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Home Improvement  /  May 21, 2014

5 Plumbing Maintenance Tips for Every Homeowner

Here are some tips to prepare you in case of a plethora of different plumbing maintenance problems.

There is nothing worse than an unexpected plumbing emergency.  Whether it is a pipe bursting or water flooding everywhere or a major clog, it is a headache that nobody wants.   In most homes, the plumbing is used with frequency, but we often do not give it much thought in our day to day lives.  Plumbing maintenance is incredibly important and relatively simple.  When you regularly maintain your plumbing, you can avoid costly and frustrating damage and keep your plumbing functioning properly.

  • Tip # 1:  Keep Things That Do Not Belong, Out of Plumbing
    • When it comes to sink drains and shower drains, the most common culprits of clogs are hair and debris.  You may be tempted to see a few hairs in the sink and rinse them down the drain but don’t!  Those hairs build up and clog over time and what seems like a small and simple problem at first can quickly turn into a large problem.  When it comes to toilets, only toilet paper and waste should be flushed down the drain.  Anything else flushed down the toilet is not designed to be in that plumbing and can (and most likely, eventually will) lead to a clog.
  • Tip # 2:  Clean Your Drains
    • Over time, some degree of buildup is inevitable in drains.  You will see the drain becoming slower and that is the first sign of an imminent problem.  Do not use harsh chemical drain cleaners.  Simply pour about 1 cup of baking soda in the drain and then pour 1/2 cup of vinegar in the drain.  Let this magic potion do its thing for about 30 minutes and then rinse with hot water for a few minutes to clean everything out.
  • Tip # 3:  Repair Problems Early
    • Do you see that your drain is starting to slow?  This may seem like a small nuisance now, but if you do not fix it right away, the problem will grow and may require professional help.  Get in there and clean out the buildup now if possible so that you can avoid a problem going forward.  If you see a leak, even a tiny one, do not ignore it.  You never know when that tiny leak will become a big one and then you have a real mess on your hands!
  • Tip # 4:  Know How to Shut Off the Water
    • You do not need to be a plumber, but you do need to know how to shut off the main valve for your water supply.  When water is gushing out from under your sink spilling gallons upon gallons of water into your kitchen, you need to know how to quickly shut off the water to avoid major flooding and damage far beyond fixing the plumbing problem.
  • Tip # 5:  Know a Good Plumber
    • There are a lot of things you can do yourself to prevent plumbing problems and to even fix basic plumbing problems.  But, when things go awry and the depth of the problem is outside of your comfort zone, you want to know a good plumber that can fix your problem.  When plumbing problems occur, the last thing you want to do is call around to see if a plumber is available and wonder if they are reliable, knowledgeable and trustworthy.  Know your plumber ahead of time so that if something goes wrong, you can grab their card and give them a call.

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