Do you ever wish your home came with an easy-to-read instruction manual? How to clean this, repair that, paint wrought iron, how often to Plumbing Service feed certain plants…and there it would be, all in one convenient source.
If there were such a manual, it would no doubt contain a large section on preventive maintenance with a sub-section on plumbing do’s and don’ts. The focus of such a section would be preventing plumbing problems or at least minimizing their frequency and seriousness.
Here’s what such content might include:
Don’t pour grease down the drain. Dumping grease, cooking oil, and other fatty liquids down the drain is a sure-fire way to clog plumbing pipes. As the grease cools, it coagulates and solidifies, coating the piping interiors and eventually causing tough-to-remove clogs.
Do check for leaks. Conduct a visual inspection of your home’s exposed plumbing pipes for signs of damage, corrosion, or leaks.
Don’t shove stuff under the sink. Under-sink cabinets stuffed with cleaning supplies, disposable and reusable bags, and other items can conceal a slow leak from your sink’s plumbing and garbage disposal.
Do let faucets drip to prevent frozen pipes. When the temps dip below freezing, open a faucet to allow water to drip slowly. Moving water will help prevent pipes from freezing and bursting during cold weather spells.
Don’t use caustic drain cleaners, especially in older pipes. Repeated use of drain cleaners that contain oxidizing chemicals can cause drainpipes to corrode and leak. Next time you have a slow moving drain, grab an organic cleaning liquid that removes clogs gently through enzymatic action.
Do shut off the main water valve before leaving for vacation. Nothing ruins a relaxing vacation more than coming home to ankle deep water in your kitchen or basement. Before leaving home, turn off the main water valve and open a few faucets to bleed the lines.
Don’t put garbage down your garbage disposal. Despite its name, your garbage disposal isn’t meant for garbage. Grease, fibrous, and starchy food can clog the disposal. Toss items like these in a compost bin or in your kitchen garbage can.
Don’t throw trash in the toilet. Prevent clogs by using your toilets for their intended purpose. Paper towels, cotton swabs, hair, and “flushable” wipes, among other items, should be placed in a trash pail.
Don’t DIY everything. Some plumbing problems are easy enough to fix without the need for a professional. But tackling something you know little about can cost you more in the long run.
And, right on cue, here we are: Eagle Service Company. We’re your local and established plumbing, heating and AC service provider that’s up to small and more complex problems alike.
