How You Can Prevent Plumbing Leaks, Clogs and Flooding

You count on your home’s plumbing system to support daily chores and plumbing fixtures, but unseen troubles can hide in many places. Thankfully, you can avoid obstructions, leaking and even flooding with a little regular upkeep. Here’s how you can keep your water running and your stress in check.

1. Keep Foreign Debris Out of Sink Drains

A lot of sinks in the kitchen may be fitted with a garbage disposal, but several things still instead of rinsed down the drain, like:

• Cooking grease
• Tough foods like corn and stalks of celery
• Old food like boiled rice or coffee grounds
• Tough pieces of food such as gristle and bones
• Anything that isn’t edible. Silverware and similar items can fall into the disposal and cause damage when you turn it on.

2. Know What Not to Flush

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

• Wet wipes
• Paper towels
• Soft cotton
• Feminine hygiene products
• Diapers
• Dental floss
• Expired medication

3. Employ Mesh Strainers

Another effective way to lower the risk of clogging is to place mesh strainers over your kitchen sinks and bathroom drains. They trap hair, bits of soap, old toothpaste and other debris as water goes down the drain. Regularly clean these strainers to keep your drains flowing freely.

4. Know Where the Main Shutoff Valve Is Located

Being knowledgeable about your plumbing system means knowing how to find 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 going away 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. Install a Sump Pump

Installing a sump pump can really help prevent floods, especially in climates prone to heavy rainfall. This device extracts water that collects in a sump basin, generally installed in the floor of your basement, and pumps it out away from the house. For homes that already have a sump pump, make sure it’s in good shape by adding some water into the pit. If the pump activates and the pit drains, you’re all set. If it doesn’t work properly, you have time to call a professional to fix it before another rainstorm.

6. Install Flood Flood Alarms

Similar to how smoke alarms are a big part of good fire safety, flood alarms help prevent water damage. These wired or battery-operated devices detect water at the earliest stages of flooding or leaks, setting off an alarm to inform you. For even more protection, install smart flood alarms into your home security system. This sends a notification on your phone if water is detected, helping to deal with leaks before they cause significant damage.

7. Add a Backflow Valve

Experienced plumbers often suggest that homeowners install a backflow valve in the basement floor drain to prevent sewage from flowing backward into their homes during heavy rainfall. Professionals can install this strong layer of protection against sewage backflow.

Spot and Avoid Leaks

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 hidden, so leaks often go unseen until they are capable of significant water damage. Regularly checking for leaks can help you spot trouble before it gets worse. Here’s what to do:

• Check under the sink for signs of pooling water, wood decay or mold.
• Find small leaks in your toilet by putting in some drops of dye to the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl after 30 minutes without flushing, you’ve got a leak.
• Inspect around and behind your kitchen appliances, including the dishwasher or washing machine, for signs of water damage or leaks.
• Conduct a water meter test.
  • First, close off all water in your home via the water main.
  • Then, walk outside to check the water meter. Verify the reading again after two hours, and make sure not to use any water before the test is done.
  • If the reading is different, you know there’s a leak somewhere.

Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing

In colder climates, helping protect your pipes is a good part of any plan to minimize the risk of freezing and bursting. Here are some tips:

• Wrap the pipes in insulation in unheated areas like the basement, garage or attic using pipe insulation or heating tape.
• Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets all through the winter to keep ice from forming inside the pipes.
• Keep your cabinet doors under the sink open during freezing temperatures to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.

Trust Dependable Local Plumbers for Support

While you can take many preventive steps yourself to stop clogs, leaks and flooding, it’s never a bad idea to have Expert local plumbers to keep things flowing smoothly. That’s where excels. We work with some of the best plumbers supporting U.S. homeowners from coast to coast with service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely thrilled with our services by next year, we will do whatever it takes to make it right. This promise shows how we deliver total comfort and peace of mind in your life. For Expert plumbing service that exceeds expectations, please contact us today