No one likes to deal with an overflowing toilet at their family gathering or coming home from vacation to a flooded kitchen. Plumbing emergencies can be highly stressful, messy, and very costly. Fortunately, most of the worst problems can be prevented with easy steps. Today, the professionals at Rooter Man Plumbing go over crucial tips that will help you avoid the most significant plumbing emergencies.
Be Careful What You Flush
It may be very tempting to flush various non-flushable items down the toilet; however, this has the potential to create some severe blockages of the drains. Generally speaking, toilets are only designed to handle the “three Ps”-pee, poo, and paper. Wet wipes, diapers, hair, dental floss, and coffee grounds all constitute a partial list of things that should never see the interior of your toilet. The toilet will be clogged by these items, which can create further and costly repairs.
Use Your Garbage Disposal Wisely
Your garbage disposal is a convenient machine in your kitchen but not quite an all-things-inclusive box. Remain within grinding up soft food scraps and avoid fibrous items, such as banana peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Also to be avoided are fats, oils, and grease because these may contaminate your pipes and result in extensive blockages. Instead, scrape these materials into a separate container and dispose of them in the trash.
Check on Your Home’s Water Pressure
High water pressure can put stress on your pipes and increase the risk of leaks or even burst pipes. Be sure to check the water pressure gauge often to check that it is within acceptable limits. If you notice low or high water pressure, call in a professional plumber to assess your system. It will be way cheaper to correct problems early enough in order to avoid greater ones at the end.
Never Pour Grease Down The Sink
Residual grease, oil, and fat are the most common causes of blocked drains. Draining them down the sink-even with hot water, creates blockages as they cool down in your pipes. Pour grease into a container, let it solidify, and dispose of it in a trash can. If it happens anyway no matter how well your intentions are, you may have to avail yourself of a local plumbing repair service for professional drains cleaning.
Know where your main water shut-off valve is located. If there is a significant leak or even a burst pipe, it will be essential for you to know where the main water shut-off valve is located. Show yourself where it is, and make sure you can quickly turn it off. That might save you from water damage to reduce repair costs in an emergency.
Schedule Routine Plumbing Inspections
Regular plumbing inspections prevent minor problems from turning into big emergencies. A qualified plumber can detect leaks, corrosion, and other issues that may result in significant repairs later. Annual inspections are ways to take proactive approaches to keeping your plumbing system in good condition.
Educate the Household Members on Proper Plumbing Use
Many plumbing emergencies occur due to improper usage. Educate all members of your household regarding the proper use of plumbing. Inform them not to flush items that must not reach the drain, take all precautions while using the garbage disposals, and never pour grease down the drain. A little awareness can go a long way in preventing plumbing disasters.
Avoid Do-It-Yourself Fixes for Major Problems
Some minor plumbing repairs can be handled without expert assistance, but significant problems must be left to a professional. In fact, a DIY approach will make things much worse and much more expensive to fix regarding pipe repair, water heater repair, and significant leak repair. Instead, trust the experienced plumbing service for the bigger plumbing jobs.
Get Help From Experienced Local Plumbers
Whether you have a plumbing emergency or simply want to schedule routine maintenance, contact the professionals at Rooter Man Plumbing. Our crew brings years of experience in providing emergency drain cleaning, broken pipe repair, leak detection, garbage disposal repair, and so much more. With our workmanship guarantee, our commitment to pricing fairness, and our first-class customer service, we’re ready for any plumbing issue you may have.