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Every Day Cleaning Routine:
A daily wiping-and-spraying routine after your bath or shower is essential to keep your tiles clean and prevent premature staining and damage. Sure, it might seem a little annoying, but it’ll save you tons of work in the long run.
The first thing to do is to get a good squeegee. This OXO Good Grips squeegee is easy to hold and works great. Every time you shower or take a bath, run the squeegee on the tile and glass walls and doors to remove excess water.
Then, you should lightly spray your tile and glass with a mild, daily shower cleaner. You can make your own by mixing a 4:1 water to vinegar solution, or get a green cleaner like Method Daily Shower Spray. Method products are good to use in general because of their great scent and excellent cleaning power. But if you can’t find that specific product, many cleaning brands have a daily shower cleaner, so try and see which one you like best.
This daily routine will keep your shower or bath clean on a daily basis and will reduce the amount of time you’ll need to spend scrubbing. But it doesn’t mean you get away from weekly maintenance.
Weekly Deep Cleaning
Even though you will definitely keep your walls and glass cleaner with the above routine, you’ll still need to give your shower or bath a deep clean at least every week (or at worst, every two weeks). Despite your daily efforts, body oils and soap scum will still cling to the surfaces.
So, weekly or biweekly, give your grout a nice preventative clean with a water and baking soda paste. Rub it in the grout with a grout brush or a used toothbrush and rinse with clear water. If your grout seems a little more stained than usual, use hydrogen peroxide instead of water. If you have used vinegar as your daily spray before cleaning the shower, make sure to rinse it off thoroughly before using hydrogen peroxide in the grout.
Warning
Be careful not to mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar. Combining them creates peracetic acid, which is potentially toxic and can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
For Seriously Stained Grout
Sometimes, either through laziness or simple lack of attention, grout becomes stained and grimy to the point where your daily shower cleaner or baking soda paste can’t quite do the job anymore. In this case, you need to break out the bleach to get rid of the stains.
One easy way to focus the power of bleach where you need it is to use a bleach pen. A bleach pen is great for smaller surfaces and just a little grout work, and minimizes potential contact with your tile—but don’t use it for cleaning your entire grout. It’s amazing for a little extra strength where the weekly or bi-weekly cleaning just isn’t quite enough, but you don’t feel like bleaching your entire tile wall.
However, if you do think that your grout could use an overall disinfection and stain treatment, start with an oxygen-type powdered bleach like OxyClean. This kind of bleach is gentler on your grout than the liquid, chloride-type stuff, and it’s usually sufficient to take care of your stubborn stains. Apply with a brush, let stand 10 to 15 minutes, and rinse with clean water.
If all else fails, yes, you can use a chloride bleach spray, although it’s a bit harsher and harder to control. Test it on a small, inconspicuous area of your tile to make sure that it doesn’t damage it.
Warning
If you use an oxygen-based bleach or chlorine bleach, make sure to mix it or use it according to the manufacturer’s instructions in a well-ventilated area (that’s really important). Rinse it off with clean water, too.
Grout Renewal for Permanent Stains
And when the above doesn’t work to remove the stains, there’s one more thing you can do short of changing the entire grout: grout renewal.
Polyblend Grout Renew comes in a variety of different colors so you can either renew the original color or change it to something darker. The product adds a layer of color and protection against future staining and can extend the life of your grout for quite a few years.
You can also use Polyblend Grout Renew to simply change the color of your grout—darker grout looks cleaner (stains are less visible) and more vintage. Try it for an interesting change of contrast between pale tiles and dark grout!
When You Need to Change Your Grout
Signs that your grout needs changing include flaking and breaking and tiles coming off. It’s especially important to take action as soon as you see this kind of breakage in your grout, because water can seep into your wall and cause much worse damage.
If you have some DIY skills, changing grout by yourself is possible. If you can’t be bothered, hiring a professional to redo your grout is your best bet. And while you’re at it (and if you have the budget), why not change your tile as well? Today’s tile styles fit every budget and decor ideas, and you might find yourself inspired by a new look or a colorful mosaic.
