Pressure Regulator Valve (PRV) & Shut off valves

To keep your garbage disposal working efficiently and avoid plumbing issues, follow these proper usage tips:

How to Use It Properly

• Always run cold water before, during, and after using the disposal to help solidify any grease or fat and flush it down the drain.
• Feed food scraps gradually into the disposal instead of all at once to prevent jamming.
• Keep the disposal running a few seconds after the food is ground up to ensure everything is flushed through the pipes.

What to Avoid Putting In

• Grease, oils, and fats – They harden in the pipes and can cause clogs.
• Fibrous vegetables like celery, corn husks, and potato peels – These can wrap around the blades or clog the drain.
• Eggshells – The membrane can stick to the sides of the disposal and cause buildup.
• Coffee grounds – They form a thick paste that may block your drain.
• Bones, pits, or shells – These are too hard and can damage the disposal blades.
• Pasta, rice, and bread – They expand with water and can clog the drain line.

A Pressure Regulator Valve (PRV) is a vital component in your plumbing system that controls the pressure of the water entering your home from the city main line. Its main job is to reduce high incoming water pressure to a safe, consistent level that protects your pipes, fixtures, and appliances.

How it works:

Why it’s important:

• Protects pipes and fixtures – High water pressure can cause leaks, pipe bursts, and damage to faucets, toilets, and appliances like water heaters and washing machines.
• Prevents water waste – Lower pressure means less water flowing unnecessarily, helping reduce your water bill.
• Improves system lifespan – Keeps your entire plumbing system running more smoothly and extends the life of your plumbing components.
• Maintains safety – Prevents the risk of flooding or sudden pipe failures caused by pressure spikes.

If your home doesn’t already have a PRV, or if it’s more than 10–15 years old, it’s a good idea to have it inspected or replaced by a licensed plumber like Leak On Lock Plumbing to ensure your system is safe and efficient.

A main sewer clean-out is a crucial access point installed on your main sewer line, usually outside the home, that allows plumbers to easily access and service the line. It plays a major role in maintaining and troubleshooting your drainage system.

Purpose of the clean-out:

• It provides direct access to the main sewer line for cleaning, inspection, and clearing blockages.
• It allows for efficient use of sewer cameras during inspections to locate problems like root intrusion, broken pipes, or buildup.
• It enables fast and effective hydro-jetting or snaking to remove clogs and restore flow.

Why it’s important:

• Without a clean-out, clearing a sewer line may require removing a toilet or cutting into the plumbing, which is more invasive and costly.
• A properly placed clean-out reduces the risk of backups inside the home by allowing fast response to sewer issues.
• It is often required by code in many areas for easy maintenance access.
• It makes routine maintenance and emergency service much quicker and more affordable.

If your home doesn’t have a main clean-out or if it’s buried or damaged, Leak On Lock Plumbing can help install or locate one for you to ensure your sewer system is safe and serviceable.

A sewage smell inside your bathroom or home is usually caused by sewer gases escaping into the living space — something that should never happen in a properly working plumbing system. The most common cause is a problem with the P-trap or a missing or faulty venting system.

One of the main reasons for this smell is a dry or unused P-trap. Every sink, tub, shower, or toilet has a P-trap — a curved section of pipe designed to hold a small amount of water. This water creates a seal that blocks sewer gas from coming up into your home.

If you have a bathtub, sink, or toilet that hasn’t been used for a long time, the water inside the P-trap can evaporate, especially in hot weather. Once it’s dry, the barrier is gone, and the gas comes up through the drain instead of being directed outside through the vent system.

Other possible causes include:

• Cracked or broken vent pipes
• Loose or damaged toilet seals
• Sewer line issues or partial blockages
• Improperly installed or abandoned drain lines

To fix the issue, simply run water down unused drains regularly to refill the P-trap. If the smell continues, it’s best to have your plumbing system inspected to check for leaks, faulty vents, or code violations. Leak On Lock Plumbing can help diagnose and solve the issue to keep your home odor-free and safe.