When it comes to New Years Resolutions, the standard rules apply: make bold declarations to lose weight or quit smoking or be nicer to people or spend less money. Raise your hand if you start out strong but that determination peters out by the end of January. You know what they say about good intentions.
While you’re vowing not to eat chocolate or hit the gym at least three times a week (to work out and not just take advantage of the juice bar), this year, we also encourage you to think about another system that needs a lot of TLC to stay in good working order – your plumbing system.
If you falter at all others, get in good habits and take these few resolutions to heart to nip potential plumbing problems in the bud.
I won’t put vegetable peels, grease or meat into the garbage disposal. Though your disposal is made of pretty sturdy stuff, having to regularly break down peels, grease and meat can wear down blades and clog the system. A safer bet is to toss food waste into the green bin or compost.
I will flush nothing but toilet paper and waste. Just because a product is marketed as “flushable,” does not mean that it will break down as it makes its way through your pipes and into the sewer system. This goes for those paper towels, wipes, chemicals, and even cat litter.
I will only use eco-friendly and safe drain cleaners. Harsh chemicals can do a number on your pipes, but they’re also bad for the environment.
I will take care of plumbing leaks immediately. Not only are little leaks annoying, they can be the cause or symptom of a major problem down the road. If left unchecked, a leak can cause structural damage or lead to the growth of toxic mould.
I will have my water heater checked regularly. The water heater is the heart of your home, and a true workhorse, providing hot water for showers and baths, and in some cases for heat. We rely heavily on hot water heaters, especially during the cold weather, and you should do regular maintenance checks at least once a season to ensure it’s working properly and to catch small problems before they become large, costly disasters.
I won’t wait until the last minute to call in a professional. Banging, hammering or weird bumps in the night, sinks that drain slowly, or water that isn’t as hot as it used to be (or comes out much too hot to handle) are all signs of a potential problem. Though you may be able to go a few hours or a day without bringing someone in, chances are, if left unchecked, these little annoyances will end up costing you a fortune when you have to call in emergency plumbing services.
I will call Haye’s Plumbing for all my bath renovation and plumbing needs.
From our family to yours, have a wonderful and safe Happy New Year! We look forward to serving you further in 2016.
