Plumbing

Overview

It’s crucial to maintain your home’s plumbing system to ensure it runs smoothly and prevent expensive repairs. Important strategies include not disposing of grease and oil down the drain, using sink strainers to catch debris, and being mindful of what you flush—only toilet paper and human waste should go down the toilet. Regular pipe inspections, annual water heater maintenance, and knowing the location of your main water shut-off valve are essential practices. Using natural alternatives to chemical drain cleaners, installing whole-home water filters, and effectively using plungers for clog removal can also greatly benefit your plumbing system. Additionally, practicing water conservation by using low-flow faucets and showerheads, addressing leaky faucets promptly, and considering the age and efficiency of your water heater can save water and energy. Proper garbage disposal maintenance, such as using eggshells for cleaning and avoiding overloading, along with preventive measures like insulating pipes and regularly checking for leaks, helps maintain plumbing efficiency. In case of emergencies, it’s advisable to keep a professional plumber’s contact information handy to avoid exacerbating issues with DIY fixes.

Home Plumbing Success: 10 Essential Tips

Maintain your plumbing system with these key strategies:

1. Instead of disposing of grease and oil down the drain, store them in a container to prevent potential blockages over time.
2. Place sink strainers to trap food particles and debris, ensuring unhindered drainage, and clean them regularly to maintain their effectiveness.
3. Please refrain from flushing anything except human waste and toilet paper to prevent serious clogs. Avoid flushing items such as diapers, sanitary napkins, and paper towels.
4. Inspect your pipes annually to catch any leaks or cracks and avoid expensive repairs down the line.
5. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners as they can damage your pipes and pose health risks. Instead, opt for natural alternatives such as baking soda and vinegar, or enlist the help of a professional.
6. Combat hard water and filter impurities by installing a whole-home water filtration system, ensuring better water quality for your plumbing and overall health.
7. Use a plunger to dislodge sink or toilet clogs, avoiding chemical cleaners. Ensure a proper seal and repeat the plunging process if necessary.
8. Know where your main water shut-off valve is located so you can quickly address any plumbing emergencies.
9. Arrange for a licensed professional to perform an annual inspection and maintenance service on your water heater to extend its lifespan, improve efficiency, and keep the warranty valid.
10. When faced with a plumbing issue, hire a licensed professional plumber rather than attempting DIY fixes, which may exacerbate the problem.

Essential Plumbing Tips and Tricks for Homeowners

It’s important to keep your plumbing system in good condition to ensure your home runs smoothly. Here are some helpful suggestions and guidance for maintaining the top performance of your plumbing:

Address leaky faucets promptly to prevent water wastage. Even a small leak can lead to gallons of wasted water over time.
Insulate your electric hot water storage tank and pipes to save energy, but be careful not to block the thermostat.
Similarly, insulate your gas or oil hot water storage tank and pipes, but avoid covering essential components like the thermostat, burner compartment, or the top and bottom of the water heater. If you’re unsure, seek professional assistance.
Install non-aerating low-flow faucets and showerheads to reduce water consumption and save money on your water bill.
Consider the age of your water heater. While most water heaters last 10-15 years, it’s wise to start researching replacements once yours is over 7 years old. This proactive approach gives you time to select the best option for your needs.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater to a reasonable temperature. Factory settings can sometimes be unnecessarily high. A setting around 115°F is typically sufficient for most households.
Every three months, drain a quart of water from your water tank to remove sediment buildup, which can hinder heat transfer and decrease efficiency.
If you live in a warm and sunny area, consider installing a solar water heater, especially if you currently use electricity for heating. It’s an eco-friendly and cost-effective option in suitable conditions.

Valuable Plumbing Tips and Tricks for Home Maintenance

Maintaining your home’s plumbing system in excellent condition is essential for ensuring comfort and efficiency. Below are some helpful tips and guidelines to keep everything running smoothly.

1. Garbage Disposal Maintenance:

Clean garbage disposals effectively by using eggshells.
Make sure not to overload the disposal with too much food at once.
Prevent clogs by using plenty of water while running the garbage disposal.
Avoid putting rice, pasta, bones, corn cobs, or beans into the disposal.

2. Water Conservation:

Opt for showers over baths to conserve water, as showers use less hot water.
Select a water heater with a first-hour rating suitable for your family’s hot water needs.
Consider off-peak electricity rates for electric water heaters to save on energy costs.
Water heaters that run on natural gas, oil, or propane are generally more cost-efficient than electric models.
Install a timer for electric water heaters to save energy.
Switch to low-flow faucets and showerheads to reduce water consumption.

3. Safety and Efficiency:

Ensure proper ventilation for gas and oil water heaters to prevent the back-drafting of combustion gases.
Install the water heater in a heated area, not in an unheated basement, to improve efficiency.
Minimize the length of piping to your bathroom and kitchen to enhance water heater efficiency.
Use biodegradable soaps to conserve water and protect the environment.

