Tips for Keeping Your Pipes Running
With COVID-19 making social distancing the new norm, many handymen and tradesmen are not able to come out and help people with their plumbing issues. This is a time when we all can benefit from learning to be more self-sufficient and taking household matters into our own hands so they don’t become major issues.
Here are a few easy plumbing tips to help you maintain your plumbing system and get through the quarantine with little or no professional upkeep.
Only Flush Waste and Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is a hot commodity these days which means many people are using less of it as a conservation measure. This is a beneficial habit to get into, not only for the rate in which you have to buy toilet paper, but also for the longevity of your plumbing system.
Remember that only toilet paper and liquid and solid waste should ever be flushed down your toilet. This means never flush paper towels even if you run out of toilet paper and have to use paper towels instead! Even if disposable wipes say they are flushable on the packaging, place them in the trash bin instead to avoid plumbing problems.
Address Clogs Early
Clogs are among the most common reasons that people call plumbers out to their homes, but clogs are also something that you can often handle by yourself. Keep a plunger by the toilet to push down clogs, and avoid using harsh chemical drain cleaners on fully clogged drains because they will do little more than ruin the surface of your tub or sink. Shower heads often become clogged due to hard water build-up, so you may want to install a water softener to prevent this issue, as well as that annoying residue on your shower doors.
Watch What You Put Down the Garbage Disposal
Just like toilets, garbage disposals are not catch-alls for household waste and should be treated gently to avoid having to call a plumber out to your home. Starchy foods, for example, don’t do well in garbage disposals and can stick to the drain line walls to cause clogs.
Also, avoid putting fibrous foods, such as asparagus and corn husks, down garbage disposals, as well as hard foods like bones and eggshells. If your garbage disposal is broken or not working well, this might be a good time to buy and learn to install a new one yourself since there are likely more household members at home now eating meals and snacks all day.
Where to Shop for Plumbing Supplies Right Now
During these challenging times, Central Plumbing Specialties is still your local go-to source for plumbing supplies. We have reduced some of our showroom hours but are still operating our supply counters during normal business hours, while taking the utmost care to monitor our employees’ health and increase our cleaning frequency. Even now, we can help you be more self-sufficient and take a DIY approach to plumbing, heating, emergency preparedness, and fixture installation.
Please contact our location nearest you to confirm current hours or to ask any questions about our products and services.