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. But if you’re not confident in doing it yourself because you are not adept at handling tools, it’s best to rely on experts to prevent further damage. If you want to know what other jobs plumbing professionals can do, find more here.
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.
Sinks and toilets shouldn’t be used as an alternative to trash bins; dispose of items properly to save yourself from repair costs. If you have children at home, teaching them not to flush certain items down the toilet will be vital. Of course, kids play all the time and can be very imaginative. Sometimes, small toys end up in the toilet when they try to be experimental. However, letting the kids know what to expect if they flush something inappropriate could save you from a lot of problems.
If you have children, it is best to educate them by letting them know of the things that shouldn’t be flushed on the toilet or thrown at the kitchen drain. Taking care of your home is a responsibility for the whole family. It is a good way of fostering a sense of responsibility, especially for your children.
In addition, keeping a container by the sink for any food waste will provide excellent compost material for your plants. As a result, family members no longer have to worry about clogging the sink with spent coffee grounds, fruit peels, or other food scraps that you might mistakenly throw in there. This will be an ethical practice that is also environmentally friendly. Some commonly-flushed materials that may cause damage include:
- Sanitary and cleaning products
- Fats and oils
- Thick wipes
- Hair
Some think that coffee grounds are safe to throw in the kitchen drain since they’re tiny and look harmless, but they don’t dissolve easily and could pile up, causing a blockage. So, to keep your drain clog-free, it is best to avoid flushing anything solid or indissoluble.
If you ever experience a significant clogging problem that needs the entire toilet to be moved, it’s something you can’t possibly do on your own, and you would need to seek the help of a professional plumber. If you need help in that aspect, you can search online for a reliable plumbing service provider’s website, such as https://www.mrrooter.com/dallas/, to assist you.
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.
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.
It’s critical to check the shut-off valves regularly because if they haven’t been switched on or off in many years, they might become corroded and stiff, eventually becoming stuck. Lubricating the valve regularly will prevent it from becoming brittle from mineral deposits in the water and rusty from exposure to moisture and air.
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. It may also be due to loose faucet fixtures that require replacement. 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.
