Preventive Maintenance Tips For Residential Plumbing Systems

Understanding how your home’s plumbing system works and doing preventive maintenance can be extremely helpful in avoiding minor nuances such as small leaks to major problems like burst pipes altogether.

Start Caring For Your House’s Plumbing System Now 

To get started, it’s recommended to have a basic knowledge of almost everything in your plumbing system. Usually, it may include having general knowledge of everything that uses water in your house such as the sinks in your laundry room, bathroom, and kitchen as well as your appliances like washing machines and cloth dryers.

Being knowledgeable with all of these can easily help you pinpoint the possible root causes of plumbing issues your household may encounter. Plus, you’ll be able to provide better maintenance to your plumbing system for it to last longer. To know more information on how to handle your plumbing concerns, visit the PlumbCorp Plumbing website and other related references available online.  

Whether you’re planning to do-it-yourself (DIY) your way through or hire professionals to do the job for you, below are some of the preventive maintenance tips you should always take note of in caring for your house’s plumbing. 

1. Check Your Plumbing System’s Water Pressure Regularly

One of the ways to keep your plumbing system in good condition is to ensure that the water pressure in your property is at an optimum level at all times. You may test your system’s water pressure using an instrument called a pressure gauge. To ensure that your home’s pressure stays at a safe level, use and install a pressure regulator.

You can also enhance the water pressure by cleaning shower heads for they may possibly be filled with sediments that decrease the flow of water. Having better water pressure in your showers and taps means having an efficient plumbing system. Inconsistent pressure in your faucets may result in them bursting out of nowhere and other related concerns.

2. Look For Plumbing Problems And Fix Them Early

Small plumbing issues have a way to eventually develop into big-ticket plumbing problems if they’re left unchecked. What started as a small manageable leak that’s easy to repair can grow into a big pipe issue that may cause serious water damage and require expensive repairs. Thus, it’s always better to perform preventive checks early on rather than patching up solutions to issues later on. 

Issues such as standing water that’s left in the pool, for example, may attract mold. This can be harmful, so if you’ve noticed standing water or leaks, resolve them immediately. Fixing leaks as early as possible can save you money in the long run. This is because dripping faucets or showerheads may waste more water and could add up to your monthly bills.

3. Use Metal Showerheads And Faucets

It’s advised to pay attention to the quality of materials of your showerheads, faucets, and other components of your residence’s indoor plumbing. While it’s okay to choose plastic-made items because they’re cheaper, they’re believed to be prone to water leakage eventually. When compared to showerheads and faucets made from plastic materials, ones made from copper, brass, or bronze are said to be highly resistant and durable to corrosion and leaks.

4. Locate Your Shut-Off Valve

If you notice lots of water pouring out of your toilet or if you like to work on your plumbing system by yourself, you’ll need to shut down the main water supply source in your home. In this case, you should know where your plumbing’s shut-off valve is. Once you know its whereabouts, it’ll be much easier for you to perform your maintenance schedule for your plumbing system.

5. Determine What Type Of Pipes You Have

If your property was constructed decades ago, its pipes are most likely made out of materials like galvanized iron which is prone to leaking and rusting. Water running through rusted pipes may carry with them harmful foreign bodies which render the water unsafe for human consumption. 

To know what water pipe types you have on your property, you can pay a licensed plumber to know what they’re made of and their current condition. Depending on the pipes’ make, you’ve got to get them looked at regularly by professionals to ensure they stay clear, clean, and safe to use.

6. Follow A Maintenance Schedule

Another preventive maintenance tip you should never forget for your plumbing system is to set a regular schedule for maintenance checks. It’s easy to spend most of your free time on other tasks at home, but if you have a schedule in place you’ll quickly remember about your regular plumbing maintenance.

With a maintenance schedule, you won’t only be able to catch small problems before they become bigger. But also, you can track your inspections or any repairs done on your residential plumbing.

7. Check All Appliances And Exposed Pipes For Water Leaks

Your refrigerator, disposal, or water heater can all be sources of leaks. Look at the requirements of the brands to maintain your appliances. Check for any visible signs of leaks, such as puddles of water and water stains on the ceiling or walls. 

To limit the damage of leaks, have a drip tray under your washing machine or water heater to serve as a catch basin for residual water. Have the collected water removed on a regular basis to prevent mosquito larvae and other harmful microorganisms from forming in them? 

Conclusion

If you want your plumbing system to last, performing preventative maintenance can help you avoid undertaking major repairs in the long run. If you don’t know where to start and what to consider, don’t forget to keep the abovementioned tips in mind and always hire professionals to help you deal with major plumbing issues. 

While other repairs can be done on your own, hiring plumbing experts can make a difference as they have the skills and years of experience to properly manage and forward lasting solutions to your residential plumbing woes.