Tips For Plumbing: Preventing Clogs Leaks And Flooding

1. Know What Not to Put in the Drain

Your kitchen sink may be equipped with a garbage disposal, but certain food items still not dumped into the drain, like:

• Grease from cooking
• Tough foods like corn and celery stalks
• Old food like steamed rice or coffee grounds
• Solid objects like fruit pits and bones
• Anything that isn't edible. Silverware and other small items can accidentally fall into the disposal and cause damage when you turn it on.

2. Be Aware of What Not to Flush

Toilets are designed to dispose of human waste and toilet paper. Here’s what you should never flush:

• Baby and/or wet wipes
• Paper towels
• Cotton swabs and cotton balls
• Feminine hygiene products
• Baby diapers
• Dental floss
• Expired medication

3. Use Mesh Strainers

A simple way to avoid a clog is to place mesh strainers over your laundry, kitchen and bath drains. They trap hair, bits of soap, old toothpaste and other debris as water goes down the drain. Stick to a regular schedule when you clean these strainers to keep your drains working properly.

4. Locate the Main Water Shutoff Valve

Being aware of your plumbing system means knowing how to find your main water shutoff valve. This valve regulates water coming into your home, so knowing where it is means you can turn it off quickly in a plumbing emergency. It’s also wise to close this valve before going away 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. Get a Sump Pump

Installing a sump pump helps prevent floods, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall. This device pumps out water that accumulates in the sump basin, generally installed in the floor of your basement, and expels it away from the house. If you already have a sump pump, check it every now and then by dumping some water into the pit. As long as the pump activates and the pit drains, it's working fine. If it doesn't work properly, you have time to call a professional to service the pump before another big thunderstorm rolls through.

6. Install Flood Alarms

Just as smoke alarms are a big part of good fire safety, flood alarms help prevent water damage. These hardwired or battery-operated devices detect water at the earliest stages of flooding or leaks, setting off an alarm to notify you. For further protection, add smart flood alarms into your home security system. This notifies you on your phone as soon as water has been detected, helping to handle leaks before they cause significant damage.

7. Add a Backflow Valve

Many plumbers recommend you put in a backflow valve in the basement floor drain to stop sewage from backing up into their homes after heavy rainfall. Professionals can install this strong layer of protection against sewage backflow.

Find 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 system of plumbing pipes and fixtures is concealed, so leaks often go unseen until they are capable of significant water damage. Regularly checking for leaks can help you spot trouble before it gets worse. Here's how:

• Check under the sink for signs of damp spots, rotting wood or mold.
• Keep an eye out for small leaks in your toilet by squeezing some drops of dye to the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl after 30 minutes without flushing, you've got 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, turn off all water in your home via the water main.
  • Then, go outside to check the water meter. Check it again after two hours, and do your best not to use any water before the second reading.
  • If the reading is different, there is a leak somewhere.

Protect Your Pipes from Freezing

In cold climates, doing your part to protect vulnerable pipes is vital if you want to avoid freezing and bursting. Here are some tips:

• Insulate pipes in purely functional/utility spaces like the basement, garage or attic with foam tubing or heating tape.
• Disconnect garden hoses from the spigots attached to your plumbing throughout the winter to prevent ice from forming inside the pipes.
• Keep all cabinets with plumbing pipes open during frigid weather to encourage airflow around the pipes.

Work with a Reliable Plumber

While you can carry out a wide variety preventive steps on your own to minimize the risk of clogs, leaks and damage from floods, sometimes it takes an experienced plumber to keep things flowing smoothly. That’s where Service Experts excels. We are a network of plumbers offering residential plumbing support from coast to coast with service backed by a Service Experts Guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied with our services by next year, we will do whatever it takes to make it right. This commitment shows how we ensure a complete sense of comfort in your life. For professional local plumbing service that exceeds expectations, please contact us today