The plumbing system in your home plays an important role in your daily routine—from cooking and washing dishes to doing laundry and taking showers. If it fails, your household can quickly fall into dysfunction. As such, you may be tempted to fix the problem on your own, but calling a licensed plumber for repairs is almost always the better option. Below are a few things you should refrain from doing to keep your plumbing functional and efficient and prevent issues altogether.

What You Shouldn’t Do With Your Plumbing

1. Carelessly Throw Things Down the Drain

Avoid clogged and slow-flowing drains by watching what goes down them, wherever they are located. Keep out fibrous food scraps and grease from the kitchen sink and remove loose hairs from bathroom drains. Aside from toilet paper and dissolvable waste, avoid flushing wipes, diapers, and feminine products down the toilet to keep your pipes flowing smoothly.

2. Keep the Water Flowing

Turn off the water valve immediately if you notice leaks or suspect burst pipes. Find the main water valve to stop the flow to prevent further damage to your home, especially if you’re unsure of the extent and exact location of the leak. Most main valves are near water meters, but if in doubt, have the plumber show you its location.

3. Fix the Problem

Leave the fixing to the professionals to prevent issues from turning into costly, extensive repairs. A licensed plumber can get the job done faster since they have the experience, tools, and training to do so. Avoid reaching for chemical drain cleaners as they can corrode pipes and harm your septic system.

4. Ignore the Red Flags

At the first signs of plumbing issues, such as puddles of water, clogged drains, or unusual odors, have a plumber take a look at your system. The same goes when you smell gas inside your home. Neglecting to address minor breakdowns often leads to bigger, costlier, and even hazardous problems down the road.   

5. Forego Maintenance

Prolong the life of your plumbing system by having it maintained regularly and inspected frequently. Routine upkeep ensures that your pipes and sewage system are free from any issues since these can be fixed early on to avoid sudden breakdowns.

Avoid doing these things to keep your plumbing system in excellent working condition. For emergency plumbing repairs, count on the reliable plumbers at Diamond Head Plumbing. Their team of professionals has been providing outstanding plumbing services to residents of Oahu for more than 40 years. To schedule a visit with Hawaii’s best, call (808) 734-4344 or send them a message online for service.