Nobody wants to deal with a plumbing problem. It’s even worse if it’s a plumbing emergency. And if you’ve got kids in the house, you really can’t afford to have a toilet, shower, tub, or sink out of commission. But it might be the kids themselves who cause the plumbing problem. What can you do to keep your plumbing safe from the problems kids can cause? We’ve got some pointers for you. Anytime you need a plumber in Canton, OH, we’re ready to help.
1: Get a Shower Drain Cover
Just a few dollars will get you a mesh shower drain cover. This can help immeasurably with preventing things from going down the drain while little ones are in the shower. This includes hair and bits of soap, but also small toys that have absolutely no business being in a drain pipe. Make sure you clean out the mesh drain cover regularly.
2: Teach Kids to Wipe Dishes
Often, the worst kitchen sink drain problems are not caused by a single item, but by gradual buildup slowly leading to one big blockage. Much of this buildup is what plumbers call FOG: fats, oil, and grease. These substances coat plates and slip easily down the drain under hot running water. But when they cool down in there, they solidify.
The best way to avoid this problem is the same way the problem develops: a little bit at a time. This means wiping dishes before putting them in the sink. The grease goes on a paper towel and into the trash instead of accumulating in your drains. Teach kids to do this when they bring their dishes from the table and you’ll reduce your risk of plumbing problems dramatically.
3: Consider a Toilet Lock
If you have kids who are young enough to be fascinated with the flush handle, all manner of things can end up going down the toilet. Don’t let this terrible fate befall your bath toys or shampoo bottle tops, or worse, your toothbrush. Babyproofing toilet latches are a great way to protect the contents of your bathroom and keep your plumbing safe.
4: Locate Your Shut-Off Valves
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, plumbing issues can occur. The best way to avoid panicking in these moments is to have a plan ready, and step one of any plumbing emergency plan is knowing how to shut off the water. Each toilet and fixture should have its own shut-off valve. Where the water first enters your home from the water main, there’s a whole-house shut-off valve, too.
5: Keep a Tool Kit Handy
In case you do encounter a problem with something going down the drain, it’s best to have a few things on hand so you’ll be able to remedy it. In addition to a toilet plunger, you should have a clean, small plunger for sinks, showers, or tubs. A drain snake of some kind can really help in breaking up or pulling out a blockage. This could be a small plastic one or a metal drain auger.
6: Have a Trusted Plumber
When something goes wrong that you can’t resolve yourself, you want to have a plumber you know you can rely on.
Contact Crown Group Ohio today with any questions about plumbing or to make an appointment.