Homeowners tend to ignore the plumbing system until an issue escalates into a disaster. Fortunately, you can avoid disasters by taking simple preventive measures. Consider these four tips to prevent plumbing faults such as clogs and drain backups.
4 Ways to Prevent Plumbing Disasters in Your Home
1. Prevent Clogs by Using a Sink Strainer
Clogged drains are amongst the most severe plumbing disasters you may encounter. Many blockages are caused by balls of hair mixed with grease and oils in the kitchen or bathroom. Frequent clogs can cause debris to accumulate and impact the plumbing system.
You can avoid frequent clogs by placing a strainer in the most vulnerable places like the kitchen sink and bathroom drain. Ensure you collect the debris that accumulates, and dispose of it in the trash.
Proper disposal habits can also prevent recurring blockages. The contaminated water from drain backups can pose a health hazard, so you should avoid flushing items like sanitary wipes or grease down the toilet, and use the trash bin instead.
2. Avoid Using Chemical Cleaners to Fix Clogs
Chemical drain cleaners present an easy and convenient solution to address plumbing blockages. Unfortunately, they contain toxic compounds that can damage your pipes. Frequent use of drain cleaners will quickly shorten the lifespan of your plumbing.
Chemical cleaners can also kill beneficial bacteria in your septic system. Use a plumber’s snake to dislodge soft blockages of hair and oil instead of chemical drain cleaners.
However, you’ll need a better solution for severe clogging problems like tree root infiltration. Schedule a drain cleaning service with an effective team like Freedom Flow Plumbing in Clifton Township. Prompt action will prevent further deterioration and lower the risk of flooding in your home.
3. Inspect and Replace Rubber Hoses and Pipes
You can avoid flooding by routinely inspecting your plumbing system. Rubber hoses are the most susceptible to rusting and cracking. Inspect rubber hoses on your washing machine regularly to prevent leakages and corrosion.
Check your rubber hoses for any signs of corrosion, twisting, or bending. If worn out, consider replacing them with the more durable braided stainless steel hoses. The steel braid protects the rubber from twisting and stops it from bursting under high pressure.
4. Flush Your Water Heater Annually
The water supply in Delaware County is categorized as very hard. Minerals like calcium and magnesium can coat the heating element and diminish the system’s heating capacity.
Flushing your water heater prevents premature failure by ridding the system of minerals. It will make the water heater more efficient so it doesn’t have to overwork to produce hot water. Therefore, flushing once or twice annually will extend the life of your heater and reduce your energy bills.
It is easy to overlook plumbing issues like leaky faucets and clogged drains until they become plumbing disasters. Professional plumbers can quickly identify faults to avoid flooding and costly repair costs. You can rely on Freedom Flow Plumbing for leak detection and other plumbing services in Scranton, PA. Call today to schedule an appointment.