After we work on your water line, you will need to flush your household plumbing for at least 30 minutes. It is also good to flush your service lines periodically if you have lead, even if you haven’t done service line work.
Steps to Safely Flush Your Household Plumbing After Water Line Construction
To remove any potential debris from construction and minimize your exposure to lead in your water, it is important that you thoroughly flush your household plumbing.
Before anyone in your house drinks water or turns on the hot water in any faucets, you will need to follow these steps to flush out your faucets, bathtubs, and showers.
- Throw away any ice in your freezer. If you have an automatic ice maker, shut it off.
- Tip: Do not use any filtered water from your refrigerator or any other source until you complete the flushing.
- Unscrew and remove the aerators from all of your sinks and taps.
- Tip: If your aerator is difficult to remove, you may need to use a pair of pliers.
- Once your aerators are removed, separate the parts and remove any debris. Soak the parts in white vinegar and scrub them with a brush.
- Starting at the lowest level of your home and working your way up, fully turn on all the cold water taps in your sinks, tubs, and showers.
- Tip: Make sure to turn on any taps and hose spigots on the outside of your house as well.
- After you turn on the last tap, allow the water to run for at least 30 minutes.
- Starting at the highest level of your home and working your way down, shut off each of your water taps.
Please be advised that lead levels in your water may be elevated for up to six months following construction.
For more information about water safety, usage of NSF-approved water filters, and other questions you may have, please contact the Lead Help Desk at LeadHelp@pgh2o.com or by phone at 412-255-8987.