We have heard from our mothers that we should fill a pot with cold tap water for cooking.  There's a reason your mother told you to fill the pasta pot with cold water.  Hot water can leach lead out of pipes and "there's a possibility that lead is somewhere along the plumbing circuit in any home," says Michael Shannon, M.D., pediatric doctor at Harvard Medical School.  According to the EPA, houses built before 1986 are the most likely to have lead pipes, fixtures, fittings, and solder.  But even plumbing legally considered lead-free may contain up to 8 percent lead.  While copper pipes replaced lead ones decades ago, fusing pipes with lead was legal until 1991.  So it is smart and cautious to use cold water in cooking.  We would be wise to have our water tested periodically by a certified laboratory.  Visit www.realsimple.com/watertesting for information about home test kits.

Source:  Real Simple Magazine, April 2007.

                                     #dreamlandinteriors  #watertesting  #leadplumbing  #EPA

To prevent damage to your home, from faulty plumbing and water leaks, adhere to the following guidelines.

Locate the Main Water Valve
​It is of the utmost importance that you know where and how to turn off the main water valve in your home in the case of a leak, broken pipe, or plumbing problem.  Educate the other members in the home so that everyone knows how to turn off the water to minimize any damage.

Check for Leaks Often
​Frequently inspect your plumbing for stains, puddles, leaks, etc. under sinks.  To check for toilet leaks, every few months place a few drops of food coloring in the back of the toilet tank before going to bed.  Check the water in the bowl when you get up in the morning.  If it's colored, there's a leak in the toilet.

Purchase a Home Warranty
Plumbing systems and plumbing stoppages are included in Home Warranty Plans.  Even additional coverage can be purchased for sump pumps, well pumps, and septic systems.

Prevent Major Clogs
​Use drain screens in the bathroom tub and shower.  Use empty jars to dispose of used cooking grease.  Once a month, sprinkle half a cup of baking soda in the drain and follow with a cup of vinegar to clear buildups.

Clean Aerators Regularly
​Remove aerator from your faucet and scrub it clean and/or soak it in vinegar.  Hard water scale and debris can interrupt the water stream.

Insulate Your Pipes
​If you live in an area with freezing temperatures in the winter, pipes need to be insulated to prevent them from bursting.  They make slip-on foam insulation that is easy to install on exposed pipes, spigots.  In freezing weather, it is wise to leave the water dripping and leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air to get to the pipes.

Washing Machine Issues
​Install a hose screen over the hot and cold water hoses leading to your washing machine to stop sediment from getting to the pumps and valves.  Inspect the water hoses for your washer often.  New steel model hoses are more durable and worth using in place of the older rubber hose types.​

#dreamlandinteriors  #plumbing  #homewarranty  #plumbingrepair