In the United States, the average family of four uses about 400 gallons of water each day. Plumbing is an essential component of a home and is frequently used, whether this is for a bathroom, kitchen appliances, or your water faucets. This level of wear and tear can lead to many issues with your plumbing system if it is not properly maintained.
Do you want to learn more about keeping your home plumbing system in good shape to prevent unnecessary repairs?
Keep reading this guide for the top plumbing maintenance tips to follow to keep your system well-maintained and running smoothly.
Check for Leaks Regularly
Regularly checking for leaks is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your plumbing system. While some leaks may be impossible not to notice, others can go unnoticed for months.
Not only can this cause further damage to your plumbing system, but it can also greatly increase your water bills.
You can check for leaks by looking for a running toilet, a leaky faucet, or small leaks in any of your appliances that use water. You may also be able to identify a leak by seeing a sudden increase in your water bills or if you suddenly have low water pressure.
Detecting these leaks can help you avoid structural damage to your home, prevent pests, and keep your bills lower!
Clear Blocks in Drains
Next, you always need to clear blocks in your drains. If you have a slow-moving drain, it is often due to a blockage made from soap scum and hair. While the water will still drain, it is better to fix this issue now before the drain becomes completely blocked.
There are several home remedies you can try to clear slow drains. For example, you can remove the stopper in your sink or shower to see if you can clear the blockage from the top of the drain.
If you have a blockage that is deeper in your drain, you may need to hire a plumbing service in Arvada, CO to remove it for you.
Watch What You Put Down the Drain
Not only do you need to keep your drains clear, but you also need to watch what you put down your drains.
While it may be tempting to wash small particles down the drain, drains are narrow and easy to clog. Things like hair, food, soap, and food grease can clog the drains in your kitchens and bathrooms.
You should also never put large objects down the drain. Things like feminine hygiene products, wipes, and paper towels should never go down your drain, even if they are labeled as flushable! Your toilet is only designed to handle toilet paper and human waste.
To prevent clogs in your bathtub and sink drains, you can invest in a drain cover. This way, you can catch food, hair, and other particles that may cause clogs if they go down the drain.
Avoid Chemical Cleaners
When you have a clog in your drain, it may be tempting to use a chemical drain cleaner to break up the particles. While these products may provide a fast and easy solution, they will typically never solve the problem completely.
This means that you may have to use the chemicals over and over to keep your drains running smoothly. Regular use of these chemicals can be dangerous for your pipes and may make them wear out more quickly.
Instead, you should only use a plunger or drain snake to dislodge a clog in your drains. If this doesn’t work, you can call a plumber in Colorado to help.
Keep Your Pipes Insulated
Insulating your pipes is one of the easiest ways you can protect your plumbing system from freezing temperatures. If you have pipes in areas of your home that are not heated, like an attic or crawlspace, freezing temperatures can freeze the water in your pipes and lead to leaks or burst pipes.
This can be a serious issue for homeowners and can even result in flooding. Keeping your pipes insulated can help you avoid this problem during the cold winter months and can help you avoid damage to your pipes.
Check Water Pressure
Checking your water pressure is an easy way to inspect your plumbing system and prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
For example, low water pressure may be a sign that you have a leak in your plumbing system. If less water is coming out of your pipes, it is because the water is flowing somewhere else.
High water pressure can also be detrimental to your plumbing system. This is because it strains the pipes and can weaken pipe joints. If your water pressure is too high, it may even lead to burst pipes.
You can purchase a water pressure gauge to regularly check the water pressure in your plumbing system.
Shut Off Outdoor Fixtures When Seasons Change
Finally, you should shut off your outdoor fixtures when the seasons change. Things like hoses, faucets, and even sprinklers need to be drained and insulated before the temperatures drop below freezing.
If you have a pool or other outdoor water features, you also need to winterize these as the season changes.
Need Help Maintaining Your Home Plumbing System?
As a homeowner, maintaining your plumbing system is a necessary part of home maintenance. Following each of these maintenance tips can help you avoid unnecessary wear and tear on your plumbing and keep your system running smoothly.
If you need help with plumbing maintenance in Arvada, CO, Doctor Fix It Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric can help! We offer plumbing, HVAC, and electrical services for homeowners in Denver, Parker, Aurora, Littleton, and surrounding areas and can help with plumbing repair, installation, and more.
Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule a service!
