Different Ways to Help Your Plumbing Last Longer
Your home’s plumbing plays a major role in how comfortable you are and how functional the house is. The best way to keep the plumbing in top shape is to follow preventative care suggestions, like flushing only toilet paper. By adopting proactive habits, you’ll reduce the odds of repairs as well as help the pipes and drains last longer.
Avoid Pouring Grease Down the Drain
Grease is pretty harmless in its liquid form, but once it hardens, it can cause major clogs in pipes. This is why you should never pour grease down a drain. Instead, you should pour it in the garbage or in a container. A lot of people store grease in containers and then use it for cooking purposes.
Use Drain Strainers
Drain strainers keep food particles, hair and other solids from clogging your pipes. You just place the strainer in a drain, and it automatically catches the debris for you. Every time you finish using the drain, you can empty the strainer in a trash bin. There are many types of drain strainers to choose from, and they are all very simple to use and clean. Metal drain strainers usually work best for drains that have heavy water flow or larger openings. Silicone strainers are ideal for shower drains because of their flexibility and ability to catch hair without slipping out of place.
Another type is a basket strainer, which helps collect larger debris when washing dishes or cleaning items in a sink. Just remember to clean the strainers regularly; this ensures they can function properly, which is key to preventing water from pooling in sinks and tubs.
Only Flush Toilet Paper
You should never flush anything besides toilet paper down a toilet. Flushing wipes and hygiene products will clog the plumbing, leading to backups that can cause significant damage to your home. Toilet backups can also be unsanitary and extremely messy to clean up.
Insulate Pipes for Cold Weather
One of the most common plumbing problems that people living in Kentucky have to deal with is frozen pipes. This is because the temperatures here often get below freezing during the winter, especially at night. To protect your home from frozen pipes requiring help from a local plumber, you can insulate exposed piping. It’s very important to focus on pipes in basements, attics and exterior walls since they will likely freeze first. There are several pipe insulation materials to choose from, including foam, fiberglass and rubber. For homes in Kentucky, foam pipe insulation usually works best. This material will retain heat effectively while resisting moisture, keeping the pipes fully protected against freezing cold weather.
Flush Water Heater Annually
Water heaters often experience sediment buildup, which shortens the heater’s lifespan. Sediment buildup can also affect the unit’s ability to provide hot water. To get rid of sediment, you’ll need to flush the water heater annually. Flushing can be a tricky process, so it’s best to let a plumber do this water heater service for you.
Don’t Use Pipes as Storage Hangers
Exposed piping in basements and attics might seem like a good place to hang stuff, but you should never use it for storage. And you should especially never hang any heavy objects on them. If you do, it causes unnecessary stress on the pipes, which can weaken their joints. Over time, the weakness can lead to cracks and leaks. Instead of using exposed piping for storage, you should use proper storage solutions, like shelves and hooks.
Use Cold Water When Running the Garbage Disposal
Having a garbage disposal is a great way to keep the kitchen clean and free of food waste. However, if you pour grease or fat in the disposal, you must make sure to use cold water. This will help solidify the grease and fat, making it easier for the disposal to break it down. If you run hot water, it will keep the grease and fat melted, making it difficult to break apart. Once it solidifies in the drain, it increases the risk of clogs and other plumbing problems. Most experts recommend running cold water both during and for up to one minute after using garbage disposals.
Schedule Professional Inspections and Maintenance Each Year
The easiest way to protect your home’s plumbing is to schedule professional maintenance and inspections once a year. A plumber can check all of the pipes, making sure all of them have tight connections and no corrosion. If they find any damaged sections, they might be able to repair them using pipe clamps or epoxy putty. In cases of severe damage, it might work better to replace the whole pipe. In addition to checking pipes, the plumber will inspect all drains and may suggest drain cleaning solutions like hydro-jetting or drain snaking.
Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing is here to help you keep your home’s plumbing in tip-top shape. We offer drain cleaning and water heater services. Contact Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing to book plumbing maintenance for your home in Somerset, KY.
