PLUMBING

DOS AND DONTS

Ken Gardner
DOs
When you use a food waste once a month to clear them when not
disposer, open the tap and run water used regularly.
at full pressure to dissolve and remove Keep your plumbers phone
the waste material smoothly. number handy, and also have a
Fill up sink after using your disposal / diagram of your sewer system ready
food waste disposer and then drain. for use in case of emergencies.
lf sink is blocked, run very hot At least once a year, clean out the
water into your kitchen sink drain inside of your water closet cistern.
either by boiling water on the stove When cleaning tank, turn off the
or from your tap, then fill one side of water, flush toilet once, add small
your sink and plunge. amount of cleaning detergent
When plunging your kitchen double inside tank to water remaining, and
sink, plug up one side with a cloth use a cloth or a brush to clean.
hand hold. If you have trouble with tree roots
From time to time you must remove in your sanitary sewer, purchase
and clean all aerators to save water some copper sulphate or other product
and energy costs. and use as per the instructions.
Remove the aerator on your kitchen If you have a water leak from
tap when pressure is low. Clean it below your bathroom directly
by soaking in vinegar and water below your bath tub, shower, and
solutions. Unscrew by hand or use it only leaks when you take a shower,
channel pliers. here is what to look for:
Do be aware of valve locations and Check the entire tile wall on
functions in case an emergency arises. the inside area of the bathtub
Check for any damage to the cut off for cracks, etc. To repair, use a
valves twice a year. Check them by tile sealant.
opening and closing the cut-off valves. Check the wall around the
Do keep up all paperwork in reference handles and the spout, seal
to plumbing fixtures, warranty work all openings.
invoices and manufacturers Check the inside edge of
warranties on plumbing products. the shower door track.
Check and scrutinise the water closets If water leak is below the water
for any leaks once in a year. When not closet, first check the water
using the toilet, keep it covered. pipe where the cistern and bowl
Always check out for any seams and are connected together.
crevices on walls around showers If you go on vacation or are away
and tubs regularly - they may lead to from home for a few days, always
leaks or water damage. Always check shut off water supply to your home.
the inside rim of the shower door to Shut off all outside taps in cold
ensure that they are free of leaks. weather if they are not of the
To keep your water heater working in frost proof type.
proper condition, open and clean the If you are closing up a home in
drain on storage water heaters at least the winter and there will be no heat
twice a year to remove sediment. in the home, shut off the water supply
Run about ten litres of hot water in at the street or in the basement.
the shower and tub drains at least When you flush your toilet at any

34 / August 2016 / Indian Plumbing Today

 time, always wait until you are sure bathroom with toys small enough to
it shuts off especially if you are go down the toilet trap.
leaving the house. If you are leaving Get into the habit of putting the
your house for a vacation or only for toilet seat cover down before flushing.
a couple of days, it is a good idea to Avoid placing any auto cleaning
shut your main water valve off. device in a cistern. Do no not use
It might save a great water loss, as any drain cleaners containing
well as a lot of damage to your home. sodium hydroxide and acids.
Check local water authority for grey Do not use toilet products intended
water use regulations. to sanitize water in the W.C. cistern.
Hire a plumbing professional to install They may shorten flapper life and
your grey water system, and ensure void the manufacturers warranty.
that they pipe underground or under Do not plant trees or large shrubs
mulch to water your garden. over the sewerage lines.
Wash your hands after watering with Do not store untreated grey water
grey water. for more than 24 hours.
Do not use grey water if someone Do not allow pets to drink grey water.
in your house hold is sick. Do not use grey water from kitchens,
Ensure that the grey water is unless it has been treated.
contained within your property. Do not use grey water that contains
Use garden-friendly cleaning products disinfectants and bleaches.
that are: 1) biodegradable 2) free
from (or low in) sodium and
phosphorous.

DONTs
Dont poke any wire or rod into your
kitchen sink drain.
Do not throw small kitchen wastes
like tea leaves into your sink drains
as they can block the water flow.
Also do not put fats or cooking
oils into your sink.
Do not run the dishwasher if it is filled
with food waste. Pre rinse dishes.
Segregate the waste materials like
the peels of fruits and vegetables
or any fibrous material as it can Ken Gardner
choke the sink. Put them in a
garbage disposer. Ken Gardner, Chief Executive Officer, Master Plumbers
Do not throw disposable nappies and Mechanical Services Association of Australia
and sanitary napkins in the water
Ken is well-known and highly respected throughout the Aus-
closet as they can block the tralian plumbing, gasfitting and energy industries. His proven
drainage system. record as a Chief Executive spans over 20 years and covers
Do not pour a bucket of dirty the Office of Gas Safety and the Office of the Chief Electrical
water into your water closet (WC), Inspector which he combined to form Energy Safe Victoria
it may contain hidden cloths. before joining the Master Plumbers.
Do not pour boiling water into Kens experience covers interaction with all levels of Govern-
the W.C. as it can crack the bowl. ment, Industry, Unions and plumbing businesses. Ken is the
Avoid using your WC lid as a shelf. Chair of the Plumbing Advisory Committee in Victoria, he is
Do not make a knick-knack shelf the Honorary Secretary for the World Plumbing Council and
is on the Boards of the Construction and Property Services -
over your W.C. and also over the sink.
Industry Skills Council, the Plumbing Industry Climate Action
You need to be able to remove it Centre, the Indigenous Plumbing and Sanitation Foundation
quickly in case of overflow. and the Plumbing Industry Joint Training Fund.
Do not let children play in the

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