The dangers of water damage should never be taken lightly. A plumbing disaster can quickly turn into a nightmare if you are not prepared to deal with it. Unfortunately, homeowners can never prepare enough for a plumbing emergency. Learning the ropes of maintaining a plumbing system in your home might seem challenging but it can also save you thousands of dollars in house damages. Here are some tips to keep your home’s plumbing in great shape.
Avoid Pouring Grease Down The Drain
Grease, oil, and animal fats should not go down the drain. Though the sink drain is where most unwanted fluids usually go, greasy liquids do not belong there. Dumping grease and oil down the sink will cause clogs in your pipes and give you more plumbing problems. You may not notice it at first, but it will soon build up in your pipes and slow down the flow of water. Eventually, it will cause a blockage and stop the water from flowing entirely.
Be Mindful of What You Flush
A toilet bowl should not be used as a trashcan. Flushing down plastic, cotton swabs, hair, diapers, towels, sanitary products, and other non-flushable items can cause a clog in your toilet. The only thing you can safely flush down the toilet is toilet paper.
Check For Toilet and Pipe Leaks
Toilet leaks are common and catching them early can save you from serious plumbing issues in the future. They are easy to spot and are manageable. One of the most common places you may find a leak is in your toilet flush valve seal. You can check for a leak by using food coloring. A couple of drops of food coloring in your toilet tank will help you know if your toilet has a leak. Wait an hour or so and check back to see if the tank is leaking. Besides the commode, you should also check the pipes around your house for leaks.
Have Plumbing Leaks Fixed Immediately
Ignoring and leaving leaks without any solution can increase your water bill. A leaky faucet can cost you up to eight gallons of water every day. That is 240 gallons a month and 2,920 gallons of water a year. Many people fail to recognize this slow money drain in their plumbing system until it’s too late. Call for professional help if you need assistance to find out if there are any hidden leaks in your plumbing system.
Know Where The Shut-Off Valves Are
It is crucial for homeowners to know the locations of the main valves. In case of emergencies, when you need to cut off the water throughout your house, these valves can do the job for you. Unfortunately, keeping a tab of all the valves can be challenging as some of them might be located outside the house.
Be Familiar With Plumber’s Tape
Plumber’s tape, also known as Teflon tape, is used by plumbers as a sealant for pipe threads to prevent leaks. They are designed for smaller plumbing projects, while the yellow ones are used for gas line connections. When doing minor plumbing work yourself, ensure the plumber’s tape is wrapped at least three or more times around pipe threads to avoid leakage.
The majority of homeowners encounter plumbing issues a few times a year. Most of them are easily manageable, while others can be misleading and may need urgent attention. Keeping your home’s plumbing in great shape can sometimes take more than plumber’s tape. If you are looking to keep your home’s plumbing in great shape all year round, we at Flamingo Plumbing and Backflow can help.
