Anyone worried about plumbing fixtures "freezing"?
05-12-2010, 12:59 PM
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Anyone worried about plumbing fixtures "freezing"?
Reading MsPerky's Master Bath Renovation brought this to mind.
Here is the situation, we have an empty nest with more bathrooms than we need. All we ever use is the master bath. I've had really bad experiences in the past with plumbing fixtures "seizing" or "freezing". For example, we once had a leaking faucet and when I reach under the sink to turn the shut-off valve, the valve broke because it hasn't been turned for years and years. Water was everywhere and I had to call a plumber to replace the shut-off valve. I also had a similar experience with the shut-off valve below a toilet tank. If we don't use our toilet for a week, the rubber bulb would get stuck in the tank and it will not flush using the handle. I'll have to open the top to yank on the chain to free it. I'm afraid that faucets or showers that aren't used for long periods of time will "dry out" (any rubber gaskets or caulking) and the next time it is used will have a major leak.
So what to do? Is there any preventive maintenance routines for unused bathrooms? Suggestions? Or am I worrying for nothing?
Here is the situation, we have an empty nest with more bathrooms than we need. All we ever use is the master bath. I've had really bad experiences in the past with plumbing fixtures "seizing" or "freezing". For example, we once had a leaking faucet and when I reach under the sink to turn the shut-off valve, the valve broke because it hasn't been turned for years and years. Water was everywhere and I had to call a plumber to replace the shut-off valve. I also had a similar experience with the shut-off valve below a toilet tank. If we don't use our toilet for a week, the rubber bulb would get stuck in the tank and it will not flush using the handle. I'll have to open the top to yank on the chain to free it. I'm afraid that faucets or showers that aren't used for long periods of time will "dry out" (any rubber gaskets or caulking) and the next time it is used will have a major leak.
So what to do? Is there any preventive maintenance routines for unused bathrooms? Suggestions? Or am I worrying for nothing?
05-12-2010, 02:44 PM
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Do this:
Get yourself a can of beer (or glass of wine or a your favorite cocktail or whatever, even a joint) and wander around your giant empty nest, flushing toilets and turning on and off faucets as you go.
Do this once a week, and it'll all be good. Be sure to take a side trip back to the kitchen or bar as needed, if the estate is large enough. HPH
Get yourself a can of beer (or glass of wine or a your favorite cocktail or whatever, even a joint) and wander around your giant empty nest, flushing toilets and turning on and off faucets as you go.
Do this once a week, and it'll all be good. Be sure to take a side trip back to the kitchen or bar as needed, if the estate is large enough. HPH
05-12-2010, 03:35 PM
#3
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If you're really worried about it, turn the water shut-off valves to the faucets, toilets, etc. about once every 3 months. That should be more than enough to eliminate that possibility.
05-12-2010, 04:44 PM
#4
just use them. We have an empty nest with 3 1/2 baths. Elaine and I use the Master bath, but I also use the other one upstairs a couple of times a week. We also have a full bath in the finished basement. I'll use that one when when I workout. The dog is bathed in that one.
05-13-2010, 03:23 AM
#6
Those quarter-turn valves last a long time. Is that what you have under your sinks and toilets? If not, it may be a good idea to replace the valves. Just go around as others said and turn/flush. 
My condo maintenance crew just had a valve replacement project, but I didn't need them because I had remodeled the kitchen and baths.
My condo maintenance crew just had a valve replacement project, but I didn't need them because I had remodeled the kitchen and baths.
05-13-2010, 04:51 AM
#7
Originally Posted by MsPerky,May 13 2010, 07:23 AM
Those quarter-turn valves last a long time. Is that what you have under your sinks and toilets? If not, it may be a good idea to replace the valves. Just go around as others said and turn/flush. My condo maintenance crew just had a valve replacement project, but I didn't need them because I had remodeled the kitchen and baths.
My condo maintenance crew just had a valve replacement project, but I didn't need them because I had remodeled the kitchen and baths.
We had all of our shutoffs replaced on our furnace and hot water heater to the quarter turn valves.
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05-13-2010, 05:05 AM
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Originally Posted by DrCloud,May 12 2010, 04:44 PM
Do this:
Get yourself a can of beer (or glass of wine or a your favorite cocktail or whatever, even a joint) and wander around your giant empty nest, flushing toilets and turning on and off faucets as you go.
Do this once a week, and it'll all be good. Be sure to take a side trip back to the kitchen or bar as needed, if the estate is large enough. HPH
Get yourself a can of beer (or glass of wine or a your favorite cocktail or whatever, even a joint) and wander around your giant empty nest, flushing toilets and turning on and off faucets as you go.
Do this once a week, and it'll all be good. Be sure to take a side trip back to the kitchen or bar as needed, if the estate is large enough. HPH
05-13-2010, 05:22 AM
#9
Ewwww...that's a nice thought.
05-13-2010, 07:53 AM
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Thanks for all the suggestions. Are the "quarter turn shut off valves" available at Home Depot or Lowes? I supposed replacing the shut off valve would also require replacing the hose that connects the valve to the faucet, and that is a pain because I can't work in such tight spaces. 