The best course of action for dealing with
bathroom plumbing problems is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. This may not always be possible. As an example perhaps you have older pipes that have corroded over the years, and then eventually they spring a leak. That being said, there are things that you can do to protect your bathroom plumbing and prevent certain problems from occurring.
Hard Water Issues:
This is top of the list for a very good reason; hard water is a major cause of compromise for the integrity of your plumbing. Hard water occurs, because of a large quantity of dissolved minerals in your water supply. The most common minerals are magnesium and calcium. They are not unhealthy or unsafe, but they can cause other problems. Hard water issues are typically addressed with a water softener that’s easy to install and cheaper to maintain than the alternative. All of your pipes, plumbing fixtures and water using appliances, can be affected by hard water. The pipes can be corroded, causing leaks to occur and clogs can form over time. This can lead to expensive plumbing repairs and premature equipment replacement.
Keep an Eye on Hair Buildup:
The average human sheds a lot of hair during the course of a
morning shower. The amount of hair we can shed is most noticeable when you brush your hair over the sink. Now imagine that hair sliding into the drain and becoming a tangled clog over time. The hair clog will trap soap scum and minerals, making it larger and harder to shift. This can be easily fixed by adding a drain cover to prevent the hair from entering the drain.
Be Careful About Your Toilet Flush:
Many people have nightmares about overflowing toilets, and this can be a serious problem. These days, we have wipes that are labeled as flushable, children may try to flush toys, and some people even try to flush away bathroom waste. Over time, these materials can easily form into clogs that will eventually lead to a toilet overflow. Taking care about what is flushed down your toilet is the best way to prevent an overflowing toilet. Only paper waste should be flushed, and all other waste should be disposed of separately. Also, children should be dissuaded from taking small items and toys into the bathroom when they need to go.
Carry Out Simple Plumbing Maintenance:
If you have a simple plumbing problem, don’t be afraid to have a go at fixing it yourself. Just be sensible, there is a world of difference between removing a small clog with a plunger and trying to remove a large, stubborn blockage. Many homeowners, resort to using store bought chemical cleaners to clear a clog, but this can damage the pipes and even create a larger clog that will need to be dealt with later. In these cases, it’s a good idea to call a
professional plumber; they have the experience and specialized equipment to clear the blockage safely without causing additional damage.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
