Tips

Hardwood Floors

Now that your hardwood floors are finished or refinished and looking beautiful, here are a few easy maintenance tips to help keep them looking that way.

• Avoid dragging heavy or sharp objects across your floor. If you must move a heavy object, place a piece of cardboard or plywood down first and move the object across this protective sheeting.
• If you place an area rug on your floor, place a thin piece of padding under it. The jute backing frequently found on many area rugs may scratch the finish of your hardwood.
• Make sure that water, or any wet object (such as a flowerpot) never sits directly on the floor.
• Polyurethane Finishes: To keep your hardwood clean, we recommend using a dust mop or damp, clean rag. Waxing is fine, if that is the finished look that you desire. Just remember that once you wax your floor, you will have to continue your waxing maintenance. If you choose not to wax, you have the option of applying another coat of polyurethance on your floor at a later date. Remember if you wish to apply another coat of polyurethane on your floor at a later date - DO NOT WAX. Also, make sure you do not use anything on the floor with a wax or oil base (furniture polish, oil soap, etc.) Polyurethane will not adhere to your floor with any kind of wax or oil applied to it.
• Hydroline Finishes: Recommended maintenance of hydroline finish is simple vacuuming or dry mop when needed. Waxing is never recommended for hydroline finishes. You have the option of applying another coat of hydroline finish at a later date if desired.

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Water Main

Water comes into your house from the street or a well via a one inch line underground in the basement level. At the point where it enters your home, there is a shut off valve that turns off ALL the water going into your home. Always remember that the water is under pressure. A frozen pipe that cracks or a small leak in a valve can cause major flooding in a short amount of time. Knowing how to shut it off can save you a lot of headache. This valve should be turned on and off periodically to keep it from getting corroded. If it is very old and does not turn easily, it is a good idea to have a registered plumber install a modern lever type shut off. WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO TURN YOUR WATER OFF. This will prevent a flood in the event that one small leak should occur while you are away. Be sure to turn your hot water heater off at the same time; otherwise, all the water in the tank will evaporate, and it will eventually burn out the unit.

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Hose Bibs

Most houses built after 1975 have frost proof hose bibs on them. It is still a good idea to shut them off down in the basement to prevent them from a hard freeze and bursting. YOU SHOULD REMOVE ALL HOSES FROM THE HOSE BIBS AND SHUT OFF THE BIBS IN THE BASEMENT. Then go outside and drain the hose bib by turning it on for a few seconds.

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Fixture Valves

Some plumbing fixtures have shut off valves. Typically, they are toilets, faucets, bidets, ice makers, and humidifiers. It is important to know where they are and how they work. If there is a leak in a fixture, simply locate the valve and shut it off. Turning it clockwise usually shuts it off. Sometimes if the shut off valve has not been used in a long time, it may drip a little when you start turning it. Simply tighten the screw in the center of the knob or tighten the nut behind the knob. These knobs are typically located beneath the sink or toilet that is in question.

There are other types of valves to divert water to showers, tubs, outdoor sprinkler systems, washing machines, and entire sections of your house. A good plumber can label and explain what each valve does. Get to know your plumbing system, and you can control leaks and floods when they occur.

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Sewage Systems

All soil drains from bathrooms, kitchens, the laundry and tubs run in vented sewer lines to the main sewer line that runs out of your house and into the city sewer or a septic tank. It is important to know where the cleanouts are and how to maintain the lines.

If a clog occurs in a line, first try to clear it with a plunger then a snake. These can be used "at the fixture." If these do not clear the obstruction, then the problem may be further down the line, and you must locate the nearest sewer cleanout. These are located in the main vertical sewer line in the basement and usually have a square nut shaped unscrewable cap that you can put a cleanout snake in. Also, outside your house in the first five feet of your sewer line is a cleanout as well. It is better to get a sewer rooter type plumber to come out if the problem is too difficult to clear.

General Rules Concerning Sewers
1. Never put anything in a garbage disposal that you would not put in your mouth, i.e., orange peels, egg shells, etc. They tend to clog the drains. Always run lots of hot water down the disposal to "chase" the waste down to the main sewer line.
2. The following should NEVER be flushed down the toilet:
• Sanitary napkins and tampons
• Diapers and diaper wipes
• Condoms
• Q tips
• Anything that will catch on an elbow pipe or sharp edge

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Septic Tanks

Septic tanks are a means of disposing of sewage in an area that is not served by city sewer. Tanks are located within 15 – 25 feet from your house, and the septic field is located just out from the tank. It is very important that you know the location of the tank and the field. If you do not know where it is, you can find out from the Health Department of Montgomery County. They have a drawing of your entire system.

Never drive a truck or car over your tank. It is not strong enough to support the weight of a vehicle, and it could collapse. Also, do not pave or seal the septic field. It must be able to "breathe".

Septic tanks are a wonderful way to dispose of waste water. For the most part, they are self-sufficient, and they clean themselves by way of biodegrading. NOTHING CAN ENTER THE TANK THAT IS NOT BIODEGRADABLE. Therefore, it is important to let everyone in your house know that they cannot flush certain things as already discussed.

Having your tank cleaned out by a local septic tank pump contractor is a good idea. They can find your tank lid and maintain the septic system for you.

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Well Water

Some houses are supplied water via a well. The well is located on the property and can be seen as a large pipe protruding approximately three feet out of the ground. Typically, the well is 125 – 400 feet deep. A pump is located at the bottom of the well, and the water is pumped up and into the house. There, it is put in a pressurizing tank that stores water and provides pressure.

The important thing to remember is that your well can only pump so much water, i.e., six gallons per minute. Therefore, you cannot water your lawn, run the washing machine, take a shower, and fill a tub at the same time. You will run the well dry. Use common sense and get to know the "water system" to prevent problems. You should test your water every few years to see if there are any harmful particulates in your water. A qualified "well" contractor can keep your system in good shape.

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