The pandemic has forced many of us to stay at home which has led to an inevitable increase in plumbing issues. So, if there’s something 2020 has taught us in the plumbing industry, it’s that the plumbing must go on (pandemic, or not), that’s why many of our expected end-of-year plumbing resolutions are still the same this year compared to previous years.
A new year is the ideal opportunity for people to consider how to improve their lives — so, it’s no wonder that most of the time, we start a new year with declarations to change specific aspects of our lives. We promise to discipline ourselves at the beginning of the year so we can have something to look forward to at the end of the year (did we succeed in doing what we set out to do?). Discipline, however, isn’t just for personal growth and development. With a little discipline, many plumbing problems can be avoided!
A new year is the ideal opportunity for people to consider how to improve their lives — so, it’s no wonder that most of the time, we start a new year with declarations to change specific aspects of our lives. We promise to discipline ourselves at the beginning of the year so we can have something to look forward to at the end of the year (did we succeed in doing what we set out to do?). Discipline, however, isn’t just for personal growth and development. With a little discipline, many plumbing problems can be avoided!
It’s the little things that count (don’t overlook the small stuff). Expert plumbers will agree that minor plumbing problems will eventually turn into more widespread issues if ignored. If you have a faucet that drips at all hours or if you hear banging noises coming from your pipes, or water that pools around the sink fixtures or toilet, don’t ignore them. These might seem like minor issues, but most plumbing problems aren’t a big deal…until they are. It’ll be wise to call a professional plumber to find out the root cause behind those mysterious noises and pooling water. Keep this in mind: It’s less expensive to pay for a plumber to fix something small rather than call them after something catastrophic happens.
Insulate your piping. Some homeowners are oblivious to what piping insulation is, and we don’t expect you to be a know-it-all when it comes to your home. But, you should be aware of certain steps to take to support the longevity of your home. If you’ve seen pipes covered in a thick casing of foam before, that is piping insulation. Insulating water pipes during cold seasons can prevent hot water pipes from losing their heat to outside temperatures. On the contrary, insulation on your cold water pipes during summer can dramatically cut down humidity levels inside your home. While insulating your pipes may sound like an impossible and costly project, it’s surprisingly inexpensive and easy to do. If you have questions, ask a trusted professional plumber (no, not your uncle Joe who likes to “fix things around the house” during his downtime).
One man’s trash is a garbage disposal’s nightmare… Stop treating your garbage disposal like a landfill! We don’t mean to yell (we’re not yelling…just speaking with passion), but you can’t throw just anything into your garbage disposal and expect it to keep working for years to come. Avoid dumping hard foods, fibrous vegetables, oils, grease, or liquid fats down your garbage disposal. The latter could coagulate and bungle your disposal unit. Food items like banana peels, asparagus, corn husks, celery, nut shells, popcorn kernels, fruit pits, and small bones can get lodged in the tubing that leads to the unit and could cause a backup, clogging your dishwasher and sink. Remember to run cold water for a good minute after you put other food waste down the disposer, and make a mental note to treat your garbage disposal with care this new year and avoid some costly repairs.
Be more aware of your water usage. Try not to take water for granted by wasting it; even the smallest shift in your daily routine can be a huge improvement when it comes to your water usage! Be more thoughtful of how much water you’re using by simply turning off the water while you brushing your teeth or turning on the shower and not walking away. These habits can cost you more than you think. Do your wallet a favor and only turn on the water when you are actively using it — this can save you thousands of gallons of water annually.
Your toilet isn’t a trash can…don’t flush large objects down it. You might be surprised to learn that the biggest culprit for a clogged toilet or drainage system is the accumulation of flushable wipes. Even if they’re flushable, your plumbing system might not be able to handle it (this is especially true in old homes). Such products should be disposed of in a trash can to prevent future clogs and backups.
Install a home water filtration system. If you’ve ever noticed your skin becoming flaky or dry after taking a shower then, Houston, we have a problem…a hard water problem! That, or your local water supply has harsh chemicals in it. Either way, this type of water isn’t anything you want to be bathing in. If you install a whole-home water filtration system, not only do you have access to clean drinking water directly out of the tap, but your skin and hair will be feeling like a million bucks after a shower! Treat yourself to clean water this new year with a water filtration system.
I scream. You scream. We all scream for drain screens. It’s true that one of the largest contributors to pipe blockages is hair. while you might not shed as much hair as your dog does, you are still losing hair every day. shed hair easily makes it into your shower and bathroom sink drain and will never dissolve in water which means it’ll be in your pipes forever. using a simple drain screen that you can pick up from a hardware store for less than five dollars a piece can keep hair out of your pipes and will keep your pipes flowing easily this year and beyond.
Get an inspection. So let’s say you adhere to everything on this list, nothing can beat a professional’s touch. Schedule a check up with your plumber. If you’ve gone five years or more without having a plumbing inspection, you’re probably running on borrowed time. Most plumbers will be happy to come to your home and do a thorough plumbing inspection and assessment. We’ll spot any minor leaks or faulty pipes, check for gas leaks, and give your plumbing system a clean bill of health.
There are plenty of other things you can do to keep your plumbing in tip-top shape, but these are a good start. If you’ve got anymore questions or concerns, be sure to give us a call at (951) 300-6681. Happy holidays from the team over at NIR Plumbing!
SOURCES:
https://www.richiesplumbing.com/blog/2018/12/22/end-of-year-plumbing-resolution
