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Caring for Your Home's Plumbing
Like most homeowners, you probably rarely think about your home's plumbing system until something goes wrong. Although most plumbing components are out of sight and mind, it's important to remember to show care in even the most minor maintenance tasks to keep your home running smoothly.
From following flushing guidelines to inspecting your water heater for leaks, simple steps can count when it comes to maintaining your home's plumbing system. Our experts at Before & After Plumbing and Drain have compiled a list of the most helpful do's and don'ts to assist you in the goal of setting your home's plumbing up for success.
Plumbing Do's
DO Keep Cleaning Solutions Simple
We know how tempting it is to opt for store-bought cleaning solutions. However, your home's plumbing system and fixtures require simple and specialized solutions for cleaning. Keep your home's plumbing in pristine condition and refrain from reaching for a store-bought drain cleaner. Instead, stick to scheduling regular professional drain cleanings with your plumbing experts at Before & After Plumbing and Drain.
Your shower is used on a daily basis, so it's no surprise that the showerhead will require occasional cleanings from time to time. Cleaning your showerhead is as simple as grabbing white vinegar and a Ziploc bag. Fill the bag halfway with vinegar and place it over the showerhead until the fixture is completely submerged. Fasten the bag and let it soak for a few hours. After a good soak, remove the bag and run some hot water to flush out excess mineral deposits.
DO Inspect the Water Heater Regularly
We heavily depend on our water heaters, and when things are amiss, a frustrating hot water outage can occur. It's essential to regularly inspect your water heater before issues arise to avoid this situation altogether.
If you spot noticeable leaks from the water heater, a sudden increase in your water bill, loud banging noises from the unit, or even discolored water, contact our team immediately to resolve the issue. If your unit is past the point of no return, we'll suggest replacements suitable for your home and wallet.
DO Treat Your Garbage Disposal With Care
When was the last time you performed regular garbage disposal maintenance? If it's been some time, there's no time like the present to show it some care! From time to time, add some ice to your disposal and turn it on. Although it may sound like something is breaking, ice can actually clean and sharpen the blades in the disposal. This will allow your garbage disposal to perform at maximum efficiency the next time it's in action!
Plumbing Don'ts
DON'T Trust "Flushable Wipes"
Flushable wipes are a popular alternative to toilet paper, but don't trust their "flushable" promise! Although the wipes eventually break down, they take an extended amount of time to disintegrate compared to toilet paper. Since the breakdown is slowed, the possibility of clogging your pipes is high. It's best to avoid a plumbing headache altogether by sticking to tried and true toilet paper!
DON'T Pour Oils Into the Sink
Whether you fried some bacon for breakfast or cooked up some hamburger meat for dinner, always remember to keep excess oils and fats away from your sink. Fats and oils can build up quickly and lead to clogged pipes, and even sewer overflows. It's best to store oils in an old milk carton for easy disposal.
DON'T Rely on DIY Jobs
With the endless amount of resources available on the internet, some homeowners may be tempted to resolve their home's plumbing problems with a quick DIY fix. Although this may seem like a cost-effective solution, DIY fixes often act as a "band-aid" to the issue, leading to more extensive and costly repairs that will be necessary down the road. The second you suspect that your home requires plumbing repairs, give our team a call for a lasting solution.
Your trusted team at Before & After Plumbing and Drain is dedicated to utilizing state-of-the-art tools and years of expertise to resolve your home's plumbing issues. We'll stop at nothing to provide lasting solutions for your home. Call us today at (623) 335-0000 or complete our online contact formfor more information.