Improve the Water Usage and Quality in Your Home

Water is life, but we tend to take it for granted until something is off – or there is an emergency. It’s important to take care of your plumbing systems with regular maintenance, repairs, and habits to prevent any big problems or expensive damage. Stay informed and practice the following tips to keep your drains clear, your pipes in working order, and your water quality in great condition.

Drains

A clogged drain is annoying at least and can cause back-ups, water damage, and expensive repairs in the worst case. Being diligent with proper drain care goes a long way to prevent problems.

• Regularly clean sinks, tubs, showers, and other basins, plus the outside areas around exterior drains

• Only flush waste and toilet paper/tissues in the washroom

• Use a catcher in the shower to prevent hair and other debris from clogging tub drains

• Use a fine sieve catcher in the kitchen sink to stop most food debris from going down

• Don’t pour grease and fats down the drain

• Regularly flush all drains with boiling water from a kettle to move things along

• Don’t use harsh chemicals to unplug your drains – they’re bad for pipes and the environment

• Occasionally pour baking soda and vinegar down drains instead and flush with boiling water when finished

• Use a drain snake or plunger and call plumbing professionals when necessary

• If you’re really stuck or your drains are out of commission, call home drain repair services to fix things properly

Pipes

In the winter, pipes are in danger of freezing and if the water inside expands too much they could break or even burst, flooding your home and causing expensive and even dangerous water damage. To help take care of pipes and plumbing:

• Disconnect and drain sprinkler systems and hoses

• Keep pipes warm with insulation and also keep the rooms warm where they are located

• Have extra materials on hand plus plumbing tape

• Regularly check on your plumbing for any leaks and have plumbing professionals perform regular maintenance

• In the case of a rupture, know where your water shut-off valve is located, turn off the water, and call a 24/7 emergency plumber

• Stop leaks temporarily with tape or towels and use buckets until help arrives

• If you locate a frozen pipe that is still intact, try to warm it with a hair dryer and insulation and call a plumber. Be careful because it may already be broken and will start leaking once it’s thawed

• Don’t overheat pipes and do not use flames

Water

Water is best when it’s clean and the right temperature you need when you need it. Improve your water quality with these measures:

• Hire plumbing professionals to perform checks and preventative maintenance on plumbing, drains, and gas fittings

• Use cold water for drinking and cooking. There could be a build up of sediment and contaminants in your hot water tank. Have a plumbing professional regularly maintain your water heater

• Install a whole house water filter that will treat all the water coming into your home

• Regularly partially flush your water heater and occasionally fully flush it

• If water hasn’t been used in a few days, run the water for awhile to clear out the stale supply

• Drink water that has been filtered to improve the taste but regularly replace the filters that can collect bacteria

• Old plumbing could potentially contaminate your water with lead. Install copper pipes and lead-free fixtures

• If you use a faucet aerator, regularly clean and occasionally replace it as it can trap bacteria like a filter can