Responsible homeowners are always trying to stay ahead of the game when it comes to any type of issue their home may face. While a number of things can cause significant problems to their home, one area that homeowners often find terrifying is their bathroom plumbing.
While it may seem a bit extreme to think that bathroom plumbing could instill terror, you have to consider that if the plumbing in your bathroom were to go awry, you’re going to be dealing with water damage from overflows & flooding, back-ups or clogs in your drains, and even some less-than-savory issues with waste from your toilet.
Home improvement experts & new construction analysts often cite responses on surveys that specify a bathroom problem as being a homeowner’s worst nightmare. What seems to make the fear grow is the amount of information not known about bathroom plumbing, or any of the home’s plumbing. It’s hard to be proactive about something you just have no knowledge about. Or is it?
Even if you’re not a plumbing ace, you can still have an advantage of sorts when it comes to your bathroom plumbing. Just keep the following in mind:
Use A Hair Guard – It’s a simple product that blends in with your surroundings, but boy, does it make a difference! A hair guard does just what it says – it keeps hair from clogging up your drains. Make it a regular chore to clean it, though know that it’s going to be a little yucky.
Avoid Chemicals – The materials that comprise your plumbing (e.g., porcelain, PVC) are sensitive to chemical interactions. Avoid using chemical cleaners & clog treatments to reduce the chance of causing damage.
Your Toilet Isn’t A Waste Basket – Every plumber agrees that the only things that should ever go in a toilet are waste & toilet tissue. Anything else always has the chance to cause a major clog or even a back-up.
Be Mindful of Your Home’s Water Pressure – In the same way that you want to treat pipes and fixtures with care, you also don’t want to push them beyond their limits. This is where water pressure if vital. The recommended water pressure for a residence is usually between 25-75 PSI and certainly not over 80 PSI. If your home goes beyond the 80 PSI threshold, you’re putting too much pressure on every element of your home’s plumbing.
Ventilation is Important – Drains to your sink & bathtub need to be vented in order to perform at optimal operation. If they aren’t vented well enough, you can run into major issues such as a pervasive sewage smell. This smell is a health risk for everyone in your home. Moreover, even if you choose to ignore this element, you may find some serious pushback from a potential buyer if you want to sell your home in the future.
Bathroom plumbing isn’t rocket science, but if you’re still not quite comfortable enough to take a look around or even try working with it, do the responsible thing & call a trusted professional plumber.