How Homeowners Can Prevent Plumbing Disasters This Thanksgiving

Don’t Let Plumbing Troubles Trash the Holidays! 

It's easy to forget one important thing between preparing holiday dinner and putting up decorations: the home’s plumbing system. When a toilet overflows, a sink clogs or a garbage disposal backs up, it’s easy to ask: “How did this happen?” There are many things homeowners can do to maintain their plumbing systems. 

For instance, residents should wait ten minutes between showers. They should also periodically run the garbage disposal with boiling water. Catching warning signs early could mean the difference between a small inconvenience and a huge problem. Here are some ways homeowners can prevent a plumbing disaster from ruining the holidays. 

Recognize These Plumbing Warning Signs

• Puddles around the toilet’s base 
• A toilet that rocks on its foundation 
• Cracks 
• Inadequate flushing 
• Poor water pressure 
• Low water levels 

Recognizing a troubled toilet is easy. If it doesn’t properly carry away waste, it needs a bathroom plumbing technician. Remedies could include “snaking” the toilet or replacing the pipes. Newer residences rarely need toilet replacement or reinstallation. After all, the average john can last up to 50 years - with proper maintenance, that is. 

A Blocked Sewer Line Is a Bad Sewer Line 

Every home’s sewer line has one job: to carry waste away from the house. Most sewer lines are located under the front lawn. Minor sewer line issues involve small clogs. Here, sewer line repair technicians can snake the drain or apply non-corrosive chemicals to remove the blockage. 

However, major sewer line issues involve digging up the front lawn, repairing the sewer main, and replacing entire systems. It’s best to catch these problems sooner rather than later. 

Warning signs include: 

• The toilet gurgles when not in use. 
• Unpleasant odors come from the home’s drains, toilets, and faucets. 
• Wastewater permeates the lawn’s surface. 
• Water comes out of the shower when the washing machine runs. 
• Sewage comes out of the drains. 

If left unattended, a sewer line problem can comprise the home’s foundation. Over time, the backed-up wastewater can eat away at the home’s base, threatening its structural integrity. 

Homeowners Can Take Proactive Measures to Prevent Major Problems

The best proactive measure is to take action immediately. When homeowners notice clogs, cracks, puddles, or anything else out of the ordinary, they should call in a professional. Many plumbing companies provide clog drain services, hydro jetting, and even drain cleaning. 

Some preventative measures that can save the holidays from disaster include: 

• Avoid putting leftovers in the garbage disposal: It’s tempting to scrape one’s plate and flip the switch. However, the garbage disposal is only for small foodstuffs. Users should avoid putting bones, corn cobs, and solid waste down the drain. 
• Regularly cleaning the drain: Cleaning the drain is more than plucking away stray strands of hair. Homeowners can avoid clogs by pouring hot water down the kitchen and bathroom drains. They can also use a solution of vinegar and baking soda to “eat away” at clogs. Just a few minutes of mindfulness can prevent a few hours of inconvenience. 
• Know the limits of a temporary fix: A temporary fix is just that: temporary. Patching a leak or flushing multiple times only goes so far. By understanding the limits of a DIY fix, homeowners can maintain their plumbing systems well into the New Year. 

About First Choice Plumbing Solutions 

First Choice Plumbing Solutions specializes in more than kitchen plumbing services. Its professionals also focus on toilet installation, bathroom plumbing repair, and much more. When residents of Port St. Lucie need plumbing help, they know who to call on.

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