4. Preventive Maintenance:

Regularly check all pipes for leaks, as even minor leaks can waste significant amounts of water.
Check for leaks by monitoring your water meter when no water is being used.
Have your septic system inspected twice a year to ensure it’s functioning properly.
Replace old showerheads with newer, water-efficient models to conserve water.
Avoid overusing detergents and chemicals, as they can damage septic systems.

5. Dealing with Clogs:

Use the appropriate plungers for toilets and sinks to remove clogs effectively.
If plunging doesn’t work for a clogged toilet, contact a professional plumber.
Try pouring baking soda and vinegar down a clogged drain, followed by boiling water.
Let a clogged toilet sit for a few hours or overnight before attempting to flush it again.
Avoid using toilet flushing tabs, as they can cause problems in the long run.

6. Cleaning Tips:

Use distilled vinegar to remove hard water stains from showerheads.
Clean the dishwasher by running it with white vinegar.
Use half a lemon to remove hard water stains from faucets.
Clean toilets with Coke, or let vinegar-soaked bags sit on the showerhead to remove stains.

7. Emergency Preparedness:

Keep a plumber’s contact number handy for emergencies.
If the toilet starts to overflow, turn off the water valve behind it immediately.

8. Additional Tips:

Avoid disposing of disposable diapers, feminine hygiene products, coffee grounds, and other similar items down drains.
Consider installing a corner toilet in small bathrooms to save space.
Place a bucket in the shower to collect water for other household uses, such as washing your vehicle.

9. Maintenance Tips:

Check your water meter for an easy-to-read leak indicator to detect leaks.
Test for leaky toilets by adding food coloring to the tank and observing if it appears in the bowl.
If items fall into the toilet, use a wet/dry vacuum to retrieve them.
Make it a habit to regularly check your sump pump for signs of malfunction, such as strange noises or a lack of water discharge.
Ensure that the float in your sump pump is free of obstructions and that the outlet is pumping water effectively.
Consider installing a check valve and a dedicated electrical circuit for your sump pump to improve its efficiency and safety.
Avoid using extension cords to plug in sump pumps, and always turn off power to basement outlets before attempting any repairs.

10. Maintenance Warnings:

Avoid using chemicals to unclog drains, as they can corrode pipes over time.
Watching home improvement shows does not equate to professional plumbing expertise; complex plumbing issues should be handled by licensed professionals.
Address leaky faucets promptly to prevent costly repairs and water waste.

11. Emergency Preparedness:

Keep the contact number of a licensed plumber handy for plumbing emergencies.

12. Water Conservation:

Choose showers over baths and install WaterSense-labeled toilets to conserve water.
Avoid overusing detergents and chemicals, as they can damage plumbing systems and septic tanks.

Dos and Don'ts of Plumbing

Plumbing may seem daunting, but with some basic knowledge of dos and don’ts, you can keep your system running smoothly. Here are some essential tips:

Dos:

Flush Only Toilet Paper: Flushing anything other than toilet paper can lead to clogs. Stick to flushing only toilet paper to avoid costly repairs.
Regular Leak Checks: Regularly check faucets, pipes, and toilets for leaks to save on water bills and prevent water damage.
Know Your Shut-Off Valve: Ensure you know where the primary water shut-off valve is located in case of emergencies, such as burst pipes. Turning off the water promptly can help minimize additional damage.
Replace Old Fixtures and Pipes: Replace worn-out fixtures and pipes to avoid future repairs. Use plumber’s tape for threaded connections to prevent leaks.
Use Drain Strainers: Prevent clogs by using drain strainers to catch debris and particles before they enter the plumbing system.
Insulate Pipes: Protect pipes from freezing and bursting by insulating them during cold weather.
Dispose of Fats and Grease Properly: To prevent clogs, avoid pouring fats, oils, and grease down the drain. Instead, dispose of them in the trash.
Be Mindful of Garbage Disposal: Only dispose of appropriate items in the garbage disposal to avoid damaging the blades.
Empty Traps Regularly: Regularly empty P-traps under sinks to prevent odors and blockages.

Don'ts:

Don’t Use Harsh Chemicals: Avoid using harsh chemicals to clear blockages, as they can damage pipes. Instead, call a professional plumber for assistance.
Avoid Overloading the Garbage Disposal: Avoid putting bones, fruit pits, or vegetable peels into the garbage disposal, as they can harm the blades.

make sure all points of water access has shut off valves including under sinks and outdoor and indoor water spigots and fountains, this will allow you to shut off the area where there may be a leak while continuing utilizing the water in all the other parts of the home. Make sure all outdoor spigots are winterized and covered in the winter we recommend using the slip on glove type cover with the Velcro straps and do not leave the water spigot running or open in the winter this will allow the cold to get in and freeze the pipes valves should be shut off tightly and covered.