How to Maintain Your Plumbing and Drains in your Home
When it comes to home systems, your plumbing is the workhorse of the entire crew. While your HVAC can cycle on and off and use specific systems for summer and winter; your plumbing is always working. However, it’s easy to let your plumbing go until something breaks or go wrong. We wouldn’t fault you for it. Therefore, when it comes to pipe and plumbing maintenance, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And, since your plumbing takes such good care of you and your home, it might be time to give some of the same care back to your system. Here are some tips for how to maintain your plumbing.
See a Slow Drain? Do Something About It
One of the best things you can do to maintain your plumbing is to watch for any slow draining. While it may not seem like a big deal, slow drains can cause some serious trouble if not dealt with. A slow drain is a perfect example of a small problem turning into a big one. When the drain is first clogged, most homeowners can usually deal with the clog on their own. However, if left over time, this clog builds up and becomes a huge backup. Which can lead to water damage, flooding, or damaged pipes. None of these things are fun to deal with.
There are a few ways to maintain your plumbing to help avoid slow drains. One is to periodically run hot water through the sink. The hot water will push any oils or food products down the drain. Also, if you smell something unpleasant you can always use baking soda followed by hot water! It is a great drain cleaning tool that can absorb foul odors; the hot water will help push everything through your pipes. A third DIY solution is to pour one cup of vinegar down a slow draining sink and let it sit for 30 minutes. When those 30 minutes are up, pour very hot water down the drain. If this plumbing maintenance doesn’t work, it’s time to call Bell Brothers.
Check Your Exposed Pipes
One important thing to do that’s also very easy, is to perform a quick visual inspection of any exposed pipes you have. This also goes for appliances. The next time you use your dishwasher, check to see if any water is leaking from it. Same goes for your washer and refrigerator. All you need to do is look around the area for signs of water damage or any collected water. If you do have exposed piping, just look for any cracks or small holes. These small openings can lead to large leaks if left untreated.
Don’t Use Chemicals
If you have a bottle of Draino—or any other chemical drain cleaning agent—throw it away. Chemical drain cleaners seem like a great thing to use in a pinch, but they can corrode any metal pipes and even melt certain PVC pipes. They are also hazardous. Think of all the buildup those cleaners burn through; now imagine that on your hands. Not fun, right? This is one of the many reasons we do not recommend chemical drain cleaners. These solutions can also cause environmental damage once they leave your system.
Watch What You Flush
The best thing you can do to maintain your plumbing is to watch what you dump down any of your drains—including the toilet. The most important thing to remember is to not dump any cooking liquids down the drain. Oils and fats expand when they are warm and clump and congeal when they’re cold. If you can, use the coffee can method for cooking oil disposal. Another thing to keep in mind: when a wipe says it’s flushable, don’t believe the packaging. Flushable wipes should never actually be flushed. They can leave your toilet bowl but create terrible backups in your pipes.
Want to Really Maintain Your Plumbing? Call Bell Brothers!
We know what a headache it can be when something goes wrong with your drains. Be ahead of the curve, call the plumbing experts at Bell Brothers for regular maintenance, repairs, and any replacements. Our friendly call center representatives are ready to help you. Call the number at the top of screen today to schedule a plumbing, HVAC, or window appointment.