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24 Plumber Tips For First-Time Homeowners | Dalworthington, TX

24 Plumber Tips For First-Time Homeowners | Dalworthington, TX

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Are you moving into a new home or building one? Let us give you helpful plumbing tips to ensure that you don’t encounter costly repairs and plumbing emergencies. Don’t hesitate to contact a plumber in Dalworthington, TX, for further assistance on other issues.

1. Know Where the Shut Off Valves Are

You’ll need to know where the shut-off valves are located for the entire house and each appliance. It will be useful, especially when there is a problem with the plumbing. You can prevent further water damage when you can turn them off immediately. Do make sure that you can access them right away. Avoid putting furniture or plants in front of the shut-off valves, so it doesn’t take long to shut them off.

After shutting them off, you either fix the leak or call a professional for assistance.

2. Buy Plumbing Tools

They will come in handy, especially for minor clogs and leaks. It would be best to acquire a few things: a good plunger, pliers, screwdriver, and an auger. It would help if you can learn how to use these tools to fix a plumbing problem temporarily. For permanent plumbing solutions, contact a plumber in Dalworthington, TX.

3. Use a Plunger for Unclogging Minor Drains

Clog happens when homeowners are not mindful of what they throw down the drain. Thankfully, you can easily use a plunger for fixing minor clogs in your homes. Just a reminder to never use chemical-based cleaners for your drains as they are damaging to the pipes. These heavily advertised cleaners are also harmful to your health. Avoid them as much as possible, for they are not permanent solutions to clogs.

For major clogs, contact a plumber in Dalworthington, TX. Professionals are equipped with high-tech plumbing tools that can help clog any drains.

To avoid clogs, make sure that you don’t throw grease or oil down the drain. Put a strainer to catch debris and other dirt and learn how to manage food waste properly.

4. Clean the Drains Often

To have a cleaner home, make it a point to clean your drains often. Neglecting them only leads to slower drains and unpleasant smells. You can clean them once a week to get rid of the debris and hair trapped in the drains.

If there are clogs, don’t hesitate to contact a plumber in your area for further assistance.

5. Use a Vinegar and Baking Soda for Unclogging a Sink

For minor clogs, use a vinegar and water solution or baking soda. They are great for minor clogs and for keeping your sinks smelling fresh. Once a week, pour a liter of hot water down the sink to eliminate the small food particles in the pipes.

If you can’t fix it, call a plumber in Dalworthington for assistance.

6. Replace your Washing Machine Hoses Every 3 Years

To avoid leaks in your laundry room, periodically check your washing machine hoses for wear and tear. Remember that rubber hoses are also more susceptible to damage, so we would recommend that you instead switch rubber hoses to braided stainless steel hoses as they last longer and not susceptible to damage.

If you have a laundry room, make sure that you put a tray underneath the washing machine to catch drips and leaks. Put a strainer to catch debris and other dirt that may lead to clogs. Most importantly, don’t place the washing machine very close to the wall. For other plumbing concerns in the laundry room, contact a plumber in your area.

7. Book Professional Drain Cleaning

While we advise homeowners always to take care of their drains, it’s also best to schedule professional drain cleaning in Dalworthington, TX. Licensed plumbers are equipped with tools and equipment that let them view the interior of the pipes. They also perform a thorough inspection and catch problems early on. If you want to maintain healthy pipes, be mindful of what you throw down the drain and have a reliable plumber take care of cleaning your drains professionally.

8. Work with Licensed Plumber When Installing Devices

Some homeowners may decide to hire a handyperson to help them install plumbing appliances or fixtures in their homes. Others may attempt to DIY the installation. To avoid problems down the road, we recommend that you always contact a licensed plumber in your area to help you with plumbing installations. Professionals will ensure that everything is installed properly. Professional installations prevent costly repairs down the road.

9. Have a Reliable Plumber You Can Call

For new homeowners, you must have someone you can count on to help you fix any plumbing problems. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth has been helping out homeowners in Dalworthington, TX, for several years. All of their plumbers are experienced and licensed and can tackle any plumbing job.

You can rely on them at all times. Keep their number and call them immediately for plumbing issues in your home. Rest assured, they can get the job done and guarantee faster results.

10. Winterize Your Pipes

During winter, ensure that you insulate the pipes, so the water inside doesn’t freeze. When it freezes, your pipes may burst. You know how damaging leaks are to your home’s foundation. To avoid this, secure your pipes during winter or when the temperature is below zero. If you need additional help, contact a professional in your area for assistance.

