Being a new homeowner can be stressful and exciting all at the same time. There are endless odds and ends to take care of to ensure your homeowning experience is a success. It is important to have a set of plumbing skills available just in case, so here are 5 essential plumbing tips we recommend for new homeowners:
- Get a plumbing inspection.
Normally, a house has to get an inspection before it is sold. However, the inspection is usually more general and not carried out by a specialist. When a specialist does the inspection, they will check sinks, toilets, pipes, bathtubs, and lines in a detailed, in-depth manner. Their focus will be on structures both inside and outside the home. Prevention is always better (and less costly) than having to deal with a problem down the road, so get this inspection sooner rather than later.
- Know where your main water shut-off valve is located.
Your main water shut-off valve is responsible for controlling the water supply throughout your entire home. It is vital to know where it’s located so that you can turn your water off and on as needed— especially in the event of an emergency. The shut-off valve could be located in a number of places. The most likely places to find it are in the basement, on a wall outside, under the sink, or in a crawlspace.
- Be careful about what you put in the kitchen sink.
If your kitchen sink is filled with too many things that don’t belong, eventually they will build up and cause it to clog. Rather than deal with the clog, take steps to keep the drain unclogged in the first place. Some things you should avoid putting in the drain are coffee grounds, grease and oil, any type of fat, stickers, fruit pits, eggshells, flour, or paint. If you’re in doubt, never put it in the sink.
- Learn how to clear a drain.
A clogged drain is an issue every homeowner will likely have to deal with at some point or another, so you should learn how to clear it yourself. Although there are chemicals that can be used, sometimes they only make the problem worse and damage the pipes in the process. Many clogs can be cleared by using a plunger, so keep one handy. Other methods are boiling hot water, vinegar and baking soda, or a drain snake.
- Protect pipes in the winter.
When temperatures drop below freezing, it puts your pipes at risk of freezing too. To prevent this from happening, leave your heat on, even if at a lower setting. Open all of your cabinets, let your faucets drip slightly, and keep your garage door closed.
J Griffin Heating and Plumbing is a family-owned and operated company in Massachusetts with over 30 years of experience in the field. We serve the Greater Boston area and specialize in high efficiency boilers, water heaters, and standard boilers, among many other services. To contact us, call (781)-520-1212 or visit our Facebook page using this link: https://www.facebook.com/JGriffinHeatingandPlumbing/
