There is nothing like a leaky faucet, clogged toilet, broken pipe, or busted water heater to turn a good day sour and eat up extra cash you might have been saving for a rainy day. The reality is that many of these problems can be prevented with regular maintenance and care and an understanding of where and how these plumbing issues can occur.
The first step in preventing future problems is to get to know your water system and how it operates. Making a checklist is helpful, this includes noting down every apparatus that uses water in your home, from your bathroom sinks to your laundry room pipes, to your refrigerator’s water supply to you garbage disposal unit, washing machine, showers and water heater. Knowing what you have and keeping a record of their upkeep helps to prevent problems from getting out of control. The second step is understanding that while there are plenty of things that you can do on your own to prevent plumbing problems from becoming a nuisance, one of the best things you can do is also to have a very good and close relationship with a local professional plumber or local plumbing company.
Here are six basic preventative maintenance tips for drains and sewer lines to ensures that everything runs smoothly:
Clean out slow and clogged drains
If you’re experiencing water that is slow to empty in your drains, you may have a clog. Using a chemical-free, natural remedy of vinegar and hot water poured down your drain to flush it out can unplug debris. This technique can be completed every couple of months to keep your drains flowing to optimal condition. You can also use the common household drain cleaners as well. When you find that the problem continues to occur, consider reaching out to your local plumber as they will have more professional tools to clean out your drains. If the drain clogs are occurring in a commercial establishment like a restaurant or office building, do not attempt to do the cleaning yourself. Call a professional plumbing company or local plumber. It will save you money and save you time.
Investigate bare pipes and appliances for water leaks
Oftentimes a leak can be traced back to a broken or exposed pipe connected to your water heater, garbage disposal or refrigerator. Following your manufacturer’s guidelines for maintaining your appliances can help to keep things in check. Learning to look for the signs of water leakage such as stains on your walls or ceilings or water pooling around on the floor, can prevent a big issue before it becomes one. Look out for mildew, as well, which is a telltale sign of a water leak. A drip tray conveniently placed under your washing machine or water heater can reduce damage if you notice a leak, followed by calling one of our expert plumbing technicians to treat the root cause. To really be proactive, you can schedule periodic leak detection services with a local plumber or plumbing company. We offer this service to our customers and it is a major contributor to finding leaks and preventing major water damage.
Watch what you flush down the drain
Toilets and drains offer opportunities to accidentally (or on purpose) flush things down them. The best way to keep your pipes running in excellent condition is to watch what goes down your drains. Train your household to know that only toilet paper and human waste should be flushed down a toilet and only non-reactive liquids should go down a drain.
Check out sewer system lines
If your home runs on a sewer system you should get to know how your lines run and regularly look for tree roots that could sprout up and wreak havoc on your pipes. Having your sewer lines snaked occasionally is a good idea to prevent clogs and damage. When you suspect that there may be an issue with your sewer, you can request a sewer inspection where we use video to get a very clear look at any issues in your sewer line.
Test your water pressure
Checking your water pressure frequently helps you to regulate what comes out of shower heads and faucets. You can test your water pressure with a gauge to ensure that it is operating at secure levels. You can also add a pressure regulator to keep your water pressure at the preferred level.
Check under your every sink in your home kitchens and bathrooms
Scrutinize your sink plumbing for fragility, leaks, and cracks which can escalate into a full-blown problem. Hire an expert plumbing company or local plumber to repair or replace them if needed.
At Service Pros Plumbers we can help you with preventative maintenance on your drains and sewer lines. Engaging in regular preventative maintenance is a great way to allow your plumbing to last longer and prevent major issue in the future. To learn more about our preventative maintenance services, contact Service Pros Plumbers today. We can help!
