Plumbing problems are never fun, in fact you can rank them up there as one of the most stressful issues homeowners have to face. Often times homeowners don’t give much thought to their plumbing systems, that is until something goes awry and they are in the middle of a major plumbing emergency. Fortunately there are many things that can be done to prevent plumbing problems in the first place. Here are some of the most common plumbing problems and how to avoid them.
#1 Clogged Drain
A clogged drain is one of the most common plumbing problems around, largely because drains take a lot of abuse, whether its in the kitchen or bathroom. A drains main function is to remove waste water. Unfortunately many people don’t realize that it really matters what you put down the drain. Many times a clogged drain is a result of improper usage. Never treat a drain like a trashcan. Putting anything down the drain that doesn’t belong can result in serious consequences. Here are some things to avoid putting down the drain:
- trash
- large food particles
- plastic
- hair
- grease
- chemicals
- paint
- glass
#2 Broken Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal is another part of a homes plumbing system that often gets abused leading to plumbing problems. Just because garbage is part of its name doesn’t meant that it should be
treated like a garbage can. While its function is to help remove waste from the kitchen sink by pulverizing larger particles of waste into smaller pieces so they can safely pass through the plumbing pipes, its not meant to chop up large food particles, fibrous food particles like corn husks, potato peels, etc…, glass, plastic, trash, grease, and chemicals. Over time food particles and grease can get clogged onto the blades of a garbage disposal making it work less efficiently and cause a clogged sink, which is another problem of in and of itself when it comes to running other appliances like the dishwasher. Keep the garbage disposal in good shape by:
- Watch what goes down the drain
- Always have run garbage disposal with running water
- Cold water is best when using garbage disposal to remove waste. It helps solidify waste particles so they can be chopped into smaller bits
- Hot water is good to sanitize and deodorize the garbage disposal
- Putting ice cubes in the garbage disposal can help break off waste particles that can build up on blades over time
- Use non abrasive cleaning agents like lemon peels, vinegar, and baking soda to clean, sanitize, and deodorize the garbage disposal
# 3 Running Toilets
A running toilet is another common plumbing problem that can be really annoying not to mention a water waster! One of the best ways to prevent this plumbing problem is to try and stay on top of routine toilet maintenance. This means checking the seals around the toilet, and checking the interior components. Replacing the flapper may be in order if the toilet is mysteriously flushing itself, or if the toilet is double flushing the water level in the tank might need to be adjusted.
Plumbing problems are never fun! Just remember if you find yourself in the middle of a major plumbing problem then its important to first stay calm and second call your local plumber. Keep the number to your preferred plumber handy in case there ever is a plumbing emergency. Swift attention can really make a huge difference!
Related Articles
