Let’s face it. Nobody likes dealing with plumbing problems. Leaky pipes, low water pressure, or clogged drains in your home or business are major frustrations and, in some cases, can also be devastatingly expensive. Although you can’t always avoid encountering these kinds of issues, there are things you can do to make them less likely. By following these plumbing tips, you can keep your plumbing system as healthy and efficient as possible. All it takes is a bit of proactivity and dedication.
1. Regularly Inspect for Leaks
Leaky pipes can cause a variety of problems for your household. For one, they lead to quite a bit of wasted water, which is not something to be taken these days lightly. There’s also the fact that those leaks can cause water damage to your property, decrease your plumbing system’s efficiency, and negatively affect your water pressure. If any of your pipes start leaking, dealing with the issue quickly will minimize the impact and potentially save you some money. So, it’s always prudent to periodically inspect any exposed pipes in your home or business for signs of leaking water.
If you observe rust, warping, or the presence of water on or around the pipes, that’s a clear indicator that you’ve got a leak. However, if you discover any leaks, the best course of action is to turn off the water to your home and call Big B’s Plumbing. Their dispatch center will promptly dispatch a plumber.
2. Be Smart About What You Flush
You may be surprised at how often people flush things that shouldn’t go down their toilets. While it can be tempting to flush items like hygiene products, cotton balls, or paper towels, you’d be wise to resist that temptation. In truth, the only things that should ever go down the toilet are waste and toilet paper. If you flush anything else, you’re putting yourself at risk for a seriously clogged toilet or, if you’re really unlucky, a clogged sewer line. If the latter occurs, you’ll need a professional plumber to clear the obstruction. Instead of dealing with that hassle, be smart about what you choose to flush.
3. Avoid Pouring Grease or Oil Down the Drain
While occasionally pouring a little bit of cooking oil or grease down the kitchen sink may not seem a big deal, getting in the habit of doing it is a bad idea. Although that grease or oil goes down the drain as a liquid, it will start solidifying as it works its way into your plumbing system. And if you allow enough of it to accumulate down there, it can form an obstruction and clog up your pipes, resulting in significant plumbing issues. Instead of pouring cooking oils and grease down the drain, opt for a different disposal method. One easy idea: let it solidify, then throw it in the trash bin. Alternatively, you can store it in a sealed container and deliver it to your local collection site.
4. One Of The Best Plumbing Tips Is To Choose the Right Plumber
When you need plumbing service or repairs for your home or business, selecting a quality plumber can make all the difference. Hiring a licensed, insured, experienced, and a reputable plumber will give you peace of mind and various other benefits. When the plumber working on your pipes, fixtures, or appliances is skilled and reliable, the health and efficiency of your plumbing system will be much better in the long run. As a result, you’ll save money on your monthly bills and avoid costly repair jobs down the road. When choosing a plumber to work with, check their customer references and ask a few questions about the services you need. If they’re worth hiring for the job, they should be able to give you an upfront pricing estimate and confidently answer any questions you have.
5. Know Your Main Water Valve’s Location
Unfortunately, many homeowners wouldn’t be able to tell you where the main water shut-off valve is for their household. Most of the time, this isn’t a problem, but if you ever experience a burst pipe or a major leak, knowing where to find your main water shut-off valve suddenly becomes very important. When you encounter a plumbing emergency, being able to shut off the water in your home can minimize the amount of damage until you can receive professional plumbing help. Otherwise, you can end up with serious flooding, leading to massive water damage, mold growth, and other problems. In most cases, the main water valve in a house will be located in the garage, usually near the water heater. Please make a point to learn where yours is, and try not to forget it!
6. Invest in a Water Softening System
If you don’t have a water softening system, there’s a strong chance that the water flowing through your home or business contains magnesium and calcium ions. While you may not realize it, those minerals can leave behind a ” scale ” residue in your pipes and appliances. If enough scale builds up in your pipes, it can clog your plumbing system or even cause serious damage to the piping. It can also diminish the energy efficiency of your washing machine, dishwasher, and water heater. However, if you have a water softener installed, it will filter out those minerals before they can cause problems. Without that calcium and magnesium, the water will be better for your skin, hair, and clothing as well. For more plumbing tips keep reading.
7. Utilize Drain Covers
If the drains in your shower and kitchen sink aren’t protected, there’s a high likelihood that things like hair, chunks of soap, and solid food items will regularly find their way into your plumbing system. When that happens, you can easily find yourself dealing with clogged drains and nasty odors, which are always frustrating and inconvenient. Instead of taking that risk, invest in a couple of mesh drain covers. They’ll catch the objects you don’t want going down your drain, saving you the hassle of snaking your drains or enlisting a plumber’s help to clear them out.
Need more Plumbing tips? Call your Inland Empire Plumbing Experts!
Regardless of the plumbing issue you’re dealing with, the expert plumbers at Big B’s Plumbing are always available to help. Whether you’re experiencing leaky pipes, a clogged sewer line, a lack of hot water, or any other unpleasant problem, we’ll take care of it promptly and the value you would expect. In addition, our team will make sure your plumbing system is functioning as smoothly and efficiently as possible. If you need professional plumbing tips, call now to get the service you deserve!
It’s great that you talked about avoiding clogged drains and nasty smells coming from your pulling system. My wife loses a lot of hair daily, and I think our shower drain got clogged again for the third time this week. I think I’ll call a plumber to help me unclog it, and I’ll be sure to ask about drain covers too.