Putting a Stop to Leaks, Clogs and Flood Damage

You count on your home’s plumbing to operate efficiently, but hidden issues can hide in many places. Thankfully, you can stop clogs, leaky pipes and water damage with a little routine care. Here’s how to keep your water running and your stress in check.

1. Keep Foreign Debris Out of Sink Drains

Your kitchen sink may be outfitted with a garbage disposal, but several things still should go in the trash or compost heap rinsed down the drain, including:

• Cooking grease
• Stringy foods like corn cobs and celery
• Congealed food like steamed rice or coffee grounds
• Tough pieces of food 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. Be Aware of What Not to Flush

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

• Baby wipes
• Paper towels
• Soft cotton
• Sanitary products
• Baby diapers
• Floss
• Expired medication

3. Utilize Drain Strainers

An easy method to lower the risk of clogs is to place sink strainers over your kitchen sinks and bathroom drains. They collect hair, pieces of soap, crusty toothpaste and other debris as water runs down the drain. Stick to a regular schedule when you clean these strainers to keep your drains running smoothly.

4. Know Where the Main Shutoff Valve Is Located

Being aware of your plumbing system means knowing the location of your main water shutoff valve. This valve regulates water flowing into 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. Get a Sump Pump

Installing a sump pump can really help prevent flooding, especially in areas prone to high annual rainfall. This device extracts water that collects in a sump basin, usually found in the basement, and expels it away from the house. For homeowners who already have a sump pump, make sure it’s in good shape by dumping 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 service it before another rainstorm.

6. Put in Flood Alarms

Just as smoke alarms help improve fire safety, flood alarms can help avoid water damage. These wired or battery-operated devices detect water at the earliest stages of flooding or leaks, triggering an alarm to inform you. For enhanced protection, add smart flood alarms into your home security system. This alerts you on your phone after water has been detected, enabling you to resolve leaking pipes before they cause significant damage.

7. Add a Backflow Valve

Another helpful plumbing tip is to put in a backflow valve in the basement floor drain to prevent sewage from flowing backward into their homes after heavy rainfall. Professionals can install this useful defense against sewage backflow.

Spot and Stop Leaking

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 out of sight, so dripping pipes often go unnoticed until they create the potential for water damage. Regularly checking for leaks can help you spot trouble before it gets worse. Here are some ideas for you to try:

• Check under the sink for signs of damp spots, wood rot or mold.
• Be on the lookout for slow leaks in the toilets by putting in a few drops of coloring to the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl after 30 minutes without flushing, you have a leak.
• Check around and behind your kitchen appliances, including the dishwasher or washing machine, for signs of water damage or leaks.
• Have a professional perform a water meter test.
  • To start, turn off all water in your home via the main water lines.
  • Then, go outside to check the water meter. Check it again in two hours, and do your best not to use any water before the second reading.
  • If the reading changes, you know there’s a leak somewhere.

Keep Your Pipes from Freezing

In cold climates, helping protect your pipes is a good part of any plan to avoid freezing and bursting. Here are some tips:

• Cover pipes in the appropriate insulation in unheated areas like the basement, garage or attic using insulating foam or heating tape.
• Unhook garden hoses from outdoor faucets all through 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.

Trust Dependable Local Plumbers for Support

While you can carry out many preventive steps yourself to stop clogs, leaks and damage from floods, sometimes it takes an experienced plumber to keep things flowing smoothly. That’s where can help. We are a network of plumbers offering residential plumbing support from coast to coast with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely thrilled with your level of service up to a year later, we promise to make it right. This commitment shows how we deliver total comfort and peace of mind in your life. For some of the best plumbing service that exceeds expectations, please contact us today