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Plumbing Tips Every Renter Needs To Know

August 24, 2017
General Plumbing, Pipe & Fittings, Plumbing Related Health & Safety Issues, Plumbing Resources, Plumbing Savings & Convenience, Pumps, Drains, & Related Products

If you are currently renting a house or an apartment, or you are planning to rent one, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the unit’s plumbing system and take some preventive measures to assure your stay in your new home is as comfortable and hassle free as possible!

It can be a real nightmare to have a problem with your plumbing! Here are some tips to avoid future problems:

Take a Tour

Ask your landlord to show you around the home or apartment and ask where the main water shutoff is located.
- Ensure that the valve works as old valves can break easily.
- Advise the landlord to tag the valve so that you can find it immediately in case of emergency.
- In the event of a water emergency, such as broken water heater, putting off the main shut off valve will prevent water from flowing anywhere in the home.
Remember where the individual shutoffs are for sinks and toilets to prevent isolated problems.
- If an overflow occurs, you will have the ability to turn off the water valve for each toilet or sink.
Inquire about the past plumbing issues such as sewer line issues, pipes that are prone to freezing, or any general plumbing issues about the house. If there are some, ensure to ask if they are liable for the expenses once these problems arise again.

Avoid the Hassle

Free yourself from the hassle and don’t wait for the problem to show up before you take care of things. Prep yourself with this stuff:

Purchase strainers for your kitchen sink, shower, and laundry room sink. Strainers help block food, hair, or other debris that cause build up and clog your pipes. Also, if you do not have a garbage disposal, a strainer is important in preventing unwanted things to cause clogged drains.
Ensure your water heater is adjusted at 120°F. This is the industry standard setting to make sure your water temperature is not overly hot or freezing.
Be careful of what you flush down the toilet. Have a plunger to help dislodge any clogs that may occur. If you have any problems in your bathroom that a plunger can’t do, call our Bend plumber, Eugene plumber, Portland plumber, Salem plumber, also Washington and Las Vegas plumber.
Properly use your garbage disposal. Maintain and keep it clean to avoid any further plumbing problems. Needing to install or replace a garbage disposal? Contact our Bellevue plumber, Seattle plumber, Spokane plumber, Tacoma plumber, Vancouver plumber, also in Oregon and Nevada.

Winterize your Plumbing

Here are the steps to prepare your plumbing system to the cold winter.

Ask the landlord to show you where the valve for the outside water is located. Turning off the outside water and disconnecting any outside hoses is a necessary step in winterizing your plumbing to prevent frozen pipes.
When you’re away, ensure your thermostat is set between 55ºF-60ºF to save energy and to keep your space at a moderate temperature. Also, lower down the temperature of your water heater or set it to Vacation mode.
Keep your cabinets or doors open so that the house water pipes on exterior walls can have warm air to circulate and prevent them from freezing.

If you’re a first-time renter, having a plumbing issue can be stressful. Luckily, Einstein Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling are here for your plumbing, heating & cooling, water heater, and sewer & mainline issues!

Make sure you address any problems with your landlord before giving us a call to schedule an appointment with one of our certified technicians and plumbers in Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. Most importantly, get plumbing services once a year to locate arising problems. Contact us at 888-671-7767 or email [email protected] for quick and efficient solutions.

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