Survival Plumbing Tips For Every Homeowner

There is nothing as satisfactory as living in a house you own, but with that comes the duties of maintaining it inside out. It is wise to fix a plumbing problem the moment it is noticed to reduce the high cost of repairing a plumbing system. Here, we will provide some plumbing tips and tricks that any homeowner can use to avoid and address frequent complications before they become severe.

Regularly Check for Leaks

Leaking is perhaps one of the most frequent problems with plumbing. Here are some plumbing tips to deal with leakage in pipes.

⦁ Check your water meter: To check for unintentional water leaks, close all faucets and take the meter reading. After an hour, check it again. You might have a hidden leak if the reading has changed.

⦁ Listen for sounds: At other times, the sound of water running, especially when all taps and other water-using appliances are off, is another sign of leakage.

Avoid Clean Clogs with Chemical Cleaners

These cleaners are very hard on your pipes and cause long-term damage. You can try these plumbing tips that are safe for clearing blockages.

⦁ Use natural things: Mix the baking soda and vinegar to produce a foam that can easily remove minor blockages.

⦁ Try a plunger: You can clear the most blockages by using a basic rubber plunger.

⦁ Invest in a drain snake: Sometimes, blockages can only be cleared manually by this tool without chemicals.

Make Sure You Learn How to Turn Off the Water

First among the basic plumbing tips homeowners must learn is how to switch the water supply off. If a pipe bursts or a leakage gets out of hand, stopping the water flow will be helpful.

⦁ Practice using it: Ensure the main water valve rotates smoothly to enable you to close it if a situation requires it.

⦁ Label secondary valves: In most cases, toilets, sinks, and water heaters possess individual shut-off valves. It could be useful during emergencies as they should be labeled.

Insulate Your Pipes

In winter, the pipes can burst due to cold temperatures. Insulating pipes is one of the effective plumbing tips to prevent the pipes from bursting.

⦁ Use pipe insulation: Insulate exposed pipes, including those next to the basement, attic, or wall.

⦁ Keep the thermostat consistent: Do not let the temperature in your house drop significantly because temperature changes put pressure on pipes and lead to freezing.

⦁ Open cabinets: In very cold weather, keep cabinet doors that contain sink pipelines open to let warm air get to the pipes.

Keep Grease Out of the Drains

The important plumbing tip is to dump Grease via the drain. This causes the Grease to thicken when it cools and forms clogs over time.

⦁ Use filters: Install food chopper grate fixtures in the kitchen, particularly in the sink, to help trap food debris that blocks the drain.

⦁ Rinse with hot water: Running hot water down the drain eliminates minor clog formation; it should be done regularly.

Maintain Water Pressure

High water pressure can be an issue for your plumbing system because it can cause some problems. You can maintain water pressure by following some of these plumbing tips.

⦁ Use a pressure gauge to test the pressure; this should rarely be above 40 or below 60 psi.

⦁ Install a pressure regulator: A regulator is useful when your water pressure is too high because it will control the pressure to safe levels.

⦁ Monitor for changes: If water pressure decreases suddenly, you should know it may be leakage or blockage due to clog.

Test Your Water Heater Annually

The water heater is one of the relevant facilities in your home that is systemized in the plumbing installations. They are often reliable machines and require professional and correct maintenance to last longer.

⦁ Drain the tank: It is recommended that it be drained annually to collect sediment that hampers performance.

⦁ Check the temperature: Adjust the water temperature to 120 degrees F to avoid water scalding and use less energy.

⦁ Inspect for leaks: You should get a new water heater if there is any sign of the current one leaking and contact a licensed plumber to help you with this.

Invest in Routine Professional Inspections

Despite performing routine maintenance, it is nearly impossible to recognize some of these plumbing problems by yourself.

⦁ Schedule yearly check-ups: Annual professional plumbing inspections should be done to discover problems early when they are inexpensive problems.

⦁ Ask about preventative maintenance: Most plumbers provide maintenance services that may involve drain cleaning and many others.

⦁ Get expert advice: A professional can help and offer good advice and some plumbing tips suitable for your house.

Final Thoughts

By following the above plumbing tips, you become able to handle your home’s plumbing with ease. Just always check the pipes, avoid using substances that may be damaging, and do not hesitate to seek a plumber if anything large occurs. Applying these techniques will ensure you are ready to tackle the normal workday plumbing challenges you encounter.

But if ever you have special requests or need the assistance of a professional plumbing company, always know that Cactus Valley Plumbing is here to help you get the best and most efficient plumbing solutions.