Eight Tips for Keeping Your Plumbing in Good Shape
Let’s face it, no one wants to deal with bad plumbing. When plumbing goes south, it can lead to considerable expenses and bigger problems with your home.
While everyone will encounter plumbing problems every so often, there are preventative measures you can take to keep your system in the best shape possible. Here are a few suggestions.
Use Drain Covers
Drain covers are mesh covers that fit into the drains of your showers and sinks. They are meant to catch larger objects to keep them from clogging up your pipes. In the kitchen, a drain cover will keep items of food from washing down the drain helping to minimize odors.
Use Body Wash Instead of Soap
Soap produces soap scum that coats the walls of your pipes increasing the chance that your system will clog. Body wash remains in its liquid form so it travels easily throughout your system making clogs less likely.
Avoid Getting Grease and Cooking Oil into Your Drain
You might love greasy food, but your drain doesn’t. Once grease and oil is poured down the drain it solidifies. The buildup can result in a clog that isn’t easy to remove. Avoid buildup by pouring grease into a milk container or a similar receptacle before washing your dishes.
Run Hot Water Through the Drain After Washing Dishes
Even if you pour the grease from your dishes into a receptacle, there will still be some residue left. Keep it from clogging your drain by running hot water through your pipes for 15-20 seconds after you do your dishes.
Avoid Using Drain Cleaners that Are Full of Chemicals
There are many drain cleaners on the market that are advertised as having the ability to get rid of clogs. But the truth is, many of these do more harm than good. These cleaners are full of chemicals that can damage your pipes. If you have a clog, it’s best to clear it up with a plunger or a snake. If that doesn’t help, you may have to call in a professional.
Avoid Throwing Out Waste in the Toilet
Your toilet is meant to handle toilet paper and waste. Throwing anything else in there, including products advertised as flushable, can cause a clog.
Avoid Getting Hair in Your Bathroom Drain
When it comes to clogs, hair can be your shower’s worst enemy. To keep hair out of your drain, clean out any hair residue that may accumulate while you are taking a shower. A wet dry vacuum will also come in handy in cleaning up any mess around the drain.
Prepare for the Cold
The cold can wreak havoc on your plumbing system. Make sure you are prepared each year by insulating your pipes, keeping the house warm and disconnecting outdoor faucets. You may want to call a professional in to make sure your plumbing system is truly prepared for the winter.
A damaged plumbing system can be a major expense. These tips will help you keep your system in the best shape possible. What steps do you take when it comes to preventing clogs and minimizing repairs?
