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11 Essential Plumbing Tips You Need To Follow

We tend to need a plumber at odd hours of the night, in the morning, or on weekends, when fees can be double what they usually are. Most plumbers wouldn’t want to come to your house at odd hours, just as you might not want them to come to your home. You might not know this, but there are many plumbing problems that are avoidable or that are inexpensive if handled early. Here is a list of things your plumber would like you to know so you can both enjoy an uninterrupted weekend of relaxation or a worry-free night’s sleep.

You Shouldn’t Stuff Things Under the Sink

Sewer gases are prevented from entering your home through drain traps located under the sink while wastewater is allowed to flow. In addition, they catch items such as jewellery that may fall into the sink. Screw-on joints connect traps to surrounding pipes, making them easy to remove when cleaning blocked drain pipes. However, these joints can come loose, causing water leaks under the sink. Maintain a clutter-free area under the sink to avoid trapping leaks. It means removing trash cans, cleaners, or fire extinguishers from traps, so nothing bumps into the pipes.

The Toilet Is Not a Trash Can

All of this is likely familiar to you, but it is true. Make sure you don’t flush anything that shouldn’t be there. Never flush feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, paper towels, toilet paper, makeup-removing wipes, or litter clumps that can be flushed. The products aren’t designed to break down when flushed, so doing so can result in pipes getting blocked. Commodes must be used only for their intended purposes to prevent problems.

Grease Being Poured Down the Sink

You may have to hire a professional to unblockage your pipes if you pour bacon grease, frying oil, and other greasy substances down the sink drain. The fat in grease coagulates as it cools, and when the fat solidifies in your pipes, it causes heavy blockages that can block your pipes and cause slow drains. Be smart and don’t flush fat drippings down the drain. Let the grease cool. Next, scrape it into a non-recyclable container and throw it away in the trash.

Caustic Cleaners Should Be Avoided

Using conventional drain cleaners as soon as a sink or tub drains slowly may seem like an easy solution, but over time, caustic oxidizing chemicals can cause corrosion and leaks in old drain pipes. Use a natural drain cleaning product that breaks down blockages through enzymatic action the next time you have an issue with a nasty blockage. The process is slower than using caustic chemicals, but it is gentler and safer for your pipes.

You Shouldn’t Ignore the Water Around the Toilet’s Base

The wetness does not have to be excessive; just a small puddle, the presence of extra water, or constant wetness near the commode can indicate a bad seal. In spite of their appearance, leaks can damage bathroom subflooring, resulting in mould, rot, and expensive repairs. Rather than putting yourself through more inconvenience, replace the wax ring seal sooner rather than later.

Check for Leaks

Having a high monthly water bill while your water usage remains the same could mean you have a leak. If you want to find out, shut off all taps and any appliances that use water, like your dishwasher. After that, check your water meter. A moving water meter indicates that water is flowing somewhere inside your home. You have a leak. The problem needs to be addressed quickly. Contact a plumber and shut off the water.

Know Your Limits

In the case of a major plumbing problem, it would be best to hire a professional plumber right away rather than try to fix it yourself. Unless you are aware of your own limitations, you may be forced to pay a licensed plumber to fix your amateur errors and other expenses for water damage repair.

Keep Away from Septic Lines

When it comes to plumbing pipes, out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind. If your property has a septic system, you’ll find that the lateral sewer lines are buried underneath. Often forgotten because they’re hidden, a sewer pipe can collapse if you drive a heavy vehicle over it-costing thousands of dollars in repair costs and possible health hazards as this would be considered a black water plumbing emergency.

Before Going on Vacation, Turn Off Your Water Valve

There is nothing worse than returning home from a two-week vacation to find your house flooded. Turn off the main water valve before you leave to avoid disaster. Bleed the water pressure from the lines by opening the taps at the sinks or tubs. It may seem like a lot of work, but remember that closing the taps is a lot easier than risking a major leak and costly cleanup.

Every Year, Flush Your Water Heater

If you are an expert do-it-yourselfer, you can clean your hot water heater tank annually (consult your manual for directions). Minerals build up in your appliance over time and cause it to malfunction. It’s best to have a plumber do the job if you aren’t confident in doing it yourself. A simple maintenance task like this can lengthen the life of your water heater significantly.

Take the Advice of The Pros

When you get advice from an experienced plumber, maybe you should listen to them instead of your grandfather’s tried and tested methods of fixing leaks. If there are any plumbing issues, it’s best to consult the best plumbers in Perth at Rowson’s Plumbing Services.

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