Plumbing Dos and Don’ts

You probably take your home plumbing system for granted until it breaks down, often to the tune of hundreds of dollars in repairs. Here are some guidelines to help avoid that expensive proposition.

Don’ts:

  1. Be selective about what you put in your garbage disposal. Avoid putting celery, onions, cornhusks, and other fibrous foods in your disposal – their “strings” can jam the grinding mechanism. Avoid gummy rice or pasta, too.
  2. Avoid chemical drain cleaners. Chemical drain cleaners can rot your pipes – and most don’t work. Better to use a plunger – or better yet, call Carroll.
  3. Clean your shower and bathtub drains quickly. Built up hair and soap scum can block your drain. If there’s already a blockage, clean the trap using a snake; a plunger won’t work. If that doesn’t help, call us.
  4. Remember that your toilet is not a garbage pail. Never discard cotton balls, paper towels, or feminine hygiene products in your toilet.
  5. Never pour grease down the drain. Liquid grease solidifies as it cools, which will narrow your pipes and trap debris as it hardens. Pour grease into a can or a jar instead.
  6. Pay attention to small problems. Clogs and leaks can become bigger problems quickly. Deal with the problem when you first see it.

The Dos:

  1. Pour 2-3 gallons of boiling water down your bathtub drain once a month to prevent hair and grease build-up.
  2. Open the drain on your water heater twice a year to remove sediment. You’ll gain efficiency and save money. If you don’t know how, we can help.
  3. Occasionally grind ice in your garbage disposer to keep the blades sharp.
  4. Occasionally remove and clean faucet aerators to get more even spray, increased flow, and better-tasting water.

Following these precautions and STILL have plumbing problems? Contact Carroll today – we can help!

For everything you need in home heating, trust the pros at Carroll Home Services – keeping Maryland homes warm for more than a century! Contact us to get started today!