Homeowner Plumbing Tips

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When you think about it, plumbing is an essential part of your life. Without this network within our homes and businesses, we’d be left with no way to wash or cook food!

As a homeowner, there are a few plumbing tips that you should master in order to keep your home in good condition.

Here are six essential plumbing tips that every homeowner should know:

1. Learn how to turn off the water in your home.
In a plumbing emergency, you must know how to quickly turn off the water to prevent further damage.

Interesting fact: The average flood damage incident costs homeowners between $2,000 and $5,000.

Your water main is the lifeblood of your home. If you ever have to do a major plumbing project, or if there’s some other type of problem with pipes inside and outside our house—shutting off this valve will stop all flow into it so that we can troubleshoot what’s wrong before anything else gets damaged!

2. Have a plunger on hand for clogged toilets and drains.
When you shower, your hair falls out and builds up over time. Don’t use chemicals immediately because they can harm plumbing infrastructure like pipes! Instead, if your sink or tub keeps backing up, get a snake or similar tool that can pull out any debris blocking your pipes. Or call the experts at Lee.

Learn how to use a plumbing snake properly. A plumbing snake can be used to clear clogged drains and toilets.

Interesting fact:  The average Roto-Rooter cost can cost between $230 to $500.

3. Catch those dripping sinks and faucets.
What’s worse than a dripping faucet? You could be wasting thousands of gallons every year if you have one! Fortunately, it is easy to fix. All that’s required for most repairs would be some tools and instructions online or on your fixture itself, if applicable. We do suggest, for complicated issues, to contact an expert such as Lee.

Inspecting your plumbing regularly for leaks or other problems is essential also. Unfortunately, you don’t always know when a leak has been going on for years. It might be small and hard to spot, but it can have significant consequences if left unchecked! Water leaks are one of the most common reasons homes suffer from moisture damage; an out-of-date faucet or burst pipe is often all that’s needed to make your house repair bills fly through the roof.

Interesting fact: One home with three SLOW leaking faucets, at only four drips per minute, could waste over 400 gallons a year.

4. Be careful what you flush down your toilets.
You can reduce your risk of getting clogged pipes by only flushing toilet paper and other wastes down the lavatory. Cotton swabs, baby wipes, feminine products, or even paper towels might get caught in one place, which could cause problems for you later on!

Interesting fact: The national average cost to unclog a toilet is $200 to $700. 

Constant clogs have the potential to damage your toilet, drains, and sewer lines, which require expensive repairs or replacement due to the issue.

5. Do not pour grease or oil down your drains.
Grease and oil can build up in your pipes and cause clogs.

One of the most helpful things you can do for your garbage disposal is to let some cold water run down it before running any food scraps, ice cubes included. This will help keep those blades sharp and ensure they’re able to grind up all kinds of materials without getting clogged quickly!

Please also do not flush medications down the toilet. Medications should be disposed of properly to avoid contaminating your water supply.

Interesting fact: Grease is the number one culprit of sewer pipe overflows and backups.

6. Have a plumber’s number on hand in case of plumbing emergencies.
The best way to ensure that your plumbing problems are taken care of quickly and efficiently is by adding an experienced plumber to your contacts.

A local professional will always do more than what you can achieve on your own, saving both time AND money in return.

Interesting fact: Lee Mechanical has been voted #1 seven years in a row! Contact us today at (262) 657-9490

Following these essential plumbing tips can help keep your home in good condition and avoid costly plumbing repairs.