No one wants to be wading around in water in the middle of the night or trying to unclog a hopelessly blocked toilet during a Memorial Day get-together. The best way to handle plumbing emergencies is to keep them from happening in the first place!
Some basic preventative maintenance could keep you from having to deal with potentially damaging plumbing issues. Here are some tips for how to avoid plumbing emergencies and the inconvenience and possible expense they can cause.
Prevent Drain Clogs
One of the most common plumbing issues requiring emergency services is a badly clogged drain. To avoid blockages, follow these simple tips:
• Use screens on drains. This will help keep hair, food and other debris from entering and clogging your drains.
• Minimize food particles in your drains – even if you have a disposal, since very small pieces of food are often not fully disintegrated.
• NEVER put grease in your drains. This will harden when it cools and cause blockages.
• Don’t put anything but waste and toilet paper into your toilet. Even some wipes labeled “flushable” can cause backups in your plumbing system.
Be Aware of Stress on Your Pipes
Leaks, burst pipes and major flooding are commonly caused by damage sustained in pipes that have been weakened by age. But there are preventative measures that can increase the lifespan of your plumbing system. Keep these things in mind and make necessary adjustments to add more time to the life of your pipes.
• If you have strong water pressure in your home or business, consider having a pressure reducer installed. Pipes weaken when used under high pressure.
• If you have hard water, minerals and chemicals are likely present that can build up in your pipes, which can cause blockages and damage. Consider using a water softener to remove such substances.
• Conserve water. The more water used, the more stress on the pipes. Make water-conserving choices like turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth and limiting shower time.
Perform Occasional Maintenance
Going for long periods of time without any monitoring of your plumbing system could end up costing you. Whether you have municipal water or an alternate system, do maintenance occasionally to keep from encountering a major plumbing problem.
• If you have city water, have your plumbing lines snaked every few years. Often, encroaching tree roots or other unseen problems can cause major backups in your pipes.
• If you have a septic system, have it pumped every 3-5 years to clear out any unknown or potential blockages or issues.
Other Maintenance Tips
A few other suggestions might help you avoid disaster. Such as:
• Know where the shut-off valve for your home or business is located, so you can stop water quickly in the case of a leak or burst pipe.
• Take precautions to avoid frozen pipes in winter.
• Never hang or pull on exposed plumbing pipes.
• Fix problems in a timely manner. (Unaddressed plumbing issues can lead to anything from mold and mildew growth to water damage and even major structural issues.)
When Emergencies Happen
Sometimes, even preventative maintenance can’t stop plumbing issues. When disaster strikes, call Fite Plumbing – even if your plumbing problem happens outside of normal business hours. We offer our specialized Emergency Plumbing Response services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. That means you can get plumbing assistance when you need it – even if that is Christmas Day or at 2:00 AM on a Sunday! Our qualified service representatives are experts in providing outstanding emergency service in a timely manner.
How to Avoid Plumbing Emergencies
