CHECKLIST

Guam waterworks

Indoor plumbing is something we depend on heavily — meaning we should pay attention to how we can keep our pipes working properly and keep the plumbing and fixtures in our bathrooms running smoothly. We all love running water that is either hot or cold, and we depend on the pressure being of good quality and of course to remove waste. It is so ingrained in us to be dependent on our water system we often take it for granted and we only notice or pay attention when something is going wrong.

A few things to keep in mind are to ensure that what goes down the toilet or drains does not damage the plumbing or pipes. With that said, a good rule of thumb is to only flush the waste you produce and toilet tissue.

For drains, waste and wastewater should be the only things going down through them. Sanitary products, cotton swabs, pads or balls, anything paper, plastic or cardboard should not be put down the drain in the bathroom. These items can cause clogs and will often require the service of a plumber. Plumbers cost money and they also cannot be depended on to come at our beck and call when there’s an emergency. Place these types of items in the trash and do not confuse the toilet or drain with a garbage disposal in your kitchen sink.

It is also not recommended to use a store-bought drainage clearing product. These products are considered ineffective by professionals and plumbing professionals often warn of the damage these products have on your pipes and plumbing system. It is even more damaging to older plumbing systems which may have worn down. Drainage clearing solutions create heat in the plumbing system that the pipes were not designed to tolerate. Those solutions can cause corrosion and lead to bigger and more costly problems.

Another good rule of thumb is to use a plunger when you are having toilet clogging issues. However, you can unblock a toilet without a plunger. If your toilet won’t flush and begins to overflow, you can open the toilet tank in the back and push the water lever so that the stopper goes down and water stops filling in the bowl. Sometimes toilet blockages can be cleared by adding hot water and liquid soap to the bowl. This often can clear a clog after a few minutes and get things going again. Fill the bowl with hot tap water and then add the soap until things loosen up.

If you are doing everything you can to prolong the use of your pipes and plumbing system, you should be good for many years to come. Your bathroom fixtures are meant to last a lifetime and keeping them working properly involves regular cleaning and maintenance. If you suspect a leak, call a plumber to assess the situation. Using mesh drain covers to collect debris from going down the drain in sinks and tubs is also a good way to prevent them from needing to be snaked by a plumbing professional.

Leaky faucets and running toilets can costs hundreds or even thousands of dollars in water costs so keep your eyes out for these issues and mitigate them early on. Keeping things maintained and clean are good ways to keep the plumber and hefty costs at bay. p