Have you ever wondered whether you could do more to protect your pipes from cold weather? Perhaps you want to proactively monitor your plumbing system. No matter which angle you come from, knowing a few plumbing safety tips can protect you, your family, and your home from watery disasters.
Iron Mountain Plumbing’s trusted plumbers in Hurricane, Utah, know all about basic plumbing safety. We impart you with our industry knowledge below to help you take care of yourself and your plumbing system. Learn more about what you should keep on hand and habits you can pick up to maintain your pipes, appliances, and fixtures.
The Importance of Grasping Some Basic Safety Tips
Everyone deals with plumbing issues at some point in their lives. Plumbing has become an integral part of a comfortable modern lifestyle. However, it still causes occasional problems that many homeowners don’t know how to navigate.
Not knowing what to do in certain situations can endanger you. For example, many store-bought drain cleaning formulas contain chemicals that are actually too harsh for your plumbing system. Using them every time you have a small clog deteriorates your drains and pipes.
Many homeowners also don’t keep track of the state of their appliances. Water heaters, washing machines, and other items often show signs of wear and tear long before they cause problems. Self-inspections prevent unexpected inconveniences from throwing your life off track.
Plumbing Safety Tips To Protect Yourself, Your Home, and Your Family
This guide provides in-depth knowledge on basic plumbing to-dos you can easily perform to:
- Protect your plumbing system
- Avoid major repair and replacement services
- Quickly handle plumbing emergencies
- Adequately protect yourself during small tasks
It has lots of information. You can bookmark and refer back to it to ensure you have all your bases covered before embarking on your plumbing to-do list.
#1 Learn About Your Plumbing System
First, you should get to know your plumbing system. If you don’t know specific details, you won’t know how to respond in an emergency. Imagine coming home from work to a flooded interior. Your first action should involve cutting off the water supply.
Find the location for the supply valve to each plumbing appliance in your home. You should also determine where to find the main supply valve in case you need to cut the whole building’s water supply. Some other details plumbers recommend uncovering include:
- Your plumbing system’s age
- What type of plumbing system you have
- Your pipe network’s predominant material
- How to read your water meter
- What your insurance policy and warranties do and do not cover
Knowing this information helps you handle any plumbing issue appropriately.
#2 Self-Inspect Your Plumbing Monthly
Keep an eye on your plumbing system’s status. Doing so ensures you stay aware of any potential issues. An all-point inspection should include:
- Water heaters: Check your water heater tank for corroded areas. These rusty mottles will eventually thin, allowing the contents to leak.
- Dishwashers: Your dishwasher is a catchall for food residue. Your monthly inspection might lead you to clean the bottom area and use a dishwasher tablet to cleanse the inside.
- Washing machines: Make sure your washing machine stays snugly connected. Check the inside for mineral buildup. You can pour vinegar into the empty drum, run the smallest cycle, and thoroughly cleanse the appliance’s interior.
- Exposed pipes: The pipe networks beneath your sink and in your basement can help you gauge the state of the hidden network. Glance at these fittings during your inspection to determine whether you need preventative plumbing work.
- Drains: Use store-bought drain snakes and boiling water to flush out your drains monthly. This routine prevents buildup from transforming into considerable clogs.
#3 Have Basic Personal Protection Equipment on Hand
Even routine plumbing projects can expose you to various hazards. Some examples include:
- Drain cleaning: Drain clogs harbor bacteria and other pathogens. These microorganisms feast on the clog’s contents. If you loosen one without proper protection, you could breathe in the pathogens or suffer a different type of exposure.
- Appliance maintenance: Some appliances require chemicals that don’t mix well with your skin. The harsh formulas can cause rashes and other types of irritation.
- Leak mitigation: If you don’t know a leak’s source, you must use extreme caution when mitigating it. Some leaks involve black or gray water. Both types of wastewater carry contaminating particles.
Keep gloves, goggles, and a face mask on hand. Wear this equipment any time you inspect your system or clean an appliance.
