Whether you own a house or you rent (and your landlord actually seems to be perfect) it’s worth knowing a few basics about your home’s plumbing. It sounds boring until it goes wrong, and then it’s an emergency. We’re sharing this because we just don’t want you to face any plumbing nightmares.
While sure, plumbing may not be glamorous, but it plays a big part in a stress-free home. Basically, nobody wants to start their morning brushing their teeth over a sink full of last night’s dishwater or discover the toilet only flushes if you whisper sweet nothings to it and jiggle the handle for 5 minutes. So, if you’re someone who thinks pipes are boring, just wait until they start misbehaving.
Here’s what you need to know about your home’s plumbing.
Check out more plumbing articles.
Locate the shutoff valve.
Okay, so if there is one plumbing thing every homeowner and tenant should know before settling in, it’s where the water shutoff valves are located. There’s usually a main shutoff for the home and individual ones under sinks and behind toilets. So, in an emergency, like a pipe bursting or a toilet that won’t stop running, being able to turn the water off quickly can save your floors, your furniture, your sanity, and—if you are renting—your security deposit.
Ask about these valves in your home’s plumbing during your walk-through. Future-you will be grateful that past-you took a few minutes for this. If you require help, don’t hesitate to contact a reputable local plumber like Craftsman Plumbing in Dallas to obtain professional help for every plumbing need. The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada also has a searchable database of local experienced plumbers called Plumbers 911.
Be gentle with the toilet.
Yeah, sure, toilets are strong, but they’re not superheroes. They can handle toilet paper and waste. That’s it. Actually, sometimes they can only handle so much of those. So, when it comes to “heavy duty” things like cotton balls, paper towels, tampons, wipes, dental floss, or any mystery substance you’re not sure about should go in the trash, well, the toilet can’t handle it. Shoving this stuff down can lead to plumbing nightmares.
Keep this in mind: just because something disappears when you flush doesn’t mean it isn’t creating chaos a few feet down the pipe.
And running toilets are another issue. If you hear water running long after you flush, it could be wasting gallons a day–talk about accumulating expensive plumbing nightmares. So, you could try gently adjusting the flapper chain inside the tank. Just don’t start a full repair mission unless you know what you’re doing. (If you rent, make sure to tell the property manager ASAP because you’re probably not allowed to DIY anything.)
Respect the drain.
You might have heard of those landlord or roommate horror stories about tenants being petty and pouring fat down the drain, right? Well, yeah, sometimes those stories are true. Actually, the fastest way to make enemies with a home’s plumbing is to treat the drains like garbage cans. It’s tempting to rinse food bits down the sink or flush wipes labeled “flushable,” but that kind of carelessness can lead to clogs, backups, and a bill you didn’t budget for.
But seriously, you absolutely need to not pouring grease down the sink to avoid plumbing nightmares. It cools, solidifies, and creates the plumbing equivalent of an artery blockage. (And if you any oil or grease does get down the sink, make sure to run cold water when you use the garbage disposal.)
Put food scraps in the trash or compost bin. Hair in the shower drain? Scoop it out. Yeah, sure, no one likes doing it, but it’s better than standing in ankle-deep water every time you bathe.
Don’t ignore a drip.
So many people, homeowners and renters, are guilty of this one. So, that tiny drip-drip-drip you hear from the kitchen or bath tap might not seem urgent, but it adds up. Beyond the annoyance, it can lead to higher water bills or even water damage if it goes on long enough. Well, by all means, you absolutely need to address it as soon as you notice it. Call a plumber or tell the landlord. Either way, don’t let a drip go unchecked.
Actually, the exact same goes for slow drains, too. So, if water starts pooling where it used to disappear in seconds, there’s likely a clog forming. Basically, the sooner it’s addressed, the less likely you’ll need to call in professional plumbers to snake the whole thing.
Garbage disposal isn’t a woodchipper.
Garbage disposals are a luxury, and yeah, what’s not to love about them? So, if your place comes with a garbage disposal, treat it with the respect it deserves. Basically, these things are great until they break, and they break fast if misused. A lot of people tend to misuse them, but you really should never put bones, coffee grounds, pasta, rice, eggshells, or stringy veggies like celery into the disposal.
Plus, you need to run cold water while using it, keep it clean, and when in doubt, just toss it in the trash or compost instead. It may feel like a shortcut during cleanup, but fixing a jammed disposal is no one’s idea of a fun afternoon.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
You have to ask questions and research the part’s of your home to avoid plumbing nightmares. And, honestly, what’s the harm in asking during a walkthrough of a new home or apartment? So, landlords and realtors sometimes assume you know how to care for a home. So, if you’re unsure how something works, ask before move-in. How do you clean that weird filter on the washing machine? Is the dishwasher safe for certain detergents? Does the hot water take 10 seconds or 10 minutes to kick in? Well, the more you know upfront, the smoother maintaining a home’s plumbing will be.
