Introduction
Plumbing failures start most often as small issues that were ignored. Small leaks, water pressure, and old water heaters can result in large financial losses and unexpected repairs. But the good news is, by doing some regular plumbing maintenance, all homeowners can spot problems early and ensure their plumbing works right.
AC Plumbing Construction regularly sees plumbing maintenance that would have prevented plumbing emergencies. Only a little bit of time is needed to do an inspection of critical plumbing parts during each seasonal period of maintenance to save money and lengthen the life of the system.
Below are five basic plumbing maintenance items that all homeowners should consider adding to their housecare checklist.
Test Your Water Pressure
High water pressure seems like a benefit, but can also cause a lot of wear and tear on your plumbing system. High water pressure will put a great deal of stress on your plumbing fixtures, water heater, and appliance connectors over time.
You can find out if your home’s water pressure is within a safe range using a pressure gauge. Most homes will run better if water pressure ranges from 40 to 80 PSI.
Some things to watch for related to high water pressure are:
Banging pipes
Toilets run continuously
Faucets drip
Lifespan shortened on appliances
More frequent plumbing leaks
If your home’s water pressure is constantly high, it may be time for a pro to come inspect your pressure regulator. With routine plumbing maintenance, you will know sooner what types of issues are causing high water pressure.
Inspect For Leaks Under Kitchen & Bathroom Sinks
Many homeowners don’t even think about looking under their kitchen and bathroom sinks unless there is a big issue. However, small leaks can occur rapidly and create damage from water, mold growth, and destruction of cabinets.
When you want to inspect:
Your supply lines
Drain connection
Shut-off valve
Cabinet surface
Be sure to look for any type of moisture, stains, corrosion or odd smells. Even a slow drip can cost you money on your water bill and will create future costs to fix if unattended.
At AC Plumbing Construction, we recommend that you check under sinks at least every couple of months as part of your regular plumbing maintenance.
Check Toilets for Hidden Leaks
A leaking toilet can lose thousands of gallons of water per month without producing clear signs. Many times homeowners will only realize a problem exists when they get a higher than normal water bill.
There is a simple food coloring test that you can complete to detect hidden leaks. Simply drop some food coloring into the toilet tank and let sit for about 15 minutes without flushing. If the color shows up in the bowl, then the toilet has a leak which requires some attention.
Also signs of hidden leaks from the toilet are:
Continuous flow of water
Phantom flushes
Higher than normal water bills
Water around the bottom of the toilet
It is easier and cheaper to make repairs now rather than waiting longer.
Flush Your Water Heater Every Year
Sediment naturally forms in your water heater over time. Sediment forms reduces the efficiency and increases energy costs, and shortens the useful life span of the unit.
By flushing your water heater every year (once) maintains its efficiency. Some benefits of maintaining your water heater through regular plumbing maintenance include:
Improves efficiency
Better hot-water production
Reduces utility costs
Extends life expectancy of the unit.
Reduces risks associated with failure.
If you are unsure how to safely clean your water heater, a licensed plumber can perform this task for you.
Annual Plumbing Maintenance for Your Water Heater
One of the simplest ways to protect yourself from future repairs and maximize the value of your investment is through performing yearly plumbing maintenance on your water heater.
Inspect All Of Your Outdoor Plumbing Components
Your outdoor plumbing components are usually overlooked until a problem occurs. Weather conditions, temperature variations, and consistent usage can produce leaks or damage that might not be seen.
The following areas should be inspected:
Hose bibs
Outside faucets
Sprinkler irrigation systems
Exposed pipes
Yard drains
In addition to watching for leaks, cracks, standing pools of water or evidence of rusting; catching those problems early can reduce loss of wasted water and potential damage to other plumbing components.
As you already know, when possible seasonal inspections are especially important prior to establishing new watering schedules during summer or after long periods of freezing weather conditions.
How Important Is Preventative Plumbing Maintenance?
While preventative plumbing maintenance provides greater than simply avoiding an emergency situation, it allows homeowners to operate their plumbing systems efficiently and protects their property from water damage.
Advantages of performing routine plumbing maintenance include:
Lower repair costs
Increases the efficiency of water usage
Increase lifespan of equipment
Less frequent plumbing emergencies
Proper operation of equipment
Increase in overall home value.
Doing small inspections today will help you avoid much bigger expenses tomorrow. Almost all times it is more affordable to address a plumbing emergency when compared to addressing it after several years.
