Plumbing Maintenance Tips To Help You In Your Home
When it comes to taking care of your home, the plumbing system is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Most people think of home maintenance as dealing with general cleaning and care and maybe cleaning gutters and checking the roof. But few think about what it takes to properly maintain a plumbing system. There are several steps you can take to ensure your plumbing system is in the best possible shape and is functioning properly.
Check the Water Pressure Regularly
One of the steps you can and should take to maintain the plumbing system in your home is to check the water pressure on a regular basis. Water pressure in your plumbing fixtures should be between 45 and 80 PSI. If it is lower than that (or higher for that matter), you should contact a plumber to come out and take a look at things. You could have a clog in your pipes that needs to be removed and dealt with or a more major problem with your home's plumbing system.
Avoid Putting Food Scraps Down the Kitchen Drain
If you want to keep your kitchen sink drain and pipes in the best possible shape, you will want to avoid putting food scraps down the kitchen sink as much as possible. Food scraps put a strain on your garbage disposal, especially if they are stringy or fibrous (like vegetable peels and the like). They can also build up in your pipes, causing clogs and/or unpleasant odors as the food rots.
Try to put most of your food scraps in the garbage and only allow small amounts of food to go down the kitchen drain. Your garbage disposal will last longer and your overall plumbing will be in better shape as a result.
Put Screens Over Tub and Shower Drains
Hair is a major cause of plumbing problems for many people. It gets into the shower and tub drains and causes clogs. These can be difficult to remove and get rid of once the clogs become large. Drain cleaners may or may not remove such clogs and you may need a professional plumber to come out and take care of the issue.
Look for Leaks Weekly
Leaks are a common problem for plumbing systems. They can develop quickly and can cause a major mess under your sinks or in your basement. Once a week, just take a look under your sinks and where the pipes are exposed in your basement or elsewhere in your home (the utility room).
Check for signs of leaks. This can be water or condensation on the pipes, a damp odor under the sink, or cabinetry that is warped, wet, or discolored. If you do find a leak, you can get a plumbing service out to your house right away to fix the leak and prevent further water damage and other related issues.
Doing this check once a week will ensure that you do not have a problem with mold because of leaky fixtures.
Have a Plumber Inspect Your System Once or Twice a Year
Finally, in order to be sure that your plumbing system is in top shape, it is good to have an inspection by a professional plumber at least once a year, if not twice a year. They will look for signs of leaks, corrosion, clogs, water pressure issues, and the like and will be able to tell you if and when your plumbing needs to be repaired or replaced. This inspection process can prevent major plumbing disasters in your home like a burst pipe or serious hidden leaks.
Now that you know a few plumbing maintenance tips to help you in your home, you can make plumbing maintenance a part of your routine right away.
For more tips, reach out to a local plumbing service.