Back-to-school plumbing checklist
Pencils? Check. Backpack? Check. New clothes? Check. Working plumbing?HUH??
Yeah, we know. Plumbing usually isn't an item on your back-to-school shopping list. But it IS something you should check out before the kids start hopping on the bus. The whirlwind of schedule changes, activities, and homework doesn't leave much wiggle room for unexpected emergencies.
Let us help.
Prepare your drains
Mornings can be a zoo. Accidents happen. Here's how you can try to avoid them:- Shower. Prevent a clogged drain by installing a screen on your shower drain. It will trap hair and soap chunks. If you still wind up with a backed up shower, use a vinegar and baking soda solution. Do NOT use a chemical drain cleaner. That stuff does more harm than good to the environment AND your plumbing.
- Toilet. Remove any decorations from the back of your toilet. They can get knocked into it and cause a clog. Also, "flushable" wipes do NOT break down, despite what the package says. Please throw them in the trash.
- Garbage disposal. Throw things like bones, rinds, grease, coffee grinds and egg shells into the garbage, NOT your disposal. They will gunk everything up and could burn out the disposal.
Check your water heater
During the school year, you use the most hot water in the morning. Everyone needs a shower, clean hands, lunch made, and clean teeth. Your water heater does some serious work in a short amount of time. When's the last time you had it looked at? No one likes a cold shower. A typical water heater lasts about 8-10 years IF it's had routine maintenance. You know about that guy "Murphy" and his "Law," right? Call your local Marlborough CT plumber to schedule a maintenance check.
Inspect your washing machine
The TOP homeowner insurance claim is water damage. Not from storms or floods. Water damage from plumbing leaks. PEMCO Insurance found that 4 in 10 homeowners don't check their washing machine hoses. The water line to your washer is always full of water. It can crack due to age and stress. Unfortunately, this tends to happen when you aren't home. When everyone gets back from school and work, they'll be greeted with a flood. Avoid a plumbing emergency by inspecting your washing machine hose before school starts.Your local Marlborough CT plumber
Rapid Service LLC is your local emergency plumber. Whether it's a leaky water heater, clogged toilet, or cracked water line, one call does it all! Homeowners in Andover, Coventry, Hebron, Mansfield, Willimantic, and Storrs also depend on us. If the back-to-school craziness gets to be too much and you can’t add one more thing to the checklist, give us a call. We’ll perform a free walkthrough of your plumbing system to let you know about any possible repairs BEFORE they become emergencies! Call 860-228-1036 today.
** ANSWER TO OUR NEWSLETTER JOKE: "On the school buzz!! **
