Plumbing might not always be the first thing on your mind as a homeowner, at least until something goes wrong. However, it’s important to have at least some working knowledge of how to keep your plumbing in good working order. You will always want to contact a plumber when you have a serious problem. However, there are some simple tips you can use that could help to reduce potential plumbing problems.
Tip #1: Handle Leaks Right Away
You should make it part of your routine to check for leaks around the house. Whether it’s under the sink, in a basement, etc., leaks are going to be a problem. Even if they are small, they have the potential to cause some serious harm over time. Not only are you wasting water, but leaks also cause property damage, mildew and mould growth, etc.
Take the time to check for leaks every week or so. Finding them early means you can get the plumbers out to your home to fix them. This can eliminate costly repairs later.
Tip #2: Know Where the Water Shut-Off Valves Are Located
What should you do if you suddenly realize you have a pipe that’s burst in your home? Water is rushing onto the floor and it’s not stopping. Burst pipes can cause serious damage to your home, so you need to learn where the shut-off valves are in your home.
Of course, you will still need professional plumbing repair to get your home back in order. However, knowing where and how to turn them off in an emergency can help to reduce the severity of the damage.
Tip #3: Be Careful about What You Flush
The only things that should go down your toilet are human waste and toilet paper. You might have seen and even used “flushable” wipes thinking they were safe for the toilet. That’s not true. They are going to end up getting stuck in the drains and causing a clog that can be difficult to deal with unless you are a professional plumber. Don’t flush any wipes or any other materials down the toilet. If you do, it’s just a matter of time before you have a serious clog to deal with.
Tip #4: Be Careful about What Goes Down the Drains
Just like you need to take care with materials getting flushed down your toilet, you also have to think about what’s going down the sink drains, as well as the garbage disposal. If you put rice, bacon grease, food debris, etc. down there, you’ll find that your pipes will eventually clog up. The food matter will start to rot, and you will have a terrible stench coming out of your sink.
Don’t put anything down the sink that shouldn’t be there. With the garbage disposal, you will want to check the manufacturer’s manual to see what it can and can’t handle.
Tip #5: Get a Good Plunger and Know How to Use It
Sometimes, clogs will happen in your toilet or one of your sinks. You could call the professionals if it’s a major problem that you can’t fix, of course. However, before you do that, consider getting a good plunger. Sometimes, a little plunging is all you’ll need to help remove some minor clogs. If you continue to have clogs, though, it could be indicative of a larger problem, so you’ll want to call in the pros.
It’s a good idea to have one plunger for the toilet and another plunger for the sinks or tub.
Tip #6: Don’t Use Drain Cleaners You Find in the Store
If you have ever had to deal with clogs—as you probably have—you might’ve opted to buy some over-the-counter drain cleaner. You can find it in stores and online, and it’s supposed to go to work fast to destroy clogs in your drains. It seems simple enough, and it might seem like it works.
However, those drain cleaners are not as helpful as you might think. Often, the chemicals in them start to eat away at your plumbing. This just means that there are further problems you’ll have to contend with down the road. As tempting as it might be to use one of those drain cleaners, you will be better off contacting a plumber.
Tip #7: Don’t DIY Big Issues
Although you might have the DIY spirit inside, there are certain things you will not want to do. Whenever you have a serious plumbing issue, you will want to contact professionals to take care of the problem. Trying to handle it on your own could result in making mistakes that could cause more damage.
When in doubt, get in touch with experienced, reputable plumbers like Hilton Plumbing in Perth that can help you with all of your plumbing problems. They can handle things quickly and correctly the first time.
