Prevent Water Damage Before It Happens – Tips From A Plumber

1/6/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage can be caused by many different things. Some are unavoidable and some could be possibly be prevented by taking the proper precautions. Plumbers see it all where water damages are concerned and have given 10 tips to aid in the prevention of water damage at your home or business.

1. Know the Location of Shut-Off Valves

Note the location of the main shut off valves and drain in your home and business. In many cases the shut off will be located outside of your home or business. Apartments and condos may not have their own dedicated shut off valves.

2. Don’t Puncture Pipes

Make sure that you have an idea of where your pipes are located in your walls. If you plan to drill holes or put nails into your drywall or flooring you could potentially puncture a pipe if you are unsure of their location. You may be able to locate pipes behind walls with an inexpensive stud finder.

3. Find Out What’s Flushable

Flushing anything other than toilet paper is not advisable. There are flushable wipes on the market that also pose a risk of creating a backup.

4. Don’t Put Garbage Down The Drain

Even if you have a garbage disposal, be gentle with the items that you place in the disposal. Many times disposals have build-up that forms from different foods that can cause a drain to backup.

5. Take The Plunge

Invest in a high quality plunger to clear clogs in toilets, sinks and drains.

6. Pull Out The Vacuum

One word. KIDS. If you are trying to dislodge a larger object such as a toothbrush or toy, don’t be afraid to pull out the wet-dry vacuum to assist. A plunger will lodge the item deeper into the drain causing it to become more difficult to remove.

7. Don’t Ignore Leaks

Do you have a steady drip? Don’t wait to fix the problem causing the leak. That steady leak is causing a steady incline in your water bill. A leaky faucet can waste up to eight gallon of water per day.

8. Never Over-Tighten Fittings

I tend to like to make sure things are nice and tight when I am completing home repairs. Don’t do that with your fittings and connections. Over tightening can lead to stripped screws and broken bolts. Remember, “Hand tight is just right”

9. Make Friends with Plumber’s Tape

Also called (Teflon Tape), plumbers tape is used to seal pipe threads to prevent leaks around joints and fittings.

10. Always Check for Leaks

After every plumbing project, check for leaks by running water through the system. You can make adjustments before damage happens by doing this.

These helpful tips will aid in preventing water damage to your home or business, but will not protect your property 100% from unforeseeable problems. If you find yourself with damage to your home or business call our office today.