All homeowners know that plumbing challenges can become very frustrating, very quickly. And when ignored or mishandled, those problems can become very expensive. But unless you happen to be a plumber, you don’t know what you don’t know about plumbing until it is too late.
To help you avoid some of those costly and annoying mistakes, we are providing answers to some of the most common questions our customers ask us. We hope that these will help you make better choices regarding your home’s plumbing and when it is time to call in the pros.
Should I turn off the water when I am going on vacation?
Most homeowners will double and triple check the stove, coffee maker, and even the windows before heading out of town. But rarely do they think about turning off the water before a trip. By leaving the water turned on, you could return home to discover a burst pipe, overflowing toilet, or leaking pipe fitting. Also, you are going to find massive water damage and possibly even toxic black mold. All of these issues are going to be very costly to repair.
By turning off the water to your home, you can rest assured that you will not return to any of these unpleasant surprises. However, you should think about a few items before turning off the water and locking the front door. If you have a sprinkler system, be sure that you turn off the water to the inside of your home only. The same concern holds true if you have an in-ground swimming pool with an auto-fill. If you are not sure how these items are plumbed, then call (214) 388-8838, and a Flow Plumbing Pro will visit your home and determine how each item is plumbed.
What Is Safe To Put In My Garbage Disposal?
Garbage disposals are known for becoming clogged and creating a nasty mess in your kitchen sink. But in almost every case, the issue is not the fault of your disposal. Instead, there is an item in it that is to blame. The list of things to avoid is shorter than the list of things that a disposal can handle. The off-limits list includes:
- Eggshells
- Coffee Grounds
- Plastic Products
- Paper Products
- Animal Bones And Fat
- Grease
- Oil
- Dry Rice Or Pasta
- Bread
Can I Use A Chemical Drain Cleaner When My Drains Clear Slowly?
Drain cleaners claim that they are the DIY solution to any issue related to slow clearing drains or drain clogs. But the truth is that chemical drain cleaners do not do the job that they claim to accomplish for an investment of only a few dollars. Instead, they fill your home with toxic chemical fumes and might even eat away your drain pipes. But what they are not doing is removing any stubborn clogs. These chemicals create heat in an attempt to dissolve clogs. But in almost every case, they do little or nothing to remove the clog while substantially reducing the life of your drain pipes.
The most reliable and safe solution to remove a clog or partial drain blockage is a professional drain cleaning. We use only very high-pressure water to blast away clogs, partial blockages, and the residue that causes future clogs. And we even guarantee our drain cleanings.
Why Do I Never Have Enough Hot Water?
There are many reasons you might be frustrated with the amount of hot water in your home. The first is that your water heater is not large enough to meet your needs. You could manage this problem by not showering when other appliances are using hot water. Or you can call (214) 388-8838 for a free price quote for a new, larger water heater installation.
Another possibility is that your water heater is not operating at its peak. This could be due to sediment in the tank working as an insulator and inhibiting the healing process. If you have not drained and flushed your water heater in the last 12 months, that could solve the issue. Or the unit could be wearing out and need to be replaced. For a free quote for any required repairs, call in the pros you can trust at Flow Plumbing.
