Having water pour into your basement while you struggle to locate the main water valve is a true nightmare. So is having to call your plumber at 3 a.m. while your toilet backs up all over the bathroom floor!
While there's no way to completely prevent a plumbing emergency, you can decrease your risk of major plumbing problems by being proactive. Complete the tasks on this checklist to help prevent future plumbing issues.
1. Put Baskets in the Drains
Especially in bathrooms, one of the main contributors to clogs is hair being washed down the drain. So, head to your local home goods store and purchase a few baskets for your shower and sink drains. You can typically find plastic ones for under a dollar. Pay a couple of dollars, and you can find attractive metal ones.
Whichever ones you use, these baskets trap hair and debris and prevent it from washing down your drains and clogging your pipes.
2. Check for Hard Water
Hard water may seem like a minor annoyance now, but it can lead to extensive mineral buildup in your pipes and inside appliances later on. Look for these signs that your home has hard water:
- Soap scum forms easily on your shower walls or inside the tub.
- Your skin is dry and itchy.
- Dishes and flatware develop spots as they dry.
- There are mineral deposits on and around faucets and showerheads.
If you think you may have hard water, have a plumber come assess your water and, if needed, install a water softener to remove the excess minerals from your water as it enters your home.
3. Lubricate the Main Water Valve
If you do ever have a pipe crack or burst, being able to turn the water supply off at the main valve may be the difference between having a small puddle in your basement and having a two-foot pond. Locate this valve, make sure it is clearly labeled, and then apply a lubricant like WD-40 to ensure you can open and close it easily. Make sure you show other family members where the water main valve is located in case they're the ones to discover a leak.
4. Put a Lint Trap on Your Washer Hose
Lint that gets rinsed down the drain can cause clogs not only in the small pipes leading away from your washer but also further down in the system. Check to ensure there is a lint trap over the end of your washer's drain hose. If not, you can purchase a disposable one at the hardware store. Generally, you fasten it to the end of the drain hose with a zip tie. When it gets too clogged with lint, you just replace it with a new one.
5. Pour a Natural Drain Cleaner Down Each Drain
Even if your drains flow freely now, there could be some grime beginning to accumulate. Chemical drain cleaners can cause issues like pipe corrosion and eye injuries, but natural drain cleaners are safe to use, especially as a preventative measure. These cleaners contain bacteria that linger in the drains and break down grime like mold and soap scum before it has a chance to cause a clog.
Follow the instructions on the package and place some natural drain cleaner down each drain. If you have a drain that's already a little smelly or slow, you may want to put a little extra down that one.
In addition to following the tips above, make sure you have the number of an emergency plumber, like Mike's Plumbing , on hand. This way, if you do have a plumbing emergency in your home, you know just who to call.
In addition to following the tips above, make sure you have the number of an emergency plumber, like Mike's Plumbing , on hand. This way, if you do have a plumbing emergency in your home, you know just who to call.
