How to Become BFFs with Your Home’s Plumbing

Helpful Plumbing Tips for All Homeowners

When you’re a homeowner, a million thoughts race through your mind at every moment of the day. From wondering if you locked the front door before heading to making sure you paid your bills on time, the list is endless (and seemingly long). However, there is one grey area that many seem to overlook: utilizing better plumbing practices daily.

If you feel as if you haven’t been a good friend to your home’s plumbing lately, here are some ways to help improve your strained relationship.

Stop Flushing Everything in Sight

One of the biggest plumbing problems that many homeowners face is having a clogged toilet on their hands. Often, this “throne-related” issue could have been avoided if particular objects weren’t flushed — other than “the obvious.”

Some items that are not meant to be flushed include:

• “Flushable” wipes

• Bandages

• Feminine hygiene products

• Paper towels

• Cotton balls, and more

When it comes down to it, you need to ask yourself this question: “To flush or not to flush.” And if the answer isn’t clear as day, it’s best to toss that object into a nearby garbage can — your toilet would thank you if it could!

Take Things Slow with Your Garbage Disposal

Do you have a garbage disposal in your home? If so, you’ve very likely formed a similar relationship with it as you did with your toilet; you’ll toss all odds and ends down it to reduce the number of times you take the garbage out. And while that may seem all fine and dandy at the start, you could be doing more harm than good.

Just like a toilet, there are certain things you should never feed your disposal — that includes:

• Oil or grease

• Corn husks

• Dense animal bones (i.e., chicken wings)

• Artichokes

• Loose garbage and more

Additionally, when you’re using your garbage disposal, you want to make sure that the water is running before, during, and a few minutes after using your device. Doing so will help break up disposal-safe items much more comfortably and lessen the chance for breakage.

Don’t Sweep Plumbing Problems Under the Rug

Just like you wouldn’t ignore a spill on your kitchen floor, you shouldn’t ignore (or put off) any obvious plumbing problems in your home. For instance, if you have a dripping faucet that keeps you up at night, don’t put a bandage over the spout and call it a day — instead, contact your trusted plumber to repair the issue before it becomes a bigger problem down the road.

Here are some other situations that require immediate attention and not a raincheck:

• Dripping plumbing pipe

• A leak in your water heater

• A running or loose toilet

• No H2O is present in your home

• Abnormally low water pressure

• A broken plumbing fixture (i.e., a faucet)

• You have no hot water, and more

Even if you suspect that something might be wrong with your plumbing, it’s always essential to get a professional’s opinion right away — since they can save you from a plumbing-induced headache down the road (something you’ll thank us for later)!

Stop Reaching for Chemical Drain Cleaners Right Away

When you run into a clogged drain, do you call your plumber or reach for a quick fix, such as a chemical drain cleaner? If you opt for the latter, you’re doing more harm than good in your home. Store-bought drain cleaners contain potent chemicals and can deteriorate your plumbing pipes over time (especially if they’re made of PVC or are up there in age)!

Instead, give your plumber a call to help remove the obstruction in the most efficient and eco-friendly way possible. If the clog cannot wait, consider using a drain snake — or an enzyme-based drain cleaner, which is still a temporary solution, but much safer than its chemically-crafted cousin.

Professional Plumbing Services in Boston, MA

Need a winner? Call Winters Home Services for all your home plumbing needs! Contact us today at 617-221-5899 or visit us online to schedule your appointment with Boston’s go-to plumbing company!