There are a lot of things to juggle when you purchase a new home. From unpacking to re-organizing to mail forwarding, it’s hard to keep up. One of the most important things people forget to consider when they move into a new place is plumbing. That’s where we come in.
Below, we’ve listed the most important ways you can care for and maintain the plumbing in your new home.
Know where your water main is.
If a pipe bursts or a similar big accident occurs, you’ll need to where to find your water main. Shutting off the water during plumbing emergencies will help limit flooding and water damage as much as possible.
You can find your water main’s location on the inspection report you received when you purchased the home. Once you know where it is, take the time to actually go find it physically, too. Make sure it’s easily accessible in case of emergency. The faster you can get to your water main, the faster you can prevent water damage in the future.
Never put fats or cooking oils down the garbage disposal or kitchen drains.
This misstep is the cause of many major plumbing clogs. When fats, oils, and grease are warm, they’re liquid. After they cool off, however, they become solid. Over time, those solids build up in drains and lead to serious blockage.
Keep greasy liquids like fat and oil out of your garbage disposal or kitchen drains. Instead, set them aside in a disposable cup or foil and leave them to dry. Once they’re solid you can just toss them in the regular garbage.
Use the right type of plunger for the right type of clog.
Did you know that there are different types of plungers? The two main varieties are cup and flange plungers. A cup plunger is what most people imagine when they’re told to think of a plunger. It has a wooden handle with a rubber “cup” on the end. Cup plungers work best on drains with flat surfaces, like the ones in your sink or bathtub.
The flange plunger is like the cup except it has an added flexible rubber flap on the end. This flap helps this plunger create suction on surfaces that aren’t flat, like the inside of your toilet bowl. Keeping both plungers on hand is a good idea for homeowners who want to be prepared for everything.
Make sure your water heater is set no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is the recommended maximum temperature for any water heater. Any hotter and you will run the risk of accidentally harming or scalding yourself.
Create a maintenance calendar for your home plumbing.
Make two checklists of plumbing maintenance activities for yourself. Label them ”monthly” and “yearly” plumbing maintenance. Put the following chores on each list:
Monthly
- Clean the gutters
- Clean the garbage disposal
- Inspect/change out HVAC filters
- Check for hidden leaks in cabinets and behind toilets
Yearly
- Flush your water heater
- Check caulk and replace old caulk
- Test your sump pump
- Clean your faucets
- Clean your shower head
As their names imply, you should complete the monthly checklist once per month and the yearly checklist once per year. Keeping on top of these maintenance chores goes a long way toward preserving your plumbing for the long haul — and The Pink Plumber is here to help every step of the way.
Know the number of the most trusted plumbing company in the area.
This is especially relevant if you’re new to the area. Figure out who you’ll call early so you won’t have to scramble when the time comes.
If you’re in the Atlanta, Tampa, or St. Petersburg, The Pink Plumber is your premier provider of both every-day and emergency plumbing services. Just give us a call with any plumbing problem and we’ll make sure to provide the solution. Congratulations on your new home!
