Plumbing Maintenance
By Daniel M.
Let’s be honest; a lot of people don’t think about plumbing until something goes wrong. This can be caused by any problem, such as a clogged toilet, a leaky faucet, or a mysterious puddle of water under the sink. There’s no doubt that plumbing problems seem to happen at the worst times possible, but taking care of your plumbing doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to maintain. Even with just a little maintenance and basic plumbing knowledge, you will be able to avoid plenty of stress and possibly water damage around your house. In this blog post, I will break down some simple tips and real-life advice to help you keep things in better shape at your home.
Starting off with the importance of plumbing maintenance, it is very important for people to take action on more plumbing maintenance. In the article, The Importance of Regular Plumbing Maintenance, it states that regular plumbing maintenance is a great way to keep your home safe and functional, while also saving thousands of dollars in repairs and damage. Small plumbing problems can turn huge in a small amount of time, and fixing those problems can cost more than it would to just do regular maintenance checks to prevent those issues. As mentioned earlier, small problems can lead to even bigger issues, such as water damage to your home, which can lead to mold and mildew, eventually leading to structural damage that can be really unsafe for your family.
Speaking of plumbing maintenance, there are many small plumbing maintenance tips you can do at your home right now that won’t take a lot of time, money, or skill, which can help you a lot in the long run. In the article, Helpful Plumbing Maintenance Tips for Homeowners, it talks about regular plumbing tips and inspections that can be useful, such as looking for water leaks, shut-off valves, and limiting what you put down in drains. Checking for water leaks is important, since household leaks can increase your water bill. My cousin, Nato, said, “I do a quick check every few months, especially under the sinks and in the bathroom. I also try not to let food or hair go down the drains.” Common areas to check are under faucets, the toilet, or any other exposed pipes. You can also check any appliances that use water such as dishwashers, washing machines, etc. Once you find your leak, use the main water shut-off valve, which every plumbing system has, to stop water from flowing. Some appliances may have their own shut-off valve, such as toilets, so keep an eye out for those.
Did you know that different seasons have different impacts on your plumbing systems? In the article, The Impact of Seasonal Changes on Your Plumbing System, they take a deep dive into what impacts different seasons have on your plumbing system. During the winter and cold temperatures, many homeowners face frozen pipes due to water freezing in the pipes and water heater stress due to the water heater working harder. In the spring, due to heavy rains, it creates a lot of stress on the pipes which can also lead to sump pump failures. During the summer with rising temperatures, many people start to overuse their water system, such as increased laundry, multiple showers, and filling pools, which can overwork the sewer lines and lead to back ups and slow drains. Due to parties, some people also start to dispose of items that should not be sent down a drain, such as vegetables, trash, grease from grilling, etc. In the fall, the leaves can often lead to serious clogging issues. Some people may also face freezing pipes due to dropping temperatures, especially before winter.
Plumbing issues can happen more often than you think, so I will be giving some examples of different plumbing problems and how to solve them. According to 18 Common Plumbing Problems and How to Resolve Them, a very common plumbing problem is faucet or shower leaks, which are really important to diagnose and fix. They are easy to notice, especially when you realize your water bill spiked up by a lot. Fixing these leaks can be as easy as replacing the O-rings. Some other great tips to prevent any more issues is to avoid flushing down any unwanted stuff in your garbage disposal, such as grease, fat, non-food items, meat, and more.
If you ever have trouble fixing a plumbing issue, it’s completely okay to contact a professional plumber, but do it immediately.
It’s also important to know when to call a professional plumber. If you ever have trouble fixing a plumbing issue, it’s completely okay to contact a professional plumber, but do it immediately. Don’t wait too long to fix a clog or other plumbing emergencies. “Some small stuff, like unclogging a drain, you can definitely do on your own, if you’re careful. But if there’s water leaking through walls or floors, call a plumber. That is not a good sign,” said Nato.
Lastly, the article Troubleshooting Clogged Drains goes over some troubleshooting tips for one of the most common causes to clogged drains, gunk. To fix a clogged drain caused by a lot of gunk, make sure to remove the drain stopper and attempt to unclog by using a drain plunger. “I use a plunger at first, and, if that doesn’t work, I grab a drain snake. It can usually do the job. Sometimes I pour hot water and baking soda with vinegar afterward to help clear things up.” – Nato. Usually this can fix the issue, but if it doesn’t fix it, you can unscrew the elbow joint and clean the pipes from there. Another common cause for clogs is caused by flushing down unwanted things as stated before. The first thing to try is using a plunger to unclog the toilet. If this doesn’t work, you can try a hand-power drain auger which can be more effective.
In conclusion, even though plumbing may sound very boring and gross, it’s still something important to think about. A few simple habits can save you a lot of money and stress later on. It’s important for houses and plumbing systems to run clean and smoothly, and who wouldn’t want that?
Links for more guidance:
Importance of Plumbing Maintenance
Helpful Plumbing Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
The Impact of Seasonal Changes on Your Plumbing System
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