Happy New Year! Do you have any resolutions this year? A new year presents a clean slate and a good chance to start over, start new habits, and better yourself. Many people's new years resolutions include joining a gym, starting a new diet, or going for walks every day in order to better their physical health.
This year, we challenge you to consider your home's health as well as your own! Studies show that living in a healthy home can help you and your family stay healthy as well. And keeping your home healthy goes beyond just keeping things clean; if you don't give your plumbing any attention, you could end up with mold problems or worse. Here are some quick and easy tips to make sure your plumbing system stays healthy in 2018!
1. Insulate Exposed Pipes
If you haven't had a pipe freeze yet this winter, count yourself lucky, especially considering how cold it has been. We still have a few more winter months to go, so grab some foam pipe insulation from your local hardware store and wrap any exposed pipes! This is especially important in colder areas of your home, like in a garage or basement. If you do encounter a frozen pipe, call us immediately before it bursts! 586-459-0040
2. Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaning Products
Clogged drains are common, and it's easy to buy a bottle of drain cleaner at the store, but those harsh chemicals can eat away at your pipes over time and eventually cause leaks. Additionally, those chemicals are harmful - In fact, one of our plumbers went to a house last month after the homeowner unsuccessfully tried to unclog a drain with chemicals, and they ended up splashing back on our plumber and giving him chemical burns!
Instead, call a plumber and have them clean your drain the safe way. A professional drain cleaning will last much longer and won't be nearly as harsh on the pipes.
3. Prevent Clogs
You won't even need to use chemical drain cleaners if you follow these easy rules to avoid clogs: (1) Install drain strainers on all of your drains to catch hair, food, and other debris. (2) Be careful about what goes down your drains, toilets, and garbage disposal, and (3) never ever pour grease into any drain!
4. Clean the Sewer Regularly
Your house's main sewer line is where all your drains lead. If this sewer line gets clogged, or if tree roots grow into it, you could have a disastrous backup of sewage on your hands! Luckily, you can keep this from happening by having a plumber snake the sewer line every few years (more frequently if you have a lot of trees - ask your plumber what he recommends). You can schedule an appointment online by clicking here.
5. Fix Problems Right Away
When it comes to plumbing, even tiny problems only get worse as time goes on. A leaky faucet will cause corrosion and only get leakier, a frozen pipe can suddenly burst, and a tiny leak under a sink can cause ever-spreading mold and water damage. Save yourself hundreds (sometimes even thousands) of dollars and don't put off getting the problem repaired.
Here's to 2018 being a healthier year, for both you and your home. And remember, we're here to help! We can help you catch any problems early with a full-home plumbing inspection. Call us at 586-459-0040 and set up an appointment for a plumbing inspection today!