The last thing you want as a homeowner is to wake up one morning and find your flooring and furniture covered in water from a leak that sprung overnight. While such scenarios are considered rare, they do happen all the time, and they happen to homeowners like you. You might not know it, but neglected maintenance is to blame for most home plumbing disasters and emergencies. From clogged sink drains to dripping faucets, blocked toilets, burst pipes, homeowners experience a wide range of plumbing problems from time to time. Some of them end up costing the homeowner hundreds or thousands in repair, replacement, water bills, or damaged property.
Additionally, your plumbing system is prone to normal wear and tear, just like any other part of your home. This includes the concealed parts that you don’t get to see every day. To keep your plumbing system in good working condition and help it last through its lifetime while avoiding inconveniences and minimizing costs, it’s important to arm yourself with some basic knowledge of plumbing maintenance. Here are a few plumbing maintenance tips every homeowner should know.
Keep Your Plumber On Speed Dial
If you’re reading this, higher chances are that you’re not a professional plumber. In this case, Manny L and the folks at https://allserviceplumbers.com/ say that it’s highly important to have the contacts of a plumbing specialist on speed-dial, just in case you have a plumbing emergency or you need to have some plumbing system repairs done in your home. The thing is, delaying a plumbing repair after detecting or suspecting an issue only postpones or worsens the problem. On the other hand, having the issue fixed right away can prevent costlier problems from developing, thus making it part of proper maintenance. Additionally, you may want to schedule a regular plumbing inspection service so you’re not caught unawares by plumbing emergencies. This is part of preventive maintenance, which can see you save a great chunk of time and money while possibly protecting your plumbing, yourself, and your loved ones.
Pipe Insulation
This can also be called weatherproofing your plumbing. When the temperatures fluctuate or change drastically, your pipes become more prone to bursts, cracks, and leaks. It’s perfectly normal according to the Laws of Physics, but it doesn’t mean it should happen. To avoid the huge losses that come from burst pipes and water leaks, insulating your plumbing can be a great move. Doing so will also prevent water from freezing in the pipes, ensuring that your water supply isn’t interrupted by the freezing temperatures of the colder months. In addition to this, you may also want to disconnect your garden hose in the colder months so your hose bib doesn’t sustain frozen-pipe damage.
Mind What You Send Down Your Drains
Toile, bathroom, and kitchen sink drains do an amazing job. They help get rid of the dirty water we consume every day, releasing it into the sewer system. However, this awesomeness sizes when the plumbing channel down the drain gets clogged with debris. To keep your drains properly functioning, avoid sending solid objects and garbage down this channel. If they get clogged up, sink and toilet bowls could easily turn into a breeding ground for harmful microbes, which could put you and your family at risk of catching diseases. This is not to forget how uncomfortable your home can be when the standing water starts to decompose. Only substances that can easily be broken down should go down your drains and toilets if at all they have to.
Monitor Your Water Pressure
When the pressure of water flowing through your plumbing is too high, it can be hurtful to your pipes. It’s a common cause of leaks and it increases the chances of pipes bursting. Water pressure that is too high may also cause damage to appliances such as washers, water heaters, and the like. This is not to forget the possibility of increasing your water and energy bills. You can tell high water pressure by listening to your pipes, checking your faucets for leaks, and paying closer attention to your appliances. You can also talk to your plumber about water pressure control tools like pressure reduction valves and pressure gauges to keep the situation in control.
Clean Gutters Out Regularly as Needed
Technically, gutters are not part of your home’s plumbing system. However, they play a huge role in keeping run-off water out of your home. When clogged, gutters can lead to pooling of water on your roof during the rainy season, which may eventually lead to roof damage and flooding. Gutters should, therefore, be cleaned out as often as needed.
And there you have it. Keeping your plumbing system well-maintained can give you peace of mind, reduce water wastage, minimize appliance damage, and keep your plumbing repair costs on the low. The above are just a few ways to take proper care of your home’s plumbing.