#4 Have a Household Cold-Weather Protocol in Place
One of the most well-known and widely followed plumbing safety tips involves winter protection. You likely know some of the protective measures. However, the ideal cold-weather protocol is much more detailed:
- Pipe covers: Purchasing and applying pipe insulation provides one of the easiest safety precautions. You can shop for pipe sleeves and other coverings to wrap around your exposed pipes during each winter season.
- Indoor temperature: Maintain a temperature of at least 55 degrees at all times. Some people make the mistake of turning off their heat when they go out of town. However, the ambient temperature must stay at the recommended level to protect the pipes from freezing.
- Dripping water: If the weather forecast predicts temperatures below freezing at night, let the faucets slowly drip. The movement prevents the water from completely freezing.
- Running appliances at night: Try to save your laundry and dish loads for nighttime. Start the washing machine and dishwasher cycles just before you go to bed. The residual heat mitigates freezing concerns.
- Opening cabinet doors: Leave cabinets housing exposed plumbing open throughout the night. The heat in your home will raise the ambient temperature and prevent your pipes from freezing.
#5 Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
Drain cleaning formulas contain harsh chemicals that gradually erode your pipe materials. Try the following methods instead:
- Boiling water
- Plungers
- Drain snakes
- Baking soda and vinegar
- Dish soaps like Dawn
These household supplies typically do the trick. Only turn to chemical drain cleaners when the recommendations above don’t cut it.
#6 Know the Difference Between White, Gray, and Black Water
If you happen upon a flood in your home, don’t assume it contains fresh and clean water. The leak could come from a toilet or shower drain, leading to black or gray water contamination. Learn the differences among the different types of water:
- White water comes from your fresh water supplies and is safe to handle.
- Gray water comes from sink or tub drains. It may contain waste like body hair and food particles. Use caution when dealing with it.
- Black water contains raw sewage. It can make people nearby violently ill. Only professional plumbers and water restoration technicians should handle it.
#7 Don’t Ignore Odd Odors
Speaking of contaminated water, did you know bad odors could indicate an imposing water leak? The smells might originate from a cracked drain or toilet. When you notice foul odors in your kitchen or bathroom, contact a local plumbing business like Iron Mountain Plumbing immediately.
#8 Remember the Lifespan of Plumbing Components
Keep track of when you purchased and installed your appliances. All parts of your plumbing network have an expiration date. As they age, they need more consistent maintenance and frequent repair services.
Some major plumbing components you should remember include the following:
- Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines: These major appliances typically last between 10 and 15 years.
- Sewage and drainage lines: Replacement services are rare since these components last 50 to 100 years.
- Sink and tub faucets: Faucets and knobs can last up to 20 years when made of quality materials.
- Plumbing pipes: Your pipes’ life expectancy depends on the material. PVC might last up to 50 years, while metal boasts a service life of up to 100 years.
#9 Take Advantage of Annual Maintenance Services
While we’re on the subject of plumbing lifespans, consider adding annual maintenance services to your to-do list. Professional plumbing maintenance can extend the service life of all plumbing components. A plumber will carefully inspect all aspects of your system.
Then, they’ll report their findings and help you find the best approach to potential problems. Catching issues early on is among the best plumbing safety tips.
#10 Don’t DIYCall a Pro Plumber
Finally, when you uncover a problem during an inspection, immediately contact your local plumber. DIY plumbing repairs cause issues like:
- Nullified warranties
- Insurance claim denials
- Shortened appliance lifespan
- More significant issues than you started with
- Unnoticed problems that crop up later
Only certified plumbers have the tools, protective equipment, and skills needed to tackle plumbing repair and replacement services.
Iron Mountain Plumbing Helps You Stay Safe With Professional Plumbing Services
Did our plumbing safety tips help you out? We can also advise you on other pertinent subjects like detecting underfloor plumbing leaks. At Iron Mountain Plumbing, we keep our customers in St. George, Utah, and surrounding neighborhoods informed.
Call 435-422-4667 or reach out online to schedule our plumbing services. Our team is ready to tackle any plumbing issue you throw at us.