Home tips
Helpful things you can do on your own to save energy, handle an emergency, and prevent costly repairs.
Plumbing emergency tips
In a plumbing emergency you need to stop the flow of water quickly. Everyone in your household should know where the shutoff valve is for every fixture and appliance, where the main shutoff valve for the house is, and how they work.
If the emergency involves one fixture or appliance, look for its shutoff valve first and turn it clockwise. It's usually underneath the fixture (a sink or toilet) or behind the appliance (like a clothes washer), where the supply pipe connects.
If there's no fixture valve, or the problem isn't at a fixture, use the main shutoff. You'll find it where the main water pipe enters the house — in West Michigan, usually just inside the foundation wall in the basement or crawl space. Turn it clockwise to shut it off.
Pro tip: if you need a wrench to turn the main valve, keep one labeled and hanging right next to it. If the main valve itself is broken, call your water utility — they can shut the water off at the street.
A leaking or broken pipe
Turn off the main shutoff valve to prevent water damage, make a temporary repair to stop the leak, and have the pipe replaced as soon as possible.
A stopped-up sink
Shut off any faucet or appliance (like a dishwasher) draining into the sink. Try a plunger or snake. Don't use a chemical drain cleaner if the drain is completely blocked.
A faucet that won't shut off
Turn off the water at the shutoff valve under the sink — or at the main valve if there isn't one. Then repair or replace the faucet.
Steaming-hot water from the faucet
Open all the hot water faucets to relieve the overheated water heater, and turn off the heater's gas or electric supply. Let the faucets run until the water turns cold, then close them. Call a professional to check the heater's thermostat and pressure-relief valve.
Emergency? Call (555) 555-0100
Plumbing maintenance tips
Breakdowns are annoying and expensive. These simple habits help prevent costly repairs.
In general
- Fix leaky faucets promptly. A drip can waste around 20 gallons of water a day and ruin the faucet.
- Skip caustic drain openers on a completely clogged drain — they can severely damage your pipes.
- Flush your water heater periodically by draining a few gallons from the tank. It removes sediment, improves efficiency, and extends tank life.
- Protect pipes from freezing by wrapping outdoor and crawl-space pipes with insulation or heat tape.
In your kitchen & bath
- Don't pour fats or cooking oils down the drain — they solidify in cold pipes and cause clogs.
- Run plenty of cold water with the garbage disposal, don't overload it, and never put in bones, corn husks, or stringy, fibrous food. Use tongs, never your hands, to free stuck objects.
- Check under sinks for moisture or small leaks, and fix them quickly to protect cabinets and floors.
- Use strainers in bathroom drains to catch hair and soap.
- Keep the overflow holes on tubs and vanities clear to prevent water damage to floors and ceilings.
Heating & energy-saving tips
Windows and doors
- Repair broken or cracked glass, and re-putty older windows. Make sure windows close properly and locks pull the sashes tight.
- Make sure doors close properly; repair or replace worn knobs, latches, and striker plates.
- Weatherstrip windows, doors, and attic hatches, and caulk around window and door frames from the inside.
Other air leaks
- Fit your fireplace with a tight-sealing damper and keep it closed when not in use. If you rarely use the fireplace, consider a chimney block.
- Caulk foundation cracks and openings.
- Make sure kitchen and bathroom vent dampers close properly.
Lights and hot water
- Switch to LED bulbs — they use a fraction of the energy and last for years.
- Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators to save energy and water.
- Set your water heater to 120°F, and repair leaking hot water faucets, tanks, and pipes.
Bigger upgrades
These take more up-front time or money, but can pay off on every heating bill. Check with your gas or electric utility for rebates.
- Install a programmable or smart thermostat that adjusts the heat to your schedule.
- Insulate attics (especially those with less than seven inches of insulation), walls, and floors over unheated crawl spaces or basements.
- Add storm windows, or interior storm windows on windows you rarely open.
- Replace standard curtains with tight-sealing, insulated window coverings.
- When replacing a furnace or boiler, choose a high-efficiency unit and make sure it's properly sized for your home — an oversized system wastes money. Ask us for a quote.