Putting a Stop to Flood Damage, Leaks and Clogs

You rely on your home’s plumbing system to operate efficiently, but potential problems can hide everywhere. Luckily, you can prevent obstructions, leaky pipes and even flooding with a little routine care. Here’s how you can keep your water running and your stress in check.

1. Keep Foreign Debris Out of Sink Drains

Your kitchen sink may be equipped with a garbage disposal, but certain food items still not dumped into the drain, including:

  • Grease, oil and cooking fat
  • Tough foods like corn cobs and celery stalks
  • Sticky foods like boiled rice or coffee grounds
  • Solid objects such as gristle and animal bones
  • Anything that isn’t edible. Silverware and other small items can accidentally fall into the disposal and damage something when you turn it on.

2. Understand What Shouldn’t Be Flushed

Toilets are designed to safely remove human waste and toilet paper. Here’s what you should never flush:

  • Wet wipes
  • Paper towels
  • Cotton swabs and cotton balls
  • Women’s hygiene products
  • Baby diapers
  • Floss
  • Old medication

3. Employ Drain Strainers

A simple way to prevent a clog is to place drain strainers over your kitchen sinks and bath drains. They trap hair, bits of soap, old toothpaste and other debris as water flows down the drain. these strainers to keep your drains running smoothly.

4. Know Where the Main Shutoff Valve Is Located

Being aware of your plumbing system means knowing the location of your main water shutoff valve. This valve manages water flowing into your home, so knowing where it is means you can turn it off quickly in a plumbing emergency. It’s also wise to close this valve before traveling for an extended period. Common locations for the main shutoff valve include the basement, near the water heater, in a utility closet or outside the home under the ground.

5. Add a Sump Pump to Your Basement

Installing a sump pump will go a long way toward preventing water damage, especially in areas prone to lots of rain. This device extracts water that accumulates in something called the sump basin, generally installed in the floor of your basement, and drains it away from the house. For homeowners who already have a sump pump, make sure it’s in good shape by dumping some water into the pit. As long as the pump activates and the pit drains, you’re all set. If it doesn’t seem to be working properly, you have time to call a professional to service it before another big thunderstorm rolls through.

6. Put in Flood Alarms

Just as smoke alarms are essential for fire safety, flood alarms can help avoid water damage. These wired or battery-operated devices sense pooling water at the earliest stages of flooding or leaks, triggering an alarm to notify you. For further protection, integrate smart flood alarms into your home security system. This notifies you on your phone if water has been detected, allowing you to address leaks before it leads to significant damage.

7. Add a Backflow Valve

Another helpful plumbing tip is to put in a backflow valve in the basement floor drain to prevent sewage from flowing back into their homes during heavy rainfall. Local expert plumbers can set up this useful defense against sewage backflow.

Learn to Recognize and Avoid Leaking

Now that we’ve covered best practices and useful plumbing accessories, let’s review some preventive steps you can take to avoid leaks, or worse, burst pipes.

Most of your home plumbing system is out of sight, so dripping pipes often go unnoticed until they are capable of significant water damage. Regularly checking for leaks can help you catch issues early. Here are some ideas for you to try:

  • Inspect under the sink for signs of damp spots, wood decay or mold.
  • Be on the lookout for slow leaks in your toilet by adding a few drops of coloring to the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl after 30 minutes without flushing, you have a leak.
  • Inspect around and behind your kitchen appliances, including the dishwasher or washing machine, for signs of water damage or leaks.
  • Have a professional perform a water meter test.
    • First off, shut off all water in your home via the home’s water main.
    • Then, head outside to read the water meter. Check one more time after two hours, and make sure not to use any water before the second reading.
    • If the reading changes, there is a leak somewhere.

Keep Your Pipes from Freezing

In climates with cold winters, doing your part to protect vulnerable pipes is a good part of any plan to avoid freezing and bursting. Here are some professional recommendations:

  • Wrap the pipes in insulation in purely functional/utility spaces like the basement, garage or attic using pipe insulation or heating tape.
  • Unhook garden hoses from outdoor faucets all through the winter to prevent ice from forming inside the pipes.
  • Keep under-sink cabinet doors open during freezing temperatures to encourage airflow around the pipes.

Trust Dependable Local Plumbers for Support

While you can carry out all sorts of preventive steps on your own to minimize the risk of clogs, leaks and flooding, it’s never a bad idea to have an experienced plumber to keep things flowing smoothly. That’s where excels. We are a network of plumbers supporting U.S. homeowners from coast to coast with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied with our services up to a year later, we promise to make it right. This commitment shows how we strive to make a meaningful difference in your life. For some of the best plumbing service that exceeds expectations, please contact us today

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