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Show The Salt Lake Tribune Sunday/Apri! 27, 1997 C al Section F Estate Advertising supplement produced by the Newspaper Agency Corporation No homeshould be without a snake, plunger anda stash of washing soda 'N RECENT COLUMNS,I HAVE FEAtured helpful hints on maintaining your new home.I’ ve written aboutair-conditioning systems, water heaters, appliances,attics and electrical receptacles. I'll offer a few more pearls of wisdom this week, things every homeowner should consider. Here we go. Drains: Each plumbing fixture in your househas a drain trap. This rounded N-shaped pieceofpipe is designed to provide a water barrier that prevents the airborne bacteria and odor of sewer gas from entering the home. Anyfixture that is used infrequently (such as a basement shower) should be turned onat regular intervals to replace evaporated waterin the drain and ensure that the barrier remainsintact. Because of their shape,traps are also the source of most clogging problems. Bathtubs, sinks and showers: Whenthe drain pipe from a tub, sink or shower becomesclogged,use the plungerfirst. The rubbercup ofthe plunger should coverthe drain opening, and the water should comewell up over the cup edge. Working the plunger up and downrhythmically 10 to 20 timesin successionwill build up pressure in the pipe and do more good than sporadic plunges. Plug any overflow outlet with a piece of cloth so as to direct the plunger pressure downthe trap. When working on a doublesink, be sure to close the drain onthe other side. If the plunger does not work, use a plumber’s snake. You can rent or purchaseoneat hardware or plumbing stores. Turn the handle of the snakein the same direction when removingit as you did wheninserting it. This technique will keep anything attached to the snake from coming loose before it is removed. If the drain can be partly opened with the plunger or snake,boiling water (140 degrees on plastic pipes) may complete the job.If not, you can openthe trap underthe fixture (access to tub or showertrapsis moredifficult, but may be gained through a small panelin an adjoining closet wallor floor). Put a bucket or pan underthetrap to catch the water in it. A piece of wire may helpto dislodge the blockage. The snake can also be inserted from this point. Althoughit is sold commercially as drain cleaner, never use caustic soda to open a drain. It will combine with the grease from the soap or food wastes to form an insoluble com- pound. Toilets: A clogged toilet should be treated almost the same way as a clogged drain. The trap is built into thetoilet and is therefore less accessible. Instead ofa snake,use a coil spring-steel auger, which can be boughtor rented. Insert the auger so that the point goesupinto thetrap. Turingthe handleof the auger will break up the blockageorcatchit so it can be removed. An augeris easier to use if one person holds it while anotherperson turns the handle. Prevention: Ordinary washing soda added to a drain on a regular basis will help to keepit clear of the grease from soap and cooking utensils. Run hot water through the drain, turn off the water, add three tablespoons of washing soda, and follow it with just enough hot water to wash it down the drain opening. Let stand for 15 minutes and run more hot water. To avoid clogging drains or toilets, never pour grease into them. Neverflush hair, lint, diaper sanitary products and rubbish down the toilet. Such waste stops upthetoilet and sanitary sewerlines. Cleaning: A variety of commercial cleaners are made especially for toilets. Use them according to the manufacturer’s directions, but do not mix them oruse them with household bleach or any other cleaning product. Neverusetoilet cleanerin anything butthetoilet. Leaks: Mosttoilets have a water chamber, flush valve, overflow pipe, float and ball valve.Ifthe water chamberappears toleak, the water may only be condensation forming on the outside of the tank and drippingto the floor. If waterleaks into the bowl through the overflow pipe, try bendingthe rod so that the float will be slowerto the bottom ofthe tank. Flush thetoilet. Ifit still leaks, the inlet valve washer probably needs tobe replaced.If the watertrickles into the bowlbutis not coming through the overflow pipe,it is coming throughthe flush ball valve. The connections betweentheball valve and the flushing handle may need aligning so thatthe ball will drop straight downafter the handle has been pushed, Spencer Greeris the executiveofficer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Salt Lake. EastMill Creek offers residents a quiet, serenelifestyle, which includes nearby mountains andtrees of manyvarieties. East Mill Creek: Don’t changea thing The makeshift sign attached to a tree near Mill Creek stream, a refreshing waterwaythattransports snowmelt from the nearby mountainsto the valley floor, sumsit up nicely. “Please, Leave Nothing, Disturb Nothing.” The people wholive in East Mill Creek don’t wantto see their community fall victim to senseless destruction, pollution and decay. They like the neighborhood the wayit is. The natural setting, in fact, is what attracts many residents to the community. Homeowners in East Mill Creeklike the mountains that towertotheeast, and the viewsofthe valley down below. Theylike the wide variety of trees that decorate the yards and dot the streets. They like the stream that winds pleasingly through the region, oftentimes meandering in the backyards of local residents. Why not leave well enough alone. Change is somethingthatjingles in a pocket, not something needlessly inflicted on a perfectly peaceful, tranquil neighborhood. Located between 3300 South and 4500 South and from Highland Drive to Wasatch Boulevard, East Mill Creek has evolved, over the course oftime, into one ofthe Salt Lake Valley’s prized neighborhoods. People take pridein living in East Mill Creek, and wantto preserve the naturalsetting the neighborhood andits residents currently enjoy. Thus,the sign. “Tt is very nice area,” said Miriam McFadden,principal brokerfor First Real Estate Group.“It is a nice alternative for people who wantto be close to Salt Lake City, but need bigger houses than they can get in Sugar House or Highland Park.” Mostof the homesin the community were constructed between 1950 and 1970, anda variety of architectural styles and influences can be found throughoutthe community. According to the East Mill Creek master plan, only 17 percent ofthe homesin the area were constructed later than 1970, and just 13 percent ofthe homes were built prior to 1950. The neighborhood experiencedits most dramaticrise in population between 1950 and 1960, when 14,255 newcomers to the community took the See EAST MILL CREEK,Page F10 TT a2 le, - Did you know... \ .» that the East Mill Creek Lions Club, which wasorganized in 1943,is 2 sible for many of the community's amenities? Members of the clubinstigated efforts to get Salt Lake County to build the East Mill Creek Recreation Center, the East Mill Creek Library and Evergreen Park. The Lions Club has also been highly involved in organizing Fourth of July celebrations and Easter egg hunts. for children of the community. = j 4 ay $y > 7 8 = Next Week: Farr West They’re building your new homeright now and you don’t even know! You have always dreamed of owning your own home. You can even see the kids playing happily in the backyard while you work in the garden. You invite your friends over for a bar-bque and relax in lawn chairs on your patio. You have planted all of your favorite flowers, shrubs and bushes because this is your home and you can do whatever you want to makeit a place you will enjoy. Each month when you make your house payment you see that your equity is growing. Each year as you prepare your taxes you are thankful that you can write off the interest on your home. You no longer live in fear that your landlord will raise your rent because you have a fixed mortgage payment. And every time a neighbor sells their home you are amazed at how much your home is now worth. You may think that home ownership is out of reach. Don’t let the lack of a cash down payment or previous credit problems keep you from your dream. Because right now your new homeis being built and we will help you prequalify so that someone else doesn’t move into your new 3 ' ; ; ; '; ' GreatAmerican MORTGAGE 650 EAST 4500 SOUTH, SUITE 340 SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84107 : | | | Free First-time Homebuyer Seminar ! | | —— Sail forregiatration,date&time, i} a OMe Ree Me Mem Clmelaler) http://www.Great-American.com APPLY BY PHONE 262-2525 ys Ll) aU |