How to Prevent Plumbing Problems

Functioning plumbing is something that many homeowners simply take for granted. You wash your clothes, do the dishes, and shower daily without much thought to the essential systems that make all those clean and comfortable routines possible. However, you’ll quickly notice if something is wrong with your plumbing. Take action now to keep the plumbing in your Shreveport, Louisiana, home in top shape. Doing some regular preventive maintenance will prevent clogs, leaks, excessive wear, and other types of damage so that you can minimize your plumbing expenses in the future.

Our professional Shreveport plumbers explain how to prevent plumbing problems below.

Keep Strainers in Sinks

The simple act of installing a strainer in your sink can make a dramatic difference in your plumbing. The strainer will stop hair, toys, and errant jewelry from washing down the shower drain. In your kitchen sink, a strainer will stop large pieces of food from getting stuck in the pipes. Though a garbage disposal can handle many soft foods, you should keep pasta, egg shells, potatoes, rice, and any hard, fibrous foods out.

There’s one thing that a strainer can’t stop, however, and that’s grease. Never pour grease down your drains. Pour it into an empty jar or can instead.

Check Your Washer Hoses Regularly

The flexible hoses that connect your washer to the water supply are prone to problems. Check them regularly for cracks, blisters, or other signs of damage. Replace the hoses proactively instead of waiting for your home to spring a big leak.

If you’re going on vacation, turn off the water supply to your washer. This will free these hoses from unnecessary strain when they’re out of use for an extended period.

Clean Your Drains Often

Cleaning your drains is quicker and easier than you might think. Taking the time to clean them weekly will help clear gunk and grime before it can pose a major plumbing problem. The best way to clean a drain is with a simple mix of baking soda and vinegar. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, then follow this with half a cup of vinegar. The two create a natural chemical reaction that will begin foaming on contact.

Use the duo on your kitchen drains at least once a week. Try the baking soda and vinegar trick in your shower once a month. Let the mix sit for at least 20 minutes before you use the drain again. This will give it time to break down the grunge and grime hiding in the drain.

Schedule Regular Plumbing Maintenance

Homeowners often forget about their plumbing systems when everything is working well and only call the plumber for problems. However, you can prevent many problems altogether by scheduling a preventive maintenance visit.

During your Shreveport plumbing maintenance visit, our professionals will thoroughly inspect faucets, drains, toilets, aerators, and pipes. We’ll check your water pressure and inspect the water heater for any pending problems.

A maintenance call from Pioneer Comfort Systems includes several routine services. We’ll fix leaks, clear slow drains, repair running toilets, and clean faucet aerators. Taking care of these minor tasks annually will help you prevent major plumbing issues in the future.

Be Gentle on Faucets

The answer to a leaky faucet isn’t to simply overtighten it. If you’re screwing the faucet closed too tightly, you’ll only make the problem worse. Instead, you should contact a plumber for a safer, long-term solution to drips and leaks that won’t do major damage to your plumbing.

You should also be careful about putting weight on your faucet’s neck. Don’t hang toys, towels, or clothes from your faucets. Be careful about resting your hand on top of the faucet when you’re filling pitchers or pots. Over time, this added weight can do damage, leading to expensive repairs or replacements that you could avoid simply by changing your habits.

You should be extra careful with your outdoor faucets and pipes when the weather is below freezing. We provide helpful tips for addressing this here: How to Prevent Pipes From Freezing.

Shreveport Plumbing Maintenance Solutions

If you haven’t scheduled plumbing maintenance recently or if you think it’s time for a plumbing upgrade, give Pioneer Comfort Systems a call at 318-795-8000. We’ll come out and check your plumbing for any pending problems. Our preventive services will put your system in top condition and save you time and money in the future.

We also offer emergency plumbing services in Shreveport.