Maintenance Tips

Gregory H. Eaton, Plumbing Inspector
Olean Municipal Building, Room 212
P.O. Box 668,101 E. State St.
Olean, New York 14760 (716) 376-5683, (716) 376-5707 (fax)

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Good working plumbing is an essential part of our every day life. Breakdowns, leaks and stoppages can be annoying and expensive. Below is a list of simple maintenance tips that may help to prevent some costly repairs.

Main Water Shutoff

Make sure everyone in the house knows where the main water shutoff is. It is usually located just before the water meter.

Check Your Meter Periodically

If no water is running in the house, all dials on the meter should be stable. A movement in any of the dials may indicate a water leak. The first place to check is the toilet. Refer to the next item.

Toilet Check

Remove the tank lid and add a few drops of food coloring. Check the bowl in ten or fifteen minutes. If you see color, the flapper valve in the tank may be leaking. This should be done at least once a year. This type of leak is usually silent and over a period of time can substantially increase your water bill.

Stop Valves

There are stop valves near each toilet and faucet. Familiarize yourself with their location, so that if a major problem develops, you can turn the water off there, instead of at the main water shut off. This allows you to isolate the problem and keep water on the rest of the house.

Open & Close All Valves Once A Year

Opening and closing all valves once a year will ensure that they will work when you need them to. Otherwise they may seize up over time.

Water Heaters

Their life can be extended by periodically draining a gallon or two of water, once or twice yearly, from the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. This will flush the tank of sediment.

Plugged Drains

Use liquid drain cleaners as a last resort. They often do not work and then you have to deal with a sink full of caustic liquid. Always use a plunger first, and if you have to call a plumber after using drain cleaner, be sure to let him know.

Laundry Valves

Laundry valves should be closed when not in use on the chance that a hose could break.

Grease

Do not pour liquid grease down any drain. Grease in amounts that is pourable should be poured into a disposable container, allowed to congeal and put out with the garbage. Before washing any pots or pans, wipe out any concealed grease with paper towels.