6 Preventative Plumbing Maintenance Tips

6 October 2022

General

Understanding every component of your water system is the first step in preventative plumbing maintenance. Everything in your house that consumes water falls under this category, including the sinks in your bathroom, kitchen, and utility room, your washing machine, refrigerator, garbage disposal, and other appliances, as well as your toilets, showers, and water heater.  To keep plumbing issues under control, all of these need to be maintained. In this article, we explain what preventative plumbing maintenance is, why it’s important and its numerous benefits.

 

What is preventative plumbing  maintenance?

Preventative plumbing maintenance is a process through which issues in your plumbing network are identified early on, and tackled before they become major problems.

Plans for preventative maintenance that include regular annual checkups on your plumbing system, are known as plumbing maintenance plans. Protection plans typically involve inspecting vents, drains, pumps, tanks, faucets, tubs, sinks, and other plumbing-related equipment, in addition to covering toilets, water heaters, faucets, tubs, sinks, and showers.

 

Why is preventative plumbing maintenance important?

Your home’s plumbing needs routine maintenance in order to keep everything operating smoothly and in good condition. The plumbing system will eventually start to break down without regular maintenance and repairs, which could cause serious issues. 

As with anything, prevention is better than cure. After all, preventing plumbing problems helps you avoid needless expenditure and stress. Homeowners are advised to contact a professional plumber to set up a preventative maintenance plan.

 

How often should you service your plumbing?

The average home can benefit from a comprehensive plumbing examination every two years.

During each visit, your plumbing specialist will:

  • Examine your pipes for cracks, leaks, or water stains.
  • Check for objects or damage inside drains and pipes using a special camera.
  • Check the vents, valves, and water and drain lines.
  • Examine the water pressure and flow in the sinks, showers, and bathtubs.
  • Look for signs of leaks or excessive running in the toilets.
  • Examine every appliance, including washing machines and dishwashers, for damage or improper connection.

There are aspects of your plumbing system that should be inspected more frequently. For example, your main sewer line’s route through your home might be better understood with the aid of a plumbing examination. If you have huge trees over or near the main line, you should schedule an annual plumbing inspection. This will help ensure that tree roots aren’t causing cracks and infiltrating the pipe. 

These breaches can frequently be fixed, if you discover them when they are still minor. A straightforward annual examination can prevent catastrophic breakdowns that call for a complete line replacement. Your home’s pipes and other essential plumbing components may be deteriorating if they are more than 40-years-old. Breakage, bursting pipes, and even the presence of hazardous substances in your water can all be avoided with an annual examination.

You should also plan a plumbing examination if you recently bought a new house. Have a qualified plumber check the property, as licensed home inspectors frequently do not have a background in plumbing. Your selling price may be impacted by any significant repair concerns. By having a professional plumber evaluate your property before you put it on the market for sale, you can avoid any surprises that could jeopardize the transaction.

When to know if you need a plumber

 

Preventative plumbing maintenance checklist

Include the following items on your checklist for preventative plumbing maintenance:

  • Clean out all P-traps and drains. Spend a few minutes clearing your drains of debris every few months or whenever you notice that the water is draining from your bathroom more slowly than usual. Contact drain cleaning services if vinegar and baking soda don’t clear the obstruction. 
  • Fix the aerators on your Faucets. Simply take out and clean your aerators on a regular basis to prevent calcium buildup that can cause both lower water pressure and erratic spraying from your faucet.
  • Check for corrosion on all observable pipes. Corrosion in the form of rust or blue/green deposits on your pipes is a warning indication that you will soon be dealing with a leak. You can attempt to remove the rust stains yourself but it’s best to contact a plumber.
  • Check for leaks. Given that they are continually in use, kitchen sinks and showers frequently develop leaks. Analyze these for any indications of water damage.
  • Check the tanks in your toilets. Take off the toilet tank cover and look for any signs of water damage or wear.
  • Maintain your sewer line and septic system. Have your septic system inspected frequently to ensure that it is functioning at its best. If your septic tank needs to be pumped, a professional can tell you. Maintaining your sewer line and keeping an eye out for warning signals that your sewer drain is ready to clog are also vital. In order to avoid a full-blown obstruction, consider routine plumbing maintenance services.
  • Keep up with your water heater. Flush your water heater once a year. Also, if required, change the anode rod. Check the temperature and pressure relief valves frequently. If you are unsure how to perform these tasks, contact a water heater service specialist.

Schedule a preventative plumbing maintenance session

 

What are the best preventative plumbing maintenance tips?

Fix leaky showerheads and faucets

Your broken tap leaks once every two seconds, wasting almost 3,000 gallons of water yearly. Plumbing leaks get worse over time, dripping more frequently, and driving up your water costs. Before a leak gets out of control, check the showerheads and faucets for any leaks and fix them. The cost of plumbing repairs is far less than those exorbitant water bills.

Check for water leaks in appliances

Laundry machines and water heaters are two common examples of water appliances in homes that frequently have hidden leaks. Check the equipment frequently for water pools and moist areas. Your walls and floorboards won’t be harmed by the leaking water, thanks to a drip tray placed under the appliances.

Ensure that your toilet is fixed

Your toilet may remain running if your valve seat has defective seal valves. Mineral deposits cause the seal to deteriorate over time. The rubber flapper may need to be replaced, though. According to the EPA, replacing old, broken toilets can help you save up to 13,000 gallons of water annually.

Regularly maintain your showerhead

The holes in the showerhead are blocked by mineral deposits, which strain the water heater. Make sure to maintain proper water pressure in your showers by routinely clearing out the sediments.

Check the water pressure

While you may like high water pressure levels when you shower, your faucets and pipes are typically stressed by the pressure. The joints in your water pipes deteriorate and are prone to breaking. You can find the high pressure and low-pressure taps on your plumbing line by using a water pressure gauge. Consider contacting a licensed plumber to follow up on any substantial pressure changes you encounter.

Decongest clogged drains

As a result of the slower flow caused by clogged drains, water backs up and bubbles out of the drain holes. For a regular maintenance check, and to unclog all your drain pipes, call a plumber

Most effective ways to unclog a sink

 

Plumbing services

Finding someone to call for help should be your top priority whether you’re in need of water heater installation, pipe inspection, or are experiencing a plumbing emergency. At Plomberie Pro Drain, we offer a variety of plumbing services, with live customer support agents available 24/7. If you have a plumbing problem or just need repair or maintenance services, get in touch with us right away.

Contact a plumber 

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