How to Prevent Leaks, Clogs and Flood Damage

You rely on your home’s plumbing to support daily chores and plumbing fixtures, but unseen troubles can hide around every corner. Thankfully, you can stop obstructions, leaks and even flooding with a little preventive maintenance. Here’s the way to keep your water flowing and your worries at bay.

1. Be Aware of What’s Going in the Drains

Your kitchen sink may be outfitted with a garbage disposal, but certain food items still not rinsed down the drain, like:

• Grease from cooking
• Fibrous foods like corn cobs and celery stalks
• Old food like cooked rice or coffee grounds
• Solid objects like gristle and bones
• Non-food items. Silverware and other small items may end up in the disposal and cause damage when you turn it on.

2. Understand What Shouldn’t Be Flushed

Toilets are designed to safely remove human waste and toilet paper. Here’s what you should never flush:

• Baby wipes
• Paper towels
• Cotton swabs and cotton balls
• Feminine hygiene products
• Diapers
• Dental floss
• Expired medication

3. Utilize Drain Strainers

Another effective way to lower the risk of a clog is to place drain strainers over your kitchen sinks and shower drains. They collect hair, bits of soap, old toothpaste and other debris as water goes down the drain. these strainers to keep your drains working properly.

4. Find the Main Shutoff Valve

Being knowledgeable about your plumbing system means knowing the location of your main water shutoff valve. This valve regulates water entering your home, so knowing where it is means you can turn it off quickly in a plumbing emergency. It’s also wise to shut off this valve before going away for an extended period. Common locations for the main shutoff valve include the basement, near the water heater, in a utility closet or outside the home under the ground.

5. Install a Sump Pump

Installing a sump pump helps prevent water damage, particularly in regions prone to heavy rainfall. This device removes water that gathers in something called the sump basin, generally installed in the floor of your basement, and drains it away from the house. For homeowners who already have a sump pump, make sure it’s in good shape by adding some water into the pit. If the pump activates and the pit drains, it’s working fine. If it doesn’t seem to be working properly, you have time to call a professional to repair the pump before another rainstorm.

6. Set Up Flood Alarms

Similar to how smoke alarms are a big part of good fire safety, flood alarms are useful for preventing water damage. These wired or battery-operated devices sense pooling water at the earliest stages of flooding or leaks, setting off an alarm to inform you. For enhanced protection, connect smart flood alarms into your home security system. This sends a notification on your phone as soon as water is detected, allowing you to deal with leaks before they cause significant damage.

7. Install a Backflow Valve

Many plumbers recommend you install a backflow valve in the basement floor drain to prevent sewage from backing up into their homes during heavy rainfall. Local expert plumbers can set up this effective defense against sewage backflow.

Learn to Recognize and Avoid Leaks

Now that we’ve covered best practices and useful plumbing accessories, let’s review some preventive steps you can take to avoid leaks, or worse, burst pipes.

Most of your home system of plumbing pipes and fixtures is concealed, so leaks often go on for weeks until they cause major problems. Regularly checking for leaks can help you identify problems quickly. Here’s how:

• Check under the sink for signs of damp spots, wood decay or mold.
• Be on the lookout for tiny leaks in any of your toilets by squeezing some drops of food coloring to the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl after 30 minutes without flushing, you have a leak.
• Inspect around and behind your kitchen appliances, including the dishwasher or washing machine, for signs of water damage or leaks.
• Schedule a water meter test.
  • To get started, shut off all water in your home via the home’s water main.
  • Then, head outside to check the water meter. Check one more time in two hours, being careful not to use any water in the meantime.
  • If the reading goes up, it means there’s a leak somewhere.

Protect Your Pipes from Freezing

In colder climates, protecting vulnerable pipes is a good part of any plan to prevent freezing and bursting. Here is what you can do:

• Cover pipes in the appropriate insulation in purely functional/utility spaces like the basement, garage or attic using pipe insulation or heating tape.
• Remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets throughout the winter to stop ice from forming inside the pipes.
• Keep under-sink cabinet doors open during freezing temperatures to encourage airflow around the pipes.

Partner with a Trusted Plumber

While you can take many preventive steps on your own to stop clogs, leaks and damage from floods, sometimes it takes an experienced plumber to keep things flowing smoothly. That’s where excels. We are a network of plumbers serving U.S. homes from coast to coast with service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely happy with our services after one year, we promise to make it right. This industry-leading dedication shows how we strive to make a meaningful difference in your life. For some of the best plumbing service that exceeds expectations, please contact us today