As a homeowner, you’re responsible for your plumbing system. This means you should familiarize yourself with safe drain practices, maintenance, and how certain plumbing tools work in order to keep your entire system functional. To find out how you can keep your plumbing safe and ready-to-use, review the guide below to learn everything you should know about your system. 

A Guide to Your Plumbing System

1. Understand Your Shut-Off Valves

Shut-off valves are special valves designed to control the flow of water coming into your house to your shower, toilets, faucets, and washing machine. This water moves through your main water line, which is controlled by one convenient main water valve. If there is ever a serious leak or pressure issue in your home, turning the main valve off will prevent more water from flooding and damaging your home. This valve will be located in your basement or crawlspace, or along the side of your home. 

2. Know Your Unflushables

It’s important to know everything your drains and system can and can’t withstand. The list of unflushables is long, but a safe bet is that if a toilet wasn’t designed to accept it, it can’t be flushed. This includes "flushable" wipes, menstrual products, dental floss, paper towels, and medications. 

Also, be aware of your garbage disposal’s limitations. Grease and oils, coffee grounds, eggshells, pasta, and rice do not mix well with your septic system or municipal pipes and will stay in place even when tossed away. 

3. Regularly Clean Your Tub Drains

When a drain accepts too many objects and wastewater at one time, it will get clogged. This slows down your draining time and leaves you with foul, contaminated water. Getting your drains cleaned habitually will save you both time and money down the line. 

Drain cleaners can act as a quick, temporary fix, but they don’t solve the overall blockage problem. In some cases, a drain cleaner’s chemicals may be so corrosive that they damage your pipes and cause leaks. Smaller tools like drain snakes are safer but take much longer to use. Ask for help from a professional plumbing company when you need a thorough cleaning that will last you a long time. 

When you need assistance with a clogged drain or leaky pipe, ask for Drain Doctor in Levelland, TX. Servicing a full-30 mile radius around the city, these trained plumbing technicians help residential and commercial clients with water line repairs, water heater instillations, and blockage removals with top-of-the-line equipment. For more information and to schedule service, call (806) 894-3796.