How to Protect Your Home from a Major Plumbing Issue

Nothing could be worse than dealing with a burst pipe or sewer backup in general, but it’s much worse if it’s on a weekend or holiday when you have plans. But many plumbing emergencies are just these types of issues, and they could’ve been prevented. Instead of scrambling to find a plumber at the worst possible time, take care of your plumbing regularly to ensure it’s functioning at its best.

Be Careful What You Flush

There are a lot of things that claim to be flushable that aren’t, including disposable wipes and cotton swabs. Unfortunately, flushing these things down your toilet can end up causing a big and inconvenient clog.   The only things that you should flush down your toilet are toilet paper and waste. Make sure your whole family knows not to flush products that can clog your toilet, including “flushabe” feminine hygiene products or baby wipes, to avoid any issues. If you do drop something in the toilet, use a plunger to dislodge and remove it or call in a plumber to help.

Don’t Dispose of Grease in the Kitchen Drain

A lot of people dispose of their cooking grease in the kitchen sink while cleaning up dinner. But that bacon grease or rendered steak fat is only liquid while it’s hot. Once it cools, it becomes a solid that can cause a slow drain or full-blown clog.   When you flush liquid down your sink drain, it slows down in the P-trap and hardens when it cools. It also collects debris and food particles that flow down your drain, quickly leading to a clog. Grease may also end up in the sewer system, combining with waste and leading to bigger issues. When you’re done cooking, dispose of your hot grease in a bowl and wait for it to harden, then you can toss it in the trash. A drain trap is a good investment to keep grease and other things from end up down your drain during kitchen cleanup.

Fix that Dripping Faucet

It’s easy to ignore a dripping faucet, but it’s best to take care of it quickly. A slow drip not only wastes gallons of water and increases your water bill, but it can grow into a bigger issue like a burst pipe – leaving you with an emergency repair and water damage. If you know your way around plumbing, you can fix the leak yourself by turning off the water supply, taking the faucet apart, and cleaning the washer and rings. If the drip continues, bring in a plumber to fix it and check for other problems.

Avoid Liquid Drain Cleaners

If your first move when there’s a slow drain or clog is to reach for a chemical drain cleaner, you’re damaging your pipes. These products often work effectively in a pinch, but all those chemicals are bad for your pipes and shorten your plumbing system’s lifespan. It’s better to put the time into preventing clogs in the first place with gentle solutions like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice. This solution will keep your drain clear of debris and residue that can lead to a clog without damaging the pipes in the process. If you do get a clog or slow drain, call a plumber instead of relying on chemical drain cleaners.

Take Care of Your Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal is probably one of your most-used appliances, but it’s not designed to take care of all your food waste. If you put corn husks, meat, bones, or other hard foods into your garbage disposal, you could harm it. Be careful with what you put into your garbage disposal. In addition to damaging the blades and creating a clog, disposing of all your food scraps can create residue and odors that waft back into your kitchen. Always run cold water when you’re using your disposal, never hot, to flush down food waste.

Stop Before You DIY

Some plumbing problems are suitable for the DIYer, but not all of them. If you have a big plumbing issue, it takes more than a few tools and a YouTube video to tackle it. Remember, plumbers have specialized tools and training to handle all manner of plumbing problems. If you don’t have this background, it’s better to call a plumber and make sure the job is done right.

Keep Up with Small Problems

Your plumbing system is necessity in daily life, so you shouldn’t wait and see what happens if you notice small problems. Taking care of them quickly means cheaper repairs and more convenience, as you can schedule a regular appointment instead of requesting an emergency appointment at the worst time.

Schedule Routine Maintenance

All of your home’s components should have regular maintenance, including your plumbing system. Maintenance from a professional plumber ensures your system is running as it should and free of any minor issues or defects that can be big problems in the future. With a little prevention, you can extend the lifespan of your system and save on repairs. In need of plumbing repairs or maintenance? Contact the pros at Moore Home Services!