Ways Homeowners Can Avoid Potential Plumbing Problems
While stories about ghosts and goblins can be creepy during Halloween, one of the scariest situations a homeowner can encounter is an unexpected plumbing problem. If a burst pipe occurs, a water heater breaks down, or a drain clogs, households can be stuck dealing with major inconveniences. Fortunately, property owners can help avoid plumbing problems using tips from plumbers.
Prevent Drain and Sewer Line Clogs
Homeowners can encounter many plumbing problems, but one of the most common is clogs. From blocked drain lines to clogged sewer lines, obstructions can occur and require professional services to remove them. Clogged pipes can cause many issues like slow-draining sinks, sewage backups, frequently clogged toilets, or even leaks. When clogs occur, homeowners should schedule drain cleaning with a professional, where they can use drain snakes or hydro jet drain cleaning to remove blockages and buildups.
A common cause of sewer line clogs is putting the wrong items down the kitchen sink drain. Plumbers recommend putting food scraps in the trash, even if the household has a garbage disposal, as many things can cause clogging. Some items families should always avoid putting down the sink are cooking oils and grease, eggshells, bones, starches, coffee grounds, and stringy vegetables. Another household mistake that can lead to clogged sewer lines is flushing the wrong items down the toilet. The only thing that should be flushed is toilet paper. Some items that shouldn’t go down the toilet are wipes, paper towels, cotton balls, cotton swabs, and sanitary products.
Schedule Annual Plumbing Maintenance
The best way for households to avoid a dangerous plumbing emergency is to schedule routine maintenance services on their plumbing system. During maintenance, plumbers will check the entire plumbing system, helping them spot issues that need repair. Finding issues early during an inspection is beneficial to avoid them becoming more significant problems later and helps extend the life of the plumbing.
Plumbers recommend scheduling these maintenance services about once a year, especially if the home and plumbing are older. They will be able to inspect the piping, fixtures, and water pressure to help prevent plumbing emergencies from occurring. And if they notice something is wrong, it can be fixed right away before it leads to more expensive and damaging problems for homeowners.
Don’t Forget Water Heater Maintenance
As a significant component of plumbing systems, water heaters must also be serviced regularly to prevent problems. If these units malfunction, they can leave a household without hot water, or worse, they can cause flooding and water damage. Homeowners can reduce the risk of problems, improve the water heater’s energy efficiency, extend its lifespan, and reduce water heating costs by scheduling water heater maintenance at least once a year.
During routine water heater maintenance, plumbers will:
- Check for leaks and repair any defects
- Drain and flush the water heater tank to remove sediment buildup
- Examine the pressure relief valve
- Check the condition of the anode rod, replacing it if necessary
- Check the temperature settings
- Inspect the tank for corrosion
About Neighborhood Plumbing & Drain
Neighborhood Plumbing & Drain has 15 years of expertise serving Lakeway and the surrounding areas. They offer quality services, the latest technology, and a satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for plumbing services in Lakeway, TX.