Borys CarpenterMaking sure that your pipes are properly working and that they are always maintained will save you a lot of time, trouble, and money. The plumbing system is maybe even the most important one in every household, and if it is not upkeeped, it can lead not only to financial damage, but it can also jeopardize your health.
Here, we are going to list some tips and tricks for keeping your plumbing in perfect condition. Keep on reading to learn the dos and don’ts when it comes to habits and maintenance of your pipes and drains.
1. Understand what you can throw in the sink and what you should not
If you want to keep your pipes and drains healthy, then you need to understand what can easily clog and damage them. The most common mistake that we make is letting our hair fall down the drains when we shower, and even though you may not be able to see it, it is going to do a lot of damage.
Remember that your sink and toilets are not a trashcan, and you should not use them as such. The same goes for the pipes in your kitchen, so know what you are allowed to wash in the sink, and what you should steer away from doing. Always clean your plates before you wash them, and don’t let food leftovers be just washed down the drain.
2. Have a strainer
Strainers are going to make a huge difference when it comes to the condition of your piping system, and you will save yourself a lot of time and trouble if you invest in them. They are a great and budget-friendly option that is going to prevent many problems.
They are going to help you stop the hairs or the food waste from going directly into the pipes, and even though they will not prevent everything from ending up in your plumbing system, they are still going to make a noticeable difference. Install them in all of the sinks and drains that you have, and remember to clean them when you notice they are clogged.
3. Have a good emergency plumber
Sometimes unexpected things can happen, your toilet or drain may get clogged, and you may even notice leaking or other issues. Some of these things can be easily solved on your own, but for others, you will need professional help.
Having a good emergency plumber can save you a lot of time and money, and you can rely on them to check the condition of your plumbing, let you know if there is an issue, and fix the problem right away.
When you click here, you will see that a good service will have open and honest communication with you, they will be transparent with their prices, and they will help you solve both immediate problems and potential issues.
4. Replace the pipes on time
When we think about keeping our system in mint condition, we focus on how to just prevent damages, but sometimes that is inevitable. If you have been using the same pipes for decades, they are going to wear and they will need to be replaced. There is nothing you can do to stop this from happening, and no matter how good the pipes are, they are not going to last forever.
Because of this, you need to replace them on time before something bad happens. Even one of these units can cause serious damage to the whole system, so know when should you do this to prevent the worst from happening. Talk to your plumber about this, and make sure you check them periodically, especially if you don’t remember the last time they were changed.
5. Invest in good insulation
If you live in a place where the temperatures can get extremely low in the winter, then you need to protect your pipes. If they freeze, the water is going to expand in them, and that will lead to leaks, holes, and damages. The scary thing in this is that you may not even notice the problem as it is happening, and when you do, your home may even get flooded.
So, you should protect them from the cold before problems start happening. You should prepare for the winter by insulating your piping system, or even better, your whole house. If you cannot do this, you should at least try to keep your whole house warm, especially the kitchen and the bathrooms.
6. Know which products you can use
When you clean your sinks and drains, you need to be aware of the products that you can use. We tend to believe that by using harsh chemicals we will not only make the place clean and sanitized but that we will also help melt away all the things that were thrown there and that may be clogging the drains.
In theory, this will work, but in reality, hash chemicals are going to damage the plumbing system as well. So, be aware of the product that you can use for your bathroom and kitchen, including your toilet.
Invest only in things that are made for this specific purpose only, and if you think that there is something stuck inside, it is better to use proper equipment like the plumber’s snake or other tools than to try and melt things away with chemicals.
You should invest in a grease trap even if don’t need it for commercial uses, and you should never pour oil and grease in your sink. Make sure to use hot water after you wash the dishes so that there are no things stuck in the drain, but remember that if you washed fats from your dishes, the hot water will melt things away right now, but they will harden as soon as you stop the water. Find a reliable plumber that will have your best interest in mind, and remember that paying attention to these things is much easier and cheaper than replacing your whole system.
Jaime Hay
