Preventing Plumbing Disasters Before It's Too Late

The beauty of modern plumbing is that we can simply flush away the dirt and waste that our ancestors had to live with and have seemingly unlimited access to clean water. But when our plumbing systems our not properly maintained, we may be in for a few unwanted surprises ourselves. There are many ways to keep pipes clean and running all year round.

1. Keep an eye on what goes down the drain

Whether it's your kitchen sink or your toilet bowl, it is vital that you only allow the proper items down the drain. In the bathroom, keep any non-biodegradable items out of the toilet. This means only human waste and toilet paper go down the drain. Even thick paper towels flushed too often can cause a backup. Many people treat their toilet bowls like a second garbage can that they never have to empty. By flushing down garbage, feminine hygiene products, hair and other heavy waste, they are only causing future work for themselves. If the toilet plumbing suffers a minor clog, a little handiwork with a plunger will sometimes do the trick. However, keeping this habit up can eventually result in a major clog, which can cost up to hundreds of dollars for a professional to fix.

In the kitchen, the same rules apply. All solid food items belong in the garbage can or disposal. Even when washing dishes, do not allow too many small food particles to slide down the drain. The worst kitchen sink taboo is pouring grease or excess fat from cooking down the drain. Yes, it may be in liquid form when still hot, but fat solidifies at room temperature. And as everyone knows, oil and water don't mix. You will most likely end up with a plumbing disaster if you do not save the grease to the side, allow it to cool and throw it in the trash.

In both sink and shower drains, it is a good idea to invest in a small drain cover that will catch hair and food particles before they get a chance to clog your drains.

2. Protect your pipes

When reporting below-freezing temperatures, most local news authorities warn residents to cover their plants, keep their pets inside and wrap their pipes. A below-freezing outdoor environment can inconvenience a household by freezing the water in the pipes, meaning nothing comes out when you turn on the faucet. However, this is not the worst-case scenario. During bouts of extremely cold weather, the pipe can actually burst and cause anything from a minor leak to a minor waterfall. If pipes burst, you must immediately shut off the water supply to your home and call a plumber right after.

3. Respond quickly

Minor plumbing problems seem like an everyday hassle. But if you notice that the sink or tub is draining slowly or the toilet's flush has weakened, don't wait until it is too late to do something about it. Invest in some chemical drain cleaner or use a plunger to loosen the problem up. Prevention is the best solution.