the inside also as needed.

Outside Tips

•Every 6 months, apply our Roto-Rooter Root Destroyer to prevent roots from invading your drain line. You can do this through the toilet bowl, flushing the product into the line.
•Remove leaves and debris from window wells, yard drains, gutters, and downspouts as needed.