One of the most troublesome and expensive home issues to deal with is bad plumbing. It’s one of those problems that tends to just lead to a domino effect of increasingly troublesome events. This is what makes it so important to tend to your plumbing fixtures regularly.
Even if you think your plumbing is all in order or you’ve only got minor problems, it’s best not to sweep anything under the rug. Regular maintenance and preventative practices will end up being more cost-effective than any repair that may arise.
If you’re going to undergo regular maintenance, make sure you get these essential steps done:
Check Your Flush
The flush is one of the most common issues that a house encounters, even with regular care. It’s a great signal that something is wrong because it’s naturally used every day. Check your toilets and watch how the water comes down when you flush.
All you need to do is monitor how long it takes for the process to finish by checking the water visually as it goes down and by listening for how long it runs. If the water is running even when not in use or it doesn’t stop after flushing, you may have a problem with the seal. It increases your water consumption and leads to further damage if left to fester.
On top of this, it can produce unwanted smells. It’s connected to your sewer lining, so it could lead to the exposure of gases that are not only stinky but also harmful in the long run.
Assess Your Drains
Check the sinks the shower drains throughout your house. The speed with which the water goes down can be indicative of a clog. If you notice the presence of a clog, don’t let it build up. Over time, they can cause further damage to your pipes and lead to floods. It can even get to the point where water simply doesn’t go down the drain at all anymore.
Don’t let it get to that severe point. The best thing to do is plunge out those clogs and get rid of build-up. It should be noted that normal chemical clog removers can be damaging to your pipes. If you can find an organic solution, it will fix your problem without degrading the pipe structure.
Look for Leaks
Leaks can be very sneaky if you don’t keep an eye out for them. Sometimes, they are so slow and minute that you don’t realize there’s a leak until the utility bills come in. This can double or even triple your expenses on water, so make sure you are alert about them.
Check your faucets and water heaters regularly. Even small leaks can amount to thousands of gallons lost, which translates to both more money out of your pocket and more waste that doesn’t help the environment. Check your energy consumption to see if your heater may have issues, and see if there are any broken seals in your faucets.
If the problem is a little too complicated for you to figure out, but you’re sure there’s a leak, a plumber can identify the source and sort it out.
Check Fixtures for Moisture
This is something that you need to check regularly, especially in spots that you may not always have a visual on. It can even be more problematic if you live in a house or environment that is naturally humid.
Even if your fixtures deal with water, there should not be any growth of mold or mildew in the area. A lesser sign of this issue would be damp walls or flooring in areas around your plumbing. This means there is an accumulation of moisture where it shouldn’t be.
Check your plumbing fixtures for any broken pipes, clogs, and ineffective seals. Not only does this issue lead to other problems, but it could compound very quickly if left to develop. Once things get severe, you are at risk of bursting pipes and prolonged issues, like molds.
Clean Your Garbage Disposal
It’s prudent to keep your garbage disposal regularly maintained in the first place. However, any slip-ups in care can also lead to a lot of plumbing problems.
One of the most common mistakes people make is to dump any and all food scraps down the disposal. The problem is that not all textures and fibers can easily be managed, putting your plumbing at risk of getting damaged. The blades of your garbage disposal can get easily jammed or stickied up, making them less effective.
It’s a good idea to use cold water when running your garbage disposal to prevent grease and fat build-up. Keep the water on for about half a minute after you’ve shut off the disposal to make sure that everything is cleared out. When fixing a jam, make sure to use tools and not your hands, so you don’t risk getting a nasty injury.
Turn Everything On
Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to regularly turn on every fixture in your household all at once numerous times. It just means you need to make sure every fixture is being used regularly. It’s the same idea behind turning a car on for a few minutes, even if it’s not in use.
If you have any plumbing fixtures that are underutilized at home, just make sure to give them a quick run every now and then to make sure everything is still working. It’ll also be a good way to make sure that you’re not overlooking any burgeoning problems. Sometimes, fully letting them stay unused is what even causes issues in the first place.
Closing
It’s important to get all of these steps into your maintenance routine so that your plumbing stays in good shape. If you skip out on some of these, you risk missing any developing problems that you could have otherwise prevented or tapered down. Keep in mind that letting things out of your sight makes you more prone to gradually worsening plumbing conditions. Thankfully, these practices don’t take that much time and will prevent any downtime.
If you need a professional plumber in Granada Hills, Candu Plumbing & Rooter can provide a free estimate for all your plumbing needs. Contact us now for a booking.
