Plumbing 101: 9 Must-Know Tips for Every Homeowner

As a homeowner, taking care of your property, especially your home plumbing network tops your list of duties. Poor maintenance can lead to out-of-pocket repairs or replacement. Therefore, it’s important to ensure you keep your plumbing system in excellent condition to avoid major issues. To do this, you don’t need special tools or skills. In this article, we’ll be sharing 9 must-know tips for every homeowner to ensure your home plumbing system is functioning at its best:

Avoid pouring oil or grease down the drain

One common cause of most home plumbing issues, often demanding the service of a titanium plumbing and heating repair company, is pouring oil or grease down your drain. Oil and grease stick to the walls of your pipe as they cool and become solid, which traps debris leading to clogging issues. In some cases, it could lead to expensive repairs, especially if it restricts water flow in your sewage backups.

Another reason you don’t want grease down your sewer system is it plays an important role in the development of fatbergs, clogging municipal systems. The best way to dispose of oil and grease is to allow them to cool and solidify, which makes it easier to scrape into your old coffee can or any other disposable container available. This simple tip can help you save more on plumbing repairs while protecting your environment.

Add a strainer to your sink

Stainers are a simple addition to your plumbing system that can help avoid and save much more on repairs. They are effective at preventing your plumbing network from getting clogged, a common plumbing issue.

Strainers prevent hair, food particles, and other debris from going down the drain, which eventually builds up and causes blockages. By catching this debris in your sink, it’s easier to maintain a clog-free water flow for a reliable plumbing network.

Also, it’s important that you clean your stainers regularly, which means emptying the collected hair, food particles, etc. into the trash and rinse thoroughly for proper functioning. Without regular maintenance, debris will accumulate causing the strainers to impede the performance of your home plumbing system. Using and regularly maintaining them will help improve your plumbing system service life.

Don’t flush everything

If you don’t want your pipes, especially the ones leading to sewer backup, blocked, you need to avoid flushing inappropriate items. By inappropriate, we mean sanitary napkins, diapers, paper towels, wipes, and other materials that could potentially lead to block or damage your plumbing system.

Toilets can only accommodate human waste and toilet paper. Therefore, other items should not be flushed but rather tossed into the trash. Most homeowners often buy items tagged “flushable”, which are notorious for causing several plumbing issues as they do not disintegrate.

Regular pipe inspection

If you want to extend your plumbing system service life, inspecting your plumbing system regularly is the way to go. You can check for cracks, leaks, and signs of wear or corrosion at least once a year. Detecting a potential issue early helps prevent costly future repairs if addressed promptly as well.

During your regular inspection, you should keep an eye out for mold growth, water stains, or damp spots. These are good signs of a leaky plumbing system. You might need a flashlight for inspecting the nooks and crannies. If you spot any of the aforementioned signs, call a professional plumber to check it out.

Being proactive allows homeowners to maintain the integrity of their home plumbing system. Thereby, reducing your home’s susceptibility to water damage and preventing costly pipe replacement or repairs.

Avoid using chemicals in your drain

Chemical drain cleaners are usually touted as the ultimate cleaning solution for your drain and plumbing network. However, they not only like to damage your pipe but also put your health at risk. These products consist of harsh chemicals that react and erode pipes in your home plumbing system. Also, the potential fumes and splashes pose several health risks.

If you must clean your drain, consider using a natural alternative solution such as a mix of vinegar and baking soda. For persistent clogging issues in your plumbing network, it’s best to call a professional plumber.

Get a water filter for your plumbing network

Impurities getting and building up in your plumbing system are usually the underlying cause of clogging. Using a water filter at the point of entry can help filter out these impurities, which ensures the smooth running of your plumbing ecosystem.

For homes in areas where water is hard like Arizona, you need a whole home water filter to prevent the high mineral content from causing your water heaters, faucets, washers, etc. to break down more often. Treating your home water for hardness protects the integrity of your plumbing system while ensuring healthier skin and hair.

Get rid of clogs with a plunger

If you are faced with a clogged toilet or sink, before using a chemical cleaner or calling a professional plumber, you should attempt to dislodge it with a plunger. There are different types out there for different applications. You should use the cup plunger for a sink clog and a flange plunger for a toilet clog.

It’s important that the plunger covers the entire drain opening for an effective seal, allowing you to plunge up and down to clear the clog.

Locate the main water shut-off valve

While trying to fix a common plumbing issue you might exacerbate the situation, you should know where to shut off your water supply. Usually, the main valve that cuts off the water going into your home plumbing system is located around the water meter or the main water line.

Call a licensed professional for plumbing problems

If you are dealing with a plumbing issue, you should avoid attempting to repair as to avoid more extensive and costly damage. Instead, call a licensed professional plumber to inspect and address the plumbing problem. They are usually equipped with the right tools and more experience at diagnosing and fixing problems correctly to avoid recurring issues, which are beyond your skillset as a DIYer.