DIY Plumbing Tips

DIY Plumbing Tips

On an average day, the water and sewer pipes in your home don’t get much of your attention until something bad happens.  However, if you give your plumbing some attention from time to time it can increase the lifespan, prevent leaks, and prevent clogging as well as expensive repairs.  Here are a few DIY plumbing tips that will help keep the pipes in your home healthy.
Avoid chemical Drain-Clearing Products
Of all the plumbing problems you can experience, clogged drains are one of the most common.  The first idea you have, if it isn’t to plunge the drain, is to grab your favorite brand of chemical drain cleaner.  The problem with this is, chemical drain cleaners can actually cause more harm than good.  Find out more reasons not to use chemical drain cleaners on our other blog post.
Go Here For An All-Natural, Safe Drain Cleaning Alternative
Besides damaging pipes and their high toxicity levels, chemical drain cleaners may not even work!  they typically don’t remove the entire clog, which means the problem is more likely to occur again, bringing you to use the drain cleaner again.  It’s a vicious cycle and eventually, you could get leaks due to the chemicals eating away at your pipes each time.
The solution?  Give our plumbers a call at Lapin Services who can come and snake your plumbing lines, freeing any clogs you may have.  If you want to give it a shot first, go ahead and buy a snake of your own at your local hardware store and try clearing the drain yourself.
Prevent Clogging

Drain Clog with hair

Drain Clog


Clogs are not only one of the most common plumbing problems, it can also put added stress to your wastepipes and cause serious damage.  Clogs are also easily preventable.  You just have to watch what you’re putting down your drain.
Follow This Quick Guide On What Not To Put Down Your Drains

  • Keep food scraps out of the kitchen drains, hair out of bathroom drains, and anything but sewage and toilet paper out of the toilets.
  • Be sure to scrape your plates into the trash before washing the dishes.  Even though you have a garbage disposal installed, there are many foods that can damage both your garbage disposal and your septic system.
  • Install screens in your showers and tubs to prevent hair from going down the drains.  Also, try removing hair from your drains every few weeks to prevent buildups and clogging.
  • Never, and we repeat, NEVER, pour grease down your kitchen sink.  Instead, put it into a sealable container and dispose of it in the trash after it cools.  When grease cools, it solidifies.  Think of grease in your drains as a clogged artery.  Pour enough grease down the drain and it will clog up your pipes causing them not to work anymore.

Keep Sewer Lines or Septic Tanks Clear
If your home is on city sewer, have a plumber snake your main sewage cleanout every few years.  Doing this will also let you know if you’re having root systems working their way through your plumbing, which inevitably happens.  Our plumbers at Lapin Services can inspect your plumbing, clear any obstructions, as well as remove root systems.
If you happen to have a septic system, be sure to have your septic tank pumped every three to five years.  This will ensure you maintain a healthy septic system while preventing overloading your septic tank and drain field.
A Few More Quick Tips:

  • Always know where your main water shut-off valve is.  If there is ever a leak, you can quickly turn off water to your home while you wait on one of our plumbers
  • Never use exposed pipes to hang laundry or other items.  This can loosen joints and fasteners over time
  • If you have a problem, get it fixed immediately!  There is no need to wait on fixing a plumbing problem no matter how small it may seem.  Often times, it’s the smallest of problems that can spiral out of control and cause the most expensive damages later on

If you ever have questions, need service or repairs, don’t hesitate to give one of our techs at Lapin Services a call.  We’re here to help you every step of the way.  No job is too small or too big.

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