Spring is in the air, spreading sunshine and happiness all over Central Texas! Wanna spread a little sunshine of your own? We’ve got an idea (or two) for you! We’ve gathered up our top tips for how to keep a certain someone special in your life full of joy and warm fuzzies all year long. Read on to learn how to make life full of raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens for that special someone — your plumber.
Luckily, it doesn’t take much to make a plumber happy. You don’t need to shell out the big bucks for flower arrangements or a fancy dinner (though they’d probably be much appreciated!). Instead, let’s focus on the little things you can do every day to keep your plumbing in tip top shape (that’s the way to your plumber’s heart, after all).
Drain Don’ts
First, put down that harsh chemical drain cleaner. Not only is it less effective at clearing clogged drains than many other methods (see our previous posts for tips on fixing and preventing clogs), it’s also wreaking havoc on your pipes and other equipment.
Royal Flush
Next, take a moment to consider what you’re putting in your toilet. Even items marked as flushable usually aren’t a good idea. Hygiene products, wipes, and cat litter should be deposited in the trash can instead. And stay away from the drop-in toilet cleaners. The chemicals put additional wear on your toilet tank components, plus they can get stuck in the flush valve as they dissolve.
Don’t Forget the Disposal
While we’re on the subject of being kind to plumbing fixtures, let’s not forget the garbage disposal. We’ve got a whole post on exactly how to care for it, but for now, we’ll just remind you to use cold water while running the disposal and to keep it free of grease, fibrous foods, bones, and starchy foods like potatoes and pasta.
The Hose Knows
Finally, let’s talk about hoses, specifically the ones in your washing machine, dishwasher, etc. If your hoses are rubber, it’s a good idea to inspect them frequently and to change them (even if you don’t notice obvious signs of wear and tear) every five years. And if you’re already switching yours out, consider making an upgrade to stainless steel braided hoses, which have a lower failure rate than traditional rubber.
Be a Know-It-All
Other ways to win your plumber’s heart? Know where the main water valve and every emergency shut-off valve is located in your home. This includes the shut off valve for your hot water heater. Practice turning them off and on, so that you know how to do it in an emergency.
Hot Water: Handled!
While we’re on the subject of hot water heaters, we recommend inspecting yours regularly and placing a pan underneath it, so if it does start to leak, the water is contained. Other than that, keep your hands off the heater! Don’t try to drain it or adjust the pressure valve yourself. Call in the professionals for this. Which brings us to our last point . . .
Keep In Touch
Have a professional plumber that you trust and call them in as needed. Keep their contact info handy. Make sure they are fully licensed, reliable, and professional. Have them out for regular maintenance visits to prevent unpleasant surprises in the future.
In short, your plumber is happiest when you’re taking good care of your pipes and drains, keeping an eye out for potential issues, and making a plan for what to do in an emergency. If you’ve got questions about how to care for your plumbing or if something seems amiss, you can also keep your plumber pleased by calling them out today to identify problems before they become plumbing nightmares.