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| Clogged Shower Head |
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If your shower head is giving off an uneven spray it probably means it is clogged
with mineral deposits. You can clean the holes with a coarse needle.
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| Floor Drains |
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Check floor drains on a regular basis since water in the trap can evaporate which will permit sewer gases to come into the house. Pour a pail of water into the drain periodically in order to make sure of a proper water seal. |
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| Toilet Tank Leak |
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A small amount of food coloring added to the tank water will help you determine whether the tank ball in the bottom of the tank is leaking. If the coloring seeps into the toilet bowl, the ball or flapper over the discharge opening is not watertight.
If the rubber tank ball in a toilet does not fit tightly over the discharge opening, a defective ball, irregular seat or bent lift wires may be responsible. |
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| Stains at Base of Toilet Bowl |
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Stains or moisture at the base of the toilet bowl indicate that the joint or seal between the toilet and its outlet has failed and should be reset immediately. This will prevent rotting of the floor, damage to the ceiling below and possible leakage of sewer gas into the home. |
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| Sink Stains |
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 Do not allow fruit or vegetable juices or cleaning acids to stand on sink surfaces. Teas and coffee grounds will also stain enameled surfaces if allowed to remain very long.
Constant use of abrasive cleaner on a cast iron sink can eventually wear the finish down, making it more susceptible to staining.
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| Plumbing Code Standards |
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The Illinois Plumbing Code establishes minimum requirements for plumbing products. Should you undertake any plumbing repairs in your home, please make certain that the products you purchase and install meet minimum code standards. |
| More About Fixtures |
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Plumbing Maintenance and Service Tips
Clogs, leaks, stains, sweat, backups, oh my! These typical household plumbing problems may sometimes be addressed with these quick tips from the professional plumbers of the Plumbing and Mechanical Authority of Northern Illinois.
Kitchen Sink Stoppages
 The most used drain in the house is the one in your kitchen sink. Sink stoppages
are usually caused by liquid fats, emulsified by warm dishwater and carried
through the pipes. The water cools as it goes to the main sewer and leaves
fatty deposits along the way. Bits of food add to the accumulation until the
pipe is blocked. Pour excess grease into a tin can and throw it out with the
garbage.
Clogged Bathtub
To clear a clogged bathtub drain, hold your hand or a rag over the waste and overflow plate, cup the plunger over the drain and plunge it vigorously several times. If this does not work, the drain may require cabling to open it. |
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| Frozen Pipes |
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 The problem with frozen plumbing pipes is in the remedy. If the pipes are thawed with a blowtorch, and if the open flame or the torch is allowed to come too close to combustible material—such as insulation, wooden joists or flooring—you can start a fire. Another danger from the use of a torch arises when both ends of a pipe are clogged with ice and heat is applied in the center. This is likely to cause the water to flash into steam—which might result in an explosion. It is far better to adopt the slower and more conservative procedure of melting ice by the use of a blow dryer or heat gun.
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| “Sweating” Pipes |
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“Sweating” pipes and plumbing
fixtures in summer time or during seasonal changes are not a sign of faulty plumbing.
Due to condensation of water vapor in the air, beads of moisture will form in warm
weather on any exposed pipes and fixtures containing cold water. When a toilet tank
continues to “sweat” for hours after it has been used, it is a sign that
cold water is continuing to flow through the toilet. This could be due to an improper
adjustment of the tank valve or a leak. |
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| Garbage Disposal Buildup |
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If you have a garbage disposal always
let enough cold water run to carry the particles down and into the main line
to prevent buildup in the smaller waste lines. |
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| Preventing General Damage |
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 Never use abrasives
to clean fiberglass and acrylic shower and tub units.
Do not stand in your bathtub with shoes as nails and grit in the soles can scratch the surface.
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The Care and Repair Guide was produced to help
with general information regarding heating, cooling, and plumbing. 
