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If your hot water tank is new or under five years old, flush it once a year. It extends the life of the tank and keeps it producing properly — sediment at the bottom of a tank makes the burner work harder for less hot water.
When you're leaving your home for an extended period — a vacation, a hospital stay — shut the water off to the house, especially in winter, so you don't come home to a flood. Never shut the heat off in winter. Pipes freeze, then burst.
Install shut-off valves on all toilets and sinks. When something starts leaking you want to stop that fixture, not the entire house.
Have your main water shut-off valve tested once a year to make sure it can actually be closed in an emergency or before you leave. A main valve that's seized is only discovered at the worst possible moment.
If you have a sump pump, check it regularly so you don't experience a back-up.
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