Despite what you might think, you don’t have to be a pro to fix your plumbing problems. Knowing how to handle small clogs, leaks, and other minor Vegas plumbing issues can save time and money later on. It can also prevent damage to your home and appliances. Keeping these five tips in mind can prevent catastrophic plumbing problems in your home.

Take Care of the Garbage Disposal

While your garbage disposal can help get rid of some food scraps, it can’t handle everything. Some things you might throw down the garbage disposal can cause clogs or otherwise damage the unit. Coffee grounds, oil, grease, eggshells, bones, and fibrous vegetables are some everyday items that should go into the trash can instead.

Prevent Water Damage

Before a major plumbing disaster strikes, such as an overflowing toilet or a pipe burst, it’s a good idea to know how to turn off the main water line to your home. Your water tank will come with instructions about how to turn off the water supply to your entire home. You can also identify the shutoff valves that go to various appliances in your home to stop water damage in select locations, such as the bathroom.

Stop Your Toilet From Running

When they’re working correctly, toilets account for about one-third of your home’s daily water usage. A running toilet uses even more. There are several reasons why your toilet may not be filling, including an unhooked chain or a faulty flapper. To find the source of the problem, turn off the water to the toilet first. There will be a valve behind the toilet that you can turn to keep water from flowing into the toilet while you fix the problem, which prevents an overflow.

Switch Shower Heads

Your shower is another one of the most water-intensive plumbing fixtures in your home. To save money and conserve water, consider switching to a low-flow showerhead. Even though the savings may seem minimal at first, they add up significantly over time.

Prepare Your Home for Vacation

If you’re planning to leave your home for vacation, you can take some simple steps to prevent plumbing disasters while you’re away. First, check appliances such as the dishwasher and washing machine for loose bolts and cracks that may cause leaks. Turn the water heater down to the lowest pilot setting, and consider turning off the water supply to drain the tanks and pipes, which prevents the risk of leaks and saves you from being charged for water that you’re not using.

Knowing some plumbing basics can go a long way in protecting your home and appliances from damage. If you encounter plumbing issues or need expert assistance, don’t hesitate to contact Service Plus Plumbing for 24/7 Henderson plumbing help.