All Plumbing Inc. works hard to help you when there's a breakdown. We know how annoying and expensive they can be. But here's a list of simple maintenance tips to help prevent costly repairs.

In General

• Fix leaky faucets promptly. In addition to wasting about 20 gallons of water a day, a leak can ruin your faucet set.
• Do not use caustic liquid drain openers on a drain that is completely clogged. It can severely damage your pipes.
• Periodically drain several gallons of water from your water heater. This removes sediment from the bottom of the tank to increase heating efficiency and prolong tank life.
• Wrap outdoor or crawl space pipes with electric heat tape or insulation to prevent freezing.

In Your Kitchen & Bath

• Do not rinse fats or cooking oils down the drain. Liquid fats solidify in the cold drains pipes and create clogs.
• To extend the life of your garbage disposal: use plenty of cold water when running; don't overload; never dispose of bones, corn husks, or stringy fibrous material; never use a caustic drain opener; always use tongs or pliers to free objects from the disposal - don't use your hands.
• Check under sinks for moisture or small leaks. Leaks under sinks should be repaired quickly to avoid damage to cabinets and floors.
• Use a strainer in bathroom drains. This will prevent hair and soap pieces from clogging drains.
• Make sure overflow holes on tubs and vanity are clear and open to prevent water damage to floors and ceilings.

Heating & Air

What's the easiest way to reduce my heating bills?
The first stop is your thermostat - setting it back ten degrees over an eight-hour period can lower your heating costs by 10 percent.

Another good option is to add more attic insulation; upgrading from three inches to 12 inches can reduce your heating costs by 20 percent.

Weatherizing is also important - sealing up those drafty holes and cracks can help you save another 10-15 percent.

Should we close off the heating vents in rooms we don't use?
You might be surprised to learn that most manufacturers do NOT recommend closing vent if you have a central heating system like a forced-air furnace.

Your furnace is sized to heat a specific square footage of living space, and it can't sense when a register is closed. It will keep running at the same pace, providing no significant energy savings.

In addition, cold air from the unheated room will seep into heated areas, which is the equivalent of a big, drafty window.

Should I cover my outdoor air conditioning unit during the cold winter months?
The one thing you should do is cover the top of the condensing unit (with a piece of plywood with something to hold it down) so that no debris can get in. We recommend putting some sort of a hard cover over at least the top of the unit to also protect against damage from falling ice, etc. A specially made cover is a good idea but it`s not absolutely essential. A cover will also protect the finish and guard against rodents making the unit their winter home. Any cover, however, must be removed before the start of operations the following Spring. For custom covers, we recommend Snyder Auto Seat Covers, 2433 Brighton-Henrietta Townline Rd.