Perform Basic Plumbing Preventive Maintenance

A. Finished-Project Specification

Scope: one controlled preventive-maintenance cycle limited to fixtures the Chapter 10 record confirms are within the approved basic-maintenance scope, covering valve exercise, aerator cleaning, minor mechanical drain clearing, toilet checks, connector inspection, and post-work leak testing.

B. Maintenance Action Schedule

Action	Approved Method	Stop Condition
Valve exercise	Gentle hand movement through the approved range, supporting the valve as required	Leakage, binding, broken handle, pipe movement, or failure to control flow
Aerator cleaning	Removal with protected tools, product-compatible cleaning, rinse, and reinstall without cross-threading	Damaged threads, cracked housing, or components that will not reseat
Minor drain clearing	Hand-operated approved drain tool, mechanical removal only, no chemicals	Repeated backup, multiple slow fixtures, sewage odor, or damaged trap
Toilet checks	Visual and functional inspection of tank, fill, flapper, handle, linkage, connector, shutoff, base, seat	Continuous running that does not resolve, base movement, or active leakage
Connector inspection	Visual inspection for kinks, abrasion, corrosion, bulges, and strain	Active leakage, severe corrosion, or unverifiable compatibility

C. Records and Reference Takeoff

• Records to review before starting: the Chapter 10 fixture-by-fixture inspection record, identifying which items are within the approved basic-maintenance scope.
• Plumbing Maintenance Cycle worksheet: one copy, used to record valve, aerator, drain, toilet, and connector results for every fixture serviced.
• Photograph index: maintained alongside the worksheet, linking each serviced fixture to its before-work and after-testing photographs.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Scope compliance	Every serviced item is confirmed in the Chapter 10 record as within the approved basic-maintenance scope
Valve operation	Every exercised valve returns to its required operating position and shows no leakage at the stem, packing, or body
Aerator condition	Every cleaned aerator is reinstalled without cross-threading, shows normal flow, and has no leakage at the connection
Drain clearing method	No chemical drain cleaner is used at any point, alone or combined with mechanical methods
Toilet function	Every checked toilet fills, flushes, and stops running correctly, with no base or supply leakage
Connector condition	Every inspected connector is recorded with its condition; no connector is replaced based on age alone without verified compatibility
Leak-free verification	Every serviced fixture is tested immediately and again after the defined observation period, with no drips, moisture, or abnormal operation recorded

E. Preparation — Selection and Setup

1. Select only Chapter 10 items within the approved basic-maintenance scope. Confirm each selected fixture, valve, aerator, drain, and connector against the Chapter 10 fixture-by-fixture inspection record.
2. Confirm the main water shutoff and leak-response readiness. Verify the main water shutoff is accessible and that a leak-response plan, towels, pans, and communication method are ready.
3. Coordinate water interruption and protect the work area. Coordinate any planned interruption with occupants and protect cabinets, floors, finishes, and stored items around each fixture.
4. Reverify no referral condition is present. Confirm that no selected valve, fixture, connector, or drain shows severe corrosion, active leakage, structural damage, sewage, or another referral condition before beginning.
5. Photograph the initial condition. Record fixture identification and photograph the pre-work condition of each selected item.

F. Valve Exercise

1. Inspect and support each selected fixture shutoff. Support the valve and connected piping as required to avoid twisting during movement.
2. Move the valve gently through its approved range. Use controlled hand force only, without forcing the valve past normal resistance.
3. Stop immediately at the first sign of failure. Stop for leakage, binding, a broken handle, pipe movement, or failure to control flow, and record the item as a referral condition.
4. Return the valve to its required operating position. Inspect the stem, packing, body, connection, and downstream fixture for leakage after returning the valve.

G. Aerator Service

1. Remove the approved faucet aerator. Use protected tools that do not damage the finish.
2. Record component orientation. Note the washer, screen, flow device, and orientation before cleaning.
3. Clean mineral or debris buildup. Use a product-compatible method only; do not enlarge openings, remove required flow-control components, or mix incompatible chemicals.
4. Rinse, reassemble, and reinstall. Avoid cross-threading or overtightening the aerator housing.
5. Test flow and inspect the connection. Confirm normal flow and no leakage at the aerator connection.

H. Minor Drain Clearing

1. Remove the sink stopper or strainer. Use the approved service procedure only.
2. Remove accessible debris mechanically. Clear hair, soap, food, or debris without pushing material deeper into the drain.
3. Use a hand-operated approved drain tool within the defined limit. Do not combine mechanical cleaning with chemical drain cleaners at any point.
4. Stop for conditions beyond minor clearing. Stop for repeated backup, multiple slow fixtures, sewage odor, damaged trap, inaccessible blockage, or evidence of a main-drain problem.
5. Reassemble and verify. Reassemble the stopper or strainer, verify adjustment, and fill and drain the fixture repeatedly while observing all accessible joints.

I. Toilet Checks and Connector Inspection

1. Inspect toilet tank components. Check the fill valve, flapper or seal, handle, chain or linkage, supply connector, shutoff, base, and seat.
2. Perform approved leak and running-water checks. Do not add unapproved chemicals or objects to the tank; adjust only manufacturer-approved service components within scope.
3. Inspect supply hoses and connectors. Check sinks, toilets, washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and other approved equipment for kinks, abrasion, corrosion, bulges, age concerns, loose support, leakage, and strain.
4. Do not assume age alone requires replacement. Confirm material, compatibility, shutoff reliability, and installation requirements before recommending a connector be tightened or replaced.

J. Verification and Closeout

1. Operate each serviced fixture through normal use. Cycle valves, faucets, drains, and toilets as appropriate to the service performed.
2. Inspect immediately and again after the defined observation period. Check for drips, moisture, cabinet swelling, floor wetting, and abnormal operation at both intervals.
3. Clean and dry all work areas. Leave surfaces clean and dry so any new leakage would be immediately visible.
4. Record the completed maintenance cycle. Document valves exercised, aerators cleaned, drains serviced, toilet checks, connector findings, test results, referrals, and the next service condition.