A well-functioning plumbing system keeps your home running smoothly, providing water where you need it and keeping wastewater away.
With a few simple maintenance tips, you can help ensure your pipes, drains, and fixtures stay in top shape. Here are some ways to keep your plumbing system in the best possible condition –
1. Go Easy on the Chemicals
It’s tempting to use chemical drain cleaners to fix clogs, but these harsh solutions often do more harm than good.
Chemicals can erode your pipes over time, leading to leaks or even pipe failure.
Instead, try a plunger or drain snake first, and if the clog persists, consider calling a professional to avoid long-term damage.
2. Prevent Clogs from the Start
The best way to avoid clogs is to be careful about what goes down the drain.
Keep food scraps out of your kitchen sink, use a drain cover in the shower to catch hair, and remember that only toilet paper should go down the toilet.
By preventing clogs before they start, you’re saving your plumbing system from unnecessary stress.
3. Use Your Garbage Disposal Properly
Garbage disposals can handle small food scraps, but certain items should never go down the disposal.
Avoid putting grease, oils, coffee grounds, or fibrous foods, like celery or potato peels, into it.
To keep your disposal in good working order, always run cold water before and after using it, which helps flush any remaining particles down the drain.
4. Flush Only the Essentials
The only things that should be flushed are human waste and toilet paper.
Flushing items like wipes, feminine hygiene products, or cat litter can cause major blockages, especially in older plumbing systems.
When in doubt, it’s best to toss it in the trash.
5. Protect Pipes in Cold Weather
Freezing temperatures can cause water inside pipes to expand and, in worst cases, burst.
You can prevent frozen pipes by insulating them, disconnecting garden hoses before winter, and allowing a small trickle of water to flow during extremely cold weather.
If you plan to be away in winter, leave the heat on to keep pipes warm.
6. Schedule Regular Sewer Line Maintenance
Your sewer line requires regular maintenance to prevent backups from roots or other blockages. If you’re on a septic system, have it pumped every few years.
This preventive step helps keep your plumbing running smoothly and can save you from messy and expensive repairs down the road.
With these easy steps, you can extend the life of your plumbing and avoid costly issues. Need a hand with maintenance or have a clog that just won’t go away? Bell Brothers is here to help reach out to us today for expert plumbing services.
