It looks as though Spring has sprung, hasn’t it? The grass is turning greener, the trees are budding, and the birds are chirping. And the storms! March certainly began with a “roar”, so hopefully, we will toddle out like a lamb.

We love Spring, and while we may need rain outside, we don’t need our pipes to spring leaks in our homes! With everything your home’s plumbing goes through in a day, it’s amazing there aren’t more issues. Keeping those pipes clear of blockages and making sure they aren’t leaking in your house is imperative! You certainly don’t want to slosh through 3 inches of water on your bathroom floor because your toilet is overflowing due to plumbing problems! EEWW!

Here are a few tips that will help keep your plumbing in tip-top shape.

Be Aware and Inspect

You may not be able to see all your plumbing in your home, but you should certainly be aware and inspect what you can see. Little leaks or dripping faucets may lead to bigger problems in the future, not to mention a higher water bill.

Be sure to inspect:

Toilets: Remember, while your toilet doesn’t wear out, the components inside do. A leaky toilet can waste an average of 200 gallons of water in a day. That’s 6,000 in a month. Imagine how that effects your water bill!
Under Sinks: If you are like most people, you are taking full advantage of the storage under your sinks. It’s a good idea to take a good look in there occasionally to make sure things are nice and dry and no leaks have sprung.
Water Heaters: Usually water heaters are hidden way in a closet or basement and we forget about them until something major goes wrong. It’s a good time to inspect your water heater for signs of rusting or leaking at the tank fittings. Look for dampness on the floor. If you spot something, call for a more thorough inspection.
Laundry Connection: The rubber connection hoses on your washing machine can lead to problems. Check the hoses for cracks or blisters.
Outdoor Faucets: Make sure to inspect your outdoor faucets year-round to make sure they aren’t watering when they shouldn’t be.

Avoid Chemicals in Your Drains

Keeping clogs cleared is very important. If things start to back up, it can lead to big issues in your pipes that you can’t see.
If you have a clog, don’t be tempted to go to the store and buy the products that promise a “quick fix.” Often, these chemicals do more harm than good as they can erode your drain pipes. Eventually, you’ll end up with leaks because of what you used to try to clear a clog.

Instead, try clearing clogs by pouring ½ cup of salt and ½ cup baking soda down the drain, followed by a pot boiling hot water. If the clog is not removed or is partially removed, wait 5-10 minutes then repeat the process (salt, baking soda, boiling water). If the clog persists, it’s time to call for plumbing assistance.

No Grease

Never pour grease down your drain. Grease is only a liquid while it’s hot. Once it cools, it becomes a solid. Think of your pipes as an artery. You don’t want your arteries clogged, and you don’t want clogged drains either.

Flush Right

The only two things that should be flushed down a toilet are human waste and toilet paper. No exceptions. Even baby wipes (aka. sanitary wipes) that say they are flushable should never go down the toilet. Flushing anything more than human waste and toilet paper will lead to costly repairs in the future.

Know Where Your Shutoff Valves Are

If disaster does strike and a pipe bursts, do you know where your shutoff valves are? Does everyone in your family know? Instead of panicking that water is gushing out, turn off the water to your house, then call your plumber for help. If you are away for an extended amount of time (let’s say, a month-long vacation), then you may want to shut off your water to your house to avoid water surprises when you return.

Remember, a few simple steps can help you prevent major trouble down the road and be much easier on your pocketbook.

Happy Spring!

P.S. We hope you enjoy spring without leaks, but we are here when you need us. You can always reach us at 417-866-8257. Just in case the unexpected happens, we provide emergency after hours and holiday service.