5 common plumbing disasters and how to avoid them

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing | (417) 823-8400| http://springfieldplumbermo.com Discover more great content here:

http://www.pinterest.com/plumbermo https://twitter.com/BFSpringfieldMO

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Benjamin-Franklin-Plumbing-of-Springfield-MO/163803560421331

5 Common Plumbing Disasters and How to Avoid Them

Each year, millions of Americans spend big money on plumbers. And while plumbers play a role in home

maintenance and repair, the fact is that many of these home visits can be easily prevented. Here's a look

at five common plumbing disasters and how to prevent them:

1. Frozen/Broken Pipes: Frozen and broken pipes are common

during the winter months and during periods of extreme cold, as

outside air can wreak havoc on pipes in poorly insulated parts of the

home, like around walls, under sinks and in crawlspaces. What's

more is that frozen and broken pipes can escalate into expensive

water losses if not treated appropriately. So how do you avoid a

frozen or busted pipe? Put pipe sleeves on at-risk pipes to insulate

them, keep the home heated (even if you go on vacation) and open

cupboard doors to allow warm air to circulate into areas like under the sink.

2. Clogged Toilet: Clogged toilets are another reason that people phone their local plumber. But unlike

others on this list, a clogged toilet is arguably the easiest problem to prevent. To put it simply - don't flush

anything down the toilet except for toilet paper! Everything else (paper towel, cleaning wipes, napkins,

etc.) should go into the trash can.

3. Clogged Drains: We're talking about clogged drains on the lowest level of the home, not just a clogged

shower or sink drain which can usually be solved with some simple chemicals. Now, some drain problems

are the result of tree roots damaging the drain, preventing water from exiting properly. But other drain

issues are the result of grain build-up, sand getting into the plumbing and more. Before you call a plumber,

we recommend troubleshooting the issue yourself. You can purchase a simple auger at a local hardware

store and often solve the issue yourself.

4. Damaged Hot Water Heater: Hot water heaters are expensive and a necessity, so it's often a big

problem when a home's hot water tank fails. But there's a reason they fail prematurely - they likely haven't

been cared for properly. That's why it's important to have the tank routinely drained and cleaned, to

remove any sediment and build-up.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing | (417) 823-8400| http://springfieldplumbermo.com Discover more great content here:

http://www.pinterest.com/plumbermo https://twitter.com/BFSpringfieldMO

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Benjamin-Franklin-Plumbing-of-Springfield-MO/163803560421331

5. Busted Garbage Disposal: A garbage disposal is another household staple we take for granted. And

these appliances fail when they're not properly cared for. The keep your garbage disposal up to par,

occasionally run a cup of ice cubes through it to help break up any food residue that's still hanging around.

And always run cold water as you run it, as cold water doesn't react with grease as easily as hot water

does, so it's able to push more food scraps through the system.

For more information about common plumbing issues or to hire a plumber, contact Benjamin Franklin

today.