Being a homeowner often involves learning more about plumbing than you might think was possible. While some projects are easy to do yourself, others need a professional to prevent surprise leaks and other issues. Learning how to plan for maintenance helps to halt plumbing problems before they have a chance to start.
Create a Maintenance Schedule
Setting up a maintenance schedule makes caring for your home’s plumbing easy. Most homes should have a pipe inspection once every one to two years. Older homes may need more frequent maintenance checks.
Check for Water Leaks From Fixtures
One easy way to prevent water damage is to look for leaks that occur within your home. While a dripping faucet might seem annoying, this issue could also indicate that the valves inside are aging. You’ll also need to contact a professional plumber right away for leaks that occur around fixtures that could cause water to pool on nearby surfaces.
Use Leak Detection Techniques for Hidden Ones
Finding water leaks can sometimes seem impossible when they exist in the exterior lines or behind walls. However, you can use leak detection strategies such as watching for water usage on the meter when the fixtures should all be shut off. If you notice wet or soggy patches on the lawn outside, it could also indicate a leak in a pipe below the ground.
Assess the Water Pressure
The water should flow smoothly through all of the fixtures in your house. If there is a sudden drop in water pressure, then it’s possible there is a leak or clog somewhere in the lines. If there is an issue with the pipe or fixture, then you can use replacement parts to get the pressure running correctly again.
Identify the Main Water Shutoff Valve’s Location
Once water starts pouring out of a pipe, you often have only seconds available to prevent serious damage. Make sure that you and the other people who live in your house all know where the main shutoff valve is located. You’ll also need to use the valve to turn off the water when you do repairs.
Avoid Using Chemical Drain Cleaners
Drain clogs can turn into major problems when you can’t get dirty water to go down the pipes. But using harsh chemicals can damage pipes and cause leaks. Plumbing tools such as drain-cleaning snakes tend to do the job better without exposing the pipes to potentially harmful chemicals.
Insulate Your Pipes
You’ll also want to add pipe insulation to your shopping list for plumbing maintenance. Insulating pipes helps to prevent them from freezing. Most pipe wrap is easy to apply, and covering exposed pipes can keep your water flowing throughout the winter months.
Practice Proper Sewer Line Maintenance
The sewer lines on your property serve an essential role in protecting your health. You can keep them running well by avoiding putting things down the drain that don’t belong there. You’ll also want to arrange for pipe cleaning periodically and inspections to find out if tree roots are going into the pipes.
Perform Temperature and Pressure Valve Checks
Water pressure and temperature are important aspects of the plumbing system. If the water pressure is too high, then it could damage the pipes. Meanwhile, pressure that is too low might cause issues with the appliances not working correctly. Occasionally, pressure valves require replacement to ensure that the water is at the right level as it flows through the pipes.
Winterize Interior and Exterior Plumbing
During the winter, you’ll need to pay closer attention to the plumbing. Allowing faucets to drip slightly overnight prevents standing water from freezing. On top of insulating pipes, you’ll also need to maintain a warm temperature indoors to prevent frozen pipes.
Prepare Properly For Vacations
The last thing you want when you come home from a vacation is to discover that a water leak has caused damage. Shutting off the water before you head out prevents serious leaks. You may also want to unplug water-related appliances and clean the drains before you leave.
Staying on top of plumbing maintenance helps prevent major water-related catastrophes, such as leaks and frozen pipes. Once you make your maintenance schedule, remember to view it regularly. Scheduling annual plumbing inspections and checking for problems with the changing of each season helps to keep the system in top condition.
