We’re in the business of fixing plumbing problems. But we’re also ordinary folks like yourself, and we know how much better it is to avoid household problems in the first place than to have those problems repaired. Many plumbing issues can be entirely prevented with a little planning ahead.
Here are some common plumbing problems and the ways you can avoid them.
1: Low Water Pressure
Nobody enjoys a shower that’s barely a dribble. If your water pressure drops suddenly, check with your neighbors to see if they’re experiencing the same thing, or with your municipal water provider. It may be caused by a break in a water main. But if the problem is gradual, chances are, it’s caused by mineral scaling in your pipes.
Water is fantastic at dissolving minerals and carrying them around. It’s also great at depositing those minerals in new locations, like your plumbing. If you have hard water, meaning that it has more mineral content than usual, you may want to talk to a plumber in Green Valley, AZ about having your plumbing flushed out or a water softening system installed.
2: A Burst Washing Machine Hose
The hose which connects your washing machine to the water source is generally made of rubber. It handles a lot of pressure and temperature fluctuations. On occasion, this hose can burst. Since it can allow a flow of five gallons per minute, that could be a huge disaster very quickly. To prevent this, you can have the hose replaced with one made of braided steel which can handle the pressure better.
3: Clogged Drains
Most of the time, a drain clog isn’t caused by a single thing blocking the way. It’s from gradual buildup.
- In the Kitchen: It’s most likely to be cooking fat, washed down the drain while hot but then solidified like a stick of butter somewhere down in your plumbing. Make sure to wipe greasy dishes with a paper towel and throw it away before you put the dishes in the sink.
- In the Bathroom: It’s most likely to be hair and soap scum. You can dramatically reduce the amount of both which make it down your drains by using simple sink and shower drain screens, which often cost well under ten dollars, and cleaning them often.
4: Clogged Toilets
The best way to ensure your toilet won’t clog is to never put anything down it but human waste and toilet paper. Even if those wipes say they’re flushable, they’re really not. Dental floss, paper towels, hygiene products, cotton balls, rubber duckies: don’t flush them! (If there’s really a danger of rubber duckies being flushed in your home, toddler-proof toilet latches are a great option.)
5: Damage From Trying to Fix Problems
If you’ve got a clog, the last thing you want is to create more problems while trying to fix that one. So don’t use chemical drain cleaners! They don’t work very well, and they can roughen the inside of your pipes, making it even easier for buildup to cling and clogs to occur. Instead, use a clean small sink plunger, disposable plastic drain snake, or hand-cranked metal drain auger. If these fail, get a plumber, not a bottle.
Contact Picture Rocks Cooling, Heating & Plumbing today to schedule an appointment with our professionals.