By Tibu S.
Master Plumber, Brazos Home Services

In our Kingwood plumbing repair business, we have seen and heard countless stories about supply lines bursting, valve failure, and everything else in between. You and the people in your home are the first responders, and we are the backup. Is everyone in your house ready to act quickly?

Teaching tenants in your rental properties or kids and teens in your home these easy plumbing practices can help avoid catastrophe or prevent costly repairs. So here is a quick list of top tips to teach Kids, Teens & Tenants.

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO USE THE MAIN WATER SHUT-OFF VALVE. 

Does everyone know where it is? How does it work? 

Here in Houston, you can usually find the utility box where your property meets the street. It requires a curb key to operate, so be sure to pick one up from your local hardware store. Find a spot in the garage or barn and familiarize everyone with the tool, where you keep it, and where they can find the valve. This step will also give you an opportunity to check the condition of your valve. If it is aged, you can expect some resistance. 

When to use the main Shut-off valve?

Teach your family and tenants that they should ONLY use the shut-off valve when you have an active EMERGENCY leak in the home. Think of this valve in the same way you think of a fire alarm, except this one is used to stop the water. One of the most common emergencies that turn into a run to the main is when you cannot turn off the leak with a local shut off valve/stop. If water is coming through the ceiling or wall, or if there is ever a flood in the home, the best thing to do would be to turn the water off using this valve. REMEMBER! Call a licensed professional to help! 

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR LOCAL WATER VALVES/STOPS ARE? 

Depending on the location of the leak you want to close the local shut-off valve first. If this does not work, then you will need to run to the Main valve outside. So where can you find these? They are located under all of your sinks behind the p-trap,behind your commodes, and one at your water heater, to name a few. The two types of valves you will come across require a simple turn or a PUSH to stop. Some newer homes have shut-off valves controlling specific areas in the house. If your home or property has these local valves installed familiarize your Kids, Teens, and Tenants with their location and what they manage. 

WHAT SHOULD/SHOULDN’T GO DOWN THE KITCHEN DRAIN

To our grandkids surprise, the disposal is not a black hole to another dimension to send all the bad things away. That would be nice, but life is not that easy. That is simple to understand, but even as adults we sometimes treat the garbage disposal the same way. It is for the small scraps on your plate and grinding them into smaller bits so they can smoothly flow down the drain and into the sewer system. Send enough of these bad items down the drain, and you will have a clog, and a funny smell will start coming into your home. None of us want that so here is our Draft board with the top prospects that cause trouble. 

• Grease and Oils

• Coffee Grounds

• Fruit Pits

• Any Starches: Pasta & Rice, Potatoes

• Bones

Under the radar pick: 

• WAX

Believe it or not but we find wax stuck in p-traps often. How does this happen? Many of us lean over the sink whenever we do not want to make a mess on the countertop. As a result, folks like to send that melted pool of wax down the drain. Remember folks; it is not a black hole. Trust me, I have been there and back. 

We recommend using a strainer over your disposal to prevent unintended objects from going down into the abyss. 

These are only a few items, but they are the culprits of many of the issues we see on a daily basis. Following these simple tips can help keep your system clean and family safe. 

Join the conversation

Have experience of your own? Let us know what has worked for you and your family. We are always learning and getting better from our customer's feedback and experience out in the field. Comment below and share some of your tips.

Here at Brazos Home Services, we work with the best quality materials available for our clients in Kingwood, Humble, & Atascocita. Although we are sure you love having us over to fix these issues, we understand that not every plumbing issue requires a call. Of course, you can still give us a call, but following our consumer guides can help minimize the chances of an expensive plumbing repair. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email.  

281.409.9799 or WeFixit@BrazosPlumbing.com