Keep Your Plumbing Out of the Red Zone

Here are some steps to “defend” your plumbing before the big game:

Be nice to your garbage disposal

Sometimes people forget plumbing isn’t exclusive to the bathroom. Treating the sink like a trash can back up your plumbing system. While newer garbage disposals can handle a larger array of food waste better than older disposals, just because your system can grind something does not mean that you should grind it. To ensure that your system stays clog free, remember the following tips:

• Never grind anything other than food waste.
• Never use the garbage disposal as your kitchen’s trash can – the system should be used for scraps of food waste only and never for large chunks of food.

Prep the bathroom for battle

You can’t control what people do in your bathroom, but you can prepare your bathroom to avoid plumbing issues by keeping a plunger handy and, if you have sensitive plumbing, switching to 1-ply for the day. In the event of a clog, follow these plunging tips:

• Make your first plunge a gentle one, as the bell of the plunger is full of air. Thrust too hard, and the force will push the air back around the seal and blow water all over the bathroom.
• Once the air is out, plunge repeatedly while maintaining the seal. By forcing water towards the drain of the toilet, you’ll loosen most clogs.
• Keep enough water in the bowl so the toilet plunger stays covered. Trying to force air through the toilet trap won’t generate much pressure.

Know where your shutoff valves are

If a major plumbing emergency occurs, you should immediately shut off the water. Every home is required to have a main water shut-off valve installed inside. Get familiar with where your valves are located for a quick response to a potential emergency. In most homes, the shut-off valve is located in the basement, near the front foundation wall. In some cases, the valve may be located near the water heater or furnace.

Take your home ownership to the next level by enrolling in American Water Resource’s home system protection programs so you’re covered when the unexpected happens, providing you peace of mind when it comes to your biggest investment – your home.