Plumbing Tips for Tenants

 It is always handy to get plumbing tips from experts, especially when they make your life as a tenant easier. Knowledge is power, and it is good to familiarize yourself with your rights and responsibilities. Did you know the law requires tenants to take proper care of a landlord’s property, including the plumbing? When you follow our plumbing tips for beginners, your tenancy will be smooth sailing – a win-win for you and your landlord.

So, what can you do to prevent plumbing problems, and are there any apartment plumbing problems you can try and sort out yourself before contacting your landlord?  

Preventing Plumbing Issues for Tenants 

Active prevention is the best way to avoid plumbing problems from arising. Here are some practices you can incorporate into your daily life to ensure your plumbing stays in tip top shape: 

• Learn where the main water valve and individual shut offs are

There is nothing worse than having a burst pipe or large plumbing leak in your rental property, and you don’t know where to find the individual shut offs and main water valve. Learn where they are now! 

• Don’t throw grease down the kitchen sink

When you throw grease down the kitchen sink, it solidifies over time, requiring you to clean the drain regularly. Throw it into a dedicated grease container, which you can dispose of later.  

• Think before flushing the toilet

Flush only body waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Even ‘flushable’ wet wipes and feminine hygiene products can clog the pipes.

• Clean the garbage disposal regularly

Regularly remove materials caught in the blade after unplugging the disposal – safety first!

• Use drain strainers

Install drain strainers in the kitchen, bath, shower and any other sink to prevent unwanted hair and soap build-up from clogging your drains. Plus, they are easy to clean! 

• Use expert-approved drain cleaners

Ask your local plumbing supply company which drain cleaner is best for your rental property. 

Quick Guide to Apartment Plumbing  

Apartment plumbing is easy to maintain when you have the right tools, supplies, and access to someone knowledgeable about plumbing maintenance. Here are a few DIY plumbing tips you can use as a guide.   

Was the water pressure low during your shower? There might be a sediment buildup in the nozzle, which is easy to remove. Unscrew the nozzle, remove any obvious buildup, and soak the nozzle in a vinegar-water solution to get rid of calcium deposits.  

Is a leaky faucet bothering you? The washer inside the handle has failed and should be replaced with an exact copy. 

Did someone throw wet wipes down the toilet, and it is blocked? Get a toilet plunger, ensure it completely covers the drain, and slowly plunge it up and down without moving it from the drain. The obstruction will eventually come loose.

For more information on tips that might solve the plumbing problem in your newly renovated bathroom, please contact our team at Crosstown Plumbing today. 

Originally published at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/plumbing-tips-for-tenants/

How to Deal with a Burst Pipe

 Do you know how to deal with a burst pipe? Somewhere in your lifetime as a homeowner or tenant, you can experience the shock of coming home from work only to find a flooded floor. Experts say signs of a burst pipe include fluctuating water pressure, puddles under your sinks, clunking pipe noises behind walls, and a spike in your water bill. When you see these signs, act immediately to minimize future damage.

You will need professional help if the burst pipe is hidden behind a wall, but there are emergency steps you can take to address the main problem. We discuss those steps here and what to do after a pipe burst. 

The Emergency Steps to Addressing a Burst Pipe   

Staying safe and taking quick, decisive action is important when you have a burst pipe. Let ‘s take a closer look at your next steps: 

• Turn off electrical systems: Safety first means turning off the power to your home, either at your breaker box or at the main shut-off outside the house. Don’t wade through the water to get to your breaker box, as you are in danger of being electrocuted.

• Shut the water off: Turn off the main water shut-off valve, which might be near the water meter or somewhere in your home. Then, open all the faucets in your house to drain water from the pipes and flush the toilets. This will stop further leaks.  

• Remove items from the flooded area: Water damage can occur very quickly, so remove as many items as you can from the flooded floor or kitchen cabinets. 
• Find the burst pipe: Try to identify the burst pipe, if possible. Your insurance company will need to know the potential source of the damage.  

What You Need to Do After a Burst Pipe

Now that the emergency is taken care of, you might wonder how to repair a burst pipe if you intend to do it yourself, or how much the burst pipe repairs will cost if you use a professional. Before you act, there are a few things you need to do first. 

• Call your insurance company. Let your insurer know what happened and find out if a claims adjuster needs to visit your house to document the damage or if your photos are sufficient. File the claim as soon as possible. 

• Document all the damage. You can never take enough photos of the damage caused by a burst pipe, so document everything the water touched. Videos are also very effective. 

• Start the burst pipe cleanup. Mold and mildew start growing within 24 to 48 hours, making it vital to dry up the water as soon as possible. You can do it yourself or get an approved contractor.  

If you’d like more information on dealing with a burst pipe or need affordable plumbing supplies because you are fixing a burst pipe, please contact our team at Crosstown Plumbing today. 

Originally published at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/how-to-deal-with-a-burst-pipe/