diy home maintinance
How to Prevent Grease-Related Clogs
To avoid the hassle and expense of a clogged drain, it’s essential to dispose of grease properly. Follow these tips to keep your kitchen plumbing clear:
- Cool and Dispose of Grease in the Trash: After cooking, let the grease cool in the pan or transfer it to a heat-safe container. Once solidified, scrape it into the trash. You can use uncooked oats to soak up grease and feed to your chickens if you have any as a treat.
- Use a Sink Strainer: Prevent food particles from entering the drain by using a sink strainer to catch scraps.
- Flush Your Drains with Hot Water: Periodically flushing your sink with hot water and a little dish soap can help dissolve minor grease residues before they harden.
- Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners: While tempting, chemical cleaners can damage your pipes over time and may not effectively dissolve grease clogs.
Top DIY Water Heater Maintenance Tips
Regular maintenance can extend the life of your water heater, improve efficiency, and help avoid unexpected breakdowns. Here are three simple tips homeowners can follow to keep their water heater in good shape:
1. Drain and Flush the Tank Annually
Over time, sediment and mineral buildup can settle at the bottom of your water heater tank, reducing efficiency and causing strange noises. To prevent this:
- Turn off the power (or gas) and cold water supply to the unit.
- Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and direct it to a safe location.
- Open the valve and let the tank drain fully, flushing out the sediment.
Tip: If you’re not comfortable handling this process or need a thorough flush, let the pros at Highland Home Services handle it safely for you.
2. Check the Temperature Setting
Setting your water heater’s thermostat to 120°F is ideal for energy efficiency and safety (THIS IS NC CODE). This temperature:
- Prevents scalding injuries.
- Reduces energy costs.
- Minimizes wear on the unit.
Most water heaters have a visible dial or control panel for adjustments. If you’re unsure where to locate it, our team can help!
Not Comfortable? Let the Pros Handle It!
While these tips can help keep your water heater in top shape, some maintenance tasks are best left to the experts. At Highland Home Services, our licensed and insured technicians provide professional water heater maintenance, repairs, and replacements to ensure your system runs safely and efficiently.
Contact us today to schedule your water heater service in Northern Durham—and let us take care of the hard work for you!
Customer Satisfaction
At Highland Home Services, we put our customers first. We work closely with our clients to understand their needs and ensure that they are satisfied with our work. Our goal is to build long-term relationships with our customers, based on trust, reliability, and excellent service.