How to Prevent Plumbing Problems in Your Washington DC Home
Due to the variety of homes and apartment buildings and the density of the population, plumbing in Washington DC can be complicated. Save yourself the hassle of a plumbing disaster with these tips.
Skip the DIY
Do-it-yourself projects seem like a great way to save money and fix up your space, but leave the plumbing to the experts. Not only does plumbing in Washington DC require specific tools and know-how, but plumbing contractors have insurance! The smallest mistake in your plumbing project could cause costly damage, so save money by getting a licensed plumber to do it right.
Take Care of Your Drains
The phrase goes “everything BUT the kitchen sink,” not everything IN it. Oils, coffee grounds, eggshells, and other kitchen waste should never go down the drain. Hot oils cool quickly to form fatty clogs, and coffee grounds form dense, stubborn clumps. If you use a garbage disposal in your sink, avoid grinding fibrous materials and eggshells, and run lots of cold water to carry away the things you do grind.
Use screens in your showers and sinks to keep out debris, and regularly flush drains regularly with hot water to keep them clear, particularly low-volume areas that might gather debris. Also, never flush anything that doesn’t dissolve down the toilet or drain. Throw hair and other sanitary products in the garbage.
Protect Exposed Pipes
Don’t let anything bang or push against exposed pipes, including the pipes under the sink. The pipes inside sink cabinets sustain damage from items you store there. Taking steps to protect your exposed pipes saves the sink!
Skip Damaging Chemicals
Toilet cleaners make a lot of claims, promising to save you effort and keep your toilets fresh. But leaving chemicals in your toilet degrades the fixtures and corrodes your plumbing over time.
Store-bought drain cleaners may say they strip buildup and force out clogs, but they rarely work very well and can corrode plumbing and cause pipe failure.
Look After the Details
Pay attention to your water meter, water heater, washer hoses, water fixtures, and line connections that provide a fresh supply of water. Stay alert for the first sign of a problem, like discolored water, noisy pipes, or dripping sounds, and get a licensed plumber to do maintenance and repairs before disaster strikes.
If you don’t know the date of your last pipe cleaning, or the state of your water heater, call a licensed plumber to get it checked.
Dealing with a Plumbing Issue in DC? Call Handyman at Your Command
Washingtonians thrive on challenge, but plumbing problems pose a challenge nobody wants to deal with.
Make Handyman at Your Command your trusted local service for plumbing in Washington DC. Call 301-556-3948 to make an appointment with a trusted DC plumber.
