If you’re a Kenmore home or business owner, you can trust us to handle your plumbing issues, but so many issues can be prevented through being safe and smart with your plumbing systems! We’ve been serving Kenmore for over 75 years, and unfortunately, we have seen so many households need to shell out money due to things that could be easily avoided through education and awareness. We never want to see this, though your loyalty to us and your trust in our work are what keep us going!
Since we’re QUICKLY heading into 2026, we figured it’s a good time for a list of New Year’s Resolutions! This way, maybe a few people around Kenmore can save themselves money and prevent a plumbing problem in their home or business!
Here are 6 things you and the family can jot down as resolutions to be better in 2026!
1. Ditch the “Flushables.”
We understand. We know. The package says “plumber safe,” and “flushable” is right in the title of the product. Unfortunately, despite these “official” seals of approval of “plumbers everywhere,” there are plenty of “flushable” products that simply should not be flushed. It begs the question: Should the flushable be flushed? Well, no! When it comes to your toilet and what you put down it, there are only three things that should go down your toilet.
- #1
- #2
- Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is the only non-bodily substance that should go down the toilet. Sure, there may be some days when someone gets sick and may vomit into the toilet. There may be a day when some mop water gets dumped, but you should NEVER use ‘flushable” wipes, or flush feminine products down the toilet. It can cause serious issues that will* pop up eventually, and can be expensive. So ditch it in 2026.
2. Scape the Plate More
One thing that everyone in the family can do is be sure to scrape their plate just a little bit more. If there’s any food left on the plate, and you don’t give your pooch human food, then everyone can commit to doing a better job of scraping all the waste off of a plate BEFORE it goes in the sink or dishwasher. You should also be mindful that if you use a garbage disposal, you should always use COLD water to flush it down the drain, because hot water can melt the food and coat the inside of your pipes further down. So more scraping in ‘26!
3. Learn Something New
This can go a long way! Staying in learning mode and being someone who can continue to grow is important to happiness and development. One thing you can learn a bit early is that your hot water tank is supposed to be drained at least once a year to avoid sediment buildup, slowing down the efficiency of your water heater. Another thing you can learn is whether or not you know where your water shutoff valve is, and whether or not it works! This can be extremely important in the case of an emergency.
4. Have an Emergency Plan (& Kit!)
One of the best things you can do to help your home out this January is to create a plumbing emergency kit. We’ve outlined a few things you might want to include in the kit right here on the blog! You can check out what to include in your plumbing kit here! The other thing you may want to outline with your family is what to do if someone experiences a plumbing emergency. This is especially important when you have kids and/or teens who might be home without an adult and may not know what to do. It’s always best to have a plan for when disaster strikes! Learn something new and show the kids something new!
Read More: Learn What to Include in Your Home Plumbing Kit!
5. Test Your Toilet for Leaks!
You could be wasting thousands of gallons of water a year if you’re not mindful of your toilet! Silent leaks from the tank to the bowl can happen without much notice. This test is a fun one for the kids to participate in and learn something about plumbing! Drop a little bit of food coloring into the back of your toilet (the tank). Don’t flush! Now, wait 15 minutes or so. If you start to see color in your toilet bowl, then there may be a leak occurring from the tank to the bowl, and you may need a new part and a plumber. This is because the flapper may be deteriorating or not installed properly. Save $ on that water bill!
6. Check the Tree Roots!
Kenmore homes often have trees planted out front, and depending on the type of your tree, it may grow fast, which means the unseen roots below are also growing fast. If you have a BIG tree, or a tree that’s growing quickly, you may be aware that the roots could impact your sewer and water lines below the ground, and the only way to tell is through a sewer camera inspection. We can take care of that for you! Just give us a call! By getting a sewer inspection now, you can save yourself THOUSANDS of dollars in the future.
There you have it! 6 Things you can do this new year to help prevent a plumbing problem! If you ever do have a plumbing problem or want a licensed plumber in Kenmore or Tonawanda to come take a look at something you’ve got going on, give us a call or reach out to us via our contact form to schedule an appointment! We look forward to serving you and have a Happy Holiday!!
