Understanding home plumbing systems with detail and learning how to maintain them is important for all Albuquerque residents. Avoiding plumbing problems before they happen, for example, the construction of cellars which may end up being full of water vents mold remediation, high emergency plumbing bills, and many more is good for the homeowners.

This article clearly details some of the fundamental plumbing tips that every resident of Albuquerque must be aware of.

Find Where Your Home’s Water Shut-Off Valves Are Located

Every Albuquerque homeowner should ensure that they identify the main water shut-off valve soon after they move into a new house or an apartment. It also enables you to turn off the water supply for the whole house in the case of an emergency such as a leaking pipe.

The main water shut off is typically outside close to the front door, and usually it will be in the garage or closet area. It could be a big handle of a lever or of a wheel. Closing this valve makes it impossible for any water to be supplied to the home.

Avoid Cutting or Puncturing Pipes and Wires

One of the most common and costly plumbing mistakes homeowners make is accidentally cutting through pipes, wires, and drains hidden within walls, ceilings, and floors during remodeling or renovation projects. Any time you need to drill holes through drywall, tile, concrete floors, or cut notches in wood studs, take the time to carefully determine if there are any plumbing pipes, electrical wires, or sewer drainage pipes in the area first.

The best way to detect hidden pipes and wires is to start by looking for clues like plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, or HVAC vents which hint at routes. Use a high-quality electronic stud finder to locate wood and metal studs, which typically indicate where plumbing and electric are not run. Inspect areas thoroughly with the stud finder first.

Know What Can and Cannot Be Flushed

One of the most common and preventable ways that Albuquerque homeowners damage their plumbing systems is by flushing improper items down toilets. Only toilet paper and natural human waste are meant to be flushed.

Flushing other items like baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, dental floss, paper towels, medications, grease, and pretty much anything other than toilet paper can lead to blocked drains, sewer line backups, and costly plumbing repairs.

Don’t Put Certain Items in the Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are convenient appliances, but they must be used properly to avoid clogs and damage. Avoid putting fibrous vegetable peels like artichokes, celery, and potato skins down the disposal, as these can catch and wrap around the shredder ring.

Coffee grounds and egg shells accelerate wear of grinding components. Avoid pouring fats, oils, and grease down the drain, including salad dressing, bacon grease, and cooking oil. These coat pipes and solidify into clogs.

Invest in a High-Quality Plunger

One of the most useful plumbing tools every Albuquerque homeowner should own is a high-performance plunger. Drain clogs in sinks, tubs, and toilets happen occasionally in any home no matter how carefully they are maintained. Having the right plunger saves you from dismantling drains or calling a plumber to remove blockages.

Avoid cheap plastic flimsy plungers that bend and deform when plunged, losing their seal quickly. Invest in a heavy-duty plunger made from strong inflexible plastic with thick rubber edges. The stiff body allows you to generate maximum suction and pressure.

Use a Wet/Dry Vacuum for Drain Obstructions

While a plunger can clear many drain clogs, some obstructions like small toys or bathroom items dropped down the drain require more suction. Instead of using risky chemical drain cleaners, the safest way to clear minor obstructions is with a wet/dry shop vacuum. Simply seal the vacuum over the drain opening and enable the blower function. This blasts air down the pipe, forcing the object back up the drain where it can be retrieved.

Avoid using plungers or snaking cables to try and push stuck objects further down the drain line. This often lodges them deeper in the pipe. The suction of the wet/dry vac safely sucks them back up the drain without pushing them in deeper.

Repair Leaks Quickly to Avoid Wasted Water and Money

One of the most wasteful and costly plumbing issues homeowners face is leaking pipes, faucets, showerheads, and toilets. A small drip may not seem significant, but over days and weeks, gallons of water and money are silently wasted. For example, a faucet leaking one drop per second wastes nearly 3,200 gallons per year. A running toilet leak can waste up to 200 gallons daily.

At the first sign of any water leak, no matter how small, take immediate action to fix it. Start by identifying the origin of the leak, then seal up drips with pipe thread compound, replace worn washers and gaskets in faucets, or swap out flapper valves in toilets.

Hand Tighten Plumbing Connections

One common plumbing mistake DIY homeowners make is over-tightening fittings and connections. It’s easy to think that the tighter the better, but overdoing it actually leads to cracked components, stripped threads, and leaks. The proper way to assemble plumbing parts is to tighten by hand until just snug.

Pay attention to instructions on products recommending proper torque. Use pipe wrenches for additional leverage gingerly. Overtightening with excessive force damages plumbing parts.

Keep Plumber’s Tape on Hand for Repairs

One essential supply every homeowner should always keep stocked is plumber’s tape, also called Teflon tape. This inexpensive item has countless uses in sealing threaded plumbing connections to prevent leaks. It is simply wrapped around the male threaded ends of pipes, connectors, and fittings during assembly.

The tape helps fill in small imperfections in the threads to form a watertight seal. Use white plumber’s tape on water pipe connections. Yellow plumber’s tape is designed for gas lines to withstand the higher pressures and temperatures.

Check for Leaks After Any Plumbing Work

Any time you complete a plumbing repair, replacement, or modification, take the time to thoroughly check your work for potential leaks before moving on. Run water through all pipes and fixtures involved, inspecting closely for drips. Also open and close any shut-off valves and test drains to check your work.

Even experienced plumbers sometimes miss seeing a small leak that shows up later. Catching an overlooked drip early allows you to fix it immediately before major flooding and water damage occurs in walls or subfloors. A quick leak check takes just a few minutes and can save thousands in repairs. Make this the mandatory last step of every plumbing job.

Conclusion

Knowing the plumbing layout of your home, proper maintenance of drains, avoiding pipe damage, early detection and repair of leaks, and having important tools handy will ensure that small plumbing problems do not turn into huge problems for Albuquerque homeowners. It is time to put these important tips into practice if you want your water to flow freely for many years to come. It also means that people will be able to carry out basic plumbing repairs hence avoiding the need for professional repair calls. If you have other questions about Albuquerque plumbing problem, please don’t hesitate to ask the pros at Day & Night Plumbing.