• Bushings — a threaded exterior on one side, and a threaded interior on the other
• Couplings — each end of a coupling connects to other parts
• Unions — two identical interior threadings on either side, unions “unite” two other parts together
• Nipples — a short length of pipe that has two identical threaded ends on either side.

• Candles
• Mineral spirits
• Spray paint (optional)

1. Thoroughly wipe down the plumbing parts with mineral spirits and a clean rag. The parts come with grease and oils on them to prevent corrosion, so you want to make sure to give them a good once over. If you’re planning on painting your candlesticks, wait for the parts to fully dry before you break out the spray paint.
2. Now it's time to assemble your candlesticks. There are endless combinations of parts you can try, so let your creative candlestick vision guide you. If your union-bushing-coupling combination isn’t looking quite right, try a union and four bushings. Or maybe add a nipple. There’s no wrong way to make a candlestick, so have fun!
3. As we mentioned, if you prefer the original galvanized or black finish your plumbing parts, skip this step. If you do want to customize your candlesticks with paint, pick a color and start spraying. After ensuring that your candlesticks are completely dry and free of residue, apply your paint in short, even bursts until your surface area is fully covered.
4. Pick a candle that complements your creation and you’re ready to go. Now you’ve got a great piece to spruce up your kitchen table or a romantic evening you’ve been planning.

• You should not overload your garbage disposal with leftovers. This can clog you kitchen sink. When in doubt – just throw it out.
• Instead, you should throw scraps in the trash or put in the compost pile.
• You should avoid pouring grease down the drain, because grease hardens when it’s in your pipes.
• Wipe off greasy plates and pans with a paper towel before washing them.
• Remove small objects from the top of your toilet tank that could fall in, causing it to clog.
• Make sure your trash bin is easy to see, so guests won’t flush paper towels, napkins or facial tissue.
• You may want to stock your bathroom with single-ply toilet paper, depending on the number of people attending your party. This can really help.
• You really need to know how to use the water shut-off valve (this is behind the toilet tank).

• Either by hand, an adjustable wrench or a vise-grip wrench, unscrew the flow restrictor on the end of your bathroom or kitchen sink faucet, along with any rubber gaskets with it. The flow restrictor is simply the aerator (screen) where the water exits at the end of the faucet.
• Inspect the screen for any clogs. Clean any clogs or debris that may be present.
• Run both the hot and cold water at a high rate for a minute or more. Sometimes debris that is too large to pass through the aerator (screen), or flow restrictor, stays trapped in the plumbing near the faucet, and only moves back and forth between the screen and back to where it rests when the water is turned on and off.
• Replace the flow restrictor. Test the water pressure.

• Remove the shower head by unscrewing it by hand or with a wrench from the pipe extension protruding from the wall. Disassemble the shower head, remembering how you take it apart so that you can put it back together the same way you took it apart.
• Inspect the shower head for any clogs or debris. Clean clogs, if necessary.
• Run both the hot and cold water at a high volume flow. Again, this is to clear out any foreign debris that may be lodged somewhere in the plumbing. Because such debris can't pass through the shower head, it can decrease the water pressure.
• Reassemble the shower head and re-attach it to the pipe extension. Test the water pressure.

Do the 3-Steps

• Dial Down the Temperature
• Test the T&P (temperature and pressure) Relief Valve
• Do a Mini-Flush

Dial Down the Temperature

• Go to the temperature setting dial on your water heater. It will be a knob on the gas valve or a thermostat behind an electric water heater panel.
• Dial the temperature setting down so it is between 115 to 120 degrees F.
• This lowered setting will protect the tank from overheating and will reduce the energy used to heat the water.

Test the T&P Valve

• To test the T&P valve simply lift up on the lever part way, then let go and allow it to rapidly snap back.
• You should hear a gurgling sound as the valve allows some water to be released into the drain tube.
• If the T&P valve did nothing then it is bad and needs to be replaced.

Do a Mini-Flush

• Removal of sediments from the bottom of the tank is important to prevent rust, corrosion and improve efficiency. Although a full water heater tank draining and flush is best, performing a full flush is a bit of work and requires shutting down the water heater. This mini-flush works well, takes a fraction of the time and allows you to do it while the water heater is running:

• Place a bucket under the drain valve found near the bottom of the tank.
• Some drain valves have a handle. Others like the one in the photo shown here have a short handleless stem with a slot for a flat blade screwdriver.
• Turn the valve counter-clockwise to release a few gallons of water into the bucket.
• Close the valve by turning it clockwise and drain the bucket.

Kitchen/Bathrooms

• Check faucets for drips or leaks. Make repairs to save water.
• Ensure that all drains have strainers to prevent hair, soap and debris from clogging the drain lines.
• Check toilets for hidden leaks. Dye test your toilet (Neptune Plumbing technicians can provide you with dye test kits). If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.
• Inspect tank and bowl for cracks or leaks.
• Exercise water supply valves under sinks and toilets to prevent them from sticking.
• Make sure toilets flush properly. If the handle must be held down for a thorough flush or jiggled to stop the water from running you may need to replace worn tank parts. They're inexpensive and you'll notice a lower water bill.
• Clean mineral deposits from showerhead. Unscrew it and soak in vinegar or fill a plastic baggie with vinegar; place it over the showerhead and hold in place with a rubber band. Soak overnight then remove and gently scrub with an old toothbrush to remove deposits.

