The plumbing system of a house isn’t something you should take any chances on. It is best kept well maintained and working smoothly to prevent the risk of inviting an ugly mess and incurring large bills.
A lot of us fail to give our plumbing systems the importance they deserve, and only care about maintenance when a plumbing disaster manifests itself. Plumbing systems should be maintained regularly so that minor problems are caught earlier and you are spared the large bills, the potential mess, and the inconvenience later.
Issues such as water leakages continue to financially cost you in the form of over charged water bills while at the same time causing water damage to your property all along. Plumbing maintenance involves checking for leaks every now and then, and can help expose any hidden plumbing issues before they can grow into develop into more serious problems. Therefore, it is essential to acquaint yourself with the basics that can help you to ensure that your plumbing system is working seamlessly.
Following is a useful checklist that will allow you to maintain your house’s plumbing system.
Use Water Efficiently
Cutting back on the wastage caused by a running tap is one of the simplest plumbing maintenance techniques you can use to save money on your water bills and enhance the water efficiency throughout your home.
Simply turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth, or fill up the kettle with a little less water. Moreover, you can fill your sink with soapy water and wash all your dishes at once instead of keeping the tap running the entire time.
Check Faucets and Shower heads for Leakages
Dripping faucets are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to water wastage and they can end up wasting a lot of water and adding huge amounts to your water bills. If the problem is not handled in a timely manner, it can get worse over time and even lead to damage to the floors under the sink. Therefore, to save yourself from all these potential problems later, regularly check the faucets for leaks and be quick to make repairs. Checking the handles can easily give away any signs of leaking faucets.
Check All Exposed Pipes and Appliances for Sign of Water Leaks
Your refrigerator, disposal, or even the water heater can be the source of a leak. Stick to the manufacturer’s instructions for the maintenance of appliances. Look out for any glaring signs of a leak such as puddles of water, and stains on the ceilings or the walls. You should also keep an eye out for mildew from these appliances since it can cause water damage over time. Keeping a drip tray under the washing machine or the heater usually does the trick as it helps to limit the damage in case of a leak from the appliances.
Checking Water Pressure
Water pressure is, essentially, the force at which the water comes out of your faucets and runs throughout the pipes in your house. While you wouldn’t mind above normal water pressure to jolt you out of your slumber in the morning, too much of it takes a toll on the plumbing lines and even your appliances.
More-than-average water pressure can also result in blow outs and end up flooding your house. Therefore, ensuring a safe level of water pressure is an integral part of the basics of plumbing maintenance.
Water pressure can be tested using a pressure gauge, and preventative measures can be employed by installing a pressure regulator to maintain a safe level of water pressure. On the other hand, if the water pressure seems too low at the faucets or the shower head, removing and cleaning it for any sediments that might have accumulated mostly serves as a quick fix and improves the water pressure.
Water Heater
The water heater is a prominent fixture of the plumbing system which is why it needs to be maintained to avoid any accidents or inconvenience should it decide to act up In the middle of the winter.
For a basic maintenance check up, look into the burner chamber of the heater. There should not be any flakes of rust or any obvious signs of corrosion inside of the chamber. Moreover, make sure that the flame of the water heater is a blue color and that there are no signs of a yellow flame. Any sign of a yellow flame would indicate that it requires maintenance.
Drains
The most common culprit behind a clogged drain is a material that was not meant to be put through it. Food wastes can clog the kitchen drains, while hair, conditioners, and moisturizers can end up catching debris inside the drainage system and result in clogged drains that can potentially cause a number of problems down the road. Here are some preventative measures you can take:
- Ensure there are trash cans in the kitchen as well as in the bathroom so materials that clog the drainage are actually thrown into the bin
- Have your sewers snaked from time to time to avoid clogging
Performing basic maintenance of your plumbing systems can guard you against both major and minor plumbing disasters that were highlighted earlier on. Even though you can take on a number of plumbing projects by yourself, there are others that may require a professional hand. If you need any help with pressure regulation, detecting leaks, or any other plumbing-related issues around your house, try our dedicated plumbing services to take care of all your plumbing needs.