1. How to Turn Off Your Water in an Emergency
The first plumbing tip is knowing where and how to shut off your home’s water supply can prevent major water damage. Locate the main shut-off valve, usually near the perimeter of your house, in the garage, or outside near the meter. Turn the valve clockwise to shut off the water supply. Everyone, from teenagers to adults, should know how to shut off the water in their homes.
2. How to Turn Off the Gas in an Emergency
A gas leak can be life-threatening. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the gas immediately at the main shut-off valve, usually located within your gas meter. Use an adjustable wrench to turn the valve a quarter turn until it is perpendicular to the pipe. Then, leave the house and call your gas company’s hotline. If you don’t know how to shut the gas line, then leave your home along with your family and pets and call 911.
3. Never Ignore Water Leaks
A small leak might seem insignificant, but over time, it can cause water damage, mold growth, and higher water bills. Regularly inspect under sinks, behind toilets, and around appliances for leaks. Even small leaks can waste hundreds of gallons of water and cause mold, rot, and structural damage over time. Signs of a hidden leak include:
- Higher-than-usual water bills
- Damp spots or discoloration on walls, ceilings, or floors
- The sound of running water when no fixtures are in use
- Musty odors or mold growth
- Fixing leaks promptly can prevent expensive repairs and save on water bills.
How to Locate a Water Leak:
If you suspect a leak but aren’t sure where it’s coming from, try these methods:
- Check your water meter – Turn off all water fixtures and appliances, then check your meter. If the flow meter dial is still moving, you likely have a leak.
- Use the dye test for toilets: Add food coloring to the toilet tank. If color appears in the bowl within 15 minutes, your toilet has a leak.
- Inspect under sinks and around appliances – Look for water stains or puddles around dishwashers, washing machines, and under sinks.
4. Use a Chemical Drain Cleaner
Have you heard all the horror stories about chemical drain cleaners? You’re not alone! Even plumbing professionals will spread the nonsense about drain cleaners. Even plumbing pros are not properly informed. Can you imagine that for over sixty years, products like Liquid Plumbr and Draino have been clearing minor bathroom drains? Have you ever met anyone who has had their drain pipes corrode because they used a drain cleaner? NO! They even go so far as to tell us it leads to expensive repairs.
News Flash! Don’t use baking soda and vinegar to clear minor clogs. Scientifically, it doesn’t work beyond the original fizz. Use a branded drain cleaner for minor bathroom clogs, but use it as directed. They work wonderfully; in fact, use them as maintenance to prevent bathroom clogs in the first place. You won’t be disappointed, and they won’t harm your pipes.
5. Plumbing Tips: Know What Not to Flush
Only toilet paper and human waste should go down the toilet. Avoid flushing wipes (even “flushable” ones), feminine hygiene products, paper towels, or grease, as they can cause serious clogs. Some of the best plumbing tips are the most unexpected.
7. Understand Water Pressure
Water pressure that’s too high can damage pipes, fixtures, and appliances. A safe water pressure range is 40–60 PSI. If your pressure is too high, installing a pressure regulator can help prevent plumbing issues. Constant pressure on your plumbing system due to high water pressure can cause water leaks and a shorter life span on your appliances.
8. Regularly Inspect Your Water Heater
Check your water heater’s temperature (it should be set to about 120°F), look for leaks or rust around the tank, and flush it once a year to remove sediment buildup, which can reduce efficiency and lifespan.
9. Plumbing Tips: Locate Your Sewer Cleanout
Every home has a sewer cleanout, which is an access point to clear major drain blockages. Knowing where it is can save time and money if you ever have a serious backup. Since plumbing issues rarely occur, sewer cleanouts tend to get buried over the years. When a blockage raises its ugly head, the plumber needs to access the cleanout and is left spending their time trying to locate it. This could cost homeowners significantly when searching for a cleanout.
10. Don’t always listen to the Internet For Plumbing Tips
As much as we may think the internet is always right, think again. For example, we have seen endless articles on sharpening the blades of your garbage disposal. Here is the problem: they don’t have blades; they have impellers to crush food. The internet will tell you to use vinegar and baking soda to clear a drain. However, vinegar and baking soda do not clear drains. So, please take advantage of our plumbing tips and save time and money.
When to Call a Plumber?
While a homeowner or DIY can handle some minor leaks or clogs, if you come across the following, call a plumber :
- You have a major water leak that’s causing damage.
- Water pressure drops suddenly and doesn’t recover.
- A drain is repeatedly clogging despite attempts to clear it.
- Your water heater leaks or isn’t providing hot water.
- There are signs of a slab leak, such as warm spots on the floor or cracks in walls.
If you come across any of the following, it’s time to call a plumber.
Maintaining Smooth Plumbing in Menifee and Sun City, CA.
Plumbing problems don’t have to be the homeowner’s worst nightmare—if you’re armed with the proper information. By knowing how to turn off your water and gas in an emergency, find leaks before damage has been incurred, and know when to call a professional, you can protect your home against costly repairs and unwanted headaches. Plumbing tips are useful, especially when something goes wrong and you put them to work.
With hot weather around the corner and a growing population, homeowners in Sun City and Menifee, CA, need to prioritize their plumbing maintenance. Whether it’s maintaining your water heaters or clearing clogged drains, a little bit goes a long way when it comes to preventative care. And when the job is too big to handle yourself, don’t hesitate to call a local plumber. Whether you need plumbing maintenance or a cleared drain, MVP Plumbers in Menifee, CA, have you covered your trust to ensure the plumbing in your home remains in good working order.
We saved the best plumbing tips for last: Remember that the best plumbing problems are the ones that never happen, so listen up and follow these suggestions. Your home will be grateful to you!
