How You Can Prevent Flood Damage, Leaks and Clogs

You count on your home’s plumbing to operate efficiently, but hidden issues can hide around every corner. Fortunately, you can avoid clogs, leaky pipes and water damage with a little regular upkeep. Here’s the way to keep your plumbing in check and your stress levels low.

1. Know What Not to Put in the Drain

A lot of sinks in the kitchen may be equipped with a garbage disposal, but several things still not rinsed down the drain, like:

• Grease, oil and cooking fat
• Tough foods like corn husks and celery stalks
• Old food like boiled rice or coffee grounds
• Tough pieces of food such as gristle and bones
• Non-food items. Silverware and similar items may end up in the disposal and cause damage when you turn it on.

2. Know What Not to Flush

Toilets are designed to dispose of human waste and toilet paper. Here’s what you should never flush:

• Wet wipes
• Paper towels
• Cotton balls and swabs
• Feminine hygiene products
• Baby diapers
• Dental floss
• Old medication

3. Utilize Drain Strainers

An easy method to prevent clogging is to place mesh strainers over your laundry, kitchen and shower drains. They trap hair, pieces of soap, crusty toothpaste and other debris as water flows down the drain. Stick to a regular schedule when you clean these strainers to keep your drains working properly.

4. Locate the Main Water Shutoff Valve

Being aware of your plumbing system means knowing the location of your main water shutoff valve. This valve controls water entering your home, so knowing where it is means you can turn it off quickly in a plumbing emergency. It’s also wise to shut off this valve before leaving town for an extended period. Common locations for the main shutoff valve include the basement, near the water heater, in a utility closet or outside the home under the ground.

5. Invest in a Sump Pump

Installing a sump pump can really help prevent water damage, especially in climates prone to high annual rainfall. This device removes water that collects in something called the sump basin, generally installed in the floor of your basement, and drains it away from the house. If you already have a sump pump, make sure it’s in good shape by dumping some water into the pit. If the pump activates and the pit drains, it’s working fine. If it doesn’t seem to be working properly, you have time to call a professional to repair the pump before another big thunderstorm rolls through.

6. Set Up Flood Alarms

Just as smoke alarms are essential for fire safety, flood alarms help prevent water damage. These wired or battery-operated devices detect water at the earliest stages of flooding or leaks, setting off an alarm to inform you. For further protection, integrate smart flood alarms into your home security system. This alerts you on your phone once water has been detected, allowing you to handle leaks before they cause significant damage.

7. Put in a Backflow Valve

Many plumbers recommend you set up a backflow valve in the basement floor drain to keep sewage from backing up into their homes after heavy rainfall. Professionals can fit this strong layer of protection against sewage flowing back into the house.

Learn to Recognize and Stop Leaks

Now that we’ve covered best practices and useful plumbing accessories, let’s review some preventive steps you can take to avoid leaks, or worse, burst pipes.

Most of your home plumbing system is out of sight, so leaks often go on for weeks until they cause major problems. Regularly checking for leaks can help you spot trouble before it gets worse. Here’s how:

• Check under the sink for signs of standing water, wood decay or mildew.
• Find tiny leaks in your toilet by putting in a few drops of coloring to the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl after 30 minutes without flushing, you have a leak.
• Check around and behind your kitchen appliances, including the dishwasher or washing machine, for signs of water damage or leaks.
• Conduct a water meter test.
  • First off, close off all water in your home via the main water lines.
  • Then, go outside to check the water meter. Check one more time after two hours, and do your best not to use any water in the meantime.
  • If the reading goes up, you know there’s a leak somewhere.

Keep Your Pipes from Freezing

In climates with cold winters, doing your part to protect your pipes is vital if you want to prevent freezing and bursting. Here is what you can do:

• Wrap the pipes in insulation in unfinished spaces like the basement, garage or attic with foam tubing or heating tape.
• Remove garden hoses from their spigots throughout the winter to keep ice from forming inside the pipes.
• Keep all cabinets with plumbing pipes open during freezing temperatures to keep warm air circulating around the pipes.

Trust Dependable Local Plumbers for Support

While you can take a wide variety preventive steps on your own to stop clogs, leaks and flooding, there are situations where you need an experienced plumber to keep things flowing smoothly. That’s where can help. We are a network of plumbers supporting U.S. homeowners from coast to coast with service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied with your level of service by next year, we will do everything we can to make it right. This industry-leading dedication shows how we strive to make a meaningful difference in your life. For Expert plumbing service that exceeds expectations, please contact us today