Your home’s plumbing system is a complex one. Some pipes bring fresh water, heat it, and distribute it around your house.
Others take care of wastewater and move it far away from your home.
Access to water and wastewater disposal are so basic they’re easy to overlook. That is unless something catastrophic happens.
When it comes to maintaining your plumbing system, it’s best not to sit and wait for things to happen.
In this article, you’ll learn some helpful tips on effectively maintaining your home’s plumbing system and avoiding common and, most importantly, unsightly issues.
Contents
1. Regular Inspection
In today’s hectic world, being able to do even the most basic household chores can be a challenge.
However, in terms of your plumbing system, you shouldn’t wait until something goes wrong before making any changes.
Regular inspection of your plumbing fixture can help you find and solve developing problems before they become a major issue.
In general, the places where you should focus your inspection are those where you have numerous plumbing fixtures, primarily your kitchen and bathroom.
That said, don’t forget to check around your home for any other fixtures and appliances, ranging from the water heater in the utility area to your hose spigots outside.
If there are things that need fixing, make sure to solve them immediately. If it isn’t urgent, you can add the tasks to your calendar to organize your time correctly.
For the sake of your home, you shouldn’t put off dealing with issues for too long.
Significantly, having a plumbing maintenance schedule can ensure that your system works the way it should be while helping you save money.
On the other hand, if you’re uncomfortable inspecting your plumbing system, you can always hire a reliable plumbing contractor to do this instead.
For instance, if you live in Sydney, Australia, such a contractor as Off Tap Plumbing guides you in dealing with your plumbing problems.
Plumbing contractors like them can do regular inspections and maintenance of your plumbing system.
Also, they can spot the smallest irregularities in your plumbing system and resolve them accordingly.
2. Pay Attention to Your Drains
You probably don’t think much about your drainage system until you notice water draining slowly when doing the dishes or draining the tub.
While slow-draining sinks and tubs can be one of the most common plumbing issues, you shouldn’t leave them unattended for too long.
When dealing with slow-draining sinks, it’s tempting to turn to a chemical drain cleaner.
There’s a chance that these products can help, but they’re unlikely to completely clear a clog.
As a result, you’ll use them whenever you need to unclog your sink, which can eventually damage your pipes.
Furthermore, these chemical cleaners contain acids that can eat away at your pipes and damage your plumbing system.
Plus, they’re not good for your health when inhaled and can pollute waterways.
Alternatively, you can use most home remedies. For example, a plunger or a drain snake can help dislodge debris blocking your drain.
You can also use a mixture of natural ingredients such as hot water, baking soda, and vinegar to clear out your pipes and return the water flow to normal.
Moreover, if food debris frequently clogs your kitchen sink, consider using a special guard for your drain to catch any debris.
Avoid putting food scraps and other waste such as coffee grounds, pasta, grease, and oil down the drain.
Nevertheless, if you’ve tried these methods and the issue persists, it’s best to contact a local plumber immediately.
3. Look for Any Leaks
Part of maintaining your home’s plumbing system is regularly checking for water leaks around your home.
Even a tiny leak can cause significant problems, such as increasing your water bill.
A faucet water leak can waste up to 180 gallons a week, while a running toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water daily.
Meanwhile, water leaks not only increase your water bill but could also be a sign of plumbing issues.
In general, water leaks can occur as a result of a worn-out washer, a corroded valve seat, or problems with O-rings.
Therefore, make sure to inspect your shower heads and faucets regularly.
Ensure that fixtures and handles aren’t leaking when you turn off your water.
Take note that there may be sneaky water leaks. So, check under your sinks while water is running to see if one of your pipes is leaking.
If you suspect that you have a pipe leak somewhere in your home but can’t find it, you should contact a plumber.
Undetected leaks can attract pests, encourage mold and mildew growth and cause structural damage.
4. Flush the Water Heater
Water heater manufacturers recommend that you flush your tank regularly.
However, most homeowners are unaware of this advice or skip it altogether.
Flushing the water in your heater is one of the best ways to maintain your home’s plumbing system.
Mineral sediments and silts tend to accumulate in the bottom of your water heater tank.
This can reduce the efficiency of your water heater and your plumbing system. By flushing out sediments, you can improve your water heater’s operational speed and extend its lifespan.
In general, manufacturers recommend users drain their water heaters once or twice a year.
5. Check the Water Pressure
Most residential plumbing systems have a water pressure of about 40 to 50 pounds per square inch (PSI).
When you’re having a water pressure higher than these figures, it can create a strain on your plumbing system.
Also, it can weaken pipe joints and increase the risk of bursting.
On the other hand, having a low water pressure can be a sign of a leak somewhere in your plumbing system.
Hence, it’s important to always check your water pressure.
You can test your home’s water pressure levels using a pressure gauge that lets you know if water pressure is too low or too high.
Meanwhile, another preventive measure you can take is investing in a pressure regulator.
This regulator can help maintain your water level, so it doesn’t go above the necessary level.
Using these two tools, you can keep your water pressure checked.
Takeaway
Complicated as your plumbing system may be, taking care of it isn’t that difficult.
Regular inspections can help you avoid common issues such as rusted or broken pipes, clogs, and leaks.
Not only will it prevent you from tackling expensive water damage or witnessing horrendous matters, but it also helps extend the lifespan of your fixtures and plumbing system.
