Plumbing repairs and servicing can take hundreds of dollars, not to mention bigger problems that can cost much higher. But regardless of that, regular plumbing maintenance is necessary.
Although major plumbing issues like clogged sewer lines, nonoperating water heaters, and potentially dangerous gas leaks should be left to professional plumbers or technicians, you can still do plenty of procedures and maintenance projects on your own.
Many small plumbing maintenance tasks are simple enough to learn and can be used repeatedly to prevent common issues. For instance, you can learn how to drain repair, unclog small pipes, and unblock your showerheads.
Learn How to Prevent Plumbing Problems
Preventing plumbing problems before they get to the point of needing emergency repairs, catching issues early on, and avoiding acts that might damage the plumbing system is crucial. For instance, many people treat their toilets like garbage cans. They throw items that could block pipes, leading to flooding and harming the environment “construction project management software.
Sinks and toilets shouldn’t be used as an alternative to trash bins; dispose of items properly to save yourself from repair costs. Some commonly-flushed materials that may cause damage include:
- Sanitary and cleaning products
- Fats and oils
- Thick wipes
- Hair
Check the Shut-Off Valves
Every home plumbing system has shut-off valves present all over the house. There are individual fixtures for toilets and sinks. This lets you cut off the water supply to that area if you need to do maintenance there or it’s leaking “construction project management software”.
Homes also have a main shut-off valve that can completely stop the house’s water. These shut-off valves are crucial, and knowing where they are is important in case of an emergency to turn off the water before your home gets flooded.
Test the Water Pressure
Water pressure can slowly decrease over time in houses largely due to corroded pipes or waste buildup in your pipeline and faucet heads. If you experience a sudden drop in water pressure, it could be because of heavy usage from other faucets or entirely different plumbing issues.
If you can’t find the cause of the reduced water pressure, ask the water company or have a plumber inspect the pipe system for you.
Don’t Ignore Leaks
Leaks usually account for trillions of gallons worth of water wasted each year worldwide. Most times, people don’t even realize there is a water leak in their homes. Finding and fixing these leaks can save you tremendous money on water bills.
Leaks often happen in places where multiple pipes are connected, so keep close attention on those. A few other ways to check leaks:
- Inspect drastic changes in your water meter.
- Check visible plumbing components like faucets and exposed pipes under the sink.
- Notice water stains or crumbling paint on ceilings and walls.
- Look out for low water pressure in certain areas.
Insulate Plumbing Parts
Insulating exposed components of your plumbing system will make them work more efficiently and protect them from the environment, especially if you live in extremely cold or very humid areas. Consider using plastic or foam pipe sleeves that can fit easily and prevent heat loss from the pipes, ultimately reducing your utility bills.
In cold regions, insulation can also prevent the water from freezing. You can use insulating blankets that work similarly to the foam pipe wraps for bigger components like water heaters. It increases their efficiency.
Know When to Hire a Professional
No matter how much you try to prevent it, it’s likely that you’ll face a major plumbing issue in the future at any point. Every homeowner needs to at least understand the basics of their plumbing and sewage to temporarily control the problem until a plumber arrives.
So, if you’re having an emergency or constant plumbing problems that you can’t fix, it’s time to call a professional.
