Warrenville homeowners play a crucial role in the condition of their plumbing system. Negative habits could result in diminished functionality and costly repairs and replacements. Understanding what they are can help you make better decisions in the best interest of your home and system.
Putting the Wrong Items Down Your Kitchen Sink
Not everything can go down your kitchen sink. More often than not, items should go into trash cans instead. For example, coffee grounds, pet kibble, vegetable scraps, and cooked pasta should go in the garbage. This prevents clogs from forming or worsening, allowing water to flow freely without disruption.
Flushing Inappropriate Items
Urine, fecal matter, and toilet paper are the only three things that you should flush. Everything else, including feminine hygiene products, “flushable” wipes, cat litter, and paper towels, should go in the garbage. This can help prevent clogs, pipe cracks, and other potential issues.
Using Chemical Drain Cleaners
Homeowners may occasionally use chemical drain cleaners to eliminate clogs. However, there are many drain cleaner risks in IL homes. For example, they could potentially damage pipes, especially in older and/or vulnerable systems. Additionally, drain cleaners don’t typically work on major clogs, and any relief they provide is likely temporary.
Skipping Professional Plumbing Inspections
We recommend annual plumbing inspections to help keep your system in top shape. Fall is the ideal time, as we can prepare your pipes for the busy upcoming holiday season. Alternatively, spring is another good opportunity for our plumbers to assess your system’s condition after increased usage during winter. During the appointment, our plumbers will perform various tasks, including checking for leaks and inspecting your water heater. They’re highly skilled in spotting various types of damage and addressing it effectively.
Avoiding Self-Inspections
In addition to scheduling professional plumbing inspections, conducting regular self-inspections is crucial. This allows you to notice problems and contact us promptly before they worsen. We suggest regularly checking all aspects of your system, such as inspecting your P-traps for leaks and evaluating your water pressure.
Trying to Repair Plumbing Problems Yourself
Attempting to fix problems is one of the biggest DIY plumbing mistakes in Warrenville. Although homeowners have the best of intentions to save money, trying to repair plumbing issues could make them worse. For example, using a drain cleaner to eliminate a clog may lead to pipe corrosion. Our plumbers have extensive experience, providing effective solutions that restore your system to working order without causing further damage.
Not Scheduling Repairs Quickly
Once you become aware of an obvious issue, such as a leak, it’s essential to call us to schedule a repair. Plumbing problems don’t get better on their own. Delaying having them fixed only gives them time to get worse, which may mean they become more expensive to repair.
Ignoring Signs of Trouble
There are clear signs that may indicate you have a plumbing issue, even if you’re unsure what it could be. For example, slow-draining water, low water pressure, and inconsistent water temperatures are surefire warning signs. What starts as a seemingly minor issue may quickly develop into a severe one. Prompt attention from our expert plumbers is crucial.
Not Installing Smart Water Leak Detectors
Smart water leak detectors are devices that detect moisture in areas where there shouldn’t be, such as under your sinks. Once they detect water, they send an alert to your smartphone, notifying you of a problem so that you can address it. These devices are great to install throughout your home. However, they’re particularly useful in areas, such as guest bathrooms and utility rooms, that you don’t frequent often. They may help prevent severe problems, such as structural damage and mold growth, that can result from unaddressed moisture exposure. Since long-term leaks could skyrocket your utility bills, these devices can also keep your costs to a minimum.
Journeymen Plumbing has more than 15 years of industry experience, giving you peace of mind that we’ll handle your tasks correctly the first time. You’ll also receive professional plumbing advice in Warrenville, including what you can do differently to improve your system’s condition. You can count on our family-owned company for annual inspections, dependable repairs, and a comprehensive array of other plumbing services. Contact Journeymen Plumbing today to schedule an appointment.
