New Home? Manage Your Plumbing Right
Whether you’ve just moved into your first home or fifth, you can never be too knowledgeable about your new home’s plumbing. Plumbing is crucial for bringing resources like water and gas to your home and removing waste from your home.
The team at Vander Hyde Services put together a handy guide for managing your home’s plumbing system.
Preventing Clogs
Sometimes clogs are inevitable, but there are many ways that you can reduce the chances of one derailing your drainage system. Clogs can form near the drain opening, as well as deeper in your sewer line or septic system.
To prevent clogs, avoid putting these items down the drain:
- Coffee grounds
- Oil
- Grease
- Stringy vegetables
- Rice or pasta
- Chemical cleaners
- Hair
Not only can these items clog your drains, but they can also corrode your pipes, leading to potential leaks or broken pipes.
Similar rules go for toilets. The only items that should go down the toilet are waste and toilet paper. “Flushable” wipes are not actually flushable, and they will cause a clog in the system.
Sometimes, a drain won’t be totally clogged but just slower to drain than normal. This could indicate that a partial clog is present. While that may not seem like a big deal, it means a full clog is just around the corner. We recommend trying to dissolve the blockage in order to prevent a tougher mess later on. Try using a home remedy like baking soda and vinegar, or boiling water to dislodge the material.
Don’t ever use chemical drain cleaners to try and clear a clog. These chemicals can corrode your pipes and are often not as effective as other, safer methods.
Water Treatment
Good water is not just about taste. Water with excess minerals or chemicals can cause issues with your pipes and your plumbing appliances. A good water filter is essential for having pure water for drinking, washing, and bathing.
Water that is too hard, or has a higher concentration of certain minerals, can corrode pipes and even leave mineral deposits in your pipes and fixtures. This can lead to clogs or damage in your pipes, water heater, showerheads, and faucets. Treating hard water reduces those minerals and improves the quality of your water.
Know Important Touch Points
It’s crucial that you know where important safety mechanisms are within your home. For plumbing, this includes your water and gas shut-off valves. These valves are emergency switches that can help stop a threat in their tracks.
The water main valve is usually located near the meter on the exterior of your home, but you should consult your home plans to know for sure. There is also a valve on the bottom of your toilets and sinks that can stop the water flow to those fixtures only. Being able to shut the water off in the event of a severe leak or overflow can save you a lot of money on damages.
When to Make the Call
Another important resource for your home plumbing is the phone number of a great plumber that you trust. This is an invaluable asset to help you keep your home safe and functional. Part of being a homeowner is knowing when to call in a professional.
Here are some situations when you should look to call a plumber:
- You’ve discovered a leak.
- A drain is clogged and home remedies haven’t worked.
- You don’t have hot water.
- Your toilet won’t flush or is overflowing.
- You have questions about plumbing best practices.
The Trusted Team for 30 Years
Vander Hyde Services has been the trusted resource for plumbing in Grand Rapids for over 30 years. Contact our experts today for more information on how our plumbing solutions can help you.