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-   -   Can we use water down the drain and toiler while the water is shut off? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=664999)

  • May 29, 2012, 04:10 PM
    Leeloooo
    Can we use water down the drain and toiler while the water is shut off?
    I have heard of people saving water in buckets prior to the time of shut off and use it down the drain and to flush the toilet during the water shut off?
    Is it safe and legal?
    I thought maybe the plumbers face would get water poured down while they're fixing something?
  • May 29, 2012, 04:53 PM
    smoothy
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Leeloooo View Post
    I have heard of people saving water in buckets prior to the time of shut off and use it down the drain and to flush the toilet during the water shut off?
    Is it safe and legal?
    I thought maybe the plumbers face would get water poured down while they're fixing something?

    Why do you think that's going to save you anything? A toilet takes the same to flush if its out of the tank or a bucket... plus water isn't that awful expensive if you have access to a computer to ask this question.
  • May 29, 2012, 05:09 PM
    Stratmando
    We use to have MANY water outages down here years ago, It is quick easy, effective cheap, and legal.
    Probably can flush with half a drywall bucket of water.
    Just Pour in the Bowl, NOT the Tank.
    My Air handler produces enough water for my toilets(15 Gallons a Day, I throw it over the Plants, but much is not used as it could.
    I do like saving resources. Plus you save money?
  • May 29, 2012, 10:57 PM
    Leeloooo
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by smoothy View Post
    Why do you think thats going to save you anything? a toilet takes the same to flush if its out of the tank or a bucket....plus water isn't that awful expensive if you have access to a computer to ask this question.

    It's not about expense.. The point of my question was to find out if it is safe to pour liquids i.e.. Water down the drains in my apt when the water has been shut off in my building for repair?
  • May 30, 2012, 05:28 AM
    speedball1
    Quote:

    my question was to find out if it is safe to pour liquids i.e.. Water down the drains in my apt when the water has been shut off in my building for repair?
    Since the potable water and your drainage are separated and isolated from each other pouring water down the drain when the building water's shut off is acceptable. Good luck, Tom
  • May 30, 2012, 05:33 AM
    smoothy
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Leeloooo View Post
    It's not about expense.. The point of my question was to find out if it is safe to pour liquids ie. water down the drains in my apt when the water has been shut off in my building for repair??

    Believe it or not... I know people that have buckets of water sitting around in their bathrooms they carried up from the stream to flush their toilets with when they have functioning water in their house and even to the toilet. And yet they have money for cell phones and cable TV.

    So its not much of a leap to read that into a question such as this...

    As far as if its safe... you really need to know what type of work they are performing... if they are working on drains they will routinely shut off the water... in which case you dumping a few buckets of water will cause problems.

    If the drains are not compromised and functioning... then yes you could... just don't assume anything before doing it.
  • May 30, 2012, 10:01 AM
    Leeloooo
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    Since the potable water and your drainage are separated and isolated from each other pouring water down the drain when the building water's shut off is acceptable. Good luck, Tom

    Ty Tom, so usually when the water is shut off for repair, it doesn't include the drainage system? And if it does, will the apartment let the tenants know to not mess with the drainage during repair?
    Thanks
  • May 30, 2012, 11:37 AM
    Stratmando
    I haven't seen where you couldn't use the toilets due to water shut off. Everyone can still flush with what's in the bowl.

    If you have a stubborn clog in the toilet, you can QUICKLY dump a lot of water in the bowl, without going over, and it USUALLY removes the clog.
    I have seen this save a lot of time and Money.
  • May 30, 2012, 01:20 PM
    speedball1
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Leeloooo View Post
    Ty Tom, so usually when the water is shut off for repair, it doesn't include the drainage system? And if it does, will the apartment let the tenants know to not mess with the drainage during repair?
    Thanks

    Not usually but always! Drainage and water are separate and isolated period!
    Quote:

    if it does, will the apartment let the tenants know to not mess with the drainage during repair?
    It's OK to drain a fixture when then water's off being repaired, however. It's not OK to use the water and drain it while someone's working on a open drain line. An I making any sense? Tom
  • May 30, 2012, 04:25 PM
    Leeloooo
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    Not usually but always! Drainage and water are separate and isolated period!!
    It's OK to drain a fixture when then water's off being repaired, however. it's not OK to use the water and drain it while someone's working on a open drain line. An I making any sense? Tom

    Yes you are making sense, but how will tenants know whether they're working on water line or drainage line or both ? It just says "notice: water shut off for repair"
  • May 31, 2012, 06:32 AM
    speedball1
    Quote:

    how will tenants know whether they're working on water line or drainage line or both ?
    We inform the tenants if we're going to shut the water off to the building or if the drainage we're working on will affect them. Regards. Tom
  • May 31, 2012, 10:54 AM
    Leeloooo
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    We inform the tenants if we're going to shut the water off to the building or if the drainage we're working on will affect them. Regards. Tom

    Ty so much. Got the answer to my questions very accurately.

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