How to Prevent Plumbing Leaks, Clogs and Flooding
You count on your home’s plumbing to support daily chores and plumbing fixtures, but unseen troubles can hide in many places. Luckily, you can stop obstructions, leaking and even flooding with a little preventive maintenance. Here’s how to keep your plumbing in check and your stress levels low.
1. Know What Not to Put in the Drain
Many kitchen sinks may be fitted with a garbage disposal, but several things still instead of dumped into the drain, such as:
- Grease from cooking
- Stringy foods like corn and stalks of celery
- Old food like boiled rice or coffee grounds
- Solid objects such as fruit pits and bones
- Non-food items. Silverware and other small items may end up in the disposal and damage something when you turn it on.
2. Know What Not to Flush
Toilets are designed to dispose of human waste and toilet paper. Here’s what you should never flush:
- Baby wipes
- Paper towels
- Soft cotton
- Sanitary products
- Diapers
- Floss
- Expired medication
3. Utilize Mesh Strainers
A simple way to lower the risk of clogs is to place sink strainers over your kitchen sinks and bath drains. They collect hair, pieces of soap, old toothpaste and other debris as water runs down the drain. these strainers to keep your drains running smoothly.
4. Find the Main Shutoff Valve
Being knowledgeable about your plumbing system means knowing the location of your main water shutoff valve. This valve controls water flowing into your home, so knowing where it is means you can turn it off quickly in a plumbing emergency. It’s also wise to turn off this valve before leaving town for an extended period. Common locations for the main shutoff valve include the basement, near the water heater, in a utility closet or outside the home under the ground.
5. Add a Sump Pump to Your Basement
Installing a sump pump can really help prevent water damage, particularly in climates prone to high annual rainfall. This device pumps out water that collects in a sump basin, generally installed in the floor of your basement, and pumps it out away from the house. For homes that already have a sump pump, check it every now and then by pouring water into the pit. If the pump activates and the pit drains, you’re good to go. If it doesn’t seem to be working properly, you have time to call a professional to fix your sump pump before another rainstorm.
6. Install Flood Flood Alarms
Similar to how smoke alarms are essential for fire safety, flood alarms are useful for preventing water damage. These hardwired or battery-operated devices sense pooling water at the earliest stages of flooding or leaks, sounding an alarm to notify you. For enhanced protection, include smart flood alarms into your home security system. This sends a notification on your phone if water is detected, helping to deal with leaks before they cause significant damage.
7. Add a Backflow Valve
Another helpful plumbing tip is to put in a backflow valve in the basement floor drain to prevent sewage from flowing backward into their homes after heavy rainfall. Professionals can install this strong layer of protection against sewage backflow.
Learn to Recognize and Avoid Leaks
Now that we’ve covered best practices and useful plumbing accessories, let’s review some preventive steps you can take to avoid leaks, or worse, burst pipes.
Most of your home plumbing is out of sight, so water issues often go unseen until they cause major problems. Regularly checking for leaks can help you identify problems quickly. Here are some ideas for you to try:
- Check under the sink for signs of damp spots, rotting wood or mold.
- Find small leaks in your toilet by squeezing a few drops of dye to the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl after 30 minutes without flushing, there is a leak.
- Examine around and behind your appliances, including the dishwasher or washing machine, for signs of water damage or leaks.
- Conduct a water meter test.
- First, shut off all water in your home via the home’s water main.
- Then, walk outside to check the water meter. Check it again in two hours, and make sure not to use any water before the test is done.
- If the reading is different, there is a leak somewhere.
Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing
In climates with cold winters, doing your part to protect vulnerable pipes is a good part of any plan to avoid freezing and bursting. Here is what you can do:
- Insulate pipes in unfinished spaces like the basement, garage or attic using foam tubing or heating tape.
- Disconnect garden hoses from the spigots attached to your plumbing during the winter to stop ice from forming inside the pipes.
- Keep under-sink cabinet doors open during freezing temperatures to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
Work with a Reliable Plumber
While you can carry out all sorts of preventive steps on your own to help prevent clogs, leaks and flood damage, sometimes it takes Expert local plumbers to keep things flowing smoothly. That’s where comes in. We work with some of the best plumbers offering residential plumbing support from coast to coast with service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely thrilled with your level of service after one year, we will do everything we can to make it right. This promise shows how we strive to make a meaningful difference in your life. For Expert plumbing service that exceeds expectations, please contact us today