Having a professional plumber regularly inspect and maintain your home’s plumbing system is one of the best ways to prevent major problems. Routine drain cleaning, sewer and gas line inspections, and other types of plumbing system maintenance allow your plumber to address minor issues and identify areas of concern before they have a chance of developing into full-blown emergencies.

If you have a leaky faucet or a slow-draining kitchen sink, it’s better to call a plumber right away than wait until the problem gets worse. Minor plumbing issues can usually be effectively addressed with relatively simple repairs, but bigger problems will almost certainly require far more time-consuming and costly service. The sooner you take care of reoccurring problems, the less chance you have of facing a serious issue.

Clogged drains and pipes are some of the most common plumbing problems we see at Robison. The best way to prevent clogs is to use a physical barrier to stop debris from getting into the drains and pipes. Mesh drain screens are affordable and easy to install. Best of all, they are highly effective at preventing hair and other debris from clogging pipes and drains.

Garbage disposals are designed to chop up certain organic materials to prevent kitchen sink clogs. However, you should avoid putting unnecessary strain on your garbage disposal by collecting most food debris and putting it in your garbage can or compost. You should also never put any unapproved item through the garbage disposal, such as starchy food scraps, bones, plastic, and other non-organic material.

You should never flush anything down the toilet other than waste and toilet paper. Excessive amounts of toilet paper, as well as unapproved items like tampons, can cause clogs. Never flush things like cotton balls, dental floss, or hair down the toilet, and take care to prevent other items from falling in, as they could be accidentally flushed. If you have children, make sure they don’t drop toys or other items into the toilet.

You should know and keep an eye out for the signs of a water or gas leak. For water leaks, look for unexplained damp areas, sounds of running water, foul odors, cracked pavement or walls, overgrown lawns, and unexplained increases in your water bill. With a gas leak, you will likely smell an unpleasant, rotten egg-like odor and may hear a hissing sound. Leave the area immediately if you notice any signs of a gas leak.

If your home is very old, it may have outdated and/or damaged piping. It is a good idea to replace older or damaged pipes as soon as possible. Left untended, old or damaged pipes could burst, leak, or cause other serious problems. Some signs that you may need to replace your home’s piping include visible damage, signs of a water leak, frequent clogs, and the age of the materials.