Putting a Stop to Leaking, Flooding and Clogs

You rely on your home’s plumbing to run smoothly, but hidden issues can hide around every corner. Fortunately, you can avoid obstructions, leaks and water damage with a little preventive maintenance. Here’s the way to keep your water running and your worries at bay.

1. Be Aware of What’s Going in the Drains

Many kitchen sinks may be fitted with a garbage disposal, but several things still instead of rinsed down the drain, including:

• Grease from cooking
• Fibrous foods like corn husks and celery
• Sticky foods like boiled rice or coffee grounds
• Tough pieces of food like fruit pits and animal bones
• Non-food items. Silverware and similar items can fall into the disposal and damage something when you turn it on.

2. Understand What Shouldn’t Be Flushed

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

• Wet wipes
• Paper towels
• Soft cotton
• Sanitary products
• Baby diapers
• Dental floss
• Out-of-date medications

3. Utilize Mesh Strainers

Another effective way to lower the risk of clogs is to place mesh strainers over your kitchen sinks and shower drains. They collect hair, pieces 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 the location of your main water shutoff valve. This valve manages water entering your home, so knowing where it is means you can turn it off quickly in a plumbing emergency. It’s also wise to shut off this valve before traveling 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 in the ground.

5. Invest in a Sump Pump

Installing a sump pump will go a long way toward preventing water damage, especially in regions prone to heavy rainfall. This device extracts water that collects in the sump basin, generally installed in the floor of your basement, and pumps it out away from the house. For homes that already have a sump pump, test it regularly by adding some water into the pit. As long as the pump activates and the pit drains, you’re all set. If it doesn’t work properly, you have time to call a professional to repair it before another big thunderstorm rolls through.

6. Install Flood Flood Alarms

Similar to how smoke alarms are essential for fire safety, flood alarms help prevent water damage. These wired or battery-operated devices sense pooling water at the earliest stages of flooding or leaks, sounding an alarm to notify you. For further protection, connect smart flood alarms into your home security system. This notifies you on your phone after water is detected, allowing you to deal with leaks before it leads to significant damage.

7. Install a Backflow Valve

Many plumbers recommend you set up a backflow valve in the basement floor drain to prevent sewage from flowing back into their homes because of heavy rainfall. Professionals can fit this effective defense against sewage flowing back into the house.

Learn to Recognize and Stop Leaking

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 hidden, so water issues often go unseen until they create the potential for water damage. Regularly checking for leaks can help you identify problems quickly. Here are some ideas for you to try:

• Look under the sink for signs of standing water, wood rot or mold growth.
• Be on the lookout for small leaks in any of your toilets by putting in a few drops of dye to the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl after 30 minutes without flushing, you have a leak.
• Check around and behind your kitchen appliances, including the dishwasher or washing machine, for signs of water damage or leaks.
• Conduct a water meter test.
  • First, close off all water in your home via the water main.
  • Then, head outside to check the water meter. Verify the reading again in two hours, being careful not to use any water in the meantime.
  • If the reading goes up, there is a leak somewhere.

Keep Your Pipes from Freezing

In colder climates, doing your part to protect vulnerable pipes is crucial to prevent freezing and bursting. Here is what you can do:

• 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 stop ice from forming inside the pipes.
• Keep all cabinets with plumbing pipes open during freezing temperatures to keep warm air circulating around the pipes.

Partner with a Trusted Plumber

While you can take many preventive steps on your own to minimize the risk of clogs, leaks and damage from floods, there are situations where you need Expert local plumbers to keep things flowing smoothly. That’s where can help. We work with some of the best plumbers supporting U.S. homeowners from coast to coast with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied with our services after one year, we promise to make it right. This commitment shows how we deliver total comfort and peace of mind in your life. For Expert plumbing service that exceeds expectations, please contact us today