For a homeowner having a clogged sink, an overflowing toilet, or burst pipe is the stuff of nightmares. The best way to deal with a plumbing emergency is not to have one in the first place. Of course, if you have a real plumbing emergency, always call an experienced plumber immediately. But there are some things that you can do to lower the risk of having a plumbing emergency like:
Avoid Flushable Wipes
There are a lot of products on the market that say they are safe for plumbing and septic systems, but very few really are. Flushable wipes may not clog your toilet if you only use them occasionally but over tiime, they will clog your pipes. These wipes are too dense to dissolve like toilet paper, so they get wadded up and stuck in your plumbing.
If you end up with a clogged pipe stuffed with disposable wipes, a plumber may have to dismantle huge sections of your plumbing to get to the clog and clear it. You can avoid this by just not using flushable wipes.
Don’t Test The Disposal
Even though you might be tempted to see exactly how much your garbage disposal can handle, it’s not a good idea to test the disposal. When you get creative with the things you dispose of, you could end up with big plumbing problems and even cracks or leaks in the pipes. Also, be careful what liquids you put down the disposal. Corrosive materials like hot sauces or cleaning fluids can damage the pipes.
Get Your Pipes Checked Regularly
So much of the plumbing in your house is not visible that you could have a small leak or creak in a pipe and not know it until the pipe bursts or causes significant damage. It’s smart to have a plumber come out and check your plumping once or twice a year with their specialized equipment. That way, the plumber can identify and fix any leaks or cracks before they cause an inconvenient and expensive plumbing emergency.
Don’t Ignore Water Damage
Most homeowners don’t get too worried if they see slight discoloration or staining from water in the corner of the ceiling or minor water damage. But that water damage you’re seeing could be just the tip of the iceberg. Don’t wait until a small leak becomes a burst pipe or causes mold to grow in your walls to fix the situation.
Contact Elite Plumbing & Heating
Having a professional plumber fix any plumbing emergency immediately can save your home from major damage. If you want to schedule some routine plumbing maintenance or if you have a plumbing issue that needs to be addressed, contact Elite Plumbing & Heating today for a free estimate.
