A Father's Wisdom: Lessons from My Plumber Dad

With Father’s Day coming up this weekend, I’d like to share a few insights my father, Dan Mahoney, a 40-year veteran plumber at Mahoney Plumbing has taught me, his eldest daughter. Despite working in the business, I am NO plumber and still rely on good ole’ Dad for advise!  From funky sprays to mystery leak detection, here are a few tidbits my dad has shared with me.

1. First, Stop to Breathe.  I’ll admit it, when I see water and I’m not expecting to, I go into panic mode. Water on the floor in the kitchen? I see the flood gates opening. Dad’s taught me (repeatedly) to stop and assess a situation before full on panic. Sometimes that water is just a melted icecube!
2. Now, Think. My dad’s favorite saying is “Water seeks it’s own level”. In other words, water has some tried & true properties that it can NOT ignore. Water will not appear from nowhere- there is always a source. A classic example happens when your kitchen sink is clogged & you use the dishwasher. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred the two share pipes in the wall which means you’ll see all the dishwasher water appear on your floor real soon. See backup in your tub? Probably not a good idea to flush the toilet. Just remember when a pipe is clogged, nothing gets thru until it’s cleared. Knowing what pipes are likely being shared, for example pipes in bathrooms are usually shared between the shower, sink & the toilet, can keep you from unintentionally causing more trouble & damage. Don’t forget about things like washing machines or dishwashers are near other plumbing.
3. Invest in a good plunger. Clogs reminds me, Dad demands everyone in our family have the “right” plunger. Plumbers laugh at most of today’s plungers – labeling them more fashionable than anything. When it comes to plunging a toilet, you need a plunger that has a cup to it vs. the half moon shaped ones. The suction that this extra bit of plastic gives, provides a vacuum that helps clear the drain. Dad’s bonus tip is it never hurts to try plunging a clogged kitchen sink – sometimes the clog is close enough it works!
4. Diverters get dirty. Clean them. I hate it when water shoots sideways 10 different ways from the faucet splashing all over my counter. Dad’s insight, check your diverter. A diverter, I have learned, is a valve which directs water to various outlets. They are used in showers, tubs, bidets, and sinks. Sometimes “gunk” builds up in there and simply unscrewing the diverter from the underside of the faucet head (aka where the water comes out) and cleaning it will solve your problem. It’s worked for me on more than one occasion.
5. Consider Changes – Has Something Changed? I have a whirlpool tub that on occasion I like to soak in. After filling the dang thing, I went to start the jets this last time and nothing happened. Annoyed, I called my Dad who thought it odd that nothing was happening- no noises, no bubbles, nothing. After some discussion, turned out the power had gone out weeks prior and all that was needed to fix the tub was flip the switch on the electrical panel. Ironically this same issue plagued me and my dishwasher. Lesson is always make sure the power is working and on.
6. Newspaper Tricks. Unsure if you have a plumbing leak or if a cleaning product from under the sink sprung a leak? I’ve learned the best way to detect a mystery leak is to lay newspaper on a clean surface & if any water hits the newspaper you’ll be able to tell. Even a single drop of water on newspaper will show up so you'll be able to tell with certainty when a leak exists.

These tips from Dad have gotten me out of more than one jam (Thanks Dad!). Of course there are some things that just need someone with more skill. In those times Mahoney Plumbing is available 24-7 or you can find more tips on our website  at www.MahoneyPlumbing.com.

To all the Dad’s out there – thanks for all you do! Happy Father’s Day from all of us at Mahoney Plumbing.