Preventative maintenance is the best way to keep your home plumbing system in the best condition. This might seem tedious, but it is more practical to spend money on preventive measures instead of hiring a contractor to repair your entire system.
Follow these preventative tips and you won’t need to pay for avoidable plumbing damage:
Regularly inspect your water heater
Water heaters can last up to a decade with proper care, and since you use this appliance on a daily basis, it is crucial to have it checked once a month for possible problems. Lower your settings to 115 degrees Fahrenheit by adjusting the dial knob or the thermostat behind the water heater. This prevents it from overheating. You need to always look out for signs that something that might be wrong with your system. If you don’t hear gurgling sounds, check the temperature and pressure, as this could mean that no water is being released in the drain tube.
Upgrade hoses and fixtures
You should consider replacing rubber hoses with metallic ones. This applies to other plumbing fixtures like waterline raisers, valves and pipes. The best way to look for problematic signs is to walk through the house and inspect the walls, floors and ceilings. Cracks on wooden ceilings can be a sign of trapped moisture or leaking water.
Maintain your sink drain
The sink drain in your kitchen or bathroom is vulnerable to getting clogged with anything that can slow down its draining process. You can prevent this from happening with regular drain cleaning and save yourself from calling an emergency plumber.
Check your main water shut-off valve
It’s important for homeowners to know the exact location of main shut-off valve. You can easily find this next to the water meter, which is usually located at the front of your house. This valve allows you to stop the water supply flow in times of emergency. During winter, the valve handle can harden, so check it once every two weeks.
Get regular tune-ups
Hire a master plumber once a year to inspect the entire system for possible problems. Only highly skilled technicians can fix complicated damages that ordinary people can’t identify. Clogged drains and damaged septic tanks are examples of issues you will not be able to fix yourself. Contractors will test the details of your plumbing system and suggest repairs and fixes.
