Plumbing Tips:  5 Things You Should Know About your residential and Commercial Plumbing - from the plumbing experts at all quality plumbing

1)  Main House Water Shutoff: This is your lifeline to quickly shutting your water off in an emergency. Make sure you know where it is and that it is in good working condition. If round handle type valve, do not over tighten as with age this type more susceptible to breaking and may not shut water off completely. Recommend lever type shutoff for quick shutoff and less chance of breaking.
 
2)  Fixture Shutoff Valves: Individual fixture shutoff valves under sinks and fixtures should be checked at least once a year and maintained in working order to prevent having to shut all water to house off in an emergency or for repairs. Leakage usually occurs directly behind the handle.
 
3)  Most Common Source Of Leaks/ Water Loss: Toilet flappers or tank seals and ballcocks or toilet flushing mechanisms. To test flappers put a few drops of food coloring in toilet tank and leave for 20 minutes to half hour without flushing. Then look in toilet bowl for any sign of food coloring. These two are one of the most common reasons for higher water bills.
 
4)  Water Heaters: Approaching or over ten years old should be visually inspected at bottom and two front panels of heater for any signs of rust or leakage at least once or twice a year. Most water heaters age can be checked at the first four digits of the serial number with the first two being the month and the second two being the year.
 
5)  Clean-outs: Know where your clean-out is? A clean-out is a pipe coming out of the ground usually in front of the house/building or on one side near the front and is directly connected to the main drainage pipe directly connected to the cities drainage system. Its usually no more than six inches above ground and is 3 or 4 inches in diameter and has a cap or plug that can be unscrewed. Its purpose is an access point for snaking out the main drain pipe when nothing is draining properly in the home. It can also be used to temporarily relieve water backing up into the home until snaked out,therefore possibly preventing more damage to home than necessary. This is your lifeline on your drainage system. If you don’t have a clean-out or cant find one, I recommend having one installed ASAP.
 
At All Quality Plumbing, quality,service and helping people safeguard their homes and property is part of my business which I do not take lightly.
 
So if good quality and service are what you are looking for, remember ALL QUALITY PLUMBING where professional quality and service always make the difference!