Plumbing problems always appear when you least expect them. When the faucet starts dripping or you experience low pressure in the shower then you know it’s time to contact a plumber. Calling a professional is always the best solution because they can use the proper tools and experience to quickly fix all your plumbing issues. Still, there are a few ways to reduce frequent issues by changing some of your habits. OneStop Plumbers helped me better understand how to prevent plumbing problems:

Your toilet is not the ultimate black hole that can suck into oblivion anything you imagine. The less you consider what you flush the sooner you will have to deal with a clogged toilet on a Sunday morning. Ideally, you only want to flush toilet paper, but in practice, people use the toilet as alternative trash disposal which brings more problems than solutions. Don’t flush wipes, instead, designate a bin next to the toilet and use it to dispose of waste.

You should avoid flushing sanitary products that absorb liquid, these will quickly pile up and create barricades that you would have to unclog eventually.

The same goes with your sink. Avoid pouring grease and oil down the sink as they will only mess with the plumbing and create a membrane that will clog the plumbing and even cause a burst under pressure. Instead, wipe the dishes with a piece of paper to ensure there’s the least amount of grease remaining, then wash them in the sink.

Hair can cause a lot of trouble if you don’t clean up after a shower. If you notice flooding during a shower then it’s probably caused by hair. You can put a cover on the drain to prevent the hair, or other debris from ending up in the pipes, or use baking soda and regularly flush the plughole.

It is always good to be able to recognize a potential problem and what might be causing it. Then you can DIY fix it or call a plumber and explain precisely what is going on. 

If you notice puddles near appliances that frequently use water or around areas like toilets, showers, or kitchen sinks, then you are probably dealing with a leak. If those leaks are left unattended, or you don’t notice them quickly enough, mold can form too.

If your sink is taking a lot of time to process the water through the drain, and you already used a few chemicals to disintegrate the clog in the plumbing, then it’s time to contact a plumber.

A bad smell coming from the kitchen sink or shower is an indicator that there is a problem that shouldn’t be ignored.

You should never ignore even the smallest of leaks because they are a sign of a major problem to come. Slow dripping water from your sink in intervals seems like something that will go away eventually, but in reality, the amount of water you waste will reflect on your next bill. The moment you notice a leak you should contact a plumber and get it fixed. Wasting water is in no one’s best interest. Leaks can be difficult to detect, but you can use a water meter and check readings regularly or compare bills from the past 4-5 months.

If you feel you lack the knowledge and confidence to mess with the plumbing then you need to contact a professional. You don’t want to risk making a bigger problem than it already is.