6 Plumbing Strategies for Keeping Your Home’s Plumbing System in Top Shape

Plumbing systems are some of the key components of any household. Yes, we tend to associate the plumbing issues with leaky faucets and clogged drains that, as annoying as they are, don’t really sound like full-scale emergencies you should give too much thought to. But, we have to keep in mind that the plumbing outlets we can see are only the tip of the iceberg of the drainage and plumbing networks. Neglecting the problems that may be hidden away from your sight may have very serious repercussions in the long run causing financial expenses and structural damage. So, more effort put into maintenance is more than warranted and you’ll keep your plumbing system in top shape.

Well, let’s put these worries to rest with these six strategies that will keep your home’s pipe network and drainage system in top-tier condition.

Prevent regular inspections

Plumbing problems of all scales are easiest to address when they are in their early stages. If you want to keep your plumbing system in top shape, be sure then to pen down a thorough inspection checklist and go through all boxes at least once per year. If you are living in an area exposed to drastic temperature swings, you can even pull off your efforts seasonally. Outside of the regular mentions, you should perform frequent visual and auditory inspections of the entire household and look for signs of moisture or unusual hums that may indicate hidden leaks. Also, don’t miss the exterior outlets like shutoff valves, and sump pumps.

Make sure your pipes can handle the cold

Frozen pipes are one of the most common plumbing problems, especially if you are living in an area dealing with extremely low temperatures. So, stay in tune with good plumbing practices and make sure your pipes don’t burst at the first sign of winter, think about professional pipe insulation and try to keep indoor temperature consistent throughout the entire colder season. You can even open up the cabinets below the sinks from time to time to allow warm air to enter the plumbing network easier. Lowering the water temperature at the water heater can do nothing but help these efforts.

Don’t ignore the problems no matter how small they are

We are talking about things like leaky faucets and running toilets. They are so unobtrusive we don’t really even pay attention to them. But, if left unchecked, they can waste thousands of gallons of water per year. The same goes for dark spots and mold. As soon as you see the first signs of them, you should immediately hire professional plumbing leak detection services. Other red flags that point out bigger problems usually go unnoticed are water coming out of handles and fittings, signs of corrosion, ill-fitting lines and components, and hissing sounds when you are using water outlets.

Cut the clogging problems at their root

Now that we’ve covered the signs you need to repair or replace your pipes, let’s move to another big issue – clogging. So, if you want to avoid this mess, keep track of what you are throwing into the sink and the toilet. With that in mind, save trash and food particles for the trash bin, and stop pouring coffee grounds and grease oil into the sink while you’re at it. Of course, some food particles will skip your attention so be extra cautious and get yourself a couple of clog catchers.  Last but not least, be sure to regularly clean the kitchen and bathroom drains of debris that can cause problems in the future.

Pay attention to the water heater

A water heater is the heart of every household’s plumbing system. So, you can see how more effort put into its maintenance can save you a lot of trouble along the way. Aside from visual inspection, you will need to occasionally (let’s say once per year), inspect the anode rods for corrosion, test the temperature and pressure valve, and, like we stated earlier, keep the temperature setting in the 120°F to 140°F or lower. The other way to solve this problem is to replace your old unit with some of the new tankless water heaters that heat the water only when in use saving you a lot of money and wear and tear.

Keep water usage under control

These will produce numerous benefits. Speaking strictly in terms of pipe system maintenance the less water you use the fewer associated problems you will encounter along the way. But, this simple move will also have an effect on your water bills allowing you to get the treats like new pressure regulators and organic cleaners that all help your drainage system maintenance efforts. And you will do something good for the environment as well. So, keep things like low-flow faucets, shower heads, and toilets on your wishlist, and consider using water recycling and reclamation strategies.

Wrapping-up

Well, we hope these six strategies gave you a better idea about the numerous ways to keep your plumbing system and drainage network in top shape and keep bigger, potentially dangerous issues safely at bay. Do your best to implement as many things we have covered above as possible. Your efforts will be more than rewarded and your households will see the benefits sooner than later.