Most people don’t give their plumbing systems a whole lot of thought until they malfunction. Unfortunately, the same systems that are often overlooked by building residents can play a very important role in determining overall life qualities. After all, being able to access clean, potable water while effectively routing waste water back out is essential for bathing, toileting, cooking, and staying hydrated among many other things. Maintaining a functional, reliable plumbing system is also essential for protecting your home investment. Fortunately, there are five, effortless steps that every homeowner can take to avoid plumbing disasters.
1. Schedule whole-house plumbing inspections at least once each year
Although you might not see any signs of major plumbing leaks, this certainly doesn’t mean that you don’t have any. Leaking and burst pipes are the most common cause of plumbing supply system failures. Moreover, these can occur behind drywall, at faulty appliance connections, and in other inconspicuous areas that allow them to go unnoticed for weeks or even months at a time. The services for leak detection plumbing companies provide entail a comprehensive inspection of all areas of the home with an emphasis on identifying latent problems, preventing mold, and catching minor issues before these have the chance to spiral out of control.
2.Keep your bathing and shower areas free of debris
Parents often let their kids bring their favorite toys into the tub during bath time. For small children, the tub is one of the best places to play. Unfortunately, however, some toys are made with small-sized, detachable parts that can easily find their way into drains. Once they do, they can create massive blockages that cost quite a bit to fix. Make sure that kids are only playing with toys that are too large to go down the drain and that these items don’t have any removable and small-sized accessories.
3.Talk toilet science with your toddlers
Toilet overflows are often avoidable. If you have youngsters in the home who are just now learning to wipe themselves, be sure to monitor the amount of toilet paper that they’re using. You should also talk to your little ones about the way in which the plumbing system works. Telling kids how blockages get started early on is a fantastic way to keep them from flushing down random items for fun. When necessary, consider using locks on your toilet lids to keep curious kids away from this appliance when they aren’t being supervised.
4.Never dispose of oil down your drains
Most homeowners are aware of the fact that grease from cooking projects should never be put down their drains. Not only can grease have a negative impact on local water supply systems, but it can also solidify in route to its destination, thereby paving the way too troublesome clogs. Despite your diligence in the kitchen, however, you could be inadvertently introducing oils into this system in the bathroom. A lot of consumers are now supplementing their routine oral care with oil pulling. This increasingly popular, Ayurvedic technique involves swirling a small amount of coconut oil around the mouth for several minutes. When it comes time to get rid of the oil from oil pulling, it should always be placed in the trash, rather than in the sink or the toilet. Coconut oil solidifies quickly and can leave a thick and very problematic coating on your pipes.
5.Find out where your pipes are
Identifying the location of pipes is vital if you’re in the habit of tackling decorating and DIY projects in the home. Randomly driving screws or nails into the wall could result in punctured drains or punctured supply systems. Consider buying a stud finder to map out the general location of your pipes. You can also cut out a small, test hatch to get a better understanding of their layout.
