Most plumbing emergencies – burst pipes, overflowing drains, sudden leaks – can be prevented. By practicing basic maintenance, you can avoid plumbing emergencies and any costs associated with them.
Keep your drains clean.
Control the stuff you pour down the drains that can lead to nightmare clogs and leaks:
- Use screens on drains.
- Even if you have a disposal in your sink, stringy or hard items such as certain vegetables, fruits, or chicken skin should never get in there.
- Never allow grease or oil to reach your drains because this hardens when it cools and causes blockages.
- Don’t overdo it with drain cleaners: these eat through clogs, but also your drain lines causing pinhole leaks.
- Don’t flush anything but toilet paper down the toilet! And if it gets clogged, always use a plunger or a plumber’s snake to pull the clog free, and nothing else.
Pay attention to your pipes.
Burst pipes and major flooding are often caused by an aging plumbing system. Add more time to the life of your pipes with the following tips:
- Reduce the water pressure in your system, as pipes weaken when they are used under high pressure.
- Use a water softener to remove minerals and chemicals, which can build up on the pipes.
- Reduce the water usage – turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth or limit shower time.
- Check pipes regularly, and keep an eye on water pressure and other changes that could signal there is a leak or another issue.
Learn where your shut-off valves are located.
Your plumbing system should have a main shut-off valve, as well as separate valves for your kitchen, bathroom, toilet, etc. In case of emergency, if a pipe bursts, run for the shut-off valve, so you do not end up with water all over the house!
Perform occasional inspections and maintenance on the plumbing system. Our experts are here to advise and help! Contact us!