When it comes to maintenance, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that’s particularly true when it comes to your home’s plumbing. Preventive DIY plumbing maintenance can save you a lot of money on costly repairs and big water bills.
In this guide, we’ll share some of the most important plumbing maintenance tips so that you can avoid having to deal with pricey repairs that could have been prevented had they not gone unnoticed.
Importance of Regular Plumbing Maintenance
Most plumbing systems will last for a long time with proper use alone (this implies not tightening your faucets to the point of breaking), and the same applies to fixtures as well.
Regular maintenance prolongs the life expectancy of your plumbing and fixtures, and it’s typically much more affordable compared to plumbing emergencies and the damage such emergencies can cause.
The importance of regular plumbing maintenance lies in its ability to prolong the life of your plumbing and prevent disastrous scenarios such as structural damage caused by an undetected leak.
DIY Tips for Plumbing Maintenance
While it’s often recommended to leave the plumbing to the professionals, there are some basic maintenance steps that you can DIY:
How to Spot and Fix Leaks
It’s a good idea to regularly check for leaks around your home because even the tiniest of leaks could waste an incredible amount of water if left undetected for long periods. Bigger leaks are easier to detect; if you haven’t seen a big stain on the wall, you must’ve noticed an increase in your water bill.
Smaller leaks are usually much more dangerous. The increase in your bill might be negligibly marginal, and the staining might not even appear on the outer surface of a wall. However, it can introduce moisture and mildew in your home, and it can even cause structural damage.
If you suspect you have a leak in your home but you aren’t able to locate it, the best approach is to call a residential plumber; they’ll know what to do.
How to Clean and Maintain Drains
A slow sink has multiple causes, but it’s usually caused by the combination of hair and soap accumulating on the drain walls. Addressing these is important, as you want to avoid having them completely clogged, which would prevent any notion of DIY maintenance and cleaning and demand a call to the bathroom plumber.
One of the most effective ways is to clean the stopper (which usually resolves the issue) or use the classic DIY combination of baking soda and vinegar. The latter is a pretty inexpensive way of dealing with minor clogs and sluggish drains. However, if that doesn’t alleviate the issue, you’re likely to have to call for some emergency plumbing.
Preventing and Removing Clogs
The best maintenance is preventive maintenance, which means that you really have to watch what’s going down your drain and through your pipes.
Everyday objects like hair, soap, food particles, grease, and even objects that are labeled as flushable. Too much toilet paper, facial tissues, baby wipes, and even paper towels can create clogs since these aren’t designed to break down and dissolve easily.
When it comes to your kitchen sink or your bathroom drain, inexpensive mesh drains will keep the hair and other smaller pieces, like food particles, out of your system. As for your toilet, items such as diapers, feminine hygiene products, and wipes should always be disposed of in a trash can.
Summary
These simple tips can prevent the majority of potential plumbing problems most homeowners experience. However, some plumbing issues aren’t really in the realm of DIY enthusiasts and demand a more professional approach. For all your plumbing needs, contact us or give us a call on 0417 299 820.
