Putting a Stop to Leaking, Flooding and Clogs

You rely on your home’s plumbing system to support daily chores and plumbing fixtures, but unseen troubles can hide around every corner. Luckily, you can stop obstructions, leaking and floods with a little regular upkeep. Here’s how you can keep your water running and your worries at bay.

1. Keep Foreign Debris Out of Sink Drains

Many kitchen sinks may be fitted with a garbage disposal, but certain food items still instead of dumped into the drain, like:

• Grease from cooking
• Tough foods like corn cobs and celery stalks
• Congealed food like boiled rice or coffee grounds
• Solid objects like gristle and animal bones
• Non-food items. Silverware and other small items can accidentally fall into the disposal and damage something when you turn it on.

2. Know What Not to Flush

Toilets are designed to safely remove human waste and toilet paper. Here’s what you should never flush:

• Baby wipes
• Paper towels
• Cotton swabs and cotton balls
• Sanitary products
• Diapers
• Floss
• Out-of-date medications

3. Utilize Mesh Strainers

A simple way to lower the risk of a clog is to place mesh strainers over your laundry, kitchen and bathroom drains. They catch hair, pieces of soap, crusty toothpaste and other debris as water goes down the drain. these strainers to keep your drains flowing freely.

4. Locate the Main Water Shutoff Valve

Being knowledgeable about your plumbing system means knowing the location of your main water shutoff valve. This valve regulates water flowing into your home, so knowing where it is means you can turn it off quickly in a plumbing emergency. It’s also wise to close this valve before leaving town for an extended period. Common locations for the main shutoff valve include the basement, near the water heater, in a utility closet or outside the home buried underground.

5. Invest in a Sump Pump

Installing a sump pump will go a long way toward preventing floods, particularly in climates prone to high annual rainfall. This device removes water that accumulates in something called the sump basin, generally installed in the floor of your basement, and drains it away from the house. For homes that already have a sump pump, check it every now and then by pouring water into the pit. As long as the pump activates and the pit drains, you’re good to go. If it isn’t draining properly, you have time to call a professional to service the pump before the next big storm.

6. Set Up Flood Alarms

Similar to how smoke alarms are a big part of good fire safety, flood alarms can help avoid water damage. These wired or battery-operated devices sense pooling water at the earliest stages of flooding or leaks, sounding an alarm to inform you. For further protection, include smart flood alarms into your home security system. This sends a notification on your phone once water has been detected, enabling you to deal with leaks before they cause significant damage.

7. Add a Backflow Valve

Experienced plumbers often suggest that homeowners set up a backflow valve in the basement floor drain to stop sewage from backing up into their homes during heavy rainfall. Local expert plumbers can set up this strong layer of protection against sewage flowing back into the house.

Find and Prevent Leaking

Now that we’ve covered best practices and useful plumbing accessories, let’s review some preventive steps you can take to avoid leaks, or worse, burst pipes.

Most of your home system of plumbing pipes and fixtures is out of sight, so dripping pipes often go unseen until they create the potential for water damage. Regularly checking for leaks can help you spot trouble before it gets worse. Here’s how:

• Check under the sink for signs of pooling water, rotting wood or mold.
• Be on the lookout for small leaks in the toilets by squeezing some drops of food coloring to the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl after 30 minutes without flushing, you’ve got a leak.
• Examine around and behind your plumbing appliances, including the dishwasher or washing machine, for signs of water damage or leaking.
• Conduct a water meter test.
  • To start, turn off all water in your home via the water main.
  • Then, head outside to read the water meter. Check one more time after two hours, being careful not to use any water before the second reading.
  • If the reading is different, there is a leak somewhere.

Do Everything You Can to Avoid Frozen Pipes

In climates with cold winters, protecting the plumbing pipes is a good part of any plan to avoid freezing and bursting. Here are some tips:

• Cover pipes in the appropriate insulation in unheated areas like the basement, garage or attic using pipe insulation or heating tape.
• Remove garden hoses from the spigots attached to your plumbing throughout the winter to prevent ice from forming inside the pipes.
• Keep under-sink cabinet doors open during frigid weather to keep warm air circulating around the pipes.

Work with a Reliable Plumber

While you can take all sorts of preventive steps yourself to minimize the risk of clogs, leaks and flooding, sometimes it takes Expert local plumbers to keep things flowing smoothly. That’s where can help. We are a network of plumbers serving U.S. homes from coast to coast with service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely thrilled with your level of service after one year, we will do everything we can to make it right. This industry-leading dedication shows how we deliver total comfort and peace of mind in your life. For Expert plumbing service that exceeds expectations, please contact us today