28 June Simple Tips to Keep Your Plumbing Flowing June 28, 2021 By sma Home Inspection, Home Maintenance bathroom, kitchen, plumbing 0 SIMPLE TIPS TO KEEP YOUR PLUMBING FLOWING June 28, 2021 | Home Maintenance, Home Inspection | plumbing, kitchen, bathroom Your home’s plumbing requires continual maintenance in order to function properly. However, that can be easier said than done. It doesn’t take much to clog or damage your pipes, and you could find yourself paying for expensive repairs. Luckily, a little bit of preventative action on your part can help you avoid a larger issue. A lot can happen to your plumbing. There’s a multitude of reasons that your plumbing is struggling. From a child's toy lodged in the toilet to a crack somewhere down the line, it could take a bit of work to correctly identify and treat the cause. Some of the most common problems are: Broken seals Old pipes Incorrect installation Grease or food buildup Hair Waste Foundational shifting Roots are also a top cause for your pipes to become broken. Trees, bushes, and other vegetation are attracted to the water from a leaky pipe and can grow in small cracks. Since most plants grow relatively slow, it could take years before you notice. Don’t rely on your garbage disposal. If your sink has a garbage disposal, don’t rely on it to chop up everything. Not all the food gets ground up completely and certain foods can clump together in your drain. Dump your leftovers into a trashcan, and when you do use your disposal, make sure you have your hot water on to wash it down. Check the chemicals that you use. That old lemon trick might be causing your drains more harm than good. Using the wrong type of chemicals in your pipes can have severe side effects. Highly corrosive materials eat away at your drains, especially if they’re made out of PVC. With any chemicals you buy, carefully follow the instructions so that you don’t cause further damage to your plumbing. Fats, oils, and grease don’t go down easy. These thicker liquids easily dam up in your pipes after reacting from the chemicals in the sewer. There’s no straightforward way to clean out these “fatbergs,” and they often require removing large sections of pipe. After you’ve finished cooking, pour the oil into a jar and let it solidify. Then you can dump the hardened liquid in the trash and clean off any remaining residue on your pan with a paper towel. A simple drain cover can go a long way. A plastic drain cover from your local hardware store is a simple way to protect your plumbing. Hair and other small items like bobby pins or toy pieces are notorious for plugging things up. Put a trap over your drains to make cleaning out your sink quick. Monitor for drips and puddles. Early detection of a leak could save your house and your checkbook. If you see or even hear dripping water, you shouldn’t let it continue. A small drip, aside from being a nuisance, can be an indicator that your plumbing needs fixed. Call a professional as soon as you notice a leak of any size. Have your home’s plumbing inspected. The best thing you can do to protect your home is to have it professionally inspected. You’ll get a better understanding of your home’s systems and how to care for them. You’ll also be able to plan ahead for repairs so you don’t get caught by surprise. Be sure to schedule your home inspection with your local NPI inspector today! Comments are closed.