How to Prevent Overworking Your Plumbing

When you come home from work, you sit back and relax – make sure your plumbing is too! During the summer months, your plumbing works harder than any other time of the year. It’s hotter, you’re spending more time outdoors and taking more showers. Or your college student is home, and you have more people using your plumbing more often. Whatever the reason, your plumbing is in overdrive. It’s important to make sure your plumbing is running smoothly so your equipment will last longer, and you will save money. Here are some tips from Eastern Plumbing to ensure you are getting the most out of your plumbing and your summer.

Check Up on Your Washing Machine.

Summertime means more dirty clothes. Whether you’re going on trips, hanging out with friends, exercising in the humidity, or just spending time outdoors, the hotter it is the more laundry you will produce. Since you’ll be using your washing machine more frequently, it’s important to check it for leaks. When your washing machine is leaking, it wastes water and can damage your home – leaving you to pay for a new machine and home repairs. If you’re washing more, that means you’re drying more too. Make sure your lint tray is clean to prevent it from catching fire and save you energy!

Use a Dishwasher Instead of Washing by Hand.

It almost doesn’t sound true —but it is. How much water do you use while washing dishes? Dishwashers are designed to be energy efficient and provide maximum cleanliness with the least amount of water. In fact, by using a dishwasher instead of hand-washing your dishes, you could save yourself gallons of water and a bunch of money each month. Take the water saving, energy efficient, and easier route by using your dishwasher.

Get to Know Your Garbage Disposal.

A common misconception about the garbage disposal is that you can put just about anything down them. This isn’t true and can actually cause a lot of damage to your plumbing. Foods that are stringy or fibrous (think cornhusks, onion peels, lettuce) can clog your garbage disposal and are better off tossed in the trash can. Oils and grease are also not something that should be poured down the drain. If you’re washing greasy or oily foods or dishes, make sure to run hot water for 15 seconds before and afterwards to help flush everything out of your garbage disposal.

Be Watchful for Sewer Line Backups.

In summer months, rainfall can find its way into your sewer line through cracks in your pipes. The pressure from the additional fluids can cause your sewer line to back up. Another potential problem you may have is tree roots in search of water on a hot day. Be watchful and know when to call a professional.

Eastern Plumbing is here to help with all your plumbing issues – from backed up sewage lines to clogged pipes and leaking faucets – we’re here to help! Our trained technicians are ready to handle any plumbing issue that tries to ruin your summer. Call us at 252-758-7579 or visit our website at easternplumbingonline.com and we’ll send a professional plumber out to your home. Take it easy and relax, and let us (and your plumbing) do the work for you.