No homeowner wants to face a plumbing emergency, but they do happen. The best way to avoid putting yourself in that position is to be proactive and follow tips to help reduce the risks of something happening with your plumbing. When you do have a problem, be sure to call a licensed plumber in Media, PA right away to help get the issue resolved and get you back in operations as quickly as possible.
Plumbing emergencies can be stressful, costly, and so disruptive. From burst pipes to sewer backups, this quickly becomes a nightmare. That’s why we have put together a guide of simple tips homeowners can follow to help reduce the risk of those unexpected plumbing disasters. Check out these tips and consider putting them to use in your home.
1. Regular Inspections of the Plumbing System
The best way to be proactive is to inspect your systems from time to time or hire residential plumbers to come in and do routine inspections and maintenance once every year or two. This will help to catch the minor issues quickly so they can be addressed before they turn into bigger problems.
Being vigilant and proactive is your best way to prevent a plumbing emergency. You can do simple things as a homeowner to simply be aware and proactive. Like these:
- Check for leaks or drips throughout the home
- Monitor for any signs of water damage under sinks and around appliances
- Take action if you see damp spots or discoloration
- Address musty or moly odors
Simply taking notice goes a long way. That discoloration on the wall probably means there is water coming from somewhere. It could be a roof-related leak, but it also could be a plumbing-related leak. Don’t ignore it!
2. Treat Your Drains with Care
One of the biggest issues that leads to a need for plumbing repair is using drains incorrectly. Ideally, the only thing that should go down your drains are liquid. As far as flushing, the only thing that should ever be flushed is bodily waste and toilet paper.
Unfortunately, many homeowners have bad habits of things like pouring grease down the sink or letting the shower drain clog up with hair. These are no good and they will eventually cause a plumbing emergency if they continue.
To prevent blockages, enforce these practices in the home:
- Avoid pouring grease or oil down the drain
- Use drain strainers to catch hair, food particles, and other debris
- Only flush toilet paper and waste (no paper towels, flushable wipes, or feminine products)
If you tend to use a lot of toilet paper, try splitting up slushes so that less toilet paper is flushed at one time. These little steps will make a huge difference and can help prevents clogs, blockages, and buildup in the drain. It’s well worth the added effort to prevent major problems.
3. Be Aware of Water Pressure
Every home wants good water pressure, but it’s important that you don’t have excessively high water pressure. You should also be aware if your water pressure seems to go down as this could indicate a problem.
When water pressure is excessive, it might cause a leak or even a burst pipe. You can measure water pressure. Ideally, you don’t want anything over 60 PSI. Homeowners can use pressure regulators to help monitor this and keep it at a safe level. It’s important to watch for signs or changes so you can act if something is off.
4. Protect Your Pipes in the Cold
Cold weather can be so hard on pipes and frozen pipes will lead to major plumbing emergencies. You can take steps to protect your pipes and make them less likely to freeze, though. Here are a few quick tips for that freezing weather:
- Insulate any pipes in vulnerable areas (crawl spaces, basements, near exterior walls)
- On frigid nights, open cabinet doors so the heat can circulate around the pipes
- Let faucets drip slightly during extremely cold nights
- Keep the home at a reasonably warm temperature
- Use heat tape as needed and use it safely
When it’s bitter cold, these small things might just be what saves your plumbing.
5. Do You Know Where Your Water Shut Off Is?
Every home has a main water shut off valve and many homes have valves throughout the home that shut off water to specific zones as well. When a major leak or a pipe burst happens, the first step you need to take is shut off the water. But do you know where and how to shut it off?
If there are valves throughout your home, familiarize yourself with where they are located and know how to turn them on or off. Be familiar with where you water main shut off is as well and know how to use it should you ever need to.
6. Don’t Ignore Warning Signs
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is ignoring warning signs. Those warning signs are your best indicators that a plumbing emergency could happen. You might just be able to prevent plumbing repair or needing to do a quick search for plumbers near me simply by taking action when you notice a potential issue instead.
While a slow drain or a slow leak might seem insignificant, they won’t remain that way. Instead, address those issues when you discover them and help prevent them from escalating. It’s going to save you a lot of frustration and money later.
7. Know the Limit on DIY Solutions
Yes, there are some DIY options you can turn to in a pinch. However, it’s also important to recognize that these have limitations. Not all DIY options are a good choice. For example, chemical drain cleaners are very hard on your pipes and they only provide a temporary solution. Fixing an issue yourself and doing it incorrectly might cause more harm than good and cost you more money when you have to call a licensed plumber in Media, PA to fix the issue.
Conclusion
If you want to avoid a plumbing emergency, the best advice to take is be aware and be proactive. You can prevent many emergencies with regular maintenance, taking action when you notice a small problem, and knowing who to call when something does happen. A little effort on your part will likely save time, money, and a lot of hassle in the long run.