A house with a failing plumbing system is inhabitable. Over time, plumbing systems are bound to be susceptible to wear and tear, despite those indestructible claims by advertisers. This natural occurrence can only be slowed down by taking certain precautions.
Many things can cause damage to your pipes, some of which may not be obvious to you. Even with great care, things could still go wrong that you may not even have thought of. Regular inspection should inform you which parts require upgrades or cleaning.
If neglected, small leakages may grow to become unmanageable, requiring the services of a professional. Consequently, you may incur high costs that could have easily been avoided. You’ll also save time by not letting such inconveniences build up.
As is almost always the case, the essence of plumbing is appreciated when issues kick in.
Some of the symptoms you can look out for include:
- Leaky pipes and faucets
- Clogged drains and toilets
- Low water pressure
- Toilet that runs constantly
- Dysfunctional water heater
The good news is most of the above issues are caused by poor habits and are preventable. Although there could be others, here are some ways to avoid allowing these things to damage your plumbing system.
1. Keep Your Drains Clean
Clogging is the most common problem most homes face. This problem is mainly caused by improper disposal of solid waste such as tiny bits of hair and kitchen waste. One of the simple ways to deal with this problem is by using a sink strainer.
These tools filter out the solid waste leaving liquids in the drains. Kitchen refuse and hair are by far the largest contributors to clogged drains. As a best practice, you can remove such debris yourself before you pour anything liquid in the sink.
Daily cleaning of the drains ensures nothing accumulates to clog your plumbing system.
2. Fix Minor Problems Quickly
It helps to have those DIY toolkits to help you fix minor issues you can manage. That said, make sure you fully understand the problem at hand before attempting to repair it. A plumbing system comprises interconnected parts, which may cause a small problem to escalate rapidly.
To avoid paying a lot of money, act on the small fixes as soon as you notice them. While they may be a money saver, DIY repairs can cause tremendous damage. Temporary fixes should remain just that.
Stop those plumbing nightmares from happening while you can. Call a professional to handle the damages effectively. Beyer Plumbing Company is an expert plumbing company that can assist with any minor or major plumbing issue residents in San Antonio, TX, have to deal with.
3. Replace Old Parts and Appliances
Every appliance, no matter the model or purchase price, eventually wears out and becomes useless or even harmful to use. Water pipes are no different. After years of constant hard work, your water line will call it quits. How soon and how bad this happens will depend on many factors including repair and maintenance.
When the pipes and faucets start to corrode, then it’s time to call your plumber. Many homeowners have corroded plumbing systems and don’t even know about it. This is why regular maintenance is a necessity. When you drink water from these corroded surfaces, then you have a high chance of falling sick.
When pipes wear out, they also cause water leakages and in turn reduce water pressure in your taps. This can also be noticed by the fluctuating water bill. Depending on your piping material, your pipes may last from 25 to 40 years. Therefore, when purchasing an old house, find out the age of the pipes. Don’t hesitate to replace old parts and appliances, they save you so much money and hassle in the long run.
4. Winterize Your Pipes
During winter, water left in pipes expands, causing them to burst. Such damages can be of high magnitude and soar to other areas of your system.
Here are steps to prevent such bursts:
- Shut off your main water valve, connected water pumps, and water heater.
- Open all your taps and drain valves and leave them open throughout winter.
- Blow out the excess water left using air compressors.
- Open the drain valve in your hot water tank and let it empty out.
- Discharge the water left in your holding tanks.
- Flush out the water in your toilet.
Pipe insulators and different types of anti-freezers can be used to prevent pipes from freezing in the winter. This process requires appropriate tools and should be handled with precision.
5. Avoid Corrosive Drain Cleaners
The dependence on drain cleaners can be damaging to pipes. Over time, these chemicals cause corrosion, thereby contaminating the water you use, and ultimately they can cause illness.
Some homeowners don’t understand that different types of clogs require different approaches. Reading the label instructions should make it clear for you. Inappropriate use of such chemicals could be wasting your resources yet not yield the desired results.
These drain cleaners can negatively impact the water bodies as well, killing the existing living organisms.
6. Clear the Roots Near Pipes
It is very easy to overlook the damage caused by tree roots since it takes time. Such damages can be costly. Conduct regular inspection of your pipes to ensure no roots are growing near them.
It may be challenging to determine the extent of roots from above the ground. Where cutting the tree is not an option, hire a professional to cut the roots. This simple task can extend the lifespan of your plumbing system.
7. Keep Oils and Grease Out of the Drain
Your plumbing system is not built to take in oily substances. If left to accumulate, such items lead to clogging. Cold temperatures in the pipe make the oil solidify, causing blockages.
While pouring hot water seems like a good idea, it is not. Pouring of hot water results in uneven expansion and contraction of the pipes creating weak points. Oil and grease are known to expedite the rusting process of the pipes.
The solution is to wash these substances away from the sink.
8. Never Flush Foreign Objects
Toilets are not garbage cans. Do not take ‘flushable’ at face value. Flushable items such as wipes disintegrate slowly and can clog your toilet.
It would help if you discarded foreign objects at the designated locations. Doing so will save you from unnecessary expenses. Plumbing maintenance is a collective responsibility.
It would be best to educate other occupants of your home on how to dispose of foreign objects. With them too taking responsibility, you will be assured of such a mess never taking place.
9. Conduct Regular Inspection
In most cases, there will be signs that something could be faulty in your plumbing system. Ultimately, negligence is costly. Conduction of regular inspection pays off in the long term.
This may involve creating a checklist of all the areas covered by your systems and physically visiting them. Also, note areas of interest that may need further attention.
Remember, you are responsible for your home’s routine checks. At best, make use of a professional at least once a year. Licensed plumbers have an eye for most of these signs and can catch them far much quicker than you would.
Contact the San Antonio Professionals
While you can temporarily fix leakages, it is best to seek professional advice. Some plumbing issues you face may require expertise to address them as needed. Equipped and with a team of licensed professionals, we at Beyer Plumbing Company are committed to fixing your plumbing issues conclusively.
We offer inspection, repair, and maintenance services for your plumbing systems. You are never sure of the state of your plumbing unless a professional takes a look. To learn more and rid you of plumbing inconveniences, contact us today. We look forward to the opportunity to serve all of your home plumbing needs.
