Having water is so essential to our modern life that a day without clean running water is nearly unthinkable. Because having clean water is so essential, homeowners and business owners need to repair any sort of plumbing issues right away.
At Lancaster Plumbing & Drain, we believe that the best way to guarantee that you’ll have access to clean running water is to avoid doing activities that can cause damage to your plumbing. For this reason, our professional plumbers have made a list of ways to prevent common plumbing problems.
Check Exposed Pipes Regularly
Leaky pipes are common in a lot of households. Nevertheless, you can avoid wasting too much water by checking exposed pipes regularly. Typically, homeowners can find exposed pipes in their basement, behind their toilets, and beneath sinks. When checking exposed pipes, you should always look for dampness and signs of decay, especially around plumbing fixtures and fittings. Keep in mind that condensation is expected in these areas when it’s humid, so it is normal to notice some dampness around pipes on hot and humid days and you can also check them again when the temperature is colder. Corrosion occurs when water reacts with metal plumbing. Corrosion can indicate a leaky pipe. In any case, homeowners should check for leaks. Aside from that, our professional plumbers at Lancaster Plumbing & Drain suggest replacing pipes with heavily corroded fittings.
Don’t Flush Non-Flushable Items in Toilet
To prevent plumbing problems from happening in the first place, you should avoid flushing the wrong things down the toilet. Otherwise, there are all sorts of stuff that can block your pipes and cause problems such as clogged toilets or clogged drainage. Toilets are made to flush only certain things, such as toilet paper and human waste, all of which can break up easily. Paper towels aren’t intended to be flushed either. If using a plunger isn’t working, you might need to call a professional plumber like Lancaster Plumbing & Drain. If you have children, we suggest teaching them not to flush anything they shouldn’t.
Make Sure Your Water is Flowing Properly
Poor water pressure is a plumbing issue often caused by a clog in your aerator or pipe. You can check water pressure by checking the water flow from the faucet or tap. Usually, faucets should have steady water flow without any flow changes or fluctuations. Nevertheless, some faucets, such as low-flow faucets or taps, have variable water pressure. In any case, homeowners should use their best judgment when checking faucets. In addition to testing them, homeowners can also check if their drains are working. Slow drains are another common plumbing problem. They are caused by a blockage or by buildup in the pipes. Keep in mind that it’s always easier to clear clogged drains with minimal accumulation. Because of this, it’s good to clean them before they are clogged entirely.
What Are You Putting in Your Washer?
Sometimes people use kitchen and bathroom drains to dispose of materials or chemicals that are hazardous because they think that water can wash it away. This isn’t a good idea. Some materials, like dirt and cement, clogs drains easily. We suggest homeowners avoid washing inappropriate materials on their sinks to prevent common plumbing problems, such as slow drains.
Do You Use Strainers?
Another great approach to avoiding clogs in your drain is to use filters and strainers. Keep in mind that countless items can cause blockages, including hair, soap residue, and food waste. This simple tool can detect materials before they end up in your pipes and cause problems.
Don’t Pour Oil Down the Drain
Make sure you aren’t pouring any sort of grease or oil down your drains. Some people dump the oil on their sinks when cleaning frying pans, assuming it will be flushed away with water. However, oil and grease solidify and clog pipes. Over time, plumbing pipes, appliances, and drains can develop a severe problem. Don’t pour oil down your drain or into any sort of plumbing-related equipment.
What To Do Next?
As we have discussed, homeowners can avoid all sorts of expensive plumbing problems if they can detect the problem before it becomes a major issue. For this reason, you should regularly inspect or test your exposed pipes and water pressure. Aside from that, you should also avoid flushing or washing items than can clog your pipes.
If you have any questions or need help with a plumbing issue, call Lancaster Plumbing & Drain. We at Lancaster Plumbing & Drain are available 24/7 at (740) 796-8998. You can also schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!