Plumbing issues in a household can be a pain in the neck. Just imagine if you wake up one morning, and you’re faced with the problem of a leaky drain, a dysfunctional water heater, broken pipes, and clogged toilets. Plumbing issues are some of those which can happen quite frequently in a household. But, they’re also avoidable for as long as you can keep those systems in check.
The key to keeping your plumbing system in check begins with understanding the root cause of those problems. Aside from that, preventive and regular maintenance can also do the trick. Be sure to cover everything that uses water in your home, like sinks, faucets, showers, tubs, and even appliances like your washing machine and refrigerator.
These simple plumbing tips are exactly what you might need to keep your plumbing system in check, on your own and with expert plumbers like Wallace Plumbing and Mechanical.
Fix Leaking Showerheads And Faucets
One of the earliest signs of a possible major plumbing issue is leaks, usually in faucets and showerheads. As soon as you notice a leak, have it fixed before the problem worsens.
Dripping water can be caused by a lot of things, including rust. This results in a waste of resources and an unnecessary increase in your water bill. Moreover, when neglected, the drips will get worse.
To prevent more extensive problems, check your faucets regularly. There shouldn’t be drips in the handles when it’s turned off. Check under the sink, too, for any running or dripping water.
Prevent Drain Clogs
Small, everyday irresponsible habits can often cause big plumbing problems. This is why taking daily action to prevent drain clogs is very important. There are many things you can do to keep that habit up, like:
- Not pouring oil, grease, and kitchen scraps down your kitchen drain;
- Avoid flushing anything else other than human waste in your bathroom toilets;
- Reduce the use of bath oils in the shower.
Minor drain clogs can lead to major problems, especially if the clogs are the house’s drains or pipes outside the main house. In those cases, the repair can get really expensive because of the major extent of the job.
Use Food Coloring To Check Tank Leaks
Did you know you can use food coloring other than for cooking or baking? If you have food coloring in your pantry, you can use that to check for any tank leaks. Here’s a procedure you can try:
First, drop some red food coloring into the toilet tank. Then, wait for at least half an hour or so. If the food coloring bleeds into the bowl, it’s a sign that you have to get it checked and replaced. This is important to prevent water from seeping out and lower your bill.
Check Exposed Pipes And Appliances For Leaks
Other common culprits of leaks are your pipes and appliances. The most common problem areas are your water heater and refrigerator.
If you notice those appliances are the source of the leak, the first thing to do is check your manufacturer’s manual for instructions on how to deal with it. Typically, you’ll have signs of leaks near those appliances, like water stains on the wall or puddles of water.
In case it’s leaking, put a drip tray underneath the appliance to help limit the damage on the floor. You can keep that drip tray there until the plumbers can come and address your concern.
Be On Top Of Your Seasonal Maintenance
This fifth tip is something the experts may have to do. You have to be wary about seasonal maintenance. The change of seasons can affect plumbing, bringing in the need to do plumbing maintenance during those four seasons.
For instance, when fall comes, that should signal you to prepare for the drop in temperature come winter. Frozen pipes are a common problem. Some preventive maintenance you can do include:
- Disconnecting your water house from the outdoor water source can leave the hose to freeze and explode.
- Check any drips and leaks and call a plumber to fix all those before the freezing temperature comes.
- Cover all outdoor spigots using an insulation cover.
Conclusion
A home plumbing system is a big investment. Many potential homeowners choosing a house to purchase would check the plumbing system and its condition. Whether or not you plan to re-sell your home, it’s a significant must-do to keep it in check. Hence, you can avoid the unpleasant surprise of a broken plumbing system and the unpleasant expense of an irreparable issue. Tick the items above one item at a time as a part of your overall plumbing maintenance to keep things in the proper order.
