Plumbing Tips and Tricks for Homeowners
Posted on August 16th, 2021 by carrolladmin
Homeownership requires constant maintenance and regular upkeep. Knowing your way around the main systems that make up your home’s framework is really important.
Regular Maintenance Prevents Household Plumbing Problems
HVAC and plumbing are two of the primary systems that run a home, and both involve regular maintenance. Plumbing, in particular, is not a one and done deal. Routine maintenance is required to keep the home’s plumbing system in good condition and working order.
Maintenance
From veterans to first-timers, every homeowner should learn some simple maintenance tips to save them time and money. It’s easy to get started by making a checklist of routine maintenance tasks to perform on your plumbing system.
Make a List, Check it Twice
First, make a list of all the locations inside and outside the home that utilize plumbing—kitchen, laundry room, bathrooms, irrigation systems, outdoor faucets, etc. Next, identify where your shut off valve to the whole house is located. It’s important to know how to shut down the water source to the house, if necessary.
Look for Visible Signs of Issues
Conduct a visual exterior inspection of pipes to identify signs of leakage. Where pipes are behind walls, look for watermarks or damp floors. In the same locations, next check for corrosion of parts. Inspect around each toilet for leaks and inside for broken parts and rust.
Broken tile flooring, mildew, and unsealed caulking can all mean a problem is brewing. These should not be ignored. Even though these problems may warrant a professional plumber’s expertise, it’s wise to locate them before the problem is twice as costly.
Test Your Appliances
Hands-on performance testing is the next step in routine maintenance. Check each location’s drainage speed and water pressure. Flush toilets and run faucets. Bubbling or noise when a sink is draining could signify a plumbing issue.
Drainage Pipes: An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure
To prevent clogged pipes, be cautious about what you put down the drain.
Oils, grease, and unnecessary bulk food should go in the trash can instead of the kitchen sink and garbage disposal. Be cautious about what is put in the bathroom sink and toilet as well. Even things that are supposed to go down the drain, such as toilet paper, can cause clogs in excessive amounts. Additionally, every drain in the bathroom should have a hair trap to prevent clogged drains.
Protect yourself from bursting frozen pipes when the weather is cold by leaving cabinets open and sinks dripping when the temperatures dip below freezing. Installing pipe insulation is another way to prevent burst pipes during the winter.
Troubleshooting
Even if you’ve done everything right, problems can still crop up. Here are some easy hacks that can either fix the problem or keep things in check until your local plumber can get there.
Avoid Liquid Drain Cleaners
If you’re dealing with a clogged drain, the standard impulse is to reach for the liquid drain cleaner. The harsh chemicals can actually harm your pipes. Keeping a snake handy is a better option to clear out clogged drains and pipes when they emerge.
Fix Dripping Faucets Yourself
Dripping faucets? You can usually fix those yourself. It’s often a water pressure issue or an issue with a fixture component, and a quick YouTube visit can usually help you identify the correct way to effectively stop the dripping.
Know the Signs of Water Leaks
Don’t wait for actual water to show up before your eyes. Know the signs of water leakage to stop problems before they become a really serious issue.
Signs include:
- Wall and ceiling discoloration
- Mildew smell in attics, crawl spaces, and basements
These can be indicators that there’s a stealth water leak somewhere in the house.
From Small Leaks to Bigger Plumbing Projects, Carroll Plumbing & Heating Can Help
It’s important for every homeowner to be proactive when it comes to plumbing. Waiting until you’re face-to-face with disaster is what calls for the most expensive plumbing emergencies. For more information on plumbing repair, contact Carroll Plumbing & Heating Inc. today.
