Nov
20
2011

How to avoid plumbing problems

An article by admin

The best ways to avoid any unexpected plumbing problems are to make sure you check and maintain your plumbing regularly, don’t leave small problems alone till it’s too late and try not to abuse your plumbing system with bad habits such as throwing all sorts down the drains.

Here are some tips in keeping your home plumbing healthy and problem free.

Controlling what goes down your drains

This is one of the easiest ways to maintain your plumbing but also one of the most forgotten. We are so used to living in a world of convenience that we don’t even think about what we are putting down our drains or not clearing them out regularly.

In the kitchen, watch out for how much cooking grease you are pouring down the sink. This grease tends to solidify and block your drain. Try pouring boiling water down the drain once a week to prevent a build up of this grease.
A drain cover is handy in preventing food and other small nasties from going down the drain. If they are allowed to get down they tend to gather in the elbow of the drain which after a while becomes clogged up.
In the bathroom remember to check the drain holes for a build up of hair and soap scum. By getting to this build up in good time you can prevent it getting out of hand and becoming a much worse problem. Use an old hangar to pull it all out.
If you suspect you have a blockage somewhere, try pouring a chemical-based drain cleaner or even boiling water down the drain to clear it before the blockage becomes worse.
Toilet paper and human waste should only go down the toilet, it is what it is made for. But nappies and sanitary towels shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet.

Controlling overflow

Make sure your appliances such as washing machines are placed on an overflow tray so that overflow is directed properly to the nearest drain.
As tempting as it may be, especially in winter when you want to be immersed in a nice hot bath, don’t plug the emergency overflow plug in the bathtub, it’s just asking for trouble.

Leaks

If you suspect any leaks, don’t shrug it off and leave it till it’s more noticeable. The best way to save yourself a lot of time and hassle further down the line is to investigate where your leak could be and repair it at once.

Toilet leaks are quite common and can waste a lot of water. These leaks occur due to worn out parts. By checking and replacing parts as needed this can be prevented. Once you have a leak, check the flush valve, this is the most common problem and easily fixed.
Hose connections on washing machines tend to become brittle over time which then start leaking. Left alone you could end up with a flooded laundry room or basement. Check the hose regularly and replace it if it is starting to lose its elasticity. You can also replace rubber hoses with steel ones.

Preparing for cold weather

Winter brings with it not only the cold but some serious plumbing problems such as frozen or even burst pipes.

If you can, turn off water to all outdoor taps. This will prevent freeze of water left in these pipes and ultimately pipes bursting. Also disconnect your garden hose from the tap.
If you are going to be away for a long period over winter, leave on the heat. You can turn it down just don’t turn it off. It also helps to keep kitchen cupboard doors and bathroom cabinets open so that some warmth can reach the pipes stored here.
Insulate any exposed pipes in colder parts of the house such as in the garage or basement. This will keep pipes from freezing and will save you in some energy costs in the longer term as the energy needed to heat water will be less.

Finally, know where yours mains valve is

Knowing where to shut off your mains water supply is essential when you have the beginnings of a problem and want to avoid any further damage.

Prevention is the best solution especially when it comes to your home’s plumbing. With some extra care and regular checks you can save yourself from any major plumbing disasters.

About the author: Bill Swain has attended to all sorts of plumbing problems over the years and does not charge for call outs, so if you are looking for a plumber in Nottingham then look no further. For more information on servicing your boiler along with other useful hints and tips click here.