Much like air conditioning, good, working plumbing is one thing that remains out of sight, out of mind. We often take this for granted, and if you encounter issues with your plumbing, it can feel like the end of the world. If you own your home, the days of calling your landlord to deal with problems are gone. Whether you’ve owned your home for years or you’re a brand new homeowner, there are several plumbing tips for homeowners that you should always keep in mind. With a bit of preparation, you can be sure that a plumbing emergency won’t catch you off guard. Here are our top seven plumbing tips for homeowners.
#1: Get Familiar With Your Water Main
Your water main is essentially the first point of access for water entering your home. The water main is what connects your house to a water source, whether that’s a municipal source, a well, or a private pump. Finding your water main varies from house to house, but it is generally near your water heater. On your water main, you can find a shutoff valve that will stop the flow of water to the rest of your home. If you’re ever facing a plumbing emergency or are about to do any significant projects, shutting off your water main is generally the first step you’ll want to take.
#2: Find Out What You Can Flush
And then don’t flush anything else down your toilet! As obvious as this may seem, far too many people disregard this simple rule, leading to massive issues later down the road. Once you figure out what your septic system can handle, do your best to hold yourself to those rules. Sometimes products like baby wipes will be labeled as flushable, but they can still do some damage to your plumbing if it’s older or more sensitive, so check with a professional to see what you can flush, and when in doubt, toss it in the garbage instead.
#3: Don’t Ignore Leaks
This tip is one of the most critical plumbing tips for homeowners because not only will a dripping faucet or running toilet lead to a high water bill, they can lead to more significant issues. Generally caused by the rubber washer in the faucet deteriorating, fixing a leaky faucet is a simple fix for someone with minimal experience. By fixing these leaks early on, you can prevent a leak from spreading, save money on your water bill, and reduce your environmental impact. It may not seem like much, but those drips can add up!
#4: Learn How to Deal With Clogged Drains
No matter how hard you try to avoid it, you’re going to encounter a clogged drain during your time as a homeowner. Between losing hair in the shower, dumping things you shouldn’t down the drain, and natural build-ups, drains tend to clog now and then. Luckily, there are several simple ways to deal with clogged drains. If the clog becomes too much for you to handle on your own, you can call one of our professionals to resolve the issue.
#5: Don’t Puncture Your Pipes
This tip is another one that seems obvious, but puncturing pipes is more common than you may think. If you’re looking to hang something from your walls or ceiling, you may need to drill holes to do so, which could lead to an accidental puncture of your pipes. You should always determine if there are supply or drainage pipes behind your work area, and by investing in an inexpensive stud finder, you may be able to locate any pipes behind your wall with relative ease. Alternatively, investing in an endoscopic camera allows you to snake the camera into the walls, which can give you even further peace of mind that you won’t drill into anything important.
#6: Respect Your Garbage Disposal
Having a garbage disposal can make you feel like you have free reign to dump whatever you want down the drain, but this is far from the truth. Dumping things like coffee grounds, bacon grease, or vegetable peelings down your drain will almost certainly lead to a clog in the pipes. When fats, oils, or grease cool, they solidify, which can cause build-up. By running cold water down the drain for a few seconds before and after using your garbage disposal, you can help avoid significant clogging, and putting a couple of ice cubes down the disposal from time to time can help keep the blades sharp.
#7: Pay Attention to Water Pressure
Just like we get our blood pressure taken when we go to the doctor, you should try to monitor your home’s water pressure. If you notice any significant changes in the pressure, this could signal a deeper plumbing issue. Simple pressure gauges are inexpensive and available at most hardware or home improvement stores. If you find that your water pressure is excessively high, get a pressure-reducing valve, which will help reduce the pressure to a safer level for both you and your plumbing fixtures.
Get Familiar With a Goodbee Plumber
Even if you forget all of these plumbing tips for homeowners, make sure you remember this one. Finding a local plumber whom you can call for your more major plumbing needs is an absolute must. Here at GoodBee Plumbing, we offer everything from drain cleaning to water heaters to video pipe inspections. Establishing a relationship with your plumber can save you tons of time down the road, and it can help you avoid major headaches when facing a plumbing disaster.
With the help of GoodBee Plumbing and these plumbing tips for homeowners, you can rest assured that your plumbing is in good hands. Schedule an inspection to get a report of your entire plumbing system’s current state, and make sure to keep up with periodic inspections so you can spot issues before they get out of hand. We have worked hard for over 25 years to provide you with the highest quality care at the most cost-effective price, and as a local, family-owned business, we aim to continue that. For all plumbing needs, contact us today!