Imagine waking up on a rush hour, expecting to at least have a good bath, but your shower isn’t working. Truth be told, plumbing disasters happen almost every day. Within your home is a complex network of pipes, drains, and appliances that all work together to make your life convenient. However, inevitably, your plumbing is subject to wear and tear.
Left unmaintained and unchecked, minor plumbing issues can turn into large ones before you know it. Regular maintenance can keep you from needing to do a quick “plumbers near me” search in case of an emergency. Basic knowledge of plumbing will serve you well over the years as a homeowner.
To help you out, let’s run through some basic plumbing tips:
Know the location of your water main
As a homeowner, it should be your first goal to find the location of the shutoff valve. It will completely stop the flow of water into your house when you close it. This can be a lever or a wheel. It can either be located in the basement, near the water heater, under the kitchen sink or outside your home. If you encounter a major plumbing dilemma, shutting off the water main is going to be the first step before inspecting the problem and calling your local handyman to get the fix done.
Know your way around clogged drains
Your plunger should not just be a decoration around your bathroom. It’s a helpful tool for unclogging your sink, bathtub, and of course, your toilet. When we shower, our hair falls out, and it builds up over time. Your first instinct with a clog might be to use liquid drain cleaners, which is a big mistake. It seems like an easy fix to your problem, but the chemicals in liquid cleaners and other similar products can harm your plumbing infrastructure. If your sink, toilet, or tub keeps backing up, get a tool that can pull out any debris blocking your pipes. And if all else fails, leave it to your local handyman to get the job right.
Garbage disposals
Although garbage disposals can be a convenient tool to have around your house, they can be very delicate. It’s your initiative as a homeowner to understand what can go down your garbage disposal. Small but prone to clogging debris like cooking oil, eggshells, coffee grounds, or grease should be avoided. You can put ice cubes in the garbage disposal from time to time to keep the blades sharp and before running it, pour cold water into the drain for five or ten seconds.
Find a local handyman and get an inspection
Last but definitely not least, find a go-to handyman that you can rely on.
A plumbing problem is not something you want to wait on.
Having someone on speed dial will make life easier if you end up with a plumbing disaster. Ask around your neighborhood, find a plumber in Corpus Christi with a good reputation, and give them a call.
