Top 3 Plumbing Tips

When you own a home, you must always plan for the unexpected. This means having emergency “rainy day” savings that you can dip into if a problem should ever arise in your home that could be costly to get taken care of. This includes things like taking care of issues that your homeowners’ insurance may not cover, such as sewer line clogs, water line bursts, and clogged sinks.

Needless to say, these are problems that likely aren’t top of mind when you already have so many things you’re dealing with this time of year. If you have children, then you’re likely consumed with getting all the supplies they need for going back to school. You may also be busy with trying to plan for a way to enjoy the last few weeks of summer with a much-needed vacation. This is all on top of your regular day-to-day tasks like working, keeping your home maintained, and so on. You don’t have time to worry about covering areas of your home should a problem occur, such as with your plumbing.

Fortunately for you, we’ve put together a helpful list of the top three tips that all homeowners should be aware of. Read on to learn more.

Tip #1: Know where your emergency water shut-off valve is located.

If you have an overflowing toilet, a leak under your sink that is causing serious damage to your cabinets and personal belongings, or any other problem where the influx of water is leading to destruction, it’s best for you to know where your water shut-off valve is located. This way, you can easily turn the water supply to your home off before any more harm is done to your family’s home. This could potentially help to save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs to your flooring, walls, cabinets, or when it comes to having to replace your damaged belongings.

Typically, your water shut-off valve will be located around the outside perimeter of your home on the main level near your water heater or under your kitchen sink, or it’ll be in your basement or crawl space area. Simply turn the valve to shut off water from feeding into your home, and then be sure to contact a plumber immediately for assistance with the issue(s).

Tip #2: Know what should/shouldn’t go down the drain.

Many common plumbing issues, such as a clogged sink or toilet can be prevented with knowledge about what should or shouldn’t go down the drain. When it comes to your toilet, never flush the following: cotton balls, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts, makeup remover towels, or medication. For your sink, you should never wash the following down your drain: fats/oils/greases, batter, bones, coffee grounds, eggshells, kitty litter, or pasta noodles.

If these items are put down your bathroom or kitchen sink, or down the toilet, you likely will have a clog to deal with in your not-too-distant future. This is when it’s best to have an emergency plumbing kit (bonus tip!) at your disposal should an issue like this occur. Your emergency kit should include the following: plunger, bucket, washcloths/rags that can be disposed of after use, drain snake, and duct tape. When you notice a clog, you can attempt to use the plunger and/or drain snake to see if it will help clear the obstruction. If not, you will need the assistance of a professional plumber.

Tip #3: Know the warning signs for a leak.

Plumbing leaks can cause serious damage to your home’s walls, floors, cabinets, and personal belongings. Fortunately, a leak can be easily detected. Be sure to be on the look out for the following: higher than usual water bills each month, mold growth under bathroom or kitchen sinks, or you may even notice actual puddles of water on the floor around your water heater, washing machine, toilet, dishwasher, or around your kitchen or bathroom sinks.

If you suspect that you have a leak in your home, it’s best to shut off the water supply to your home (if feasible) while waiting for a professional plumber to arrive to diagnose and treat the problem.

Want help with plumbing issues in your home?

Visit us online to see if our In-Home Plumbing Emergency Program is available in your area. With this plan, broken water pipes, blocked or slow drains, clogged laundry lines, leaking water lines, leaking washing machine valves, burst water pipe joints, clogged sinks, blocked or overflowing toilets, and leaking water shut-off valves are covered.

Have questions about what’s covered? You can give us a call any time, or you can chat with a customer service representative on our website by clicking the “Live Chat” tab during standard business hours.