We tend not to give a second thought to our property’s plumbing when it is working well, but this never lasts forever. Your plumbing puts up with a lot of wear and tear, and the longer you neglect your plumbing, the more likely it is that you will have to deal with regular and costly problems. The key to preventing plumbing problems is regular maintenance, and, luckily, taking care of a plumbing system does not need to be arduous as there are simple steps every homeowner can take to keep their plumbing clean and healthy. Here are six ways to maintain a healthy plumbing system in your home.
- Install drain covers
The kitchen sink, bathroom sink, and shower drains in your home are vulnerable to foreign unwanted materials and substances getting washed down into the plumbing, where it might get stuck, leading to blockages and unpleasant smells. This could be food, hair, dirt, or anything else that you try to wash away. To reduce how much debris enters your plumbing, install drain covers.
- Choose liquid body wash over solid soap
Using a solid bar of soap means that the water will leave a layer of residue behind as it passes through the pipes, where it will turn back to solid soap. Over time, this can lead to blockages. Liquid body wash will stay liquid and so moves easily through the plumbing system.
- Do not pour grease down the drain
Many people make the mistake of pouring liquid cooking oils and grease down their drain, unaware of the fact that it will solidify at some point in the plumbing system. If you are not careful about what you pour down the drain and do not clear it out regularly, you may end up with a stubborn blockage that only an emergency plumber Perth such as Pascoes Gas and Water will be able to clear.
- After washing greasy dishes, run the hot water
Even after tipping oil and grease into the garbage, you should remember that some grease may still remain and could be washed into the plumbing when washing greasy dishes and utensils in your kitchen sink. To reduce the likelihood that this grease causes blockages in the plumbing, run the hot water for around 20-30 seconds after you have washed the dishes.
- Avoid cleaning with harsh chemicals
A lot of household cleaning products are made with harsh chemicals. If they are washed straight through the pipes, then they should not cause a problem, but you do not know whether the chemicals have left the system. If they become stuck somewhere, they can cause corrosion and blockages. Consider using natural cleaning products, or get the system regularly flushed by a professional.
- Do not flush anything but toilet paper
There is a misconception that toilets can be used as an alternative to a garbage can, but this is certainly not the case. A toilet and its pipes can manage toilet paper and human waste, but other items are likely to cause blockages. This includes paper products like paper towels, face tissues, and female sanitary products, as they do not break down as easily in the system.
