AVOID PLUMBING ISSUES –

There are many great things about living in San Antonio and Military City USA, but dealing with plumbing issues is not one of them. And, especially around the holidays or when a family member is TDY or deployed. The good news is there are several simple and inexpensive steps you can take to keep plumbing problems — and expensive calls to the plumber — to a minimum.

Plumbing Maintenance Tip #1

A sprayer hose in your kitchen sink makes cleaning so much easier. But, only if it’s not constantly catching on the shutoff valves. Keep it running smoothly by slipping a 1/2 inch foam pipe insulation around the pipes and shutoff handles.

Plumbing Maintenance Tip #2

If you have a double stainless steel sink, you may experience the ‘gong effect’ when you wash dishes. Quiet it by spraying expanding foam between the sink basins. This is easiest to do before insulation, but you can still try with the sinks in place. Once the foam is hard, trim off the excess.

Plumbing Maintenance Tip #3

If one of the kids dropped a toy in the toilet, or someone’s toothbrush fell in and got flushed, don’t use a plunger to unclog the toilet. That could just wedge the hard object in more tightly. Instead, use a wet/dry shop vacuum to suck out the water and the object.  SECRET TIP – during toilet plumbing repairs, if you have to shut off the water fill several two-gallon buckets with water first. Then, the toilet can still be flushed and tested during the work.

Plumbing Maintenance Tip #4

And finally, when you’re going to be away from your home overnight, consider turning off the water to your entire home. This will avoid any water damage that could occur while you’re away due to things like a break in the washer and dryer hook up or a leaky toilet.

 

For other real estate advice or tips for maintaining your home, visit our blog. We provide homeowners with valuable resources to maintain or increase the value of their San Antonio home.  

To find a home in San Antonio TX, contact Melissa Muse Wiggans, Broker and Owner of Real Estate Muses. Her team of top San Antonio Realtors specialize in residential real estate for those buying and selling homes in San Antonio as well as military families and others moving or relocating to San Antonio, TX. Visit realestatemuses.com or call 210-485-9913 today.