The plumbing system is one of the most important systems in our homes, and we all know it. Yet, we know it only when something goes wrong. In other words, we tend to take this system for granted while it is working well, and then we pay attention to it only when it breaks down completely, or when there is a visible issue that has to be fixed. This, however, is certainly not a good idea.
While I understand that you have other things in life to think about, the truth is that you should never ignore your plumbing. When you take a look at https://callwrightchoiceplumbing.com, you will realize that there are different plumbing services you can use to your advantage, and that maintenance is one of those. So, don’t wait until something happens, and instead ensure that you are regularly maintaining and inspecting this system, in an effort to ensure its proper functioning.
Now, most people do understand the importance of maintenance, at least on some level. But, what they don’t know is how to actually do it. Let us, thus, share some tips gathered from Wright Choice Plumbing, a local plumbing company that knows how to keep this system safe and operating properly. These maintenance tips should give you a better idea about what it is that you should do in order to take care of this part of your home, and that should be enough to raise your awareness, get you familiar with some important steps, and with the factors you have to keep in mind. Without any further ado, thus, let us get started.
- Keep Your Drains Clear
Clogged drains are, without a doubt, a clear sign that you need to call in a plumber and thus have professionals fix this problem for you. This will happen from time to time, but the truth is that you can actually reduce the frequency of it happening, if not eliminate the problem completely. There are things you can do to keep your drains clear. For example, you can use drain strainers in sinks and tubs, and dispose of grease and cooking oil in a different way than pouring it into the drains, as well as run hot water down the kitchen sink after using it, so as to flush away any food residue. Apart from that, you should beware of using chemical drain cleaners, as those can actually damage the pipes.
- Keep the Pipes Protected in Cold Weather
Speaking of the pipes, you should undeniably think about how to protect these during the cold weather, thus preventing bursts. How can you do this, though? Well, for one thing, you should insulate them with heat tape or foam sleeves. Then, remember to keep the cabinet doors open when the temperatures are low, so as to allow some warm air to circulate. And, of course, keeping your faucet dripping when the weather is extremely cold is another great prevention measure you can take, together with the ones talked about on this page.
- Keep an Eye on the Pressure
You may not have known this, but both low and high water pressure can cause damage to your plumbing. As it is logical, extremely high pressure can put a lot of strain on the pipes and the appliances, which can increase the risk of leaks. On the other hand, too low a pressure can be an indication of a hidden leak or a buildup. Your task here is, therefore, to keep an eye on the water pressure and act right away if you notice that something is wrong with it. You may even want to invest in a water pressure gauge, to be even more precise here.
- Regularly Check for Leaks
As you probably understand already, even small leaks can cause big problems. For one thing, they can lead to your water bill spiking. For another, if left unattended, these can even cause some structural issues in your property, which is certainly something you would much rather avoid. So, what is it that you have to do here exactly?
Well, the idea is for you to regularly check for water leaks. Do that by looking behind the toilets, under the sinks, as well as around any appliances, in an effort to uncover these on time, through noticing moisture or puddles. Then, your water bill can also be an indicator, so don’t take those spikes for granted. And, of course, perhaps the best thing to do is turn the water completely off, and then watch whether the meter is still running, because if it is, there is probably a leak somewhere that you need to fix as soon as possible.
- Know Where Your Shut-Off Valves Are
Since I’ve mentioned shutting off your water completely, there is no doubt that you need to know where the actual shot-off valves are. You’d be surprised at how many people simply don’t know this and don’t care about it at all. But this is important because it can prevent some really serious damage in case a pipe bursts, or in case of a similar emergency.
- Be Careful What You’re Flushing
Another plumbing maintenance tip that you absolutely have to keep in mind is this. Basically, you should be careful what you flush. As every great professional, including Wright Choice Plumbing, will tell you, you should never flush paper towels, napkins, feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, dental floss, or any kinds of small objects. This simple tip can make a huge difference, preventing buildup, and thus keeping your plumbing system operating successfully.
- Have Regular Professional Inspections
Here is the final tip I have to share. No matter how many things you can do alone, the truth is that you can never inspect everything without professional help. This basically means that your task is to regularly have your plumbing system inspected by professionals, as they will notice any signs of trouble, and any small issues before they get worse. What’s more, they will fix those issues and leave you with a peace of mind.