
Easy Ways to Give Back to Your Family
Happy holidays! Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy New Year… however you celebrate the holidays, we hope it’s wonderful! In addition to wishing you delicious meals, precious conversation with family and friends, and much laughter, we also want to encourage you to give back to your family this holiday season.
One principle we hold dear as a company is the belief that service to others is one of the best gifts that we can give - to others, but also, to ourselves. As a company, we participate in several community service efforts throughout the year. We find these activities rewarding and are happy to promote a sense of community here in Charlotte, where we take care of one another.
One of the best ways to give back to your family is to help out with a household projects. Try your hand at one of the easy plumbing projects listed here.
Quick and Easy Plumbing Projects
Ask if there are any projects they know need to be done. If they can’t think of anything, offer to take a look around the house and see if one of the following projects need to be done:
1. Are any shower heads or faucets leaking?
You can usually replace a faucet or shower head in about an hour, not including time spent in a local hardware store picking up the replacement faucet or shower head. Learn how to replace a leaky faucet or shower head by clicking on these links.
2. Check all appliance hoses for cracks.
Many water damage problems happen because appliance hoses get old, brittle and crack. Check appliance hoses behind the refrigerator and washing machine, and running from the garbage disposal and dishwasher (under the kitchen sink). Squeeze the appliance hose gently and see if it is stiff and unyielding, or if it is discolored or warped. Check for water stains or signs that the hose is cracked or leaking. Take a close look at the point of connection to the water source and the appliance; this is where leaks typically occur.
To replace a hose, take a picture of the cracked hose and bring it to a local hardware store to get a replacement. Simply cut the replacement hose to the appropriate length and replace the old hose using the existing fixtures. Replacing the hose is a simple job that should take about an hour.
3. Test toilets for leaky flappers to make they are not costing them money.
As toilets get older, the toilet flappers warp due to age and wear. If the toilet flapper is warped, water can seep from the tank to the bowl, wasting water and causing either ghost flushing or a running toilet.
You can test your toilet for leaks in less than a half hour using nothing but food coloring, and you can buy a new toilet flap for under ten bucks. Replacing the flapper is easy; just remove the flapper from the chain and remove the refill tube (which will be inside the overflow tube), and change out the flapper. Reposition the refill tube and attach the chain to the flapper. Presto! You’re done.
4. Check the water heater for signs it needs attention.
Give the water heater a quick check-over. Is it making a rumbling noise? That means sediment is building up inside and it may need a new anode rod. Pressure valve hissing? Don’t try to fix that yourself; call a plumber. Tank leaking? It’s time for a new water heater.
Need a Charlotte Plumber Over the Holidays?
Did you stumble upon a plumbing project that’s out of your league? Give us a call at 704-846-5371. We’re open 24/7, 365 days a year, and we don’t charge extra ever. Evening, weekend and holiday appointments never cost more than a weekday appointment.
Article Summary
Quick question & answer: What are the best easy plumbing projects you can help your family with?
These are the best plumbing projects that you can help your family with that take less than an hour. Check to see if any showers or faucet heads are leaking. Check all appliance hoses for cracks. Test toilets for leaky flappers to make sure they aren’t costing them money. Lastly, check the water heater for signs it needs attention.