One of your primary responsibilities as a homeowner is to keep your plumbing system in good working condition. A quality plumbing system is crucial for the overall health and safety of your home. Aside from promptly addressing plumbing issues by calling your local plumber, having basic knowledge about your home’s plumbing is vital. It will help you prevent plumbing-related accidents as well as expensive system repairs or restorations.
Help preserve your plumbing system by keeping in mind these 5 simple household plumbing tips:
Stop using your toilet as a trash can.
Flushing any material down your toilet can cause bigger problems for your home’s plumbing. Feminine care products should be disposed of properly by throwing them in the trash bin outside. These materials do not dissolve in water at all. Instead, they absorb water and become many times bigger than their original size, enough to cause a blockage down the pipes. Other items that could be a potential cause of clogs include bandages, cat litter, hair, cigarette butts, dental floss, etc.
Check for leaks in your home.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency reported that “the average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year and ten percent of homes have leaks” that waste 90 gallons or more per day. To help save water in your household, dedicate at least a day per week to chasing down leaks. One way to check for leaks in your home is to examine pipe fittings for any water on the outside. Mold and mildew growth are also clear signs of surface leaks.
Clear clogs as they occur.
Are you experiencing slow and clogged drains at home? If yes, make sure to address such plumbing problems promptly; otherwise, they’ll turn into expensive repairs. Always have a plunger or plumber’s snake nearby in case clogs occur in kitchen sinks or toilets. For serious pipe blockage, it would be best to leave the job to the pros. Call your trusted local plumber right away for an immediate plumbing inspection and repair.
Insulate your pipes during winter.
Burst pipes are very common during winter due to frozen temperatures. It is one of the worst plumbing problems you will encounter as a homeowner unless you take the time to insulate your pipes. Protect plumbing pipes that are located outdoors or in unheated spaces with foam insulation. Make sure to cover the pipe elbows and turns or freezing may still occur.
Know the location of your shut-off valves.
The main water shut-off valve is probably the most important plumbing feature in your home. Shut-off valves control and direct the flow of water in your household. During plumbing emergencies, like burst pipes, getting to your shut-off valve fast can save your home from serious water damage.
Talk to a licensed and experienced plumber today to learn more about protecting your residential plumbing system. You can help preserve relevant water resources in your household by working hand-in-hand with a plumbing expert. What are you waiting for? Call the pros now!