Appliances

• Check the temperature setting on the water heater. It should be set no higher than 120°F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use.
• Carefully drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out corrosion causing sediment, which reduces heating efficiency and shortens the life of the heater.
• Consider replacing a water heater more than 15 years old. (The first four numbers of the serial number represent the month and year it was made.) Newer water heaters are more energy efficient.
• Make sure flammables are not stored near the water heater or furnace.
• Check dishwasher, washing machine and icemaker supply hoses for bulges or leaks. Replace hoses showing signs of weakness or older than ten years.
• Clean out washing machine lint trap, if equipped, and place a wire trap or a piece of pantyhose over the end of the hose that drains the washer.

General

• Pour a gallon of water into infrequently used drains (including floor drains) to fill the trap and prevent odors from entering the house. Slow floor drains should be snaked to ensure they will carry away water quickly in the event of a flood.
• Check exposed pipes under sinks and in the basement for signs of leaks.
• If your home has a sump pump, make sure it operates properly by pouring a few buckets of water into the sump pit. The pump should quickly turn on, discharge the water then shut off without any problems.
• Install a backflow valve in the floor drain if you live in an area where sewers sometimes back up into homes. This device will prevent future backups.
• Inspect for slow leaks in your home by taking a reading on your water meter before bedtime. The next morning, without using any water overnight, take another reading. If the reading has changed you have a leak that should be repaired.
• Install flood alarms. Like a smoke alarm, a flood alarm is a battery-operated device that sounds an alarm when it comes in contact with water. It alerts you to potential flooding or leaks. Ask your technician for more information.

Outside

• Make sure yard drains, gutters and downspouts are cleaned out, open, and free of debris.
• Check for bird nests in plumbing vent pipes.
• Check faucets and hose bibs to make sure water flows freely. If an outdoor faucet drips or if there is leakage inside your home the first time the hose is turned on, you may have had a frozen pipe that cracked and needs to be replaced.

Do you have any questions about these tips or have any other Spring Plumbing Tips to share? Post them below in the comments.

• Do turn on a medium to strong cold-water flow before you start using the appliance. Continue running the cold water for approximately 15 seconds after grinding has ceased, to flush the drain line and the disposer free of food particles.
• Do occasionally put a small amount of ice into the disposer to help clean the inside of the grinding area. Use caution when doing this and make sure you have the drain stopper in place to avoid flying particles that could be ejected from the disposer’s grinding chamber.
• Do occasionally use a disposer cleaner degreaser to help eliminate grease that may cause unpleasant odors. Check to make sure that the product is authorized by the disposer manufacturer.
• Do consider having your kitchen drain line snaked approximately every two years as preventive maintenance. The disposer is only as good as the drain line serving it.
• Do ask your plumbing professional for advice on the best methods to maintain your drains and to help keep them clean and flowing freely.
• Every once in a while, grind up peels from citrus fruits like lemons or oranges. This helps keep the grinding area smelling fresh and the natural acidity help suppress bacterial growth associated with odors.

• Don’t use hot water while grinding food. It is perfectly acceptable to run hot water down the drain after you’ve used the disposer, but it is important that only cold water be used during the food grinding process.
• Don’t put grease, fat or fibrous waste into the disposer. It will cause the drain line to become plugged. Dispose of it as previously described through the solid waste channels available to you.
• Don’t fill the grinding chamber full of vegetable peels and then turn it on and expect it to handle the load. Keep the cuttings in a separate container and feed them slowly into the grinder while feeding plenty of cold water at the same time.
• Don’t use harsh drain cleaning chemicals, as they are potentially harmful to the user, the plumbing system and the environment.  If you have used strong drain line cleaners, be sure and tell this to the drain cleaning technician so that he can take appropriate precautions.

• Check all faucets for drips. Replace worn and leaking washers, gaskets, pipes or defective fixtures.
• Check for leaks on outside faucets, and make sure the valve closes properly.
• Check toilets for leaks - they are the most common cause of high bills! Check the overflow of the tank to make sure no water is running over (float level may be set too high) The flapper valve in the bottom of the tank is also a location of a possible leaking toilet. To check for a flapper valve leak, you can ask your Neptune Plumbing technician to dye test your toilets or ask him for a complimentary dye test kit. You can also put a small amount of food coloring in the toilet tank after it has filled. Do not flush the toilet for at least an hour, or overnight if possible. If the food coloring shows up in the bowl without flushing, you probably have a leaking flapper or plunger ball valve. For further information or assistance you can contact us at 1-800-PLUMBING or
  request a service call
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• Toilets can account for almost 30% of all indoor water use, more than any other fixture or appliance.
• Older toilets (installed prior to 1994) use 3.5 to 7 gallons of water per flush and as much as 20 gallons per person per day. Replacing an old toilet with a new model can save the typical household 7,900 to 21,700 gallons of water per year, cutting both your water and wastewater bills.
• An average of 20% of toilets leak.