Although many people on the internet try to make it look like plumbers and homeowners are always at each other’s throats to see who will get the most money or work out of the other, the reverse is actually true. Plumbers and homeowners are partners with the goal of making the home’s plumbing systems operate at their optimum level, explains Keyrenter Management New England. Below are some things things your plumber wants you to know.
Even though there are terrible plumbers out there who want to scam homeowners, most are decent folks trying to make an honest living. They want you to know as much about your home’s plumbing as possible. That is why the best plumbers often look for opportunities to educate you on how to use the plumbing.
The more you know about the network of water pipes and plumbing fixtures in your home, the easier you make your plumber’s work. A well-informed homeowner will save a plumber’s time by making it easier for the plumber to diagnose and solve problems. Homeowners’ roles include knowing these things plumbers wish every homeowner knew about their home’s plumbing.
8 things your plumber wants you to know about your plumbing
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FOGs will harm your drains
Fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) should not be flushed into the drains because they congeal and become hard when cold. Inside your pipes, FOGs form a sticky mass that will not only block the flow of water but help debris collect inside the pipes. FOGs increase the risk of clogs and blockages Even if they do not congeal, FOGs form a slick, sticky coating on the surface of pipes that traps any material that touches them.
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Caustic cleaners are harmful to your plumbing
Most chemical cleaners contain caustic chemicals that will harm your drains. While they may do an excellent job of dissolving blockages, they do not distinguish between the material clogging the pipe and the materials of your pipe. Chemical drain cleaners predispose your pipes to leakage. They are also a health risk because they sit inside your pipes for a long time, and their fumes can find their way into your home
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The garbage disposal is not a trash can
Tossing all food waste from your kitchen into the garbage disposal is tempting. Doing this is much more convenient than sorting through the food waste to remove items that can harm your garbage disposal. But indiscriminately washing food waste into the garbage disposal is why the unit gets jammed and may not last up to its projected lifespan.
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Most flushable items are not flushable
The only things that should go into your toilet are human waste. Anything else is likely to clog the toilet, including seemingly harmless items like toilet paper, diapers, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, dental floss, cigarettes, cotton swabs, and pills. Flushing these items into the toilet could result in sewer line blockages and backups.
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Turn off the water when you travel
Failing to turn the water off when they travel is a leading cause of avoidable water damage in homes during summer. Many homeowners don’t turn their water off because they don’t know how. Knowing the location of the main water shut off valve for your home is not only useful when going on vacation but also for minimizing property damage if you have a burst pipe emergency.
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Leave faucets dripping to keep pipes from freezing
Leaving faucets open to allow a small trickle of water ensures a constant water flow through your pipes. This reduces the chance that the water temperature will fall to the point where the pipe becomes frozen. In addition to leaving your faucets dripping, do not close the cabinet doors under the sink to allow warm air to circulate into those cold areas. These two measures are often enough to protect your pipes from extreme cold.
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Flush your water heater periodically
Limescale and sediment inside the water heater tank will interfere with its function. This is the number one reason water heaters overheat, and it can happen to any water heater, even if the water in your area is not hard. Flushing your water heater at least once a year will help you eliminate any sediment that has built up inside the tank. This is something you can do yourself.
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Know when to call a professional plumber
Having the ability to fix some of the plumbing problems in your home is good. But it is also essential to know when to call a professional plumber. Allowing problems to go far before calling the plumber is why small issues become major costs. If you notice an issue with your plumbing, talk to your plumber.
Problems do not go away when you ignore them; they get worse. Early action can help you avoid plumbing emergencies that cripple your household and cost a ton of money to fix.
These are some things your plumber wants you to know about. We hope you found this article useful.