Plumbing and Septic System Tips

Keeping your plumbing in tip-top shape doesn’t require a PhD—just a little know-how and some elbow grease. Check out these easy tips to avoid disasters, save money, and maybe even impress your friends with your new plumbing knowledge.

1. Drains

• Don’t Pour Grease Down the Drain: Grease hardens, and we’re not just talking about your waistline after Thanksgiving dinner. It can clog up your drains faster than you can say “backed-up sink.”
• Use a Drain Catcher: Save yourself the headache (and the plumber’s bill) by investing in a drain catcher. It’ll catch hair, food bits, and other debris before they get a chance to make things messy.
• Plunge Smart, Not Hard: If your drain is clogged, don’t go all Hulk on it. A simple plunger can often do the trick. But if it’s a stubborn clog, call in the pros before you turn your bathroom into a water park.

2. Tub/Shower/Toilet

• Say Goodbye to Hard Water Build-Up: If you’re seeing that white crust around your shower head or faucet, it’s time for a vinegar soak. A couple of hours in a bag of vinegar can get rid of that annoying scale without breaking a sweat.
• Flushing 101: Toilets are not trash cans. Don’t flush anything that isn’t toilet paper or “the business.” Wet wipes, cotton balls, and even hair might be biodegradable, but they’ll still clog your pipes like a bad traffic jam.
• Adjust Your Toilet’s Flapper: If your toilet is constantly running, you might have a leaky flapper. Just lift the tank lid and adjust the flapper chain so it stops the water flow when you flush. Easy fix!

3. Kitchen Sink/Garbage Disposal

• Don’t Overload the Disposal: Garbage disposals aren’t magic! Feed it small amounts of food scraps at a time and run cold water while it’s grinding away. If you shove too much down there, it’s gonna jam. And you’ll be the one who gets stuck with the mess.
• Feed the Disposal Right: No bones, no grease, no fibrous veggies (like corn husks). Stick with small food scraps, and make sure you run the disposal regularly to keep it from stinking like last week’s leftovers.
• Dish Soap Trick: If your disposal is starting to smell, toss some ice cubes and a little dish soap down there. The ice scrubs the blades while the soap gives a fresh, clean scent.

4. Septic System Tips

• Don’t Overload Your Septic System: Septic tanks are not infinite. Spread out your laundry and dishwashing loads over the week to avoid overloading your septic system. Your septic tank isn’t a superhero—it can only handle so much!
• Watch What You Flush: This goes beyond the toilet paper. Avoid flushing anything but waste and toilet paper, including “flushable” wipes. They’re not as flushable as they claim, and they’re the villains of your septic system.
• Pump Your Tank Regularly: To keep your septic system happy, you’ll need to pump your tank every 3-5 years. It’s like a spa day for your septic—refreshing and essential.

With these tips, you’re now armed and ready to keep your plumbing in prime condition. And if things get too messy, don’t worry—MKB Plumbing & Septic is just a phone call away!