Grout It Out
It would be nice to see a constructions material company come up with a water-resistant alternative to grout, but in the meantime, you have to do your best to keep it clean and stain-free. The better you take care of your grout, the longer you can enjoy your beautiful tile in your shower or bath.
THE NATURAL OPTION:
Below are ingredients for a natural solution commonly used to address tough-to-remove kitchen grease:
Combine one part lemon juice and one part vinegar. Add two parts baking soda to the mixture and stir to make a paste. Spread the paste over the grout and tile. Make sure it has good contact with the hardest hit grease areas. A soda glass backsplash may get filmy during this process but won’t be harmed by the gentle grease remover. Simply buff out the glass until its former shine returns.
WHAT THE PROS USE:
Tech Grout Cleaner is a little more serious and is sold at most home improvement stores. It’s what professionals try for tough jobs. It’s nonacidic, odorless and 100 percent biodegradable.
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What is Kitec plumbing?
One recent plumbing innovation, known as “Kitec Plumbing”, was introduced in the US in 1995, and was used until 2007. “Kitec” was the most common brand it was sold under, but the following brands were also used:
- AmbioComfort
- AQUA
- KERR Controls
- IPEX
- Plomberie Amelioree
- PlumbBetter
- WarmRite
- XPA
Plumbers considered this to be a good plumbing system because it was cheaper than copper and being of flexible material, it was easy to install. The pipes are made of polyethylene with a thin layer of aluminum. The Kitec plumbing system usually consists of blue and orange flexible piping and brass fittings. If your basement is finished, take a look near the hot water tank or under your kitchen or bathroom sinks. In addition to the orange and blue pipes, Kitec plumbing systems can usually be identified by the brass fittings, which will usually have one of the following stamps:
- Kitec
- KTC
- CSA B137.9/10
- ATSM F1974
If you have Kitec plumbing, you may also find a yellow sticker on the inside of your electrical panel door. These stickers say “Caution: This building has non-metallic interior water piping.” Normally, metal piping is used as an electrical ground. These polyethylene pipes cannot be used as a ground.
Kitec plumbing was used as piping for your drinking water, as wells in for under-floor heating systems, and hot water baseboard heaters. Due to the problems with its tendency to corrode rather rapidly, Kitec plumbing is no longer being manufactured.
How does it work?
The blue pipes carry cold water, and the orange pipes carry hot water through a home. The orange pipes are also used in radiant heating systems. The pipes were made from polyethylene and a thin inner layer of aluminum. Brass fittings are used to join the pipes together.
What should you do when something goes wrong?
The two most common issues with Kitec plumbing are:
- It can’t take the heat. The orange pipes were only certified to run at a maximum temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit, but hot water tanks can run hotter than this. The higher heat causes the pipes to deteriorate.
- Deteriorates under pressure: High water pressure can cause these pipes to fail.
- It will dezincify. Kitec plumbing fittings are made of brass, an alloy of copper and zinc. When zinc is exposed to oxygen and moisture, it tends to corrode (dezincification). When this happens, zinc oxide forms blockages in the pipes that result in restricted water flow, and ultimately breakage and leaks.
One of the problems with Kitec plumbing is that the pipes won’t just leak, but are quite likely to burst causing a flood. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear as though there are any actions a homeowner can take to prevent the pipes from rupturing. The only solution is to replace the entire system.
Class action lawsuits were filed in Canada and the US and recalls began in 2005. IPEX, the manufacturer, and its insurer deny that the system is defective but agreed to a $125 million settlement. This settlement fund is intended to pay for repairs in homes where the Kitec plumbing systems failed. Claims can be made until the year 2020. Any funds remaining after 2020 will be distributed to those who own homes with Kitec plumbing systems that have not failed. In both cases, the homeowners must file a claim through the Kitec Settlement claim form.
What can you do to maintain your Kitec plumbing?
Some plumbing experts say the question is not IF your Kitec plumbing will leak, but WHEN it will leak. If you have Kitec plumbing in your home, you may want to call in a licensed plumber or certified home inspector to take a look. In the end, you may have to replace all your piping and fittings. According to The Star, Kitec plumbing replacement costs for a one-bedroom suite can exceed $6,500.
