It’s a bit of an uncertain time for all of us, but don’t let that stop you from making any upgrades to your plumbing for the spring! Here are some things you can easily do at home to get your plumbing ready for the new season, while practicing social distancing!
1. Replace Toilet Flapper
The flapper, located in the toilet tank, is a seal between the tank and the toilet bowl. It’s attached to the flush lever by a chain, so whenever you flush, the flapper lifts and lets water flow from the tank into the bowl. However, if the flapper is old or deteriorated, water might continue to leak into the bowl leading to a spike in your water bill. To fix this, you can easily order a flapper online from any home improvement store and install it using this helpful guide.
2. Clean Out Fixtures
One of the best ways you can “upgrade” your plumbing fixtures is through regular maintenance. If you’re working from home now, this might be a great time to do that. Here is how you can maintain and clean the various appliances and plumbing fixtures in your home!
- Garbage Disposal
With all kinds of food scraps going down your trusty garbage disposal, it’s inevitable that it gets a little dirty over time. To clean out your disposal, you can use the standard baking soda and vinegar solution. Pour half a cup of baking soda in the garbage disposal and follow it up with one cup of white vinegar. Let the mixture sit and bubble for up to 10 minutes, then rinse it out with boiling water, while letting the disposal run.
- Dishwasher
There are various ways to clean the different components of your dishwasher. You can start by putting vinegar in the dishwasher; place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on one of the racks. Then run the dishwasher on a hot-water cycle—this will improve odors and remove any grime. You can also use an old toothbrush and soap to manually remove any dirt or grease in your dishwasher. Lastly, to thoroughly clean out this appliance, you will have to clean out the filter (located below the lower spray arm) with soap.
- Sink and Bathtub
Make sure to inspect your sink and bathtub drains and ensure there isn’t any clog inside. You can fashion a drain snake with a wire and fish out any clog caused by hair or soap. You can use any bathroom cleaning agent you have and a sponge to get rid of deposits, stains and grime in your sink and bathtub. Pro tip: Vinegar is a great natural cleaning agent to remove stains.
3. Consider a New Showerhead or Shower Filter
If your showerhead has been requiring frequent cleaning or tightening, you might want to consider getting a new showerhead. There are also many options on the market with various features. If you want to save money on your water bill this Spring, consider getting low-flow showerheads approved by ENERGY STAR.
If you want softer hair or skin after a shower, consider getting a shower filter. With several options on the market, shower filters can reduce the amount of minerals and chemicals that go into your hair, scalp and skin, leaving you feeling healthier after each shower.
