As a homeowner, you will have to deal with many repair issues over the years, and having a damaged plumbing system is one of the worst and can be very stressful. In the midst of a plumbing emergency, you will probably wonder how to fix the problem and wonder, “Is there a plumber near me who can help?” The faster you can get a plumbing emergency fixed, the easier it will be to avoid extensive and further damage to your home.
Instead of allowing plumbing emergencies to happen, there are many things you can do to prevent them from happening in the first place. Here are some things you should consider when trying to prevent residential plumbing emergencies.
Be Careful About What Goes Down Your Drains
A residential plumbing system has a variety of different components. One of the most important ones are the drains. Having functional drains is something that most homeowners take for granted. If one or more of your drains gets clogged, it can result in extensive water damage. Drain clogs can be caused by various things, such as hardened cooking oils or the use of too much toilet paper.
A big mistake new homeowners make is putting anything and everything down your drains. For example, cooking oil should never be disposed of in your kitchen sink drain. These can solidify in the pipes and prohibit water from flowing freely. Always put food scraps and used cooking oil in your compost or garbage bin. This will help keep your drains working properly for a long time to come.
Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals To Fix Plumbing Problems
When faced with a drain problem, the first thing that most homeowners do is reach for a bottle of chemical drain cleaner. These cleaners can help you free clogs in your drains, but they can also do a lot of damage, especially if they are used too often. In most cases, the dangerous chemicals found in these cleaners can also remove the good bacteria in your septic tank, if you have one.
Without this good bacteria, it will be impossible for your septic system to break down solid waste. Rather than trying to take matters into your own hands with chemical drain cleaning products, you need to reach out to an experienced plumber when faced with serious clogs.
These professionals will be able to diagnose the cause of the drainage problem and fix it in a timely manner. Some clogs require special equipment to clear, so it’s best to call the pros when you have a badly clogged drain.
Insulate Your Pipes
Do you live in an area that experiences harsh winters? If so, you need to be aware of the dangers of frozen plumbing pipes. Most importantly, the plumbing pipes on the outside of your home will be exposed to freezing temperatures during the winter months. If there is water in these pipes, it could freeze. Once the weather improves and the frozen water starts to thaw, it will expand and burst the pipe.
Protecting your outdoor plumbing pipes with a higher degree of insulation is a great way to avoid this common plumbing repair emergency. Luckily, there are many pipe insulation products on the market that are both affordable and effective. If you are unsure how to properly insulate your plumbing pipes, then you probably need to leave this complex job to the professionals. Allowing an experienced plumber to insulate these pipes will help to ensure this work is performed correctly.
Don’t Let These Plumbing Emergencies Catch You Off Guard
As you can see, there are a number of plumbing emergencies that can occur under your roof that are completely preventable. By using the tips in this article, you can keep your plumbing system running efficiently for years to come.
