Four Plumbing Tips For New Homeowners

Owning a home for the first time can be just as challenging as it can be rewarding. You finally have your own place to raise a family (or maybe just a dog), but in any case, it?s yours. Which is why it can seem so incredibly terrifying when something goes awry with your pipes. Here are some tips to help you keep an eye on your plumbing when you?re new to the world of home ownership:

Keep an eye on your shower drain

People with long hair are notorious for shedding their hair in the shower, but that doesn?t mean short-hair doesn?t build up in the drain as well. To avoid clogging your pipes (and the resulting five inches of water that build up in your tub), make sure you?re cleaning your shower drain regularly. Consider using a snake, drain cleaner, baking soda, or your own fingers if the blockage is surface-level.

Don?t flush anything down the drain that isn?t meant to be flushed

This may seem like a no-brainer, but oftentimes plumbing companies are called because something that wasn?t meant to be flushed was flushed down the toilet such as menstrual products or too many children?s wipes. When it comes to bathroom health, make sure you read the packaging of the product you?re planning to flush to be sure if it really can be flushed. If the product?s flushability isn?t labeled, don?t consider it safe and, in the meantime, only flush toilet paper and spiders.

Make sure your pipes aren?t leaking

While a major leak may be noticeable, a small leak under your sink may go unnoticed until it?s too late. Homeowners can often save up to 10% on their water bills by fixing small water leaks. Make sure to routinely check the cupboard under your sink to ensure your pipes are in good condition to avoid a catastrophe.

Always keep the number of a plumber or plumber service on hand

Plumbing companies are companies, but they?re there to assist you. If you?re unable to fix your plumbing yourself, don?t be a hero. Most of the time, stubbornness can cause more damage to your pipes. Instead, call an affordable plumbing service you trust. Not only will your pipes be in good hands, but you won?t have to deal with the anxiety that comes with the insistence that the duct tape is fixing the leak just fine.