Five Plumbing Safety Tips Every Homeowner in Sudbury, MA, Should Know

You’ve got a leaking faucet or a toilet that won’t stop running, and you’re determined to fix the problem yourself. While that gusto is admirable, don’t forget about safety for both you and your plumbing system.

Below, learn the top five plumbing safety tips from a plumbing contractor in Sudbury, MA.

1. Understand How Your Plumbing System in Sudbury, MA Works

Unless you’re planning on becoming a professional plumber, you don’t need to know every single thing about how your plumbing system works — but it’s a good idea to at least get the basics under your belt so you’ll be prepared should an emergency happen.

First, know where the main water supply valve is for your home. By knowing its location, you’ll be able to shut the water off quickly when a pipe bursts or your toilet overflows.

Next, figure out how your plumbing fixtures connect to the circuit breaker. Your circuit breaker should have labels for different fixtures, such as your dishwasher, water heater and so on.

2. Gather Protective Plumbing Safety Equipment Before You Start Working

Working on plumbing may not be as dangerous as working on your electrical system, but it comes with plenty of hazards nonetheless. Burst pipes can spray you with scorching water, for example, and raw sewage is full of bacteria that can make you and other household members sick.

Before starting any plumbing job, gather this plumbing safety equipment:

• Safety goggles to protect your eyes
• A face mask or respirator if you’re working with chemicals
• Thick rubber or latex gloves
• Slip-resistant boots
• A hard hat to protect your head from bumps and spills

3. Stay Away From Chemical Drain Cleaners

If you’ve got a nasty clog on your hands, you might be tempted to pour chemical drain cleaner down the sink to get rid of it but expert plumbers say that’s not the best idea. If you care about pipe corrosion prevention and plumbing safety, stay away from chemicals, as they can seriously degrade your pipes.

Also, drain cleaners don’t always work. They’re designed to break up clogs caused by materials like food and hair, but if tree roots or a foreign object causes your blockage, drain cleaner won’t have any effect.

4. Know What Different Water Colors Mean

You turn on your sink one day, expecting nice clear water to come out. What gushes out is gray, brown or black instead. Is that water safe to use, or should you call a plumber in Sudbury, MA?

Gray water can occur if your plumbing system is hooked up incorrectly or if you have a blockage somewhere in the line. It can contain food debris, hair, oils, and other junk that you don’t want to drink.

If your water is brown, it might mean that your pipes are corroding. Drinking a little bit of rusty water probably won’t hurt you, but drinking too much can make you sick.

If your water has turned black, it contains sewage. Don’t touch it, and definitely don’t drink it. Call a plumber who understands plumbing safety for help right away.

5. Learn Basic Clog Prevention and Garbage Disposal Care

The best way to prevent major plumbing problems is to treat your drains and garbage disposal with care. Avoid dumping anything down your drains that doesn’t belong there.

For your toilet, only flush toilet paper and nothing else. Diapers, paper towels and baby wipes (even the “flushable” kind) belong in the trash. Regularly clean your drains to prevent clogs from building up. A mixture of baking soda and white vinegar works well for natural drain cleaning.

Know what types of food scraps can and can’t go down your garbage disposal. Scraps to avoid include potato and onion peels, bread, pasta, rice, and eggshells. Foods like these can get caught in the disposal’s blades and cause it to overheat.