In the kitchen:
- Never put grease or oil down your sink, including cooking oils and fats such as butter. They can congeal and block pipes.
- When running your garbage disposal, always turn on the water before adding any food.
- Allow cold water to run for several seconds after turning off the disposal to flush any remaining food down the mainline.
- Running your dishwasher overnight can help to maintain good water pressure in other areas of the house throughout the day.
In the bathroom:
- Install screens to protect drains from hair and other objects from causing clogs.
- Avoid corrosive chemical clog removal products that can damage your pipes.
- Do not flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper down your toilet.
- Wait between 10 and 15 minutes between showers to avoid unwanted stress on plumbing by maintaining proper water pressure.
Throughout the home:
- Look for evidence of pipe leaks and moisture- such as water stains, mold, or musty smells.
- Check for even drainage, bubbles, or other signs of problems with the mainline of the house.
- Make sure water faucets are not leaking out of the handles or under the sink.
- Regularly empty lint traps on washing machines.