10 Ways to Prevent Plumbing Emergencies

The best plumbing emergency is the one that never happens. While some failures are unavoidable, the majority of the emergency calls we respond to could have been prevented with a little attention. Here's how to protect your home.

Everyday habits

• Never pour grease down the drain
• Use drain screens to catch hair and debris
• Only flush toilet paper
• Address slow drains before they fully clog
• Know where your main shut-off valve is

Seasonal care

• Insulate pipes before winter
• Disconnect hoses before the first freeze
• Flush your water heater annually
• Test your sump pump before storm season
• Schedule periodic plumbing inspections

The payoff

A few minutes of prevention saves you from the stress, mess, and cost of an emergency. It also extends the life of your entire plumbing system.