As you know, water is essential in our day-to-day activities. In fact, a day without clean water can be challenging. For this reason, you must fix any problem in your plumbing system immediately. Some plumbing problems can be solved without professional help; however, you may need an expert plumber if you’re dealing with a major issue. At Centerville Plumbing & Drain, we believe that the best way to ensure that you’ll have access to clean water every day is to avoid doing activities that can damage your plumbing system. For this reason, our professional plumbers have made a list of ways to prevent common plumbing issues. Hopefully, you will avoid costly plumbing repair services with the help of this guide.  

Are You Checking Exposed Pipes Regularly?

Leaky pipes are a common plumbing problem in a lot of households. Even so, you can avoid wasting too much water by checking your exposed pipes regularly. Usually, you can find exposed pipes in your basement, behind the toilet, and under the sinks.

When inspecting your exposed pipes, you should always look for moisture and signs of corrosion, especially on the fittings. Keep in mind that condensation is normal during humid days, so it is normal to notice some dampness on your pipes on a hot day. As such, you can inspect them again when the temperature is colder.

As you know, corrosion occurs when water reacts with metal, and it may indicate a leaky pipe. As such, you have to check for leaks. Aside from that, our professional plumbers recommend that you replace pipes with heavily corroded fittings.

Do You Flush Non-Flushable Items?

One of the best ways to prevent common plumbing issues is to avoid flushing the wrong things. As you know, various materials can block your pipes, which may lead to a clogged toilet or drainage. Remember, your toilet can only handle certain things, like toilet paper. If you notice other objects, you have to remove them before they cause a problem. Usually, a plunger is enough to fix a clogged toilet. However, you may need to call a master plumber if a plunger doesn’t work. 

If you have children, it is recommended to teach them to avoid flushing the wrong items. As you know, a clogged toilet is typical in households with children. At Centerville Plumbing & Drain, we have encountered clogged toilets wherein our professional plumbers have to remove the toilet and replace the pipes. This plumbing repair service is not only costly but time-consuming as well. For this reason, it is best to teach your kids the proper way of using a toilet to avoid this common plumbing problem. 

Is Your Water Flowing Regularly?

Low or weak water pressure is a common plumbing issue experienced by most households. Typically, it is caused by a clog in your aerator or pipe. You can test if your water pressure is good by checking the water flow of your faucets. Ideally, your faucet should have steady water flow without any fluctuations. However, some faucets, such as low-flow designs, will have varying water pressure. As such, you have to use your best judgment when checking your faucets.

While testing your faucets, you can check if your drains are working. As you know, slow drains are another common plumbing issue, and they are caused by a blockage or buildup in your pipes. Remember, it is easier to clear clogged drains with minimal buildup, so you should clean them before they are clogged completely.

What Are You Putting in Your Washer?

Some people use their sinks to dispose of inappropriate materials because they think that water can wash away these objects. However, that is not always true. To be specific, some materials, like dirt and cement, can clog your drains. While keeping this in mind, it is best to avoid washing inappropriate materials on your sink to prevent common plumbing issues, like slow drains.  

Do You Use Strainers?

Another excellent method to avoid creating clogs in your drain is to use strainers. Keep in mind that numerous items can cause blockage, including hair, soap residue, and food waste. This simple tool can catch various materials before they end up in your pipes and cause a plumbing problem.

Are You Pouring Oil Down the Drain?

The last on this list is to avoid pouring grease or oil on your drain. For example, some people discard the oil on their sinks when cleaning frying pans, thinking it will be flushed away with water. However, oil and grease can solidify and clog your pipes. Over time, your plumbing system may develop a severe problem if you keep pouring these materials into your sink.

What Do You Do Now?

All in all, these are some of the best ways to prevent common plumbing issues. As you know, you can avoid a costly plumbing repair service if you can detect the problem before it becomes worse. For this reason, you must regularly inspect or test your exposed pipes and water pressure. Aside from that, you should also avoid flushing or washing items than can clog your pipes. Of course, it is best to consult a plumber nearby if you don’t have enough plumbing experience. 

If you have any inquiries about the common plumbing issues? 

You can contact Centerville Plumbing & Drain today at (937) 912-1338, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!