Unblocking the toilet

Unblocking the toilet

4 Top Plumbing Maintenance Tips

by Nicholas Chambers

Your home's plumbing system performs a vital role: supplying you with clean water and taking away your waste. To prevent problems from arising with your plumbing, you need to carry out some simple maintenance tasks. Here are a few plumbing maintenance tips that can help you to avoid needing to call out an emergency plumber.

1. Flush Only Ps

The only things that should ever be flushed down a toilet are the three Ps: poop, pee, and toilet paper. Do not flush other objects, such as wipes or sanitary products. Even if the packaging says that the wipes are flushable, there is no guarantee that your plumbing can stand up to the task of processing them. Stay safe by disposing of everything other than toilet paper and human waste in a garbage can.

2. Use Drain Covers

Drain covers cost very little and could be all that stands between you and a very large plumbing bill. By simply placing a mesh cover in every sink and shower stall in your home, you can prevent hair, scraps of food, and much-loved personal possessions from falling into the drain. When the drain cover starts to become clogged with debris, simply lift it out and empty it, and you can rest easy knowing that all that hair or food waste isn't clogging up your pipes.

3. Don't Ignore Slow Drains

If your drains start to act sluggishly, then you need to take action now to prevent them from becoming completely blocked. Sometimes, you can clear a clog by using a drain snake tool to physically remove whatever is blocking the pipe. In other situations, a simple homemade mixture of vinegar and hot water can help to flush out any debris and restore your drain to full speed. If your drains are still stubbornly slow after trying these tips, you can also contact a local plumbing service to schedule a professional drain clean, which should flush out your pipes and prevent any blockages from building up.

4. Clean Your Shower Head

Many people assume that their water pressure has dropped because their shower becomes dribbly, when in fact the problem lies in the shower head. Every so often, you should detach the shower head, soak it in hot water and vinegar, and gently scrub around the nozzles with an old toothbrush to remove sediment. This simple cleaning trick can make your shower feel much more powerful, without you needing to adjust your water pressure at all.


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About Me

Unblocking the toilet

If I didn't know better, I'd think my toddler started each day with a challenge to throw something new and different down the toilet. He has managed to put nearly anything can imagine down the toilet. I have gotten pretty good at figuring out what has gone missing down the loo and whether it's something I can fix or something that I need to call the plumber to help me fix it. This blog is for other mums of toddlers who need to get toys out of the toilet and get the toilet back to working condition as soon as possible!