Home Plumbing Secrets From Plumbers

Building on the success of our previous blog post, ‘Our Best Plumbing Tips For Your Home,’ where we shared practical advice to prevent common plumbing issues, we’ve delved deeper into the expertise of our Handyside plumbers. Here are seven additional tips to help you proactively care for your plumbing system.

#1 Avoid chemical drain cleaners.

While advertising sells chemical drain cleaners as quick and easy solutions, the truth is they come at a high cost and can lead to even costlier plumbing bills down the line. These harsh chemicals can damage your drain pipes and often fall short in fully resolving clogs. If a plunger, hot water, and dish soap can’t do the trick, it’s time to call in a professional Handyside plumber.

#2 Use strainers to protect your drains.

Using basket strainers in your sinks and shower is a smart move to prevent the accumulation of hair, soap residue, and food waste in your drains, which often lead to frustrating clogs. Trust the plumbers: regularly emptying the basket strainer is much easier than the time-consuming and unpleasant task of clearing a badly clogged drain.

#3 Know where your main water valve is.

If your dishwasher suddenly started flooding the kitchen or a pipe burst or a tap broke, would you know where to find your main water valve so you could quickly shut it off and minimize the flood?

#4 Test your toilet’s flush valve seal for leaks.

The flush valve seal plays a vital role in preventing water from flowing from the tank to the toilet bowl when it’s not in use. You can easily test this seal’s effectiveness by adding a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. After two hours, if you notice the color has made its way into the toilet bowl, it’s an indication of a potential leak.

#5 Keep your main sewer line clean out accessible.

The clean-out pipe allows you to get access to the main sewer line so you can clear a blockage or perform routine maintenance. While it can be found near the house, often at the property line, it’s frequently located in the basement. It’s imperative not to cover it with carpet or obstruct its access. In the event of a sewage line blockage, quick and unobstructed access to this clean-out is essential for your plumber to resolve the issue efficiently.

#6 Make sure your water heater is set at 120 degrees.

Even if the manufacturer initially set it to 140 degrees, adjusting the temperature to 120 degrees will provide ample warm water for your entire household and contribute to energy cost savings.

#7 Clean the shower head.

Experiencing sluggish water flow in your shower or an erratic spray pattern? Consider the possibility of needing a new showerhead, but before you do, attempt to clean your current one. Simply take a plastic bag, fill it halfway with vinegar, and securely fasten it to your showerhead using a rubber band. Leave it overnight, and with any luck, you’ll wake up to a refreshing shower experience in the morning.

Conclusion

Discover our ‘Handy’ tips to keep things flowing, but always keep in mind that for tasks like leak repairs, drain unclogging, or installing new toilets or sinks, it’s wise to rely on the expertise of trusted Handyside plumbing professionals.