Do you have a dripping tap? A clogged pipe or a leaking sink? As a homeowner, you will encounter many plumbing issues such as these. Instead of letting your maintenance fees increase, a smart homeowner should be able to detect and fix minor plumbing problems. You should have basic knowledge about plumbing maintenance as a homeowner.
Prevent minor plumbing issues from becoming headaches in the future by doing some maintenance on your own. You will be able to save money and save your sanity as well.
Here are fourteen plumbing tips that homeowners should know.
- Regularly clean shower drains
Regularly cleaning your shower drains is a simple tip that will go a long way. Hair can clump together with debris and residue and become an inconvenience. Routinely remove any hair and debris from shower drains to prevent future clogs from occurring. Avoid clogged drains and shower puddles just by following this simple tip!
- Regularly check for leaks
It pays to be vigilant when it comes to your plumbing pipes. Make sure you routinely check your fixtures for any leaks. After completing plumbing maintenance work, double-check if you missed anything before telling yourself that you have done a good job.
- Regularly get professional plumbing inspections
Try to get a professional to inspect your home at least once a year. Even if you think that your home is in tip-top shape, there are still some issues that you may have missed. Call a professional to check your house plumbing line for you. Through regular inspection, you can detect major plumbing issues early on and prevent them from causing damage to your home.
- Regularly check your water meter
Keep an eye on your water meter dials. As a homeowner, you should be aware of your regular household water consumption. If your water meter shows consumption even when you are not using it, it is a telltale sign that there is a leak somewhere in your pipe system, and you should check for leaks right away.
- Don’t ignore leaks
Never ignore leaks. Maybe you saw the tap dripping water and chose to look the other way? Well, that tap is not going to stop dripping unless you do something about it. A leaking tap may seem like a non-issue but left unattended, it can use up thousands of litres of water a year. Not only does this affect your water bill, but it is also not very environmentally friendly.
- Do not put garbage and food waste down the drain
Kitchen sinks encounter the most waste out of all your household fixtures, and you should not dump food waste down the drain. Kitchen sinks are vulnerable to food waste clogs, so ensure to clear out food debris before it enters your pipes.
Rice, grease, vegetable peelings are just some of the regular waste that can easily clog your pipes. Even if you have a garbage disposal installed, you should know how much your unit can take.
- Do not flush garbage down the toilet
Your toilet is not your trash can. Do not flush down garbage down the toilet. It will only lead you to headaches when you find yourself with a clogged toilet. No one wants a nasty toilet clog. Keep your garbage in the bin and not in your pipes.
- Do not over-tighten fittings
While you are fixing your plumbing issues and screwing some fittings here and there, you should remember this simple tip—don’t over-tighten fittings. Just because your fittings are tightly screwed does not mean that they are more secure. If you over-tighten fittings, you may find yourself with stripped screws and broken bolts which will be an even bigger headache to your regular maintenance tasks.
- Do not puncture your pipes
Are you planning on putting up a new painting, or a new wall-mounted flat-screen TV? Before you drill any holes into your wall, make sure to avoid puncturing any of your pipes. Determine where your pipes are located and do not drill holes near it.
- Avoid using chemical drain cleaners
While you can clean clogged drains using chemical drain cleaners, these products can also be harmful to your plumbing pipes. Some of the chemicals used in these products are too strong and can erode your metal piping and end up doing more harm than good. Try to avoid using chemical drain cleaners when possible.
- Get repairs done ASAP
It’s best to get repairs done as soon as possible. A leaking tap left unchecked and untreated will not only add to your bills but also encourage mildew and potential health concerns. Keep your household dry and clean and solve plumbing issues as soon as they come.
- Soften the water
Hard water, or water with high mineral content, can lead to build-up and stains to your fixtures and sinks. Not only that, but it can also affect the inside of your plumbing line through build-up which can potentially decrease the water pressure. Avoid hard water by installing a water softener in your home.
- Have the proper tools in hand
Make sure you have the tools you need for plumbing maintenance at your disposal. Having a plunger and a drain snake will save you a lot of time and effort. These are tools that can save you in the nick of time and help you unclog toilets, drains, and sinks.
You don’t have to worry if you are unsure of how to use these tools. Plungers and drain snakes are easy to handle and straightforward enough to help you solve any minor plumbing issues.
- Know where the main water valve and sewer valves are located
Knowing where the main water valve and sewer valves are is the most basic knowledge that all homeowners must-have. When you encounter a plumbing issue, the first thing you need to do is to shut off the main water valve before inspecting the issue.
If you know where the main valve is, you can quickly shut off any plumbing leaks and react accordingly. By having this piece of information, you can save yourself from expensive repairs and additional water damage to your house.
Apart from knowing where the main water line valve is, you should also know where you can find your sewer valves. While doing maintenance work and unclogging your pipes, access to sewer clean-outs will come in handy.
Conclusion
Gear yourself up with a few of these tips so that you can efficiently handle plumbing emergencies that may occur in your home over time. Just by having the simple tools and the proper knowledge, you can be the first line of defence in keeping your home comfortable for your family.