Your plumbing system is an essential part of your home. It requires regular maintenance to ensure that your home continues to function properly. Unfortunately, plumbing systems are delicate, so it’s likely a potential issue may occur at some point. Here are some key tips to stabilize your plumbing system and ensure that it stays in good shape.
1. Work With an Experienced Plumber
It’s important to have an emergency system in place if something goes wrong. If you’ve noticed a major issue with your plumbing system, you may have to contact a plumber to fix the issue. According to Forbes, common signs that your drain needs to be cleaned include slow draining, water backups, foul odors, and gurgling or bubbling sounds. If you don’t have a plumber on standby, you’ll have to search through multiple companies to find the right one. This can be a time-consuming process, which is the worst-case scenario when you’re dealing with an emergency that requires immediate attention. Working with an experienced plumber can help you save time and money when things go wrong.
2. Look For Leaks
Check for any leaks around your home every few weeks. Even small leaks may cause your water bill to increase. Leaky faucets waste tons of water every day. Running toilets, water heaters, washing machines, and refrigerators wastes hundreds of gallons of water every day. If you believe that you have a hidden leak somewhere, contact a plumber as soon as possible. Hidden leaks may attract termites and other pests into your home.
3. Clean the Kitchen Sink
Cleaning your sink involves eliminating potential grease buildup. You can take a strainer and dispose of all the excess grease in your garbage can instead of down the drain. Running hot water down the drain is also recommended. This helps break down any excess food particles and soap buildup.
4. Replace Old Pipes
It’s important to replace the pipes if you’re staying in an old home. Older materials aren’t as durable as the ones that are used today. In some cases, the solution to your draining issues may be simply swapping out your old pipes for new ones.
5. Avoid Getting Hair in the Drain
Hair buildup may cause significant problems to your draining system. A wet-dry vacuum can help grab excess hair around the drain before it goes down and potentially causes major damage. Reader’s Digest notes that flour, grease, and eggshells are the top three items that you should avoid pouring down your drain.
6. Take Care of a Slow Moving Drain ASAP
A slow drain is a common occurrence. If you use your sink multiple times per day, soap, hair, dirt, and other grime will start to build up on the drain walls. It’s important to take care of this issue now before it becomes a larger problem. Perhaps all you need to do is remove and clean the stopper. Another common remedy to clear slow drains is using a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. If you’ve tried multiple treatment methods and the drain is still clogged, contact a plumber.
7. Watch Your Water Heater
A leaky water heater is a sign that more trouble could be on the horizon. Most home septic tanks should be cleaned every three to five years. Draining your water heater every season can help prevent sediment that permanently damages your heater. Pay attention to the water pressure. It’s a bad sign if it’s trending too high or too low.
8. Develop a Winter Plan
Winter takes a toll on your plumbing. Consider winterizing your plumbing system so that it can handle the harsh elements of the season. Be sure to update the heating elements in your home as well. Freezing pipes are a major inconvenience. Developing a winter plan potentially saves you thousands of dollars in plumbing costs.
Utilizing these plumbing tips will help you avoid major issues. Performing regular maintenance is the most important thing that you can do.
