Monday 27 February 2017

9 Ways to Minimize Sewer and Water Repairs

As homeowners, there are many things that we must be aware of regarding the home's systems. From ensuring that the HVAC system works correctly to the electrical or plumbing system there are many elements that need to be checked often. By taking time to do maintenance, there is no more important system than the status of the water and sewer system.
This particular system, if not maintained, can cause significant damage to other aspects of your home so it is vital that you do your part to ensure that the water and sewer system in your home is maintained, through proactive measures.
Tips to Keeping the Water and Sewer System Working Properly
1. Use liquid drain cleaners rather than the crystal ones which can solidify in your pipes thus doing more harm than help.
2. Never use a chemical drain cleaner to fix a total blockage. Rather, you should use a sewer jetter. You may also want to use a hydrostatic line tester to determine the status of the lines.
3. Once a month, pour 1 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of white vinegar down each drain in the house. This will cause a chemical reaction that will clean away most buildup. Wait one hour, then flush the pipes with warm water.
4. Note any toilet leaks and correct them sooner, not later. Many times, the leak is a result of a bad flush valve. These can be purchased at any hardware store. They are inexpensive and easy to install.
5. Do not use chemical drain cleaners on a clogged toilet.
6. If you have a garbage disposal, be sure to use it properly. Never put stringy food such as banana skins, celery, rhubarb and others into the disposal. Also, always run the water when using the disposal as this will help move items along. To keep it smelling good, be sure to use lemon peels it from time to time
7. From time to time, do a system cleanout by ensuring that traps are full of water, and that the caps are on and secure. Should you notice any smells, pour a small amount of bleach into the drain.
8. Never pour items such as grease down the drain or toilet as it clings to the pipes and will build up - thus causing clogs - over time.
9. Other items that should never be flushed are sticks, rags, paper towels, household hazardous waste, or any other paper products not designed to be flushed. In fact, many sewer and plumbing specialist say that even items such as flushable wipes should never be flushed either as they do not break down as well as touted.
Using these proactive measures will go a long way towards minimizing the need for water and sewer repair. If you have questions about your home's water and sewer system talk to a local plumbing company or your municipalities to learn what you can do.