Being a brand new parent is one of the most exciting, confusing, and sometimes terrifying periods in a person’s life. Suddenly, you have a living, breathing being that you have to bathe, clean, and take care of. And the last thing you need, among all those new things, is to have to deal with plumbing-related issues. So, for this article, we outline must-know plumbing tips for new parents and why it is important that you adhere to them.
Must-know plumbing tips for new parents
One thing that you need to keep in mind, as a new parent, is that safety is paramount, regardless of whether you’ve moved into a new home or if you’ve lived in it for years. It is necessary that you ensure that both you and your family are completely safe. Once you understand this, you will know where most of our plumbing tips for new parents stem from.
Thorough inspection
As a new parent, there are a ton of everyday chores that you need to take care of. Cooking food, cleaning, washing laundry… All these are some things that you’ll constantly have to deal with. And what those things have in common is that they require running water.
Before you get a baby into a home, you really ought to perform a full inspection of your plumbing. That way, you won’t run into unpleasant surprises and emergency repairs. Professional movers at Michael Brooks Moving NH advise that after you move into a new home, you have a professional inspect your plumbing. Even if you feel that the home you’ve moved into is in decent order. Experienced professionals can notice plumbing issues in their infancy. And if they do, they can fix them with far fewer recourses and time.
Child-proof locks
Children are curious. Regardless of gender or age, they like to explore their surroundings and see how things work. Therefore, in order to keep your child safe, you will need to install child-proof locks on toilet seats and cabinets. Even if they are under constant care, they will manage to sneak away. Therefore, you really ought to ensure that no accidents will occur.
Heater temperature
A heater that has the temperature set too high can lead to scalding issues. Even if you are accustomed to using hot water in your home, know that your child can run hot water on accident. So, to avoid unfortunate accidents, keep your heater temperate at 120°F (49°C). This temperature is more than enough for you to shower. And, at this temperate, what would otherwise be scalding hot water, will be nothing but an inconvenience.
Clear drains
Clear drains are necessary for hygienic sinks and showers. Clogged drains can easily lead to standing water, which can then lead to an accumulation of bacteria and filth. So, go the extra mile to ensure that your drains are always clear and running. Remove hair, soap, debris, and anything else that might clog it. Place drain protectors and use drain cleaners on a weekly basis. Keep in mind that a combination of baking soda and vinegar can be highly potent as an unclogging solvent.
Only flush toilet paper
While on the subject of clogged pipes, we should also mention that you should only flush toilet paper. As a new parent, you may feel inclined to use baby wipes as an easy way to clean your child. While this is all good, you need to throw those baby wipes into the trash, not toilet paper. Even if they say “flushable” on the box, you shouldn’t expect them to flush every time perfectly. And it is spiritedly easy to accumulate baby wipes and clog your pipes. The same goes for diapers, napkins, and any other disposable item used for childcare. Remember, only toilet paper goes into the toilet bowl.
Learn where the shut-off valve is
Unfortunately, leaks and pipe bursts can happen. In this case, you need to be able to protect your apartment and ensure that the water doesn’t overrun it. You can do this by shutting off the main valve in your home. If you don’t know where it is, find out. We would also advise you to shut it off once while not in an emergency. If shut-off valves aren’t used for years, they can become stuck. And if yours is, you’ll be happy to fix it before there is a major plumbing issue.
Regular maintenance
An annual plumbing inspection will help you avoid most major plumbing issues. As mentioned, trained professionals know how to spot potential issues before they become burdensome. Therefore, they can fix them relatively easily and cheaply. Furthermore, if you need to perform some major fixes, you’d be glad to do them before they evolve into a full-blown issue. You can plan your renovation, figure out the fastest way to move house with a baby, have a quick relocation to a temporary home, and see that your child is out of the house during it.
Educate kids
Lastly, one of the most important parents must do is take the time to educate their kids. Once you think about it, the plumbing system is a complex, fascinating system we often take for granted. By educating your child on how it works, they can grow to appreciate your home and the world around them. On a more basic level, you can teach them how to wash up and clean their toys. You can even teach them about the importance of water and how important it is to preserve it.
Conclusion As you can see, most of our plumbing tips for new parents revolve around keeping your home and your family safe. By being responsible and thoughtful, you can save yourself from a ton of unfortunate circumstances. Have a professional check your home and ensure your plumbing is in good order. And take the extra time to educate your child. Do that, and we can practically guarantee you will have plumbing-related issues.
