Despite the difficulty of moving into a new apartment or house, performing several checks will help you decide whether it’s a good fit. A few key signs can tell you if a house is ready to move in or needs some work, even if you aren’t a whiz at plumbing. The team over at OneStop Plumbers guided me through what I should know regarding plumbing in my house to prevent expensive breaks. Here’s what I learned:
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Where Is the Main Valve?
It is impossible to predict when something might break, and you will have to shut everything down. When moving into a new house, you first look for the main water valve. In most homes, they are located outside, while in apartments, they are hidden because of the lack of direct access. It is also necessary to know the location of the sewer access points whenever you decide to perform occasional maintenance.
Avoid Clogs
Flushing anything that comes to mind down the toilet will sooner rather than later create many issues you could have easily avoided. If you do this, you may end up clogging your toilet more frequently. This is because a toilet can only handle a limited number of objects, and if you discard anything, you might cause more harm than good. To ensure safety, flush only toilet paper and don’t flush cotton wool, wet wipes, organic waste, butts, or anything unconventional.
The same rules apply to the kitchen sink. If you like to fill your sink with dirty dishes or throw stuff in there instead of the trash can, you should always keep in mind that your sink can’t swallow everything you throw at it. Coffee grounds, grease, and peels from fruit and vegetables should never be poured down the drain because they clog up the pipes. Despite the fact that it’s impossible to completely prevent clogs from the sink, you can, at least, do your utmost to ensure it works efficiently.
Read also: A Guide to Improving the Quality of Life by Using Professional Cleaning Services
Leaks Won’t Go Away Themselves
Despite their annoying nature, ignoring them can cost you a lot of money. The best course of action is not to turn your back on them. It appears that an expert needs to be consulted to fix the problem. An estimated 10 gallons of water can be wasted each day by a leaky sink, essentially pouring money down the drain. There are plenty of signs that there is water flowing elsewhere on walls, such as big water stains. Eventually, these leaks create a humid environment where mold can flourish. A moldy smell can sometimes indicate a leak.
Get Plumber’s Tape
Joints can be sealed with Teflon tape to prevent leaks. This is where the tape comes in handy, as it ensures that your joints function as intended by preventing excessive pressure on them. You should be able to get the job done by wrapping the threads three times.
Water is Tricky
Despite your best efforts, even the smallest openings can be penetrated by water, causing trouble in the future. It may take some time for leaks to become apparent. For this reason, you should perform a thorough inspection after a job is completed, even after a plumber has been there. If water drips after you close the main valve, the issue may not have been resolved, or it may have been exacerbated.
Quick reaction is what matters in these situations. If you don’t feel confident to handle plumbing issues alone, you should schedule a plumber visit and let them do a thorough checkup.
