The pipes hidden in the walls and beneath the sinks are easily overlooked on a daily basis. Homeowners should prioritize their maintenance, however, because leaks and malfunctions lead to expensive repairs. Be on top of your home plumbing maintenance by following this complete guide to pipe care. Your home will operate like a finely tuned machine as a result.
Keep Clogs at Bay
The best way to ward off plumbing issues in the first place is by avoiding them with preventive measures. Pipe clogs seem to be inevitable parts of life, but they don’t have to be regular occurrences. Place strainers in each sink around the home, especially in the kitchen. These simple tools are basic pieces of mesh.
As hair and particles flow into a given sink, the strainer can catch them. It’s impossible to stop every substance from going down the drain, but most particles will be trapped and easily thrown into the trash.
Opt for Natural Strategies to Remedy Clogs
House Logic suggests that natural strategies should be employed instead of turning to chemical cleaners when plumbing maintenance is necessary. Once a month, pour a pot full of boiling the water down the kitchen drain. The heat should loosen any particles attached to the pipes, which leads to fewer clogs.
You might also opt for a plumbing snake or plastic snake designed for hair clogs. Send the snake down any drain, and it returns with hair trapped on its length. Plumbers can also perform this service.
Wrap Those Exposed Pipes
It’s safe to assume that your home was built with a solid plumbing system. However, there may be a few improvements that you can make. Take a walk around the home. Look for any exposed pipes on either the exterior or interior spaces. Wrap them with appropriate insulation.
Covering the pipes offers several benefits. Areas exposed to cool temperatures, including the basement, can create expansion and contraction issues with the pipes. Avoid this wear-and-tear issue by covering the pipes. This strategy also conserves energy if those pipes are carrying warm water to the fixtures. Losing heat to the surrounding space also puts a strain on the plumbing.
Be Observant About Leaks
Remember that water is corrosive. It will eat away at pipes and transition points over time. Step up your home plumbing maintenance practices by examining exposed pipes for leaks on a monthly basis, reports The Simple Dollar. A small leak is a quick fix for most plumbers.
Ideally, don’t procrastinate when it comes to an evolving leak. It may appear benign right now, but it will worsen over time. Repair leaks before they corrode the pipes and surrounding materials. Most well-maintained homes only have a few leaks over the years.
Take Care of the Washing Machine
The plumbing is understandably complex when it involves the washing machine. Activate the machine, and water automatically washes and rinses the clothes. Consider the pressures that move through the washer and plumbing, however. Water is constantly moving from one location to another. Pressure and vacuums are possible within this plumbing section.
Ideally, ask a professional to vent a washing machine drain. This vent allows air to move freely so that high pressure doesn’t rise within the pipes. It prolongs the life of the pipes and washing machine simultaneously.
Be aware that venting isn’t a requirement in many regions. Don’t assume that there’s a vent on your drain until a professional confirms this fact.
Calm the Stress on Pipes
There are a number of ways that you can perform maintenance on your pipes without much effort. Be sure to tell everyone in the household that no pipes should be used as hanging devices, such as adding clothes across the plumbing to dry them. Any weight on the pipes will only cause problems at the transition points.
Drop both the pressure and temperature on the household water supply. A plumbing professional can show you where these options can be selected. There’s no reason why scalding water and high, water pressure need to be used by the average household. You’ll maintain and improve your plumbing maintenance with average pressure and temperature.
Inspect the Hot-Water Heater
Your hot-water heater is a major part of the plumbing system. It provides hot water whenever you need it. Prioritize examinations of this appliance. Look for any rust building up along the sides or near the base.
It’s not unusual for these tanks to rupture as they age, which releases gallons of water into the surrounding space. If you notice any leaks or rusting along with the tank, it’s time to have a plumber look at the appliance. Simple issues might be repairable, but tank replacements may be the best solution.
By maintaining the hot-water heater, the entire plumbing system can operate at peak efficiency with little strain.
Learn How to Use Water Valves
There are valves connected to every fixture so that you have control over the water entering that space. You also have the main valve that cuts off or supplies the entire home with water. Get familiar with these valves and their locations. Turn them off and on at least once a year.
If a valve declines over time, you have a chance to have a professional replace it. A failed valve can create quite a mess. With healthy valves in place, you have ultimate control over the plumbing if an issue arises.
Consider a Yearly Video Inspection
A modern way to maintain your pipes is by requesting a video inspection. Most plumbers have access to video equipment that can be dropped into your main line. This inspection gives you an idea of the particles building up in your plumbing.
Clear out the main line if it’s growing a lot of sludge on the interior pipe walls. Allowing this substance to remain in place will cause a blockage at some point. Preventing the problem in the first place is the best way to deal with home plumbing maintenance.
A mixture of professional and DIY efforts with your home plumbing will keep it running without any major problems. Simply remain diligent about looking for leaks and fixing them in record time. Minor repairs will always be cheaper than dealing with a serious malfunction.
