Plumbing issues are hectic and expensive. Resolve any problem by preventing it from happening in the first place. The way to do this is to follow a few, important tips. Here are four recommendations for every homeowner who operates a plumbing system.
Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing
Frozen pipes cause a lot of damage when they unfreeze or burst. The expanding and contracting of pipes may cause cracks to form, which cause leaks to appear throughout the house. Some leaks form behind walls and cannot be detected for a long time all while causing significant damage to the home. The most effective way to prevent pipes from freezing is to apply insulation. Right before freezing temperatures hit, place insulating materials over the pipes. Otherwise, place heaters near the pipes and keep them on overnight when the temperatures will hit freezing levels.
Avoid Using Liquid Drain Cleaners
Liquid drain cleaners contain harsh, acidic chemicals that could disintegrate weak pipes. The chemicals could easily end up in the wrong place and contaminate healthy soil or nearby water systems. Alternatives to use for unclogging drains are drain snakes, augers, and hydro jetting machines. In addition, a liquid drain cleaner is not guaranteed to remove the clog completely. It may dissolve part of the clog but leave the remaining parts lodged in the pipe. Hydro jetting is considered to be more effective.
Avoid Over Clogging the Drains
Avoid overfilling the drains in your bathroom and kitchen. The garbage disposal is designed to grind and dispose of food waste, but it has limitations like every other household appliance. It's possible to oversaturate this device, resulting in clogs that need to be cleared out manually. Over time, the disposal may break down and stop working altogether.
Locate the Main Water Shutoff Valve
Learn where your home's main water shutoff valve is located. A leaky pipe or gushing toilet could flood an entire room in minutes. Know how to turn off the main water supply to prevent a flood and ensuing water damage. If you don't turn off the valve immediately, by the time you call an emergency plumber, the bathroom will be several inches deep in water. The cleanup costs will exceed the plumbing repair.
Most homeowners are concerned with saving money, but they never consider the importance of maintaining their plumbing systems. In some homes, plumbing repairs add up to a few hundred dollars a year. There are certain steps that homeowners can take to prevent costly plumbing problems from occurring.
