At some point, you will face plumbing problems in your home, which can be costly to fix. However, with the right preparation and knowledge, you can minimize the risk of a plumbing emergency and save time and money.
Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians
Maintenance neglect and improper use are among the common reasons behind premature system failure. If you want your plumbing system to last for more years without any issues, you should hear out these 5 smart home plumbing tips:
Check regularly for plumbing leaks
A minor leak can easily turn into a full-blown plumbing emergency unless treated immediately. At first sight of leaky or broken water pipes, make sure to call the attention of an emergency plumber right away. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. Dedicating a day each week to find water leaks will help you prevent costly plumbing emergencies and conserve water and energy in your home.
Watch what you flush down the toilet
Do not treat your toilet as a trash bin if you want to avoid stressful clog problems. Everyday items like paper towels and tissues, cotton balls, dental floss, bandages, feminine products, and even flushable wipes should be disposed of properly instead of being flushed down the toilet. These products, although soft, do not break when dissolved in water. Once they go down the pipes, they can form a blockage and cause your toilet to back up.
Avoid the excessive use of chemical drain cleaners
Do you usually use commercial cleaning solutions for clogged house drains? It is time to break that habit to protect your plumbing system. Most commercial cleaners have high chemical content that is harmful to your pipes. To clear minor drain clogs, practice the use of plungers instead.
Insulate your pipes in winter
Burst pipes are very common in winter. They happen when pipes freeze after being left exposed to the cold. According to HomeGuide, pipe bursting repair costs $100 to $200 per foot, with most spending between $400 and $1,500 total. Aside from that, you also have to pay for the water damage cleanup and repair that cost around $1,000 to $2,000. You can avoid this plumbing disaster by not forgetting to insulate your pipes before the cold winter wind blows.
Schedule professional routine plumbing maintenance
To keep your plumbing system’s health in check, make sure to hire a professional routine maintenance service. While there are basic plumbing maintenance tasks you can do on your own, it is still important to hire a pro to check on the system. There might be hidden component issues that only a licensed plumber can detect. Prevent a minor plumbing problem from escalating by calling your trusted local plumbing company today.
Hire a licensed plumber today
By providing your plumbing system with proper care and maintenance, you can help extend its service life by many more years. Make sure you have a trustworthy plumber on your speed dial. Connect with a pro today!
