It can be very frustrating when it comes to dealing with plumbing problems in your home. From clogged drains to leaky faucets, there are ways to prevent some of these issues from happening. All you need to do is have a little preventative maintenance from time to time. Small steps in maintenance can eliminate big problems down the road that can be very expensive.

How to Keep Drain Pipes Clean, Prevent a Clogged Toilet & More

1. You can purchase inexpensive drain screens that are made of metal or plastic to prevent food particles, jewelry, hair and small objects like the lid to the toothpaste from clogging the drain. These can be placed over the built-in stoppers in the kitchen sink, the bathtub and the shower. These screens work great at holding hair, slivers of soap and other items that can clog your drains.
2. If you don’t want to clog your drains, don’t pour cooking grease down them. When grease cools off, it gets hard and will get gooped up inside the drains. The best thing to do with cooking grease is to pour it into an empty container and then throw it out. Make sure you maintain your garbage disposal to prevent it from getting overworked and clogged. It will last longer too.
3. A great way to prevent your drains from getting clogged is to perform baking soda treatments every month. Instead of buying drain cleaners from the store, you can save money and make one yourself. Take ¼ cup of baking soda and sprinkle it in your sink and tub or shower drains. Then add enough warm water to get the powder into the drain. You will then need to pour a cup of white vinegar into the drain. Leave the mixture sitting for a couple of hours; the longer the better and then flush the drain with hot water. This treatment works great at dissolving the scum and bacteria that builds up in the drains and it’s better for the environment than those store-bought cleaners.
4. If you want your washing machine to work better and last longer, you should install an inexpensive hose screen for the hot and cold water hoses. These screens work to prevent sediment from clogging the pumps and valves in the washing machine. Keep these screens clean and replace them as needed. You may be surprised to see all the sediment and debris that will collect on them.
5. If you force faucet handles into the off position it will wear the washers down faster and will lead to leaky faucets. When you turn the water off, just turn the faucet off enough to stop the water.
6. Maintain your toilet and make sure the flapper isn’t leaking. The flapper is a rubber cover that releases water every time you flush the toilet. Water can start leaking if it becomes warped. It’s an inexpensive repair and will have your toilet working perfectly. Test it by placing a couple of drops of food coloring in the tank and leave it overnight. If you see color in the bowl in the morning it means that your flapper needs to be replaced.

Emergency Plumbing Repairs & More in Spring, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Montgomery & Conroe Texas

It’s not much fun dealing with plumbing problems. Taking a few steps will help you avoid them. If you need the help of professionals, contact Orsack Plumbing Company today.