Key takeaways:
- Maintain the condition of your pipes to avoid water damage. This includes inspecting them for leaks, rust, and other damage regularly.
- Protect drains from blockage by using mesh sink strainers and knowing what not to flush down the toilet.
- Know where your residential plumbing’s water shutoff valve is located in case of an emergency.
- Avoid chemical treatments for drain blockages or clogs, as they may cause more harm than good.
- Upgrade your pipes, hoses, and fixtures when they get old to prevent plumbing disasters.
No one wants to deal with a plumbing disaster, but unfortunately, they can strike when you least expect it. A burst pipe can cause severe water damage to your home and belongings, and a clogged drain can quickly become a sewage nightmare.
The best part is that there are several simple things you can take to avoid these mishaps in the first place. Here are eight smart tips by Leak Pros of Georgia to avoid plumbing disasters.
8 Plumbing Tips to Avoid Emergency Repairs
Plumbing problems can range from minor to catastrophic, causing substantial property damage if not addressed quickly. A minor leak or break that goes unnoticed may rapidly become a plumbing crisis that needs the experienced skills of an emergency plumber to rectify. Home water damage should be handled seriously, but these simple preventive actions may frequently save you the bother and annoyance of dealing with costly plumbing disasters.
Tip 01: Maintain the Condition Of Your Pipes
Water pipes aren’t meant to endure forever and can sustain significant damage from rust, water, and corrosion. Thus, older homes require extra upkeep and may require re-piping to avoid leaks and bursts. Another key issue is the temperature since cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and fracture, resulting in flooding in the home. This occurs because when water freezes, it expands, similar to how tin soda cans explode in the freezer if left for too long.
Weather-related damage may be avoided by properly insulating pipes and keeping the heat on. Also, keep the thermostat at an average temperature during winter and ensure any exterior doors are completely sealed. Additionally, inspect unheated home areas for drafts and caulk crevices tight to prevent wind chill from entering.
Tip 02: Protect Drains from Blockage
Drains in showers, bathroom basins, and kitchen sinks without trash disposals are prone to clogging from food, hair, and other material accumulating through time and neglect. This may cause drainage systems to clog, resulting in an inconvenient mess. Rather than allowing it to get to this stage and then frantically searching online for a plumber near me, consider investing in mesh sink strainers to prevent things from falling down the drain. Garbage disposals can be sensitive to chicken bones, fruit pits, corn husks, and lots of starchy meals like spaghetti.
Tip 03: Know Where Your Water Shutoff Valve Is
It is critical for homeowners to know where the primary shutoff valve is located. This is conveniently accessible near the location of your water meter. This is often seen at the front of your home. This valve allows you to halt the water flow in an emergency rapidly.
Because of its importance, tenants and property owners should examine it regularly to ensure that it is functioning without difficulty and that no traces of leaking are visible. During the winter, the cold temperatures can harden the handle, so check it every two weeks to determine if it can still be turned clockwise. Also, keep in mind that municipal rules demand that main water shutdown valves be easily accessible.
Tip 04: Know What to Flush in Your Toilet
In general, only your body waste should be flushed. Your toilet is not a garbage can; sadly, many people treat it as such. Diapers, baby wipes, dental floss, feminine hygiene items, and even cat litter are routinely thrown down toilets. These items/products are common causes of plugged drains.
Tip 05: Avoid Any Chemical Treatments
Although it may be tempting to treat a drain blockage by pouring a de-clogging agent down your sink or shower drain, you are also putting your pipes in danger. These chemicals may cause deterioration and serious damage. Instead, it’s often safer to utilize a chemical-free alternative to clearing obstructions, such as a plunger or drain snake.
The same holds with drop-in toilet bowl treatments, which include harsh chemicals that can pollute and damage the water going through the pipes. These compounds and their vapors are hazardous to human and animal health and can irritate the skin. You can try natural alternatives such as baking soda and vinegar or use enzymatic drain cleaners.
Tip 06: Inspect Your Pipes Regularly for Leaks
If you want to avoid major plumbing disasters, it’s important to inspect your pipes regularly for leaks. Even a small leak can quickly become a big problem if it’s not fixed promptly. Inspecting your pipes for leaks is relatively easy and only takes a couple of minutes. Turn off all the water appliances and then check your water meter. If the meter is still running, you leak somewhere in your home’s plumbing system. Once you’ve located the leak, have it repaired as soon as possible by a licensed plumber.
Tip 07: Upgrade Your Pipes, Hoses, And Fixtures
If your home is more than a few decades old, it is likely, your pipes, hoses, and fixtures are also quite old. While these items are built to last, they will eventually need to be replaced. When this time comes, consider upgrading to newer, more durable materials. For example, opt for braided steel hoses instead of using rubber hoses. These hoses are much more durable and less likely to leak or burst.
Tip 08: Educate Yourself About Your Home’s Plumbing
The more you understand your home’s plumbing, the easier it will be to identify possible problems and take preventative measures. Spend some time learning about the various components of your plumbing system and how they interact. This will improve your understanding of what may go wrong and how to avoid it.
Choose Leak Pros of Georgia for Your Next Plumbing Disaster in the Atlanta Metro
Having a plumbing disaster in your home is never fun. But by following these tips, you can help prevent them from creating havoc in the first place.
While there are many plumbing problems that you can handle yourself, there are some that are best left to the professionals. If you’re ever unsure about a plumbing issue in Atlanta, contact Leak Pros of Georgia for help.
We have expert plumbers on staff who have vast experience dealing with post-water damage plumbing difficulties and can swiftly diagnose and resolve the issue.
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