Plumbing problems can feel like a nightmare to deal with, especially at certain times of the year. While your pipes’ health may feel out of your control, you actually can play an active role in their maintenance. This is crucial if you don’t want to deal with disgusting plumbing problems regularly. Luckily, we have some tips on how to protect your home plumbing from damage, so you don’t have to worry as much about flooding or a clogged pipe.
Know What Can’t Go Down a Drain
Some things you simply should not allow to go down a drain in your house. If you’re not careful, you’ll get a clog that will cause sewage to flow back into your house when you try to use a drain. This list details what you should never let into your plumbing:
- Sanitary wipes
- Feminine hygiene products
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Oils or fats
- Plastic
- Paper towels
Clean Your Filters
Some systems, like ice makers and water softeners, have filters that require regular maintenance to work properly. If you haven’t replaced these fairly often, you could already have damaged your pipes. Replacing these filters protects your water from contaminants, as well as your pipes from clogging.
Insulate Your Pipes
When living in an area that gets very cold weather, you can’t afford to forget this. Insulating pipes, especially in the lower areas of your home or outside, ensures they don’t burst from the cold. Burst water pipes can lead to flooding, mold, and serious property damage, so you should take this problem very seriously.
Know When To Call a Professional
Knowing how to protect your home plumbing from damage means knowing what problems require an expert’s help. No matter how handy you may be, not everyone is a licensed plumber. Your DIY fixes will only get you so far before something really goes wrong. If something seems over your head, like multiple drain clogs or a leaking pipe, call a professional as soon as possible. It will end up saving you money in the long run.