As a homeowner, you rely on your plumbing every day. Whether you’re cooking dinner, taking a shower, or doing laundry, you need to know that your plumbing is up to the task. Unfortunately, plumbing problems are all too common, and they can be highly frustrating—not to mention expensive—to deal with. The good news is that you can do a few simple things to maintain your plumbing and prevent problems from cropping up in the first place.
1. Get Regular Inspections and Maintenance Checks
One of the best ways to avoid plumbing problems is to get regular inspections and maintenance checks from a licensed professional. Your plumber will be able to identify potential issues before they have a chance to cause severe damage. Additionally, they can perform routine maintenance tasks that will keep your plumbing in good working condition for years to come. We recommend scheduling an inspection at least once a year.
2. Keep an Eye Out for Warning Signs
Even if you don’t have regular inspections scheduled, you can still take proactive steps to prevent plumbing problems. One of the most important things you can do is to keep an eye out for warning signs that something might be wrong. For example, water spots on your ceiling could indicate a leak in your roof or pipes. Likewise, if your drains are slow or water backs up when you flush the toilet, there could be an issue with your sewer line. If you notice any of these red flags, don’t hesitate to call us so we can take a look and make any necessary repairs.
3. Do Your Part to Prevent Clogs
Clogged drains are one of the most common and annoying plumbing problems out there. To help prevent them, it’s essential that everyone in your household practices some important drain maintenance habits:
Don’t pour grease or cooking oil down the drain – Although it might seem like a good idea at the time (especially if you’re trying to avoid making another trip to the garbage can), pouring grease down the drain is one of the surefire ways to clog it up. Instead, let it cool and then dispose of it in the trashcan.
Scrap food into the trash: Leftover food scraps should go into the garbage can instead of down the drain. No matter how fine you think you’ve ground them up with your disposal, there’s always a risk that they’ll end up causing a clog somewhere down the line.
Brush hair into the trash: Hair is another common clog culprit, so always brush it into the garbage before hopping in the shower or washing your face at the sink.
4. Be Careful What You Flush Down toilets
It should go without saying that human waste and toilet paper are the only things that should go down your toilet—but unfortunately, it still happens all too often that people flush other materials (wipes, sanitary products, etc.) down their toilets without thinking twice about it. Not only can this cause significant clogs, but it can also break or damage your toilet bowl or pipes. So remember: when in doubt, throw it out!
Taking care of your plumbing requires proactive and reactive measures by getting regular inspections and maintenance checks, being mindful of warning signs, and practicing essential drain maintenance habits. You can help prevent serious issues from developing. Should any problems arise,.you can always count on our team for assistance. We’re here 24/7/365 to help keep your home’s plumbing system running smoothly! Contact us today to learn more or schedule service!