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PLUMBING TIPS EVERY HOMEOWNER SHOULD KNOW
Imagine waking up tomorrow to a lake where your basement used to be. Boxes of old family photos and high school yearbooks are completely destroyed. You pinch yourself and realize that this isn’t a nightmare. It’s real life, and your water heater sprung a leak overnight.It might seem like a dramatic scenario, but plumbing disasters happen every day. Within your home is a complex network of pipes, drains and appliances that all work together to make your life easier.
We tend to forget about things we don’t see, and plumbing systems mostly operate away from the naked eye. But just like everything else, your plumbing is subject to wear and tear. And the best way to avoid a disaster is with a good knowledge of basic plumbing problems and solutions.
Here are our 12 essential plumbing tips that you should master as a homeowner.
Get to know your water main
Your water main is the first access point for water going into your home. It’s typically located in the basement near the water heater. On the water main you’ll see a shutoff valve (either a lever or wheel). This valve will completely stop the flow of water into your home when you close it.If you ever have to do a major plumbing project, or if you have a situation like a leak or burst pipe, shutting off the water main is going to be the first step you take.
Learn how to deal with clogged drains
At some point, you’re going to have a clogged drain. When we take showers, our hair falls out and it builds up over time. Your first instinct when confronted with a clog might be to use one of those liquid drain cleaners. Big mistake.That’s right, avoid liquid drain cleaners like the plague. We know, it seems like an easy fix to an annoying problem. But the chemicals in Liquid Plumber and other similar products can harm your plumbing infrastructure. If your sink or tub keeps backing up, get a snake or similar tool that can pull out any debris blocking your pipes.
Keep tabs on water pressure
It’s such an important part of a healthy plumbing system. Just like we get our blood pressure taken every time we visit the doctor, you should be monitoring your home’s water pressure as often as you can. You can pick up a simple pressure gauge pretty cheaply at any hardware or home improvement store.If you want a more accurate, modern solution, install a smart home water monitoring system like the Flo by Moen. That way you can stay on top of your water pressure in real time, detect leaks and track water usage.
Have a working pressure reducing valve
If you do have high water pressure in your home, you’re going to want to get it down to a safe level. You can do this by installing (or replacing) your pressure reducing valve, or PRV. PRV’s are a must-have in most homes that depend on a municipal water supply. That’s because municipal water companies have to pump water at high pressures to serve fire hydrants, high-elevation homes and high-rise buildings. They often deliver water at over 100 psi, while your home (and all your plumbing fixtures) are designed for pressure in the 50-60 psi range.https://meetflo.com/blogs/flo/12-plumbing-tips-every-homeowner-should-know
The Best Way to Clean Out a Plugged Pipe
There is nothing more frustrating than a clogged drain. If the kitchen sink is clogged, you won't be able to use the sink at all. Cooking supper or doing the dishes will be impossible with a plugged-up sink. Another one is when the shower drain gets plugged with hair, making it uncomfortable to shower with water on the shower floor. If the shower is draining slowly, your feet will be covered with water, and soap scum will build up on the floor. To prevent this from happening, here are a few things you can do to avoid a situation.Fat Should Never go Down a Kitchen Drain
Pouring grease down the kitchen sink is one of the most common problems a local plumber is called out for. Grease builds up in cold pipes and each time it hardens the opening gets a little smaller. Pouring hot grease into a jar will seem foreign at first, but it is worth it to make that a new habit.Bathtub Drainpipes Stay Clear With a Pipe Filter
To keep hair from getting down the shower drain and clogging it up you can place a drain screen over the drain. They cost next to nothing and work quite well.Use The Garburator Correctly
Many people have garbage disposals under the sink. However, if you don't use your garbage disposal wisely you can end up with problems. While there are plenty of things that can go down the disposal, you should avoid the following. Do not throw the following down the chute, hard seeds like a peach pit, egg shells, meat and surprisingly small seeds can block it completely.Be Mindful What Goes In the Toilet
Soft tissues and toilet paper are fine, but larger items should not get flushed. A few examples of these items include baby wipes, disposable diapers, paper towels, and band-aids. Anything that is not biodegradable should not go down the toilet.Get The Drain Cleaned By a Pro
You can call a plumber to fix a clogged drain. They can use an auger or even high pressure water to flush and clear everything that could potentially clog drain. They can clear any type of clog out of any household drain.If you make one of these common mistakes and your drains do become clogged, you want to avoid using liquid drain cleaners. These products do work on some clogs, but in many cases they can start corrosion and cause problems down the road.
