As a homeowner, you’re likely to encounter some plumbing issues now and then. When they happen, you must be on top of these issues because plumbing is a complex system that supplies your entire household with fresh water for cooking, cleaning, and washing. Water supply interruptions will cause a delay in doing these chores.
Some plumbing issues are better left to experts, but more often than not, you don’t need to hire a professional or have a maintenance license to keep your plumbing fixtures in check. Maintaining these fixtures is simple, and you can do it yourself. Here are a few tips on keeping your plumbing fixtures in check:
Create A Maintenance Schedule
You might have a busy life, going to work every morning, dropping off and picking up your kids from school, and running other errands here and there. With such a busy schedule, you’re likely to forget what needs your attention around the house, which could damage your home.
To be safe, go around the house, noting the areas that need repair, and add them to your reminders. It’ll help you organize your time and do all the necessary repairs around the house. If you find it challenging to repair yourself, you can hire a qualified plumber from a reputable company, such as Mr Emergency, and let them go through the hassle for you. Extensive damage will cost you more than you could have paid for an average repair.
Check For Leakages Constantly
Plumbing pipe connections can loosen, or the pipes can corrode over the years, causing leaks around the house. The leakages may start as minor drops, but they’ll flood your space or damage your floor and belongings in no time. Therefore, check for any leakages under the sinks and walls. You’ll feel the dampness on the walls and floors if there are hidden leakages.
However, it’s much simpler to spot and repair leaks under the sink than those hidden in walls, and you may need to bring in an expert on this one. Also, check all your appliances, faucets, and showerheads because plumbing pipes aren’t the only things capable of leaking around the house.
Don’t Flush Everything Down The Drains
Another way to keep your plumbing fixtures in check is to watch what you or anyone else in the house flush down the toilet. Hair, grease, face wipes, and food waste can clog your toilets and sinks.
Such items form solid masses around the toilet drains, preventing water and other waste from going down the drain. Therefore, ensure that you only flush body waste and toilet paper to avoid costly and unscheduled repairs.
Make Proper Use Of Your Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal is a kitchen appliance under the sink, between the trap and drain. It’s used to cut food wastes into smaller pieces to allow them to pass through the drain pipe without clogging the pipes.
People are used to putting just about any kitchen waste on the garbage disposal, not knowing some of those things will cause the disposals to break. It would be best to use it to only dispose of safe items like food.
However, there are certain foods you should never put down on your garbage disposal because they can damage the disposal’s blades. Such foods include the following:
- Onion skins and egg shells
- Fruit pits
- Grease
- Coffee grounds
- Potato peels
- Bones
- Rice and Pasta
Such items are one of the many things that cause kitchen plumbing issues. They’ll break your garbage disposal or clog your disposal pipe and sinks.
Monitor Your Water Pressure
One way to manage leakages is by maintaining average water pressure. Low pressure slows down all the activities like cleaning dishes or showering. It could also indicate that something got stuck in the water pipes.
However, it’d be best if you’re careful when switching from low pressure because high pressure can cause the pipes to burst. Use a pressure guide to maintain balance or install a pressure regulator. This way, you can avoid excessive water bills and high repair costs.
Inspect Your Shut-Off Valves
You’ll find that many plumbing fixtures around the house have their own valves, meaning you’ll find many shut-off valves around the house. Locate all the shut-off valves around the house and ensure they’re not the cause of the leaks. You can also use them to cut the water supply when a significant leak is flooding your home. It’s, therefore, crucial to ensure all the valves work effectively.
Inspect Your Sewer Drains Regularly
Water will start going down the drains slowly and eventually stop when you have a clogged drain, making it nearly impossible to use your bathroom or kitchen sinks. You should, therefore, keep an eye out for such signs and inspect your sewer gutters regularly to ensure they’re not clogged.
You can even install mesh drain covers to help trap chips of soap, hair, or other debris that may clog the pipes. You can purchase an enzyme cleaner or a chemical drain cleaner if your drain is clogged. They’re effective and will clean the blockage within a few minutes.
Conclusion
You can keep your plumbing fixtures in check with these maintenance tips. Keep an eye out for leakages and clogged drains to avoid spending extra on plumbing fixtures. Also, consider hiring an expert for repairs you can’t handle alone.
