Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibility, and you no doubt want to do everything you can to protect your investment!

So we’re teaming up with our sister brands, Mister Sparky Electric and One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, to discuss how to easily prevent some common disasters in your home and save yourself the headaches – and money.

Don’t flush that!

Your toilet clogging and then overflowing is one of the most dreaded plumbing disasters – but luckily, it’s also one of the most preventable.

Don’t flush anything but toilet paper down your toilet, even if the other items that are labeled flushable or biodegradable. These items don’t break down in water like toilet paper does and could take weeks, months, or even years to fully degrade. As they sit, they can damage or clog your pipes, as well as create problems for your septic system and wastewater treatment plants.

Here are some examples of what not to flush down your toilet:

  • Disposable baby or disinfectant wipes
  • Paper Towels
  • Facial Tissues
  • Napkins
  • Hair
  • Dental floss
  • Vitamins
  • Medicine
  • Cotton balls or cotton swabs
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Oils and greases

If your toilet overflows, we’ve got some advice on what you can do immediately – but if it keeps overflowing, give Benjamin Franklin Plumbing a call at 1-877-BEN-1776 or contact us online!

Have your circuits tested

When it comes to electrical issues in in the home, electrical shorts are by far some of the worst. And when the shorts are sparking, you run the risk of fire. The causes of electrical shorts can range from energy overloads to faulty circuits. The easiest way to determine where the problem lies is by having the circuit tested. Having the circuit tested can tell you the location and the severity of the problem so you can fix it.

Along the same lines, if your circuit breaker keeps tripping, this probably means that there is something wrong with your panel or that your electrical system can’t take the amount of energy you’re using. As with determining electrical shorts, you can test the circuit to determine the issue.

To be safe, you should always have a professional electrician test and fix your circuits! Contact your local Mister Sparky Electric for assistance.

Watch out for clogs in your air conditioner’s drain line

If your air conditioner’s drain tube gets clogged, it can lead to water damage, which can lead to mold and mildew growth.

The water that collects in your air handler’s condensate pan contains bacteria and other debris, and as it drips through the drain line, it leaves behind a residue that can build up to form algae, mold and even wet clumps of dust and dirt.

Some newer air conditioners can detect when the pan is too full and automatically shut down, but older models may not have this feature and you might not even know anything is wrong until you see water coming through your ceiling or vents.

Clearing a drain line requires certain equipment, including a wet/dry shop vac and possibly an air compressor. You might be able to DIY, but if you don’t have the equipment, it’s a quick emergency repair for an HVAC technician. Call your local One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning if you need assistance cleaning your drain line!

Take immediate action when dealing with water damage

As mentioned above, water damage can cause mold and mildew to grow, which is a serious health hazard. If the damage is severe, our sister brand STOP Restoration can assist. Their team will arrive at your home promptly, assess the water damage, and provide a plan of action for water damage restoration.