While plumbing issues can be stressful, they can often be prevented with preventive maintenance and the right knowledge. By following these ten essential plumbing tips, homeowners can save themselves from major headaches and expensive repairs.
Know Where the Main Water Shutoff Is: Knowing the location of this valve can help in the event of a plumbing emergency. If you’re dealing with a plumbing emergency, this plumber huntington beach offers prompt and professional services to get your home back in working order quickly.
1. Clean Your Drains Regularly
All sorts of things other than water make their way down your drains on a daily basis, including food scraps, hair, grease, soap scum, coffee grounds and dirt. Those items can bind together and cause major blockages over time. Regular drain cleaning helps prevent these problems, as well as odors and slow drainage.
To keep your drains clean, regularly use a solution of baking soda and vinegar to break down build-up. Also, install strainers in your sinks and tubs to catch hair and food particles. And never pour grease down your drains, as it hardens and can stick to your pipes creating serious clogs.
Finally, if you notice persistent clogs or changes in your home’s water pressure, contact a plumber for professional cleaning services. A drain cleaner is the best investment you can make in your plumbing.
2. Install Strainers
New homeowners may be intimidated by plumbing problems, but a little knowledge goes a long way. As a result, some issues that would normally require a professional plumber can be prevented by regular maintenance and proactive measures.
For example, a strainer can be used to prevent plastic or paper from entering the drains and causing clogs. They can also catch jewelry that accidentally slips down a drain and prevent bacterial growth that causes bad drain odors.
Another simple measure is to make sure all exposed pipes are insulated before winter to avoid burst pipes and costly water damage. You can also protect your home by draining and disconnecting garden hoses and storing them in a frost-free area. These tips are easy to implement and will help you avoid major plumbing problems in the future. Enjoy your new home and don’t forget to call a professional when you need help with the plumbing!
3. Keep Grease and Oil Out of Drains
While a bit of grease poured down the drain might seem harmless, it can quickly solidify and coat your pipes. This reduces the amount of space that water has to flow, which can cause clogs and other problems.
Pouring hot water down a grease-covered drain might help dissolve some of the grease, but it won’t solve the problem. This trick just pushes the grease further down your drains and into your sewer system, where it can contribute to massive fatbergs that clog cities’ entire infrastructures.
Instead, pour any cooking oil or grease into a resealable container to dispose of later and keep it out of your drains. This is also a good idea for other nonbiological substances like Q-tips and “flushable” wipes, which can clog your drain and contribute to city sewer backups. The bottom line is that preventing issues like these with proactive maintenance can save homeowners money, headaches, and major property damage in the long run.
4. Inspect Your Pipes Regularly
Your plumbing system’s pipes are a vital part of your home, and they can be affected by numerous issues. Fortunately, many of these problems can be prevented with routine inspections.
Minor clogs caused by hair, soap scum, or debris can lead to serious blockages that reduce water flow and cause pipe damage. Regular inspections will help identify these early signs and allow for prompt cleaning.
Leaks in your plumbing can waste huge amounts of water, impact your home’s energy efficiency, and increase your utility bills. Leak detection services can spot buried leaks that may not be visible to the naked eye.
You should also be familiar with the location of your home’s main water shut-off valve, in case of an emergency or a significant leak. This can prevent extensive and costly damage to your property.
5. Catch Hair in the Shower
Hair buildup is a major cause of clogged shower drains. Installing a mesh hair catcher in your tub and shower drains can keep the area clean and prevent costly plumbing repairs down the line. These devices are specifically designed to catch stray hairs while allowing water to pass through, and they can be easily cleaned by simply pulling them out and disposing of the collected hair regularly.
Brushing your hair before stepping into the shower can also minimize how much loose hairs make their way down the drain. In addition, a few minutes of boiling water or a solution of baking soda and vinegar can break down soap scum and help keep drains clear. If you bathe your pets in your bathtub, consider using a baby tub to prevent shampoo, soap, pet dander and oils from washing down the drain.
6. Install a Leak Detector
The steady drip-drip-drip of a leaky faucet isn’t just irritating; it also leads to water wastage and high water bills. Using a leak detector, you can find and fix leaks before they become serious problems.
Leak detection devices can be found at most home improvement stores or online. They’re easy to install and work by sending a signal to your water meter. When there’s a leak, the device will notify you and shut off your water supply to prevent further damage.
It’s also important to know where your main water shut-off valve is located. This is critical in the event of a plumbing emergency, such as a burst pipe. It can save you a lot of money, stress, and headaches in the long run. By following these plumbing tips, you can keep your pipes in good condition.
7. Don’t Ignore Leaks
No homeowner wants to be in a situation where they’re kicking themselves for not catching a plumbing problem before it snowballs into a big disaster costing thousands to fix. With preventative knowledge, however, homeowners can avoid these kinds of problems altogether.
A small leak under the sink might seem harmless, but those little drips add up to wasted water and skyrocketed utility bills. Plus, if the leak isn’t caught in time, it can cause damage to your walls, ceilings, floors and even the foundation of your home.
Furthermore, moisture from unchecked leaks can encourage the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause respiratory issues in your family and require expensive remediation efforts. Prevent these problems by detecting leaks and getting them repaired promptly.
8. Don’t Forget About Water Heaters
Plumbing problems can be intimidating for homeowners, but with a little knowledge and proactive care, you can save yourself a lot of trouble. While most plumbing issues require the expertise of a licensed professional, there are many minor repairs and preventative measures you can take to keep your home’s plumbing running smoothly.
Familiarize yourself with your home’s main water shut-off valve, which is usually located near the water meter. This will allow you to turn off the water supply in the event of an emergency and prevent costly property damage.
Watch what you flush. Toilets are only designed to handle human waste and toilet paper, so flushing anything else can lead to clogs and blockages. Also, be sure to insulate exposed pipes during cold weather to avoid frozen and burst water lines. This will also help you conserve energy.
9. Don’t Forget About Your Faucets
As any Biloxi homeowner knows, a well-functioning plumbing system is essential for keeping your home comfortable and functional. Proper maintenance, proactive measures and a little knowledge can help prevent common plumbing issues and save you money.
Remember that a dripping faucet is more than just an annoying nuisance; it can waste a lot of water over time. A leaking faucet often indicates worn-out washers or O-rings, which can be easily replaced to solve the problem.
Also, don’t forget about your faucet aerators. They screw into kitchen and bathroom faucets, and the holes in them add air to your water flow while reducing the amount of water used. Be sure to clean them regularly to remove mineral buildup. Also, make sure to insulate any exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas, to avoid freezing in cold weather.
10. Don’t Forget About Your Toilet
A toilet clog or a dripping faucet is more than just an inconvenience. These problems can lead to costly property damage if not addressed quickly and properly. Fortunately, most of these problems can be prevented with a little proactive knowledge and simple maintenance tips.
Avoid flushing anything but human waste and toilet paper. Toilets are not designed to handle anything else, and flushing items like sanitary products, baby wipes, cotton balls, and paper towels can cause sewer backups and clogs.
Be aware of the location of your main shut off valve and familiarize yourself with how to turn it off in an emergency. Also, avoid using chemical drain cleaners as they can be harsh on pipes and often end up worsening blockages. Instead, use a plunger or a snake to clear the problem.