As a homeowner, you might be dealing with a lot of chores around the house. Regular repair and maintenance are important to protect your biggest investment. Did you know that your home plumbing system makes up about 15 percent of your total home value? Your plumbing needs care and attention to ensure that your pipes are draining and working. Routine maintenance is all it takes to keep it running smoothly and efficiently.
Why Worry About Plumbing Maintenance?
If you are dealing with a dripping faucet or clogged sewer line, you need to have your plumbing system checked. Taking care of your home’s plumbing is important to keep clean water flowing in and avoid costly repairs. Most homeowners ignore their plumbing until a problem occurs. Here are some of the benefits brought by a properly functioning plumbing system:
- Gives You Access to Clean Water
- Provides Comfort and Convenience
- Prevents Water Wastage
- Increases Water Efficiency
Even if you don’t have the technical skills to perform a plumbing job, it’s fairly easy to make sure your home’s plumbing system is working properly. In this article, you’ll find plumbing maintenance tips to avoid plumbing problems and save on energy costs.
Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
Although they may seem like the best solution for clogged drains, chemicals can actually do more harm than good. These highly powerful and toxic chemicals can cause serious burns and health hazards. They also erode cast-iron drain pipes and damage your home’s septic system. It’s much better to hire a professional plumber or handyman than to add harmful chemical drain cleaners to your plumbing system.
Prevent Clogs Before They Happen
Clogs are mostly composed of various substances, such as hair, food waste, debris, and soap. To prevent them from happening, you should always watch what you pour down your drains. Never put oils and fatty liquids down the drain because grease can thicken as the fat cools down.
Pour fatty substances into a sealable container, keep food scraps out of kitchen drains, and install screens over drains in showers and tubs. These precautions will help prevent stubborn buildups from occurring. If you already have a slow drain, have your pipes cleaned by a professional handyman or plumber.
Reduce the Water Pressure
Leaky pipes can be caused by excessive water pressure. When the pressure is high, your pipe joints and faucets need to work harder. The lifespan of the water heater and plumbing system might be compromised too. Measure your water pressure with a gauge or install a pressure reducer.
Soften Hard Water
Minerals like calcium and magnesium in hard water can damage not just your clothes but also plumbing and sewer pipes. Hard water can shorten your plumbing’s lifespan because these minerals build up inside your pipes and showerheads. They also increase the water pressure, reduce the water flow, and corrode the joints.
If your water has a high mineral content, install a sodium-based water softener. This device will remove mineral ions from hard water and replace them with sodium ions. You may also choose an electronic softener unit that uses electromagnetic pulses to dissolve minerals.
Always Have Your Sewer Lines Cleaned
Sewer lines help prevent the spread of water-borne diseases by transporting wastewater from your home into the underground sewer mains and wastewater treatment facilities. When it comes to sewer drains, it’s better to be proactive than reactive. Your sewer lines should be inspected to stop any extensive damage inside and outside of your home.
Some of the warning signs of sewer drain issues are reoccurring clogs and slow drain. Cleaning your sewer lines should be done at least once every two years. If you’ve noticed these problems, reach out to a professional to schedule your next sewer and drain cleaning.
Find Water Leaks in Your Home’s Plumbing
Any sudden increase in your water usage is a common sign of water leaks. Since leaks may be underground, a professional plumber should thoroughly check all the pipes.
You may also inspect your faucet handles, pipe valves, and showerheads to verify if they are not leaking. A leaky faucet can waste up to eight gallons of water per day, which can be pretty expensive in the long run. Moisture, rust, and staining are all signs of a water leak, so make sure to check all fixtures.
Fix Plumbing Problems Quickly
Plumbing issues can cause serious damage to your home. As a homeowner, you need to repair even the smallest leaks. Do not delay fixing your running toilet and leaking pipes. They may seem like minor problems, but they can affect your water usage. To save money on your utility bills, you may also update your plumbing fixtures and install water-saving units.
Get Your Plumbing Issues Fixed by a Handyman
At Handyman Pittsburgh & Co., we can help you extend the lifespan of your plumbing system and reduce your utility bills. Schedule an inspection with our team, and we will identify plumbing issues before they cause catastrophic damage. Feel free to call us today to learn more about our handyman services.