If you have ever been faced with a plumbing emergency, you know just how stressful the situation can be. From burst pipes to sewage back-ups, there are a variety of problems that can arise within your plumbing system and require you to call for emergency plumbing repairs. Fortunately, you can turn to Dash Drains for 24-hour plumbing services when something does go wrong.
Time is of the essence when it comes to major plumbing problems, which is why our team of experts is always readily available to provide home and business owners in the surrounding communities with prompt and reliable service. Of course, though, we don’t want you to have to cross that bridge until we get there. Instead, we’d much rather prefer to help you avoid plumbing emergencies, if possible.
Tips to Help You Avoid a Plumbing Emergency
The plumbing system is a complex network of pipes connected to the various appliances throughout your home. Similar to your vehicle, your home’s plumbing system requires basic preventative maintenance to help prevent issues from arising. There are several things you can do in order to ensure that your plumbing system serves you well throughout your homeownership. Below, our plumbing and drain experts put tips together to help you avoid being faced with a plumbing emergency.
#1: Be Mindful of What Goes Down Your Drains
Especially if you have a garbage disposal in your sink, it can be easy to just toss anything in there and wash it down the drain. Unfortunately, drains are not designed to handle anything and everything you can fit down into them. There are certain foods – including coffee grounds, potato peels, and grease – that can damage your plumbing and increase the chances of an issue arising and causing you a major headache. Rather than risk the need for repairs, just be careful about what is going down the drains in your home.
#2: Take Care of Your Toilets
Toilets are designed for one thing and one thing only. We won’t go into much detail, because this is common sense. However, some people like to use their toilet as if it were a trash bin. Just because things can be flushed, doesn’t mean that they should be. Cotton balls, baby wipes, and feminine hygiene products are some of the materials that people commonly try flushing down their toilets. Flushing things other than what your toilet is designed for is bound to lead to a plumbing repair situation.
#3: Protect the Pipes
When the colder temperatures start to roll in, it is important to be mindful of conditions that could cause your pipes to freeze. Frozen pipes are one of the main culprits of a pipe burst, a situation that often requires emergency plumbing repair. There are a few tricks you can do to prevent the pipes in your plumbing system from freezing. You can try adding insulation to the pipe. Or, run cold water and keep your cabinets open during cold snaps and when the temperatures fall below freezing.
#4: Keep an Eye on Water Pressure
The water pressure in your home is a good indicator of how your plumbing system is working. If you notice reduced water flow from the showerheads, faucets, and spouts in your home, you may have sediment buildup in the pipes or you could be dealing with some type of clog or leak. Additionally, you want to be mindful of water pressure that seems too high as this can put a lot of stress on your plumbing system. Drastic changes in water pressure require your immediate attention, especially if you want to avoid emergency plumbing repairs.
#5: Stay on Top of Plumbing Repairs
Even with the most diligent maintenance, something can still go wrong with your system. Plumbing maintenance helps mitigate these issues, but certainly is not a solution to preventing them 100% of the time. With that said, don’t let pipe leaks and drips go unattended. Ignoring even small plumbing problems is not only likely to increase your water bill, but it also puts an inordinate strain on your plumbing system.
#6: Try to Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
While chemical drain cleaners may seem like an easy, cost-effective way to unclog the drains in your home, they can potentially result in problems that will require costly repairs. Chemical drain cleaners can remove small drain blockages, but they also damage your pipes in the process. The main compound in many cleaners is hydrochloric acid, which can eat into pretty much anything it touches. The more liquid drain cleaners you use, the more your pipes and drains are exposed to this harmful chemical that could, over time, eat through the pipes and leave you with problems that require emergency plumbing repairs.
#7: Monitor Your Septic Tank
After heavy rains and storms, it’s a good idea to check the septic tank for overflows, water leaks, and mechanical malfunctions. A septic tank is the main part of the wastewater treatment system under your house that breaks down all of the solid and liquid waste coming from your home. If your septic system fails, it can potentially result in untreated sewage being released and transported to where it shouldn’t be. To be safe, you can install a battery-powered backup sump pump to ensure that your system won’t be compromised during inclimate weather.
#8: Make Professional Plumbing Maintenance a Priority
Receiving regular plumbing maintenance from a professional plumber is one of the best ways to ensure that you are less likely to have a plumbing emergency on your hands anytime soon. Having a professional closely inspect each component of your plumbing system that may be prone to various problems will help catch any concerns early on and prevent the need for emergency plumbing repairs. Plumbers can use drain inspection cameras to check the inside of your pipes, isolate any leaks or clogs, and repair your pipes before any existing issues get worse. Scheduling plumbing maintenance once a year can help you cut down on plumbing repair costs and plumbing emergencies, plus it can effectively extend the lifespan of your plumbing system.
By following these tips, you can increase your odds of avoiding having to dish out money for emergency plumbing repairs. Even if you feel like something is amiss with your plumbing, it is better to contact a professional to come and take a look rather than risk dealing with a plumbing catastrophe.
If you need a professional plumber in Boston, Beverly, Salem, or the surrounding area, you can rely on Dash Drains. From routine maintenance to emergency plumbing services, we can provide you with the quick, professional, and affordable solutions that you need. Contact us for a free estimate.
