Prevent Plumbing Problems This Holiday Season

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Avoid Plumbing Problems With These Easy Steps

Homeowners can prevent plumbing problems by trusting their instincts. When the toilet gurgles, the sink clogs, or the garbage disposal stops working, it’s time to call in a professional. Without professional insight, inconveniences can turn into disasters overnight. There’s no need to tempt fate this holiday season. There are a few things homeowners can do to prevent plumbing problems, each of which only takes minutes.

Periodical Maintenance Is Key to a Functioning Toilet

When the toilet can’t properly flush, this usually indicates a clog. Yet, homeowners might use the perfect amount of toilet paper and still run into these issues. But why? Clogs can result from hard water (when there’s too much sediment in the water supply) and worn pipes.
Homeowners can prevent clogs by:

Using an adequate amount of toilet paper: The toilet can only handle four to eight sheets of toilet paper at a time. Anything beyond that risks a clog.
Only flushing toilet paper: Users should avoid flushing baby wipes, sanitary napkins, and paper towels down the toilet. The first time a toilet flushes these items, users might not notice anything. However, after the second or third time, matters can quickly change.
Periodically cleaning the toilet bowl: Over time, residue can make its way into the pipes and create nasty clogs. Homeowners should clean the toilet bowl using soap and warm water. Excessively using over-the-counter chemicals can “eat away” at the toilet’s pipes.

A clogged toilet repair technician can provide further insight.

How Homeowners Can Prevent Blocked Sewer Lines

Sewer lines do all the “behind the scenes work.” Anything that goes down the drain or toilet goes into the neighborhood’s sewer main, where it’s treated and transformed into tap water.

Many homeowners won’t ever see their properties’ sewer line. They seldom take notice until something goes wrong. Then, it’s necessary to call in a sewer line repair service.

Property owners should take these steps to avoid blocked sewer lines:

Avoid pouring grease down the drain: Pouring grease down the drain isn’t an “out of sight, out of mind” deal. Over time, grease can congeal into something called a “fatberg,” a massive clog made of fat, oil, and slime. Not only are these disgusting, but they’re also a pain to remove.
Always pluck hair out of the drain: There’s a good saying in the plumbing industry: if it comes from the body, it’s okay to flush. However, this does not apply to hair. It can take hair anywhere from one to two years to break down – and that’s only when it’s buried. In the drain, it can cause a literal hairball.
Pour hot water down the kitchen sink: One of the best ways to maintain the kitchen sink plumbing system is to pour hot water down the drain. This dissolves certain clogs and forces debris downward. However, if a homeowner knows that there’s grease down the drain, they should avoid this method. The hot water would cause the fat to melt and resolidify.

There’s not the end of the world if a property needs sewer line solutions. A plumbing service may employ hydro jetting to eliminate the problem. This involves shooting a stream of water into the pipes, blowing away any clogs.

Drain Cleaning Makes a Giant Difference

On average, homeowners should clean their drains once a year. Regular drain cleanings protect the drain itself, as well as the bathroom plumbing system as a whole.

However, depending on usage, frequent cleanings may be in order. This can include pouring hot water down the drain, removing any stray hairs, and scrubbing the area around the drain. Homeowners should focus on any solid soap forming around the drain’s edges.

About Locklear Plumbing

When homeowners want their plumbing systems “on lock,” they turn to Locklear Plumbing. These specialists help homeowners with kitchen plumbing, clogs, periodic maintenance, and toilet installation.