While the adage that says an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure applies to health and life in general, the same can be said to keep the plumbing system in excellent condition. Maintaining your sink drains, toilets, and pipes are always better than spending on usually costly emergency plumbing repairs.  

Here are ten smart ways to help prevent the inconvenience and tedious process of visits from a plumbing contractor:

1. Easy on the drop-in cleaners: 

Sure, using your bare hands in cleaning your toilet is not recommended, but relying on drop-in cleaners to take care of the bowl or tank may not be the best idea either. Several studies suggest that the chemicals in the in-tank bowl tablets will, in time, can potentially damage the flapper, flush valve, pipes, and other components.

While these solutions are convenient and simple for toilet cleaning, the product could damage your lavatory and system, resulting in high repair costs for property owners.  

Because of this, most toilet companies do not endorse, and some even warn that the use of drop-in cleaner tablets will invalidate the warranty.

2. Use strainers to your drain: 

Placing a strainer in your kitchen sink to catch large portions of food and other fragments is a simple yet effective way of avoiding clogs. Food items such as rice grains, coffee grounds, pasta, bread crumbs, and smears could congest your kitchen pipes. These items should be filtered and should be discarded in the waste or garbage bin.

3. Check hoses regularly: 

Rubber hoses, including the one from your washing machine, may get brittle and develop crack over time. If you noticed a lump, the hose is up for replacement before it totally ruptures. It is also recommended to inspect for leaks at least every six months because leaks are the main culprit in your utility bill's increase, can affect your appliance's operations and can cause mold in the long run.

Another way to avoid emergency plumbing repairs with just a little extra cost is by purchasing stainless steel in place of rubber made hoses.

4. Use pipes as intended: 

One of the most common mistakes committed by homeowners is using their pipes from their original purpose. Most of the time, pipes are installed adjacent to dryers and washers in basements, and owners often hang wet clothes and other items on the exposed lines.

Tubes are not intended to support heavier weight, and prolonged exposure from hanging wet clothes and other similar objects could cause it to detach or even burst.

5. Know what to flush: 

Toilets are designed only to take in human waste, and even the thinnest toilet papers are not meant to be flushed there. Other solid wastes such as sanitary pads, diapers, and paper towels should be disposed of appropriately since they can cause clogs in your drains. It is suggested that you place a trash bin in your restroom to prevent yourself from discarding items you don't want down the pipes.

6. Keep the heater on: 

Whenever you leave home during fall and throughout winter, let your heater running on low mode. The temperature drops at these seasons, and keeping the heat could help protect the pipes in your property from freezing. Such can also prevent your pipes from cracking when a sudden stream of water flows through it. While keeping your heater running will affect your bill, that is relatively lower than an emergency plumbing repair or pipe replacement.

7. Set up backwater and sump pump system: 

Another tip worth considering is investing in a backwater control valve and sump system. The backwater setup is practical, especially in spots that are susceptible to flooding, and this can help stop the mess from an overflowed sewer line from building up in your cellar.  

A sump pump system that gets rids of water accumulating water on your basement flooring should also be useful in the long term.

8. Prevent flood from happening: 

The first step to avoiding a flood situation is making sure that all of those in the household are aware of the main water valve’s location in unexpected situations. Such will help avoid or at least minimize flooding so your properties will be safe from further damage. It is also recommended that the valve be appropriately tagged and placed on an accessible spot.    

You may also want to inspect the gate valves of its washers' tear wear to ensure that it would properly work when you needed it to shut off. 

The tips discussed above may help keep your plumbing system working as it should be. It's better to be safe than spend more on emergency plumbing repairs, which can be stressful too. Most of the suggestions listed above are simple yet practical solutions, so you might want to give them a try today.

partnered post • cc-licensed image by Sten Dueland