What’s Included In Regular Plumbing Maintenance?

What’s Included In Regular Plumbing Maintenance?

A lot of people don’t worry about the condition of their plumbing system until it’s too late and a problem has arisen. It’s important to recognize that there’s a problem right away so that you can immediately call a plumber. However, it’s even more important to perform regular inspections and maintenance to your plumbing system if you wish to avoid any issues and maintain the proper and consistent function of your water supply and sewage lines. Staying on top of routine maintenance will only help keep the cost of your energy bills down by encouraging the preservation of energy needed to run your plumbing.

Maintenance and Inspection Tips for Homeowners

• Use your home’s water daily, checking the function of every water fixture. Stay alert for leaks, low water pressure, foul odors, and backed up drains.
• If you notice that a sink is backed up, try to carefully unclog it right away. The pressure created can cause damage to your pipes if the backup isn’t released in time. If you cannot locate the clog in your plumbing, contact a plumber so they can use the right tools and devices to fix the problem.
• Avoid putting oils down kitchen sinks to avoid clogs. Hair and food waste are also big culprits for clogged drains in kitchens and bathrooms. Try to keep your sinks clean at all times.
• Make sure nothing goes down your toilet that doesn’t belong in it. For example, waste products, tampons, paper towels, and other such items do NOT belong in your toilet. All in all, toilet paper is the only product that should be flushed.
• Avoid using chemical decloggers and liquid drainers to unclog your plumbing system. They encourage your pipes to erode faster.
• To maintain steady water pressure and the overuse of hot water, run your dishwasher at night and wait ten minutes between showers. You want to avoid constant water pressure to reserve the condition of your pipes.
• Every week, you should walk around your home to check your plumbing system for leaks and signs of stress. Pay attention for moisture on pipes and walls, water stains, odors, mold and mildew, and other signs of water damage or existing plumbing issues.
• Test all the drains in your home regularly to make sure they drain fast enough and that there aren’t any bubbles coming up through the drain.
• Flush out your water heater every few months to remove any sediment and minerals in the water. Anything in the water could cause the water heater to run less efficiently and shorten its lifespan. You should also check your water heater’s pressure release valve.
• During winter months, keep your pipes from freezing by keeping constant watch for bulging and other signs such as water condensation. Warm your pipes up with a blow dryer or heating pads if you think a pipe is freezing. Once you have restored the flow of water, call a plumber for further inspection.