Essential Plumbing Safety Tips to Protect Your Home and Family

Know your main water shut-off valve

The first step during any plumbing emergency is to shut off the water ASAP! But does everyone in your family know how?

Make sure everyone in your household knows where to find your main water shut-off valve; it’s generally located at the front of your property and will be covered by a council cover plate–just in case you’re unsure.

It does no damage to test it, so show your family where it is and how to operate it, so that in the event of a leak or burst pipe anyone can quickly shut off the water supply and prevent extensive and expensive damage and potential mould issues down the track.

Complete regular maintenance

Like every appliance in your home, your plumbing requires regular maintenance to ensure proper functionality. This includes DIY checks for damage around exposed pipes and clearing leaves out of your gutters, but also professional maintenance. 

Scheduling routine inspections with professional plumbers regularly can ensure that any wear and tear, corrosion or other damage can be caught quickly and repaired before turning into serious problems.

Know what to flush

If you want to keep your drains functioning properly then only flush flushable items! While it can be tempting to wash veggie peels or grease down your sink, flush those ‘flushable’ wet wipes down the toilet, or push your hair down the shower drain, this can lead to serious blockages.

None of these things break down or decompose, so instead they get caught in the pipes and sit there, leading to clogs and eventually–if not addressed–overflow or backups resulting in water damage.

To avoid these nightmares, use a strainer to catch food scraps for proper disposal and tip grease and oils into disposable containers and put them in your household bin. In the bathroom, make sure everyone is aware of what to flush and what not to (e.g. sanitary products, wipes and tissues) and remind them to collect their hair in the shower.

Be cautious of DIY repairs

While it can be tempting to attempt DIY plumbing repairs to save a buck, it’s not always a good idea. Fixing a leaky tap or unclogging a sink may seem simple, but without the proper skills and equipment, they can go south quickly.

The risks will often outweigh the rewards when it comes to DIY and if worse comes to worse it will generally end up costing you more in the long run in repairs.

If in doubt, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Professional plumbers have years of experience and all the right tools to tackle any plumbing tasks quickly, efficiently and safely.

Avoid chemicals

Every hardware store has a shelf stacked with chemical drain cleaners promising to clear your drains for a fraction of the cost of a plumber. But at what other cost? These chemicals can be dangerous for both you and your plumbing.

Many chemical cleaners can speed up corrosion and damage your pipes, but more importantly, cause serious injuries if you breathe in the fumes or get any in your eyes or mouth. Protect yourself and your plumbing by opting for natural alternatives instead, such as baking soda and vinegar.

Know the warning signs

It’s also important to know the signs of a plumbing issue. While many issues seem like they happen quickly and unexpectedly, there are often signs that we overlook.

Listen for unusual sounds in your taps or pipes; sounds like gurgling or dripping when no taps are on. A loss of water pressure can also indicate a leak or blockage. Other signs can be unexplained increases in your water bills or the growth of mould or musty smells when it hasn’t been wet.

If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s important to get a professional plumber to inspect your plumber as soon as possible and fix any issues before they get worse.

Trust the professionals for plumbing safety

Finally, trust the experts! Professionals like our team at Essendon Plumbing Services, have years of experience and have seen it all. So, we can provide top-notch assistance to ensure that your plumbing and property are safe.

With expert plumbing services, you can have peace of mind that your plumbing system is–or at least will be when they’re done–working exactly as it should, so you won’t have to worry about unexpected disasters.