How to Prevent Plumbing Leaks, Clogs and Flooding
You count on your home’s plumbing system to run smoothly, but hidden issues can hide around every corner. Luckily, you can avoid clogs, leaky pipes and water damage with a little regular upkeep. Here’s how you can keep your plumbing in check and your stress in check.
Learn to Recognize and Stop Leaks of All Sizes
Most of your home plumbing is concealed, so water issues often go on for weeks until they are capable of significant water damage. Regularly checking for leaks can help you catch issues early. Here’s what to do:
- Look under the sink for signs of damp spots, wood decay or mold growth.
- Be on the lookout for small leaks in any of your toilets by squeezing a few drops of food coloring to the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl after 30 minutes without flushing, there is a leak.
- Inspect around and behind your kitchen appliances, including the dishwasher or washing machine, for signs of water damage or leaks.
- Schedule a water meter test.
- To start, close off all water in your home via the home’s water main.
- Then, walk outside to check the water meter. Verify the reading again after two hours, and make sure not to use any water before the second reading.
- If the reading is different, it means there’s a leak somewhere.
Utilize Drain Strainers
An easy method to lower the risk of a clog is to place mesh strainers over your kitchen and shower drains. They trap hair, pieces of soap, old toothpaste and other debris as water enters the drain. Stick to a regular schedule when you clean these strainers to keep your drains flowing freely.
Understand What Shouldn’t Be Flushed
Toilets are designed to dispose of 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- Out-of-date medications
Understand What Shouldn’t Be Rinsed
Many kitchen sinks may be fitted with a garbage disposal, but certain food items still belong in the trash can or compost heapp, not dumped into the drain, including:
- Grease from cooking
- Stringy foods like corn husks and celery
- Congealed food like boiled rice or coffee grounds
- Tough pieces of food such as fruit pits and animal bones
- Non-food items. Silverware and other small items can accidentally fall into the disposal and cause damage when you turn it on.
Install a Sump Pump
Installing a sump pump can really help prevent flooding, especially in climates prone to heavy rainfall. This device removes water that collects in something called the sump basin, generally installed in the floor of your basement, and expels it away from the house. If you already have a sump pump, test it regularly by pouring water into the pit. If the pump activates and the pit drains, it’s working fine. If it isn’t draining properly, you have time to call a professional to fix the pump before another rainstorm.
Locate the Main Water Shutoff Valve
Being familiar with your plumbing system means knowing how to find your main water shutoff valve. This valve manages water coming into your home, so knowing where it is means you can turn it off quickly in a plumbing emergency. It’s also wise to close this valve before going away 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.
Keep Your Pipes from Freezing
In cold climates, protecting the plumbing pipes is vital if you want to avoid freezing and bursting. Here are some professional recommendations:
- Cover pipes in the appropriate insulation in unheated areas like the basement, garage or attic with pipe insulation or heating tape.
- Unhook garden hoses from the spigots attached to your plumbing throughout the winter to stop ice from forming inside the pipes.
- Keep your cabinet doors under the sink open during cold spells to keep warm air circulating around the pipes.
Install a Backflow Valve
Another helpful plumbing tip is to install a backflow valve in the basement floor drain to stop sewage from flowing back into their homes after heavy rainfall. A professional plumber can fit this strong layer of protection against sewage flowing back into the house.
Put in Flood Alarms
Similar to how smoke alarms are a big part of good fire safety, flood alarms can help avoid water damage. These hardwired or battery-operated devices sense pooling water at the earliest stages of flooding or leaks, setting off an alarm to alert you. For further protection, install smart flood alarms into your home security system. This sends a notification on your phone once water is detected, enabling you to resolve leaking pipes before it leads to significant damage.
Trust Dependable Local Plumbers for Support
While you can implement these and other preventive steps yourself to stop clogs, leaks and flooding, it’s never a bad idea to have a professional touch to keep things flowing smoothly. That’s where Mark Allen can help. We work with some of the best plumbers offering residential plumbing support from coast to coast with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
If you’re not completely thrilled with your level of service after one year, we will do everything we can to make it right. This commitment shows how we strive to make a meaningful difference in your life. For Expert plumbing service that exceeds expectations, please contact us today.
