6 Plumbing Problems that Can be Avoided with Proper Maintenance

Plumbing problems typically require calling in a pro, and they can get expensive quickly. Proper maintenance of the plumbing inside the home, however, can help you avoid many of the more costly mistakes that homeowners make. To avoid plumbing problems in your home, try these maintenance tips.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains in the sinks or showers can be a common problem inside homes and lead to more calls for companies like Maplewood Plumbing & Sewer. Be careful with what’s put down any of the drains to avoid clogs and clean out the drains regularly. Avoid pouring chemicals, fat when cooking, and other items down the drains to help keep them clear.

Leaking Washing Machine

Washing machines typically leak at the connector or from the water inside. Check the connectors and hoses regularly to make sure they remain in good condition and replace as needed. Avoid using too much laundry detergent in the washing machine and only stick with detergent to avoid creating too many bubbles while clothes are being washed.

Water Heater Leaks

Inspect the water heater regularly to catch leaks as soon as they start or to have it repaired before it starts leaking. Look for small puddles of water, popping sounds when water is eating up, or signs of rust on the water heater or around the pipes near the water heater. All of these are signs that there may be an issue. If any signs of damage are noticed, have a plumber inspect the water heater right away to prevent more serious leaks.

Clogged Toilets

Clogged toilets happen and most of the time they’re easily fixed with a plunger. However, it is important to be careful with what’s flushed, so the toilet doesn’t clog further down the line and require a plumber to repair. Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper down the toilets. Even though there are wipes that claim to be flushable, many of them really aren’t. They’ll just get stuck in the pipes and cause a clogged toilet.

Frozen or Burst Pipes

During the winter, there’s a risk of the pipes in the home freezing or bursting when the weather gets too cold. To prevent this, keep water running a little bit through all of the pipes, keep the garage doors closed, make sure warm air can circulate around the pipes where possible, and keep the home warm. All of these will help protect the pipes and keep the water in them from freezing.

Broken Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals can make it easy to get rid of food debris, but they can stop working if they aren’t used appropriately. Check with the manufacturer to see what can and cannot go down the garbage disposal before using it. Avoid putting down anything that isn’t food waste, that is too large for it to handle, or that is going to damage the blades. Damages to the garbage disposal can mean you need to replace it and can cause clogs in the kitchen sink.

While some plumbing problems are unavoidable, there are plenty that you can avoid just by understanding what to do and what to avoid. Use these tips to steer clear of some major plumbing issues that can happen inside your home so you don’t have to worry about needing an emergency plumber. 

You can also follow our plumbing guide with DIY tips here.