Whether it’s a clogged pipe, a broken dishwasher, or persistently low water pressure, having to call a plumber to fix an issue in your home is never ideal. But did you know that many common plumbing problems homeowners face are easily preventable? That’s why our experts at Evergreen Home Buyers have compiled a list of 5 tips to help prevent plumbing problems to keep the water flowing properly and the house calls to a minimum.

1. Monitor What You Flush
Most people know it’s important to monitor what you flush, yet it’s still one of the most frequently reported plumbing problems. Therefore, our first tip is to remind everyone in your home about what should and should not be flushed. The only thing that should be flushed is toilet paper and excrement, while the list of what shouldn’t be flushed includes stuff like tissues, paper towel, wipes, tampons, medications, dental floss, cotton swabs, and diapers.

2. Keep Grease Away from the Drain
One of the leading causes of clogged drains is grease. Although it may be tempting to pour grease down the drain, you’ll want to keep grease away from the drain as much as possible because it will stick to your pipes like glue. When this happens, it will not only catch food particles, making it an even more significant issue, but it can constrict your pipes, meaning you’ll end up with a restricted water flow and heightened water pressure. You may consider using an old jar to let the grease solidify before disposing of it properly.

3. Be Careful with DIY Plumbing Cleaners
Most people don’t realize that DIY plumbing cleaners can actually cause more harm than good in many cases. This is because the active ingredients can cause the pipes and fittings to break down over time, which is why you should always be careful with DIY plumbing cleaners. Instead, you may consider using a plunger, drain snake, or homemade concoction of baking soda and vinegar to clear the blockage.

4. Add Drain Screens
A simple, cost-effective solution to stopping larger particles from becoming trapped in your pipes is to add drain screens throughout your home. In the kitchen, they’ll catch food scraps like rice, pasta, and coffee beans, and in places like the shower, they’ll stop hair and other debris from entering your drain. Once you figure out what size of drain screen you need, they can easily be found at your local hardware (or dollar!) store.

5. Fix Minor Issues ASAP
Last but not least, if you find you have a minor plumbing problem, we recommend fixing it ASAP before it becomes a bigger issue. For example, if you notice a leaky pipe or a clogged drain, you’ll want to troubleshoot the problem to see if you can fix it before it expands to other parts of the system. Being proactive when things start to arise can save you money and headache down the line.

Final Thoughts
Nobody wants to deal with plumbing problems in their home, which is why prevention is always the best plan. However, issues may still arise from time to time that requires help from a trained professional. Suppose your home floods, for example, and you can’t cover the massive repair bill – what are you supposed to do now? Thankfully, there is an alternative option.

At Evergreen Home Buyers, we will purchase your home for cash AS IS, making the process entirely hands-off for you with no repairs, inspections, appraisals, or contingencies necessary. Plus, we can close in as little as two weeks! So, for a completely quick and painless way to sell your home for cash faster, visit www.selltoevergreenjax.com today.