11. Book Regular Plumbing Inspections

As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to take care of your plumbing. You need to periodically check for leaks or wear and tear of your plumbing devices. However, it’s also essential for homeowners to schedule a routine plumbing inspection. With a professional checking your plumbing, nothing is overlooked. They will do a thorough inspection of your pipes, water heaters, drains, sewer, and the rest of your plumbing. When there are problems, professionals will resolve this immediately. Scheduling a routine plumbing inspection ensures healthy plumbing in your homes.

12. Consider Installing Leak Detection Devices

To avoid flooding or water damage, consider installing leak detection systems. These devices can alert you when water is detected and shut off the main water supply to avoid further damage. What’s convenient is you can connect to these devices even while away from home. Some leak detection devices even let you detect temperature fluctuations in your pipes.

For installation, only work with a licensed plumber.

13. Install Energy-Efficient Appliances and Fixtures

If you’re building a new home, consider getting energy-efficient appliances and fixtures with water-saving features. They are designed to protect the environment by reducing your water consumption. While they may cost more, you can actually save more money in the long run. They are also more durable and convenient compared to their counterparts.

Contact a professional if you need help deciding which appliances or fixtures to install in your home.

14. Maintain Your Drains

Put a strainer in your sinks to catch debris, hair, and other dirt. Also, make sure that you don’t throw eggshells, paper towels, cotton balls, or large food particles in the drains. They will only lead to clogs. If you have children, educate them on properly taking care of your plumbing and avoiding costly repairs down the road.

15. Get a Tankless Water Heater

If you want to get a new heater, then switch to tankless water heaters. While conventional heaters are more affordable, they take up more space and consume more energy. With a tankless heater, you will never run out of hot water. You also get to save more energy as you only heat water on demand. So no energy is lost. Also, you can mount them on the walls. You don’t need a bigger space for your tankless water heater.

16. Take Care of Your Toilet

Toilet problems are not only a nuisance, but they can be costly. You can prevent toilet issues by not flushing anything but water and human waste. Paper towels or cotton swabs must go to the trash.

To check for leaks in the toilet, pour a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait for about 30 minutes. Check the toilet bowl and if it changes color. If it does, then you have a toilet leak. Contact a professional immediately so they can help you fix the leaks.

17. Don’t Neglect Minor Problems

Plumbing emergencies occur because plumbers neglect minor plumbing problems. They think that it will go away on their own. You can save costly repairs down the road when you take care of issues as they come. If you can’t fix it, then call a professional in your area for further assistance. Never ignore problems, for they may lead to costly plumbing emergencies.

18. Take Care of Your Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals let you manage waste properly, but they are not designed for grinding large food particles or bones. Break down large food particles before putting them in the garbage disposal. Also, clean your disposal at least once a week to avoid unpleasant smells in your kitchen.

19. Install a Dishwasher

For convenience, install an energy-efficient dishwasher for your home. You can reduce your water consumption with its water-saving feature. Just make sure not to overload your dishwasher. Please read the manual first before using it. Make sure that you have fully read and understood everything from using to maintaining your dishwasher.

20. Use Look for Leaks

Leaks, however minor, have to be fixed immediately. They only lead to plumbing emergencies and damage your home’s foundation. You may be able to fix minor leaks on your own if you have plumbing tools available. For major leaks, call a professional in your area.

It would help if you also fixed dripping faucets right away. They are not only annoying, but they can contribute to getting higher utility bills if not fixed. Call a plumber if you don’t know how to fix a dripping faucet.

21. Consider the Functionality of Your Home When Installing Plumbing Fixtures

If you prioritize comfort, install water-saving fixtures for your home. They are not only designed to reduce your water consumption, but some of them offer more convenience than regular fixtures.

22. Install a Water Softener

Having a home filtration system offers a lot of benefits to you. You get clean water all the time and increase your home’s value. Should you decide to get one for your home, only work with a plumber for a professional installation of your water filtration system.

23. Always Think Long-Term

Whenever you install new fixtures or buy appliances, always think long-term. This means you should consider buying a more durable fixture and appliance. Energy efficiency is also one thing to consider, for they can save you money in the long run. Also, think about the functionality and convenience it offers. The more affordable ones may not always be the best solutions to your plumbing needs. You may speak with a professional for the best recommendations on plumbing appliances and fixtures.

24. Know Your Limits

It’s okay to do minor plumbing repairs and even a little DIY. However, you should make sure that you actually know what you’re doing and know the limits. If you really need professional help, don’t hesitate to call a plumber.

Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth

Do you need a plumber in Dalworthington, TX? Get in touch with us. We are available at your most convenient time and guarantee results. Our plumbers specialize in repairing water heaters, pipes, toilets, sewers, and the rest of your plumbing. We can also assist you with installations and maintenance. Call us today for an appointment.