One of the perks that our Diamond Club members enjoy is annual plumbing services and repairs — but plumbing systems can benefit from preventative maintenance throughout the year.
That's why we've created a little to-do list that will help you keep your toilets, drains, garbage disposal, pipes, and washing machine running at peak performance all year long.
Put on your rubber gloves, and let's go!
Avoid plumbing disasters with these easy maintenance tips:
- Regularly clean your toilet. A clean toilet means you won't have any buildup around the jets, allowing your toilet can flush at full power. When cleaning, make sure you use an actual toilet brush to get a deep clean, and don't just rely on toilet cleaning tablets (which are actually really bad for your toilet). Also, remember your toilet is not a trash can; the only things you should be flushing are your "business" and toilet paper.
- Invest in a good plunger and learn how to use it. Let's say you're a few weeks behind on your toilet cleaning, or you flushed something you shouldn't have, and you're experiencing a flush-gone-wrong... Before you find yourself in the moment when water is rising in your clogged toilet, it's good to know that not all plungers are created equal. Funnel-cup plungers are the best; they’re the ones with the extra bit that extends from the bottom of the rubber cup. To get the best plunge, run your plunger under hot water before using it so it won't be so stiff and can better seal over the exit hole. Once you have a good seal, give a few good plunges and see if the water clears. If it clears, you're good; if it doesn't, just keep plunging.
- Never use chemical drain cleaner. That is, unless you want to damage your pipes. Chemical drain cleaners don’t really remove clogs as much as they just push them farther back and prolong the inevitable, introduce caustic chemicals to your pipes, and harm your plumber once they're called in. If you're having a drain problem you don't need anything more than a plunger, a drain snake, or a professional plumber.
- Use cold water with your garbage disposal. The cold water will keep your blades as sharp as possible which will allow your garbage disposal to work at maximum efficiency. But remember, even when working exactly as it should, your garbage disposal wasn't built to handle anything stringy, sharp, or tough, or any non-food items. Save these items for your compost, recycling bin, or trash can.
- Prep your pipes for winter. There's nothing like a busted pipe to really put a damper on things. When the cold weather hits, make sure your pipes are insulated, you keep your faucets running, you drain any pipe or hose that isn't absolutely necessary, cover exposed pipes, and allow heat to reach pipes whenever possible. You can learn more about each of these techniques in detail here!
- Keep an eye on your washing machine supply hose. When a hose is less than an inch wide but can dispense water at about 650 gallons per hour, it can only last so long. Make a habit of turning the hose off between washes, or, at the very least, when you go out of town and leave your home for long periods of time. Every time you go to turn it off, take a quick glance at the hose to make sure it doesn't have any bubbles and isn't damaged or leaking. You can learn more about the importance of checking your washing machine supply hose here!
When it comes to maintaining your plumbing, a little effort goes a long way. And remember, you don't have to do it alone! As a member of our Diamond Club you'll get a yearly plumbing checkup that will allow professionals to find and fix tiny problems before they become big, expensive disasters! So what are you waiting for? Give us a call at (864) 242-5511 or schedule service online today and be on your way to healthy plumbing! 
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