Simple water system tune-ups

There are a number of household appliances that use hoses to supply running water, including your washing machine and dishwasher. Those hoses have about a 10-year life expectancy. If yours are that old or older, consider replacing them to prevent a leak before it happens. If you can’t remove them by hand, grab a pair of pliers for some extra torque. Remember to turn “lefty loosey.”

If your refrigerator dispenses water, it will have a filter that needs to be replaced periodically. There should be a light that indicates when it’s time to change. The model number to order a replacement will be on the filter. Can’t figure out how to access it? Dig out your owner’s manual. Lost that? Find the make and model number on the sticker inside the door and type that into Google. While you’re at it, pull the fridge out from the wall and vacuum the coils at the back to improve the unit’s efficiency.

Your kitchen and bathroom sinks have an aerator at the spout. Sometimes debris can clog these. Twist the cap to remove and then rinse out the aerator. If you can’t get it off, wrap a cloth around the cap before applying pliers. Reinstall finger tight.

Has your showerhead flow slowed to a trickle? Hardwater is likely to blame. If yours has rubberized tips, simply rub a finger back-and-forth across each a few times while the water’s running to clear it. If it has hard plastic nobs, remove and soak in a vinegar-water solution or a product like CLR.

Sediment builds up in the base of hot water tanks. This can get dislodged and cause clogs. The solution is to drain the tank every year or so. Disconnect the power and water supply. Wait a while so the water can cool down. Attach a short length of hose to the drain valve (washing machine hoses are prefect for the job), run it to the nearest drain, and open the value. Once it’s emptied, refill the tank and turn the power back on.

If your dishwasher is leaving debris or a soapy film on your dishes, the filter at the base might be clogged. To access it, you usually have to remove the racks and maybe even the sprayer arms. Check the owner’s manual for specific steps. Make cleaning this a regular chore. While you’re at it, take a look at the sprayers. If they’re clogged with white residue from hard water, soak them in a water-vinegar solution before you reinstall.