People rarely, if ever, think about the pipes or plumbing systems in their homes. This is natural. Pipes are out of sight, therefore out of mind, until there is a leak, a clog, or some other plumbing emergency. Plumbing is an essential aspect of our home, and we often take it for granted. As a result, we often find ourselves in less than desirable situations. If you want to minimize the risk of water damage to your house, we will show you how to prevent plumbing emergencies.
Consider Seasonal Plumbing
Even If you are a person who likes to do your own plumbing, specific procedures should only be performed by a professional. Do your research and identify a local Brooklyn plumber that can inspect and help you pinpoint any possible issues before they occur. Hiring professionals to help you out will always be the first step when trying to prevent plumbing emergencies. Every season brings new difficulties and problems for your plumbing system. Summer necessitates increased water intake, while winter necessitates the protection of the system against cold weather and freezing temperatures. Keep in mind that you should establish a checklist of activities that need to be done to prepare your plumbing system for warmer and colder weather at least twice a year.
Keep Your Sink Drains Clear of Clogs
Drains in showers, bathroom basins, and kitchen sinks without trash disposals are prone to clogging from food, hair, and other material that accumulates through time. This may cause drainage pipes to get clogged, resulting in an unpleasant mess. Rather than allowing it to get to this stage and then frantically looking online for a plumber, consider investing in mesh sink strainers to prevent items from falling down the drain. Garbage disposals may be sensitive to chicken bones, fruit pits, corn husks, and significant amounts of starchy meals like spaghetti.
Think About the Water Pressure and Clogged Drains
Every house has a somewhat different pressure, but if yours considerably lowers when taking a shower, bathing, or doing the dishes, it’s time to investigate. If a faucet or showerhead causes low pressure, clean the aerators because debris might accumulate. A water pressure gauge may also assist you in determining your water pressure. If you can’t find the source of the issue, the potential cause may also be the main leak.
Furthermore, putting anything down a toilet, shower, bath drain, sink, or trash disposal that is not designed to be there produces build-up and clogs. This can also increase the water pressure in your home. As we have mentioned, garbage disposals, for example, cannot handle all food leftovers. Highly fibrous meals, as well as cooking oil or lipids that have cooled, might create issues. Hair may also accumulate in shower and bathtub drains. Once again, keep an eye on how water drains around your house. If it’s running slower than usual, you may have a plugged pipe or drain.
Learn Where All of the Valves Are
Know where all of your water valves are in case of a water emergency. The main thing you should know is the location of the water shutdown valve. It’s generally at the water meter in front of your house. Turning off your water supply in the event of a broken pipe or overflowing appliance may prevent a minor issue from escalating into a full-fledged calamity. You can immediately check that the handle can be readily twisted. You should test this often because, on cold winter days, the valve can stiffen up.
Furthermore, you should conduct a thorough home examination to verify that all valves function excellently. Turn them on and off a few times to ensure they work properly and can be relied on in an emergency. Look for rust around the valves and get them replaced by a plumber to prevent leaks from the valves themselves. This may seem like a lot of work, but it is much easier than the alternative. The alternative would be what the experts from bestmoversnyc.com recommend, which is hiring movers to take out all of your furniture so you can fix the damage that has been done.
Listen Out For Warning Signs That Prevent Plumbing Emergencies
There are times when you can’t do anything to prevent something terrible from happening. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pay attention. In some cases, pipes will give off signs of damage. If you hear odd sounds from out of your pipes, something is not right. Listen for noises that may warn you of a problem before it occurs.
For example, if your water heater is making noises, it can result from silt accumulation. Limescale and other deposits accumulate if your water heater is not regularly cleaned. As a consequence of the silt accumulation, in addition to the noise, there is reduced efficiency. Having your water heater serviced and cleaned regularly can keep sediment from accumulating. Furthermore, whistling sounds from this location might result from an obstruction. Eliminate and clean the showerhead to remove any deposits or build-up. If it’s still making noise after you’ve done all of this, it’s time to get a new showerhead.
Take Good Care of Your Pipes
Sometimes you need to go deeper to prevent plumbing emergencies. You may need to ensure that all of your pipes are safe. This is because, for the most part, common plumbing issues stem from pipe problems. Water pipes aren’t meant to endure forever and may sustain significant rust, water, and corrosion damage. Thus older homes need additional upkeep and may require re-piping to prevent leaks and bursts.
Another vital issue is the temperature since cold weather may cause pipes to freeze and fracture. This happens because when water freezes, it expands. You can avoid weather-related damage by using adequate pipe insulation, keeping the heat at a steady temperature throughout the winter. Additionally, inspect unheated areas of the house for drafts and caulk crevices tight to prevent wind chill from entering. This may be the only surefire way to prevent plumbing emergencies in your home.
Meta Description: If you want to increase the longevity of your house, and reduce the risk of water damage, here is how to prevent plumbing emergencies in your home.
