For most of us, plumbing is just something we have to deal with. We don’t worry much about it, or spend much time thinking about it. However, when it suddenly stops working, or if we encounter a problem, boy do we notice!
Plumbing problems are no fun at all. That’s why we have compiled a list of our top plumbing tips that will help prevent some of your biggest pet peeves when it comes to your pipes.
1. Don’t Pour Grease or Oil Down the Drain
Has anyone ever said that eating food gives them a ‘greasy coat’ or fills them up? When you dump grease or oil down the drain, the same thing happens as when you eat greasy food.
Grease and oil will accumulate. First, you won’t notice it – you’ll think it’s fine, and that as a liquid, it should go down the sink. The grease and oil will eventually clog your pipes and leave you with some serious plumbing problems.
Consider your pipes before pouring that cooking liquid down the drain, and choose a safer disposal option. If you want to compost fat, wait until it solidifies before you do so.
2. Use A Strainer
When it comes to a shower or sink drain, clogs are among the most common issues. Hair and soap residue make the situation gross and messy.
You can avoid the icky by using a basket strainer. In the future, this will prevent an unpleasant and time-consuming task.
3. Watch What You Flush
There are certain things that should be flushed and certain things that should never be flushed. It’s pretty clear what we mean.
You may cause some serious clogs if you flush anything other than toilet paper and bodily waste down the toilet. That includes hygiene products, cotton balls, prescription medications, and yes…unfortunate fish.
It is possible that your toilet is becoming clogged more often than usual for several reasons.
4. Know Where Your Main Water Valve Is
There is not much you learn about plumbing, but it’s important to know where your main water valve is and what to do if something goes wrong.
In the event that your pipes burst, turning off your main water valve will help minimize the damage until we can arrive at the scene. You’ll spend a lot of time scrambling if you don’t know where it is while your home suffers significant water damage.
5. Test Your Toilet’s Flush Valve Seal for Leaks
A toilet leak can be a real pain, but if you catch it early you’ll be able to manage it better and possibly avoid some more serious plumbing concerns down the road.
The flush valve seal on your toilet is likely to be one of the places where you find a leak. When your toilet is not in flushing mode, the flush valve seal prevents water from flowing from the tank to the bowl. A simple test for detecting a leak in your flush valve seal is food colouring.
It wasn’t a mistake on your part. The only thing you need is a few drops of food colouring in your toilet tank. Come back in a few hours. The coloured water you see in your toilet bowl indicates a leak.
6. Make Sure Your Main Sewer Drain Is Accessible
Even though your plumbing is normally out of sight, it is important that your main sewer drain is always free and clear. We need to be able to move quickly and efficiently when there is a sewage line blockage.
Drain access points should be uncovered (no rugs or carpeting) and easy to reach – not hidden behind holiday decorations or old children’s toys.
Flooding in basements is a real problem, particularly if you live in certain areas. To avoid getting a surprise indoor pool, there are some steps you can take.
7. Prevent Your Plumbing From Freezing
Summer temperatures aren’t a problem, but once winter rolls around, temperatures will drop dramatically. You will have a higher risk of your plumbing freezing once temperatures get low enough.
You should always keep your home’s air circulating and at a temperature of 16 degrees Celsius if you want to keep your plumbing in good shape. Additionally, you should insulate as many plumbing lines outside the wall as possible to avoid disasters.
You shouldn’t wait until winter to look into options for better air circulation in a room that gets particularly cold in the fall. Now is the time to look into options.
A frozen pipe problem can also be caused by outdoor taps. Before the first frost, make sure your garden hose valve and the hose itself are completely drained of water.
8. Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
When it comes to the health and wellbeing of your plumbing, chemical drain cleaners are a terrible idea. Since they are advertised as immediately effective, people tend to go for them, but they can do more harm long term.
When it comes to clearing drain clogs, BioOne is a non-caustic, safe choice. It breaks down organic matter with a natural bacteria that doesn’t harm your pipes.
If you have cleared up those clogs, use BioOne once a month on every drain in your house to keep them away.
9. Consider Separate Shut Off Valves on Your Fixtures
Eventually, your plumbing will need to be repaired; it’s inevitable. Surely you aren’t looking forward to the day when you have to shut off all your water so that someone can do the work.
There is a way around that. If you install separate shutoff valves on your fixtures, you will no longer have the problem of all water or no water, as you will be able to turn off the water to different parts of the house as needed. If your bathroom isn’t working, you can still use the kitchen sink.
10. Prolong Your Tap’s Life
How often do we turn off the tap as tightly as possible for fear of hearing the drip, drip, drip of the faucet?
As a result of the increased pressure it is experiencing every time the tap is turned too tight, this is actually bad for your tap’s seal; it wears it out more quickly. Imagine it as a pencil; the more you use it, the more worn down it becomes.
Don’t force the tap shut; instead, turn it until you feel the natural stopping point. Applying just the right amount of pressure is similar to using a pencil.
We’re There When Things Happen
You can take all the preventative measures you want, but like anything else, time will eventually wear down your plumbing. Eventually, something will go wrong.
When things get tough, we’re here for you. Our services range from plumbing repairs to full or partial replacements, as well as everything in between. Count on us to do it all right, guaranteed.
