5 Ways to Avoid A Major Plumbing Repair Down The Line

Some plumbing repairs can’t be avoided. Especially in Seattle where heavy rainfalls and tree roots can put a serious strain on sewer lines. Good news is, some plumbing repairs, however, can be avoided. At Price Busters Plumbing & Sewer, we want nothing more than for your home’s plumbing to run as smoothly as possible. We’ve put together five easy ways to avoid major plumbing repairs down the line.

Cut the Grease

Grease doesn’t belong in your sink. Over time, grease will build up in pipes, collecting other debris, and prevent water flow. Worst case scenario, grease will clog a sewer line causing a sewer back up. Rather than trying to flush grease down the drain, collect it in a jar or can. Added bonus: you can reuse grease for cooking.

Replace Rubber Hoses with Steel Braided Hoses

Your washing machine probably drains and fills through rubber hoses. Unfortunately, these hoses can break unexpectedly, pouring out up to 5 gallons of water per minute. If no one’s home when it happens, that could quickly become a plumbing emergency. Avoid catastrophe and replace those rubber hoses with stainless steel braided ones.

Be Kind to Your Toilet

Think of all your toilet does for you, the unique and special relationship you share. Show some love and be kind to your toilet!

No Bricks in the Tank

Displacing water in your toilet’s tank is a great way to cut down on water waste. However, if you’re going to do that, be sure to use a sealable, plastic bottle filled with gravel or sand. A brick will erode in the tank and can damage the hardware of your toilet leading to much bigger problems down the line.

Avoid Chemical Decloggers

Chemical de-cloggers and drain cleaners may clear your drain in a pinch, but they’ll corrode pipes and seals, which can lead to a serious plumbing emergency.

Enzyme Drain Cleaners

Enzymatic drain cleaners are a great preventative measure. Just like there are enzymes in your own digestive system that help break down food, enzymatic drain cleaners live in your drains and break down materials, which helps your plumbing run more smoothly.

Protect Your Drains

There’s no denying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Protecting your drains is the best way to protect the pipes and plumbing they feed into.

Drain Guards

Guard your drains with drain guards. You know what we’re talking about. Just a couple of dollars could save you hundreds in fixing drains clogged with all the nasty stuff that a drain guard catches.

Unflushables

Not everything is meant to go down the drain. In fact, most things are NOT meant to go down the drain. Those “flushable” baby wipes? Nope, don’t flush ‘em. Hair, floss, tampons, and condoms all belong in the trash, not your toilet.

How to Treat a Clog

If the tried and true methods—plunger, hot water, baking soda, and vinegar—haven’t worked for you, it’s time to call on your reliable Seattle plumber, Price Busters Plumbing & Sewer.

Clean Your Drains—Often!

Don’t let clogs happen to you. Clean your drains! Simply pouring a gallon of your hottest tap water down each of your drains will go a long way in preventing costly clogs from cluttering your plumbing! Enzyme Cleaners and other preventative fluids also help, just make sure to avoid chemical de-cloggers!

If you’ve done all you can and you have a clog you can’t beat, a running toilet that’s costing you sleep, or a serious plumbing emergency, call on Price Busters Plumbing & Sewer today!