Plumbing Maintenance Tips You Should Know

Important Tips for Residents of Abilene

Plumbing maintenance is vitally important. A well-maintained toilet, shower, or sink will last for years. Failure to keep up with maintenance can have serious consequences that can cost you a significant amount. Learning that your drain is clogged, your toilet is running, or your pipe has burst can be anxiety-inducing. To save time, stress, and money, it’s vital to prevent these problems before they occur.

At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Abilene, we can offer affordable solutions when your plumbing appliances begin breaking down. We can also offer maintenance tips so that your appliances stay in working order. Below are important tips to prevent the need for unnecessary, expensive repairs.

Be Careful What You Flush

It may seem like your toilet can flush anything, but that can lead to significant blockages. Toilet paper and waste are the only things that should be flushed. Everything else should be put in the garbage can. This includes hair, food particles, feminine hygiene products, grease, and even flushable wipes. All of these items can form serious clogs that can block your drains.

Double Check for Leaks

A significant leak isn’t always a burst pipe or a giant puddle of water in your basement. Sometimes, the leak can be far more subtle and easy to miss. Your toilet is a constant potential source of leaks, and the puddles of water may be small. Check your toilet's base for any pooling water or dripping from the tank. Save you money by addressing these issues early.

Be Mindful of Your Garbage Disposal

Like your toilet, you shouldn’t put anything you want into your garbage disposal. Not every bit of food waste is compatible, and some can cause the disposal to break or clog the sink. Avoid putting large pieces of food down the drain and hard things like bones and fruit pits. You should avoid pouring cooking grease or hot oils in the sink. They cool quickly and congeal, which can cause serious blockages.

Clear Out Your Drains

One surefire hint that your drains are clogged is if water is going down more slowly than in the past. This can mean that your drains are on the verge of being fully blocked and need to be cleaned out. Using a chemical drain cleaner to dissolve organic blockages, the acid could also eat away at your pipes. A homemade drain cleaning solution works just as well but without the side effects.

Flush Out Your Water Heater

Your water heater is responsible for keeping your water warm and comfortable. When constantly running, it can build up significant mineral deposits, eroding and eventually killing it. To eliminate these deposits, you should flush out your water heater at least once a year. If your area has problems with hard water, you should flush it twice yearly.

Develop a Maintenance Schedule

It can be easy to forget when you should schedule inspections or check your appliances. It might be wise to develop a maintenance schedule that details the most recent time you flushed your water heater, cleaned your drains, or checked for leaks. This can be helpful when it comes time to call Mr. Rooter Plumbing for professional service. We’ll know the exact date on which you last performed maintenance.

Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Abilene Today

Proper plumbing maintenance is vital to your appliances' survival and continued use. If it’s been a while since your drains were last cleaned, check them for blockages. If you’re concerned about the strange smell from your kitchen sink, clear out the garbage disposal.

However, it’s also important to have regular inspections performed by professionals. Don’t wait until a problem arises to call a plumber—instead, take proactive steps to prevent plumbing issues before they arise.

Whether you need a repair or a yearly inspection, we can help. Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing if you have any questions about proper plumbing maintenance.