NeatFlow –

Category: Maintenance

  • Steps to Prevent a Leaky Bathroom Faucet

    Steps to Prevent a Leaky Bathroom Faucet

    Did you know that a leaking faucet can waste up to a thousand Naira worth of water? And that’s just a minor leak. A larger faucet leak can waste more than 30 gallons of water a day, putting a significant dent in your wallet. To help you save money, we have compiled a list of 5 causes of leaky faucets and how to fix them.

    5 Causes of Leaky Faucets

    There are many more causes of leaky faucets than you might think. Here are the main five causes:

    A Damaged Cartridge

    If you have a faucet with two handles, one for hot water and the other for cold, then you have a cartridge-style faucet. The cartridge is a valve on each handle that controls the flow of the water into the faucet spout. If your faucet is dripping water, this is a sign of damage to the cartridge.

    Broken Washers

    A common cause of a leaking faucet is broken washers. Washers rest against the valve seat, and overtime, friction can cause the washers to wear out. This then leads to leaking. If a washer is the wrong size or not installed properly, it can also lead to leaking.

    Water Pressure

    If you notice that the faucet in your bathroom only drips water during certain times or when your faucet’s handles move a certain way, then it could be your home’s water pressure that is causing the leaks.

    Malfunctioning O-Ring

    An O-ring is located in the sink’s faucet. It is a small disc that is attached to the stem screw to hold the handle of the faucet in place. Similar to washers, O-rings can get worn out or loose. If one of your faucet’s handles is leaking, this is probably the cause.

    Deteriorated Valve Seat

    If your faucet is leaking from the spout, then it could be the valve seat. The valve seat connects the faucet to the spout. Sediment can build up and corrode the seat, causing a leak.

    How To Fix A Leaky Faucet

    Save yourself some money by fixing a leaky faucet yourself. Be your own plumber—and follow these steps:

    Deactivate the Water

    One of the most important steps in fixing a leaking faucet is to turn off the water. If you do not shut off the water to the sink, you could end up flooding your bathroom. To shut off the water, look for the fixture shutoff valves below the sink and turn the handles clockwise. If your faucet doesn’t have any shutoff valves, turn off the main water supply for the house. Check to make sure that the water is off by turning the faucet on. If no water comes out, then you did your job.

    Disassemble the Faucet Handles

    The way to remove the handles of a dripping faucet depends on the type of fixture. For standard fixtures, you can use a flathead screwdriver to remove the caps on top of the handle, revealing handle screws. Unscrew these and pull the handles off.

    Detach the Valve Stem

    Once the faucet handle is removed, you will see the inner valve stem or cartridge. This also needs to be removed. Compression faucets have a brass valve stem that can be unscrewed. Cartridge faucets can be pulled straight out. If you are having trouble, you can refer to your faucet manual or look up instructions online.

    Inspect the Parts of the Sink

    Once you have taken all the parts out, carefully inspect them to confirm what needs to be replaced to fix the leaking faucet. You should see rubber washers, O-rings, and seals.

    Replace the Damaged Parts

    If any parts are old or worn out/damaged, replace them. Go to your local hardware store and find the parts you need. The best and easiest way to get the right parts for your dripping faucet is to bring the old ones into a hardware store and ask for exact duplicates.

    Sanitize the Valves

    Look at the valve body after you have removed the stem or cartridge. Usually, there tends to be mineral buildup. To clean it, pour white vinegar over the valve seat and let it soak for a couple of minutes. Then scrub it away, and scrub the other parts of your sink to restore it’s shininess and smoothness.

    Put The Faucet Together

    Once you have the new replacement parts and have cleaned everything, reassemble the faucet. Turn the water supply on and check for any leaks.

    fixing a leaky tap
    Plumbing-issues
  • Is it the Tenant or Landlord that is Responsible for Septic Evacuation?

    Is it the Tenant or Landlord that is Responsible for Septic Evacuation?

    Who bears the cost of evacuating a filled septic tank in a tenanted apartment? Is it the tenant or landlord? The question has caused issues between landlords and tenants across Nigeria. While some believe matters that concern the general property like exterior painting and digging of borehole should be the exclusive responsibility of the landlord while what happens in an individuals apartment like utility (NEPA) bill should be the tenants responsibility. Let us try to examine this topic

    In every 3 to 5 years septic tanks needs to be evacuated. The question now is whose responsibility is it to empty the septic tank? Is it the landlord or the tenant? Read on to learn about the septic system responsibilities of landlords and tenants.

    While some countries has it spelt out Nigeria does not have any law that handles who evacuates the septic when it is filled up. Generally speaking, landlords or property owners have an obligation to keep their homes in good condition, whether they are using it themselves or they put it out for rent. However a landlord may include it in the agreement on whose responsibility the septic evacuation falls on. It is also important to ask such a question when moving into a new place. Your agreement should include the responsibility of the landlord and the responsibility of the tenant all spelt out to avoid any controversy.

     

    Even if the agreement has it that the landlord takes care of evacuating the septic tank, the tenant still has the responsibility of maintaining the apartment in other ways. For instance, you may be asked to mow the lawn, to shovel the driveway, or to have the home professionally cleaned at least once a year. It’s possible that your landlord may ask you to at least check the septic tank on a periodic basis for signs that it may be clogged or otherwise not working as it should.

    Septic_Sytems_Rental_Properties

    HOW OFTEN SHOULD A SEPTIC TANK BE EVACUATED?

    There are several factors that you must consider when deciding how frequently you need to pump your septic.

    These include:

    • Size of the septic tank
    • Amount of sludge in the tank (consider clearing your septic if it’s more than a 1/3 of the tank)
    • Volume of wastewater from your home (more water released means faster filling for the septic)

    Besides that, most septic services recommend that you need to pump your tank at least once every 3 – 5 years.

    What Do you do if Your Landlord fails to evacuate it?

    If the agreement stated ab initio that it is the responsibility of the landlord and he is not responding, there are things you can still do.

    Of course, there is a chance that your landlord will refuse to fix the problem in a suitable manner or at all. In such a scenario, it may be possible to withhold rent until appropriate action is taken.

    It’s worth noting that you can call a professional for help on your own if your landlord isn’t keen on maintaining his or her property. Depending on the circumstances of your case, it may be possible to pay for service directly and to deduct the amount that you paid from your next rental check.