What is the life expectancy?
Kitec pipes were used in homes starting in 1995. The first fitting recalls occurred in 2005, which suggests that the average life expectancy is somewhere short of 10 years.
What will your home insurance company want to know?
Home insurers definitely want to know what kind of plumbing you have in your home, especially if you plan on buying a home with Kitec plumbing. If that particular type of pipe is prone to leaking, they may refuse to insure you. Or they may insure your home, but increase your deductible or decline to cover losses caused by a malfunction in your plumbing system. Determine what type of plumbing you have in your home, and be honest with your insurance agent. You don’t want to have coverage denied in the event of a loss because incorrect information was supplied at the time of application.
The right insurer will work with you to provide the best coverage possible. If you do need to have your plumbing replaced, you can consider it an investment in your home, and your peace of mind.
Will my home insurance cover Water Damage from burst plumbing?
Typically, home insurance policies include coverage for any sudden or accidental escape of water in your home, including ruptured water lines, or overflowing appliances. This is why insurance companies ask what type of plumbing you have in your home. They need to be able to accurately assess the risk in order to charge the right rates and provide you with the right coverage. Sometimes, depending on your plumbing situation, a company may not be able to insure you at all, and you’ll need to shop around, and likely pay a higher rate, if you can find coverage at all.
Don’t let this tempt you to tell a little white lie to your insurance broker. This can be construed as “misrepresentation” and can void your policy when it is discovered. Your best course is to always tell the truth. If you discover that the only solution is to replace your plumbing, the expense will be a lot less than finding out, after a loss, that you have no insurance coverage!
When you have a policy in place, remember that there are always exclusions and limitations. Always read your policy wording, with an emphasis on any water exclusions. You can contact your insurance agent or broker if you have any questions. In most cases, there is a requirement that you either shut off your main water supply, or arrange to have your home checked daily, if you are going to be away more than a few days during the winter. If you fail to do this, damage caused by frozen or burst plumbing may not be covered. The requirements differ from one company to the next, so before you go away on vacation, you would be wise to give your broker a call to make sure you’re complying, and that coverage will be in place.
Other tips to prevent water damage inside your home:
- Know exactly what type of plumbing you have, especially if your home is older. Life expectancies vary, and as mentioned above, your insurance company will want an accurate picture of the risk they’re taking on. If your plumbing is past its “best before” date, you could be at risk of leaks, or even worse, bursting pipes.
- Check the grout in your bathroom. Water can leak through any small cracks, resulting in dampness behind the wall. This can lead to rot or mould, which is never a good thing!
- Think about installing a leak protection device on your plumbing system. Some of these can actually shut off the water, when it senses an inappropriate flow.
- Scout out any water in the basement after a big rain. If you see water anywhere, it could be because your foundation has some small cracks. You may need to make some repairs, or it could be time to install a sump pump. Maybe your window wells aren’t draining properly, and water has come in through the basement windows. This can be a fairly simple fix, so add this to your maintenance checklist.
- Check any water supply hoses on your appliances, such as washing machines or dishwashers. They usually come with rubber hoses that get brittle and crack as they get older. These can be replaced with stainless steel braided hoses, even if you haven’t yet spotted any cracks or other signs of wear. Keep in mind that all hoses have a life expectancy, so check with the manufacturer.
- Store valuable possessions high up on shelves, not in boxes on the floor.
Tips to stop water from coming into your home:
- Remove any snow that may have piled up against the side of your house. As it melts, it can seep into your foundation.
- Make sure the ground around your house, slopes away, and not towards, your house. You want water to run away, not to run towards your house (and into your basement).
- Inspect and clean out the gutters around your roof. These can clog, sending water down between your walls. Also, make sure the downspout is directing water away from the foundation.
- Look for missing or worn-out shingles on your roof. Also, see if any flashing is missing or has come loose. Have these repaired before the rainy season hits.
If you have any other questions, you can always contact Square One at 1.855.331.6933 for more information or to get a home insurance quote.
Information sources:
THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY SQUARE ONE INSURANCE SERVICES
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