When you have a basic understanding of your plumbing, its layout and function, you can better perform standard care and upkeep.
Tasks like tightening a loose faucet or clearing a blocked drain helps to save from escalating problems down the line. Visit - Plumbing System Maintenance | How to Prevent Clogs - for tips on caring for your plumbing system.
Familiarizing yourself with key components, like pipes, fixtures, and appliances, can and how they work cohesively will help you recognize potential defects in the system early and determine the scope of needed repairs.
In this vein, you can communicate easier with professional repair technicians when you need help.
Companies like GR Plumbing will collaborate with homeowners when diagnosing issues, such as plumbing leaks. It can save time and reduce repair costs if the homeowner can identify whether the leak is coming from a fixture, pipe, or appliance.
This knowledge empowers you to take better care of your plumbing system to ensure its efficiency and longevity.
Plumbing issues invariably happen at the worst possible moment. Often, however, problems can be avoided with proactive homeowner care and upkeep and preventive professional inspections and maintenance. These efforts can save money compared to ignoring the system.
With a few straightforward strategies you can keep your pipes, fixtures, and appliances in good condition and extend their lifespan. Consider these tips for a healthy plumbing system.
Leaks
An easy and budget-friendly care recommendation is to fix leaks immediately when you notice them. A slow drip wastes as much as hundreds of gallons of water in a year. Usually, even a tiny leak of that nature is a sign of a significant underlying issue.
It’s important to visually inspect around the toilet and under sinks for moisture routinely. Small leaks can get missed easily until a substantial amount of water appears. When performing regular inspections, it’s wise to change out parts that get heavy use such as washers and O-rings.
At the same time, you want to periodically check your water meter when the water is not in use. If the meter is still moving, there could be a hidden leak somewhere.
Running toilets
A big indication that something needs to be repaired or replaced with the toilet is if the fixture is constantly running. The volume of water wasted when a toilet runs without stopping is enormous, ranging up to 200 gallons each day. That’s not only bad for the environment but can significantly increase your utility costs.
You can see substantial savings with an affordable part and minimum effort. The flapper valve, a rubber piece inside the toilet tank that opens when you press the flush lever can wear out from erosion and use. These are inexpensive and relatively easy to replace.
If you’re uncomfortable with the process a plumbing professional will handle the repair for an affordable price.
The drains
Many times, plumbing issues develop from what people put in the system. Often, grease, oil, and fat are poured into the kitchen drain while they’re hot. The problem is these substances solidify in the pipes leading to blockages. Clogs can become significant because other particles adhere to the sticky obstacle.
Garbage disposals are often used like a trash bin with scratchy or fibrous food bits like celery or potato peels causing the unit to overwork and creating damage to the system. It’s important to pay attention to which foods are acceptable for a disposal and which you should refrain from.
The toilet is often used for items like paper towels, “flushable” wipes, cotton swabs, dental floss, and on. It’s important to remember to only flush standard toilet paper and human waste. Everything else will linger in the drain, clogging up the system and leading to an overflow.
Cleaning solutions
While chemical drain cleaners are excellent at clearing up problems, their harsh nature can also do a lot of damage to your pipes. You can extend the life of your system by choosing a more natural approach and save costs in the long run.
A DIY drain cleaning solution to try includes baking soda (½ cup) and vinegar (½ cup) to sit in the drain for roughly 15 minutes and then rinse with hot water. It’s an eco-friendly and budget-friendly method to keep the pipes clean.
A plumbing professional will help with persistent clogs or offer more suggestions for natural alternatives.
Plumbing disasters often stem from delayed repairs. The more preventive measures you take, the less likely you’ll deal with an urgent service call and the high costs that come with these repairs. Click here for guidance on caring for your plumbing system.
A plumbing system that has no issues is a selling point for prospective homebuyers when you decide to sell the property. This gives ample reasons to ensure you present a healthy system.
