Does plumbing maintenance even matter? With all the modern innovations in home building, our pipes can withstand a lot of wear and tear. But that doesn’t mean that your daily actions don’t compile over time. Whether you’re disposing of organic debris incorrectly, or not maintaining your plumbing seasonally, there are always ways a homeowner can improve their plumbing habits to save themselves money and time.

Plumbing Medic has the skill and expertise to guide you to better plumbing. And part of having the best habits? Having the best plumber. So give us a call when you’re ready at 1-866-661-2424.

How to Get Better Plumbing

A little bit of knowledge goes a long way when it comes to maintaining your plumbing. And with 2023 right around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about new and better habits! So make better plumbing your New Year’s resolution with these six tips!

1. Use a Sink Strainer

If your sink doesn’t have a garbage disposal, then any organic debris that goes down the drain will have a greater chance of creating a clog. While clogged pipes are usually just a hassle, they can easily create larger, more expensive problems.

A simple way to avoid these problems is to use a sink strainer. It’s a wire mesh that sits in your drain and collects any debris. That way you can preemptively remove the clogs before they happen! You’ll never have to fiddle with a drain snake again!

2. Care for Your Garbage Disposal

If your sink has a garbage disposal, it’s essential to have regular maintenance habits. While these appliances conveniently dispose of organic debris, they don’t make miracles happen. Adding a sink strainer is still a great idea even if you have a garbage disposal. Doing so allows you to make sure that only the correct materials are disposed of.

Speaking of things that shouldn’t go down your garbage disposal, here’s a list of things that you should avoid:

• Apples
• Celery
• Bones
• Egg Shell
• Pits from stonefruit
• Coffee grounds
• Plastic

Another tip: run cold water when using your garbage disposal. That will decrease the odds of any fat-caused clogs.

3. Discover Your Hidden Pipes

Have you taken a look at the design plans of your home? Well if you haven’t, then it’s likely that there are pipes all over your house that you don’t know about! Underground, behind walls, and in places that do not make sense: your home is full of pipes.

Knowing where your pipes are is useful for seasonal maintenance. Ever had frozen pipes? Maybe you’re missing a critical area with insulation or targeted heat. Or, if you’re going to do a bathroom remodel, you must understand where every pipe is.

4. Take Better Care of Your Toilet

You really should appreciate your toilet. Despite the convenience, you shouldn’t dispose of anything here that doesn’t belong there. This is an especially useful tip for parents, who often have parenting materials that feel like they should go down the toilet. But, Mom and Dad, those wipes and diapers need to go in the garbage!

Here’s a list of things that should never go down the toilet:

• Wipes
• Diapers
• Feminine hygiene products
• Condoms
• Cotton swabs
• Tissue and paper towel
• Plastic
• Cat litter
• Hair
• Food

Are you guilty of flushing any of these? Be honest– you’re not the only one to dump a bowl of soup down the toilet!

5. Prevent Hair Clogs in the Shower and Sink

It’s surprisingly easy to clog your shower with the amount of dirt, dead skin, and hair that comes off during your rinses. An easy fix to this problem is very similar to the sink habits we discussed earlier. Purchasing a drain catch can save you from one of the nastiest clogs that happen in homes. There’s something uniquely disgusting about a rotten hair clog.

Though it’s possible to remove these clogs with chemicals, they are bad for your pipes and the environment. Skip the headache and get yourself a drain catch instead! You’ll also be helping the environment by doing so, so it’s a win-win!

6. Don’t Overuse Chemicals

Many cleaning and de-clogging solvents have chemicals that over time, cause your pipes to decay. Some of these are strong enough that they cause immediate problems if used improperly. Specifically, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, lye, and other toxic chemicals can be bad for you and your pipes. Although these chemicals are fast acting, they have consequences for your home and the environment. Often there are more environmentally friendly solutions that are available to someone with the skills and expertise.

So, let’s talk about why the most important habit you can have going into the new year is to have a regular plumber.

Why You Should Have a Trusted Plumber On-Call

One of the best habits you can develop as a homeowner is to develop a professional relationship with your plumber. Having a regular plumber perform maintenance and repairs that you’re not capable of doing is essential to running a perfect home. Over time, the plumber develops a deep knowledge of your home’s plumbing. And that enables them to do a better job.

Our team at Plumbing Medic knows how to deliver fast and effective solutions. And we always leave our clients with a relieved smile. Take a look at our services here and you’ll see we take a comprehensive approach to plumbing.

Maintain Your Plumbing with Plumbing Medic

As 2023 begins, you can start the year off properly by developing better plumbing habits. Simply taking care of your various drains and developing a better understanding of your home’s system will save you money on repair bills over time. That’s why drain catches and proper waste disposal are important! Because taking better care of your hardware leads to fewer maintenance costs over time.

And by far the most important habit to develop in 2023? Get a regular plumber! When you’re on a name-to-name basis with our team at Plumbing Medic, problems from maintenance to disasters are manageable. Our friendly and professional staff are there to deliver affordable comprehensive plumbing services every time.