DIY Tricks To Avoid An Emergency Plumbing Nightmare

Everyone wants to avoid spending more money than is necessary and is aware of how much emergency plumbing costs, which is why wanting to avoid the expense is essential. Because of this, many homeowners find great joy in successfully performing a DIY repair and benefit financially. However, there are situations when do-it-yourself fixes go wrong, and you find yourself in a nightmare and need to contact Fergusons Plumbing to help you. Take a step back before starting your next plumbing renovation and consider these words of wisdom to help you avoid plumbing disasters in your home.

Avoid Flushing Wrong Items Down The Toilet

Nothing else should be flushed down the toilet, just human waste. Never flush solid waste, including diapers, sanitary napkins, or paper towels. These are the common reasons why toilets get clogged. Instead, install a bin inside the bathroom to encourage you to avoid throwing this waste away. 

Additionally, try to avoid using drop-in cleaners on your toilets because repeated exposure to such chemicals may eventually cause damage to your pipes and increase the expense of any necessary repairs or replacements. Instead, make the above advice a daily habit to prevent calling a professional and spending more on repairs. 

If a clog does occur, one of the quickest solutions is to use a quality plunger. Investing in the best toilet plunger for your bathroom can save you from the frustration of an ineffective tool and ensure that minor clogs are handled promptly and efficiently. For more significant clogs, it is best to call a professional plumber.

Put a Strainer in the Drains

The sinks in your bathroom and kitchen need to be treated carefully. The filter in the kitchen will capture food pieces like pasta, coffee beans, rice, etc. Your bathroom sink’s strainer will be used for any loose hair. Remember that hair will eventually accumulate in the pipes and block them. 

Try freezing grease in a plastic container if you need to remove it from your kitchen. The solid waste can then be disposed of in the trash container. Additionally, you should hire a professional to check your drains or clean them at least once each month. This is essentially routine maintenance intended to prevent future plumbing repairs.

Avoid Flooding by Turning Off the Water Valve 

If you ignore this, a major disaster could affect your home. Every household member should be aware of the location of the shut-off valve because it will be useful in an emergency. Whenever you go on vacation, turn off the water valve as well. Flooding can cost you more because you’ll require someone to repair your house in addition to a plumber. 

Whenever you perform installations or repairs, be sure to turn off the water valve. However, when dealing with a professional, you should not worry because they will know what to do.

Ensure That Your Gas Lines Are Connected Properly

Most of the time, when homeowner’s think of plumbing, they think of water pipes. However, your plumbing system also includes gas lines. Water pipe leaks are annoying, but gas line leaks can be fatal. Be certain to use the appropriate connection when installing new gas equipment. Purchase a universal connection kit, which will contain a range of adaptors to assist you in safely and correctly connecting your appliance.

Keep DIY to a Minimum

Replace or clean the shower head if it has to be cleaned if the toilet seat is broken. However, things can quickly turn ugly if you attempt to fix or replace your plumbing appliances, fixtures, or pipes. 

You risk harming your plumbing system or a single fixture if you make a mistake while attempting to repair or replace something. Because your plumbing deals with water, this error may result in leaks. In addition, once the damage has been done, having anything repaired or replaced when it starts to leak will cost you extra money. 

It’s acceptable to repair minor issues, but call your plumber for significant to intermediate issues.

Open The Cabinets Underneath The Sink 

When it gets cold, our pipes could freeze. Allowing warm air to flow through the pipes prevents the pipes from freezing solid. To allow warm air to enter any pipes underneath, you should also open all of your bathroom and kitchen cupboards. If you don’t have a heating system, you might consider installing space heaters in rooms with exposed pipes. Remember to keep a close eye on your pipes to prevent them from overheating, which could result in a fire. 

Before using your pipes again, you must defrost them if they have frozen solid. Pouring warm water over the frozen pipes is one way to do this. The pipes can also be defrosted using a heat lamp or a hair dryer. Avoid using anything with an open flame because doing so could result in a fire hazard.

Use Only Proper Plumbing Equipment 

Make sure you have the appropriate plumbing tools and supplies if you plan to fix relatively minor plumbing issues. Likewise, purchase the same product model if you plan to replace any fixtures. 

However, avoid attempting to remedy leaks, particularly if they are underground. Never dig to determine the cause of an issue since you could damage something. It’s always recommended to call a plumber because they can help you with that more effectively.

Water Heater Maintenance

It would be best to have the water heater inspected yearly to ensure proper operation. Look out for obtrusive noises or corrosion indicators. Verify the cleanliness of the hot water that comes out. Keep in mind that sediment buildup can reduce the efficiency of your water heater and increase your water bill. Flushing and draining the tanks once every year, preferably before winter, will prevent this.