Stop a Plumbing Emergency Before it Starts

Plumbing problems can be inconvenient and annoying, but when they become an emergency, it becomes a crisis. These emergencies are unpredictable and can lead to expensive repairs. If you use a bit of understanding and foresight, you can stop a plumbing emergency before it starts. These are some tips to help you achieve this prevention.

1. Be careful with how you use your garbage disposal

You should not put fruit pits or bones down garbage disposals as they are too hard to efficiently grind up. Corn husks, artichoke leaves, and celery stalks are too stringy to grind properly. Rice, pasta, and oatmeal are too starchy to go through the disposal and will clog the machine. Your garbage disposal is designed to handle small amounts of food left in mixing bowls or on dinner plates. The rest of your food products should go into your trash can, or on a compost pile.

2. Never put grease, oils, or fat down your drain

If you pour grease, oils, or fat down your drain they are typically in a liquid form. Once these products begin their travel down your drain pipe, they begin to coagulate and become extremely sticky. When these products begin to stick, they will catch other debris and cause a nasty clog in your pipes. These products should be disposed of in your trash can.

3. Drain the sediment build up from the water heater

Water heaters have an inner lining that is designed to prevent the tank from rusting. When sediment builds up in your water heater, it will produce less hot water and cause your tank to heat up water more often. If your water heater is always running to heat water, it can cause it to overheat and crack the lining inside, which will lead to major leaks. Contact a professional plumbing service, such as B & L Plumbing Service Inc. to perform an annual flush of your water heater.

4. Know where your main water shutoff valve is located

If a pipe breaks in your home, you want to stop the flow of water immediately. Knowing where your main water shutoff valve is located will allow you to stop the water and prevent serious damage to your property and structure of your home. You might want to test the handle from time to time as it can become stuck or stiff, especially in cold weather.

5. Make sure you know where underground plumbing is located

Before you begin any form of excavation on your property, you need to know where all your underground plumbing is located. Once you have opened up the area for repairs or additions to your property, you should take photos to help with future jobs. If you dig into the ground without knowing where your plumbing is located, you risk serious damage to your plumbing system.

6. Don’t use exposed pipes as hangers

If you have exposed pipes in your home, you should never use them to hang wet clothes, towels, or even decorations from them. The extra weight from these items can put stress on the joints and make them weak, which can lead to a nasty failure.

7. Do not flush flushable wipes

There are a variety of flushable wipe brands on the market that are not biodegradable or ones that do not biodegrade quickly enough. If you do have to use these, it is best not to flush them down the toilet, dispose of them in a trash can. Flushing these can cause serious clogs in your plumbing.

Where To Go For All Your Plumbing Needs

B&L Plumbing Service Inc. can solve all your plumbing challenges. Our team of professional plumbers is dedicated to solving your plumbing issues effectively and quickly. There are no plumbing issues or questions too small or big, call if you need plumbing advice today.