Preventing and Preparing for Plumbing Problems

Winter weather can be brutal on your pipes, especially if they are not insulated. The pipes running through unheated spaces like the garage are vulnerable to freezing and bursting. You could find yourself with a water damage disaster on your hands if you don’t take preventive measures to protect your pipes during cold weather. Consider insulating exposed pipes, replacing aging pipes, and fixing leaks. If your pipes freeze despite your best efforts, reach out to the experts at Service Hero for frozen pipe repair.

• Be Careful About What You Put Down Your Drains

The toilet and kitchen sink drains happen to be among the most abused plumbing fixtures in a home. We tend to dump grease, oils, and fats down kitchen sinks and run hot water, thinking it will wash everything away. This is one of the plumbing myths we’ve been debunking for the longest time. Even if these substances are in liquid form, they will cool and stick to the drain line walls. Fats, oils, and grease do not belong in your kitchen sink drain—dispose of them properly in the trash can.

Similarly, the toilet is not a trash can. We are all guilty of flushing all sorts of items down the toilet because it’s convenient, but this can cause stubborn clogs. Some of the items that do not belong in your toilet drains include baby diapers, condoms, kitty litter, wipes, feminine hygiene products, and cotton swabs. Only flush human waste and toilet paper.

• Keep a Plunger and Drain Snake Handy

Drain clogs are a common occurrence in homes, and you want to be prepared to tackle this problem on your own before calling in a plumber. A plunger and drain snake are essential supplies for clearing clogs. A plunger uses pressure and suction to dislodge blockages, while a drain snake is inserted into the drain line to physically break up or pull out clogs. These tools can come in handy when you encounter minor clogs caused by food waste, soap scum, debris, and foreign objects. If you need professional help, reach out to a licensed plumber.

• Know The Location Of The Main Water Shutoff Valve

Not many people bother to find where the main water shutoff valve is located in their homes. This is until they have a plumbing emergency, such as a burst pipe or a major leak. In those frantic moments, knowing the location of the main shutoff valve can help you prevent a water damage disaster. It’s important that everyone in your home knows where the shutoff valve is located and how to turn it off. This valve is usually located where the water supply enters your home or outside near the water meter.

Need Plumbing Help Or AC Services? Reach Out To Service Hero

Service Hero is here to help you with all your plumbing needs. From drain cleaning to leak detection, toilet replacement, trenchless sewer repair, garbage disposal installation, and water heater repair, we do it all. Besides plumbing services, we offer a wide range of HVAC services, including air duct cleaning, AC repair, finance replacement, and more. If you’re looking for an experienced plumbing company, get in touch with Service Hero.