Moving into a new home is always exciting, but often requires plenty of
work. Plumbing is one key area in which homeowners shouldn't cut corners.
Plumbing mistakes are common, but many of them are easily avoided. Our
tips will help keep your plumbing in great shape so you can spend less
time worrying about it and more time enjoying your home.
Common Plumbing Mistakes
Mistake #1: Exposing Pipes During Winter
Winter is coming, and your entire house (including plumbing) must be prepared.
Your heating system will protect most of your indoor pipes, but outdoor
pipes are vulnerable to flooding and bursting. Do not leave outdoor pipes
exposed during the winter. Even if you live in a mild climate, temperatures
can nosedive without notice, making your pipes more likely to freeze.
Drain your irrigation system during the winterizing process, and wrap
outdoor pipes securely. Prepare your plumbing for winter with these
fall plumbing tips.
Mistake #2: Flushing Detritus Down the Toilet
The only things that should be flushed are toilet paper and waste. However,
it can be tempting to get rid of other trash this way. Don't do it
- it leads to clogged drains, overflowing toilets, and septic tank problems.
Worse, flushing trash down the toilet often leads to an odorous mess that
can take hours or days to clean up. Never flush garbage or extraneous
items. Be particularly vigilant if you have small children; don't
allow them to play with the flushing mechanism or experiment with what
can disappear into the toilet.
Mistake #3: Leaving the Water On During Repairs
There's perhaps no quicker way to flood a house than leaving water
on during
plumbing repairs. Always turn the water completely off before attempting a repair. Switching
off your main valve will likely take care of all water sources. However,
double check localized valves, as well; particularly those around sinks
and toilets. If there's a water source in your attic or basement,
be sure to shut it off, too. Many homeowners easily miss these.
Mistake #4: Not Calling Professionals
Many homeowners think they should perform minor plumbing repairs themselves.
If you're experienced in this area, it's fine to fix your own
frozen pipe or clogged sink. Yet harmless-looking repairs can sometimes get out of
control, especially in a new home. It's always safer to call in the
professionals than attempt the repair and end up with a flood or other mess.
Mistake #5: Abusing the Drain
It's easy to let bacon and other grease wash down the sink drain because
it's a pain to clean up. However, over time, too much grease can clog
your drain badly enough that your entire sink stops up. Your plumber could
spend hours getting weeks' or months' worth of grease out of the
drain, which in turn increases your plumbing bill. Take the time to clean
your grease thoroughly, and don't wash it down the sink. Similarly,
don't abuse your plumbing with other substances such as sauces, bits
of food, or leftover drinks. Ideally, water is the only thing that should
go down your drain.
Avoiding these common pitfalls many homeowners make will help you keep
your plumbing in good shape. If you need a plumbing professional and live
in Powell, Westerville, Hilliard, Grove City, Columbus and the surrounding
areas, don't hesitate to
contact The Eco Plumbers today.