Top 4 Preventative Plumbing Tips for This Holiday

The holiday is just around the corner, worrying about plumbing is the last thing you’d want to deal with. Here are 4 preventative plumbing tips for you to try in order to minimize the chances of some plumbing disasters.

1. Watch Out For That Sink

• Like we’ve discussed in our Garbage Disposal article, you should never put grease, fats or any cooking oils down the drain.
• Always use cold water full blast when running the disposal, cold water helps solidify grease and oil so they can be chopped up before reaching the trap.
• Avoid putting hard, stringy and fibrous materials such as celery, bones, onion skins, and corn husks.
• Avoid putting starch-like and expandable foods such as pasta, rice, potato peels.

2. Take Care Of Your Toilet

• Test for leaks: put a few drops of food coloring in the tank, wait for few minutes. If you see any color through the bowl, you have a leak!
• Avoid flushing any moist towelettes and baby wipes, they create clogs and backups in sewer systems!

Here is a quick tutorial on unclogging your toilet.

3. Take Care of Your Pipes

• If you have a leaky pipe, get it fixed ASAP. Leaky pipe is an early sign of a burst pipe, which can cause a greater damage to your home.
• Go to your nearest hardware store and pick up some unfaced fiberglass insulation. Insulating your pipes can help you prevent them from bursting in the colder weather.
• Remove any garden hoses you have attached to your outside faucets.

4. Stay Proactive with Water Heater

• Drain your water heater to avoid sediments building up. The sediments cause drips and clogs. These mineral buildups overheat the tank bottom and weaken the steel and damage the glass lining.
• Keep a close eye on the water heater, especially if your water heater is greater than eight years. Schedule an annual water heater check-up with us.

Got plumbing issues to take care of? Give us a call 617-221-5899 or schedule an appointment online.