Tips to Prevent a Plumbing Emergency

Emergencies can quickly cause serious water damage that detroys your property and place your health at risk.

Pipes occasionally break due to age or normal wear and tear, however the most comon causes of water leaks and floods are preventable. Frontier Septic recommends adding these tips to your hosuehold maintenance plan so you can prevent a plumbing emergency from turning to a major disaster.

Maintain your drains

Drainpipes can become clogged so make sure that every drain in your house has a screen that blocks large chunks debris from entering the pipes, you should periodically check these drains and clear out the things such as food and hair that block the flow of water. Try not to flush solid objects such as cotton swabs and feminine hygiene products down the toilet. If you notice that multiple fixtures throughout your house are draining slowly you may want to arrange someone to clean out your plumbing system to prevent major backups.

Winterize your pipes

The rain and cold temperatures in Washington make the winter months extremely icy. When pipes freeze the ice can expand and cause your pipes to burst and flood your house. You can avoid this by insulating any exposed pipes around your house. We recommend also leaving your faucets dripping during freezing temperatures.

Watch for signs of hidden leaks

Pipes can begin to release water in hidden areas of your house, keep an eye out for an unusally large water bill, as well as any unexplained wet areas on your lawn or unually green grass. This could be an indication that there is a water leak running underground in the pipes that lead to and from your house. If you notice signs of a water leak you can call Frontier Septic to identify the source.

Make sure to keep up with septic tank pumping

Frontier Septic recommends having your septic tank pumped every 3-5 years to prevent sewage backup, however that time can vary depending on household use and size. We keep a reminder system of the last time of your service and we will send out a postcard to remind you when its near the time to get your septic tank pumped again.

Identify the shut-off valves

Prompt action prevents plumbing leaks and backups from turning into a disaster. Locate the shut-off valves to each plumbing fixture in your house and make sure that you know how to use them. We recommend you to identify the main shut-off valve leading to the house and show each member of your family what to do if a plumbing emergency occurs.