Easy Plumbing Maintenance Tips for New Homeowners

Purchasing a new home can be an exciting time. Once you own the home though, a new chapter begins. A time that is filled with a growing responsibility to protect your investment. With some careful planning and a bit of learning, you can ensure that you aren’t emptying your wallet or bank account to pay for an issue that could have been prevented.

 

An important aspect of your home is its plumbing system. It is central to the delivery of water into your home as well as the departure of grey and waste waters. Maintenance of your plumbing is essential to its continued working order and avoiding issues such as leaks, development of mold, or even flooding due to a break.

Plumbing and Heating Inspection

Having a plumbing and heating inspection can alert you to repairs or preventable issues before they become an unnecessary headache. It can also allow you to prioritize and plan for any expenses that you may have in the future.

Water Main Shut Off Valve

Locating your water main shut off valve is key in the event that you run into an issue with your plumbing. Having the ability to close this during an emergency will stop the flow of water into the system. This can be invaluable if you are dealing with the repair of a minor leak but especially if there is a major leak or break in a pipe. This can also make a significant difference in the amount of cleanup that needs to be done.

Emergency Contact Numbers

Who do you call when there is an issue with your plumbing? Knowing this ahead of time and having the appropriate emergency contact information in an easy to find location could make a huge difference. This should include both a plumbing company that has a dispatch and technician available at the largest range of times and your local water utility service.

Supply Valves & Sewer Clean Outs

Make sure that your supply valves and sewer clean outs are clear of any obstruction. The last thing that you want to have to do in the middle of an emergency plumbing repair job is to move items in order to get to the appropriate valves to shut off the flow of water.

Drain Catchers

It might sound a bit unnecessary, but drain catchers can help to keep your pipes clear of debris that can easily be removed after each use. Spending a small amount here can help keep you from having bigger issues in the future. This can include catching hair, jewelry, food, or any other items that could clog your pipes. If you do experience a clog, Disposal Suggest recommends using a small plunger first before resorting to either a cable auger or chemical drain cleaner.

Clogged Drains

These are never fun to deal with. Whether it is your toilet, shower, or a sink, having a clogged drain can be annoying and most likely create a sanitary issue. There are a couple of things that you can consider here depending on the drain that is clogged.

 

  • Toilets:

A clogged toilet can be dealt with a couple of different ways. The first is to ensure that you are not clogging your toilet by using too much paper product to clean up and more importantly by avoiding flushing items that are not meant to go here. If you do end up with a clogged toilet, then you will want to make sure that you have a plunger available. It may also help to keep a bucket that you can fill up to add water to the bowl in the event that it is too low to get a good seal between the plunger and the toilet drain.

  • Sinks and Shower Drains:

You can also use a plunger here as a first attempt to clearing the obstruction. If that does not work, then you should have a snake handy or know where you can rent or purchase one. Typically, these will allow you to get in there and really remove whatever is keeping your drain from working properly. You may want to try to avoid liquid drain cleaners as they are capable of causing additional damage that may eventually cost more to fix. If you are unable to remove the clog with these steps then you may want to contact a local plumber for assistance.

 

As a new homeowner, preparation can be your best friend. In the event of an emergency, you will know what steps to take to minimize the damage to your home and your wallet. It can also give you the ability to spot an issue and find a solution before you are dealing with water where it doesn’t belong.