The plumbing system is probably one of the most complex systems around. It snakes in the bathroom, kitchen, living room, and almost every other part of your house. Slight repair problems can always get ugly and take a lengthy period to resolve. Therefore, you need to be proactive and keep your plumbing system maintained. You can use the tips discussed below to avoid emergency plumbing repairs in your home.
1. Schedule Routine Maintenance Inspections
You should schedule a plumbing maintenance inspection at least once every year. This is because your plumbing system is just like any other system in your house, and it will break down when it’s not properly maintained. Routine maintenance inspections help identify minor problems before they become big and expensive. Work with professionals who understand your plumbing system and who can help keep it in excellent working condition.
2. Protect Your Drains
Your drains play a crucial role in your plumbing system, which is susceptible to clogs. To avoid this problem, you need to be careful about what goes down your drain. For example, do not pour grease, oil, coffee grounds, or eggshells down the drain because they will solidify and cause clogs. Likewise, you should avoid flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Instead, install drain filters in all your sinks to catch food particles, hair, and other debris before they drain.
3. Address Leaks Promptly
Leaking pipes are a common plumbing problem, but many homeowners ignore them until they become big and expensive to repair. Instead, it would help if you always fixed leaking pipes as soon as you notice them. This is because they can cause extensive damage to your property and lead to the growth of mold and mildew. To fix a plumbing leak, you need to shut off the water supply, repair or replace the damaged pipe, and turn the water supply on again.
4. Be Mindful of What You Flush
Flushing inappropriate items down your toilet is one of the easiest ways to clog up your plumbing system. Paper towels, cotton balls, dental floss, sanitary items, and diapers are some of the worst culprits. Plumbers also advise against flushing feminine hygiene products as they can get caught in your pipes and lead to clogs. Instead, you should only flush human waste, toilet paper, and products specifically made to be flushed in toilets.
5. Maintain Your Toilets
Your toilets are an integral part of your plumbing system and require routine maintenance. One of the things you need to do is check their flappers periodically and to replace them when they wear out. This will ensure an adequate water supply in the tank, preventing overflowing. In addition, it would help keep your toilet clean by regularly removing hard water stains and lime deposits. Maintaining your toilets will save you a lot of money in the long run by preventing costly plumbing repairs.
6. Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
You can use chemical drain cleaners to get rid of this problem, but it can be a temporary solution. In addition, these products can lead to corrosion in your pipes and cause even more significant problems later on. To prevent clogs in your drains, you should regularly remove debris and hair using a drain cleaner or the old-fashioned way with your hands.
7. Prevent Tree Roots From Clogging Your Pipes
Tree roots clog your pipes because they search for moisture in your plumbing system. Over time, these tree roots grow and block your entire pipe network, which can be costly to repair. To prevent this problem, you need to install a root barrier in your sewer lines. This flexible barrier prevents tree roots from entering your system but allows water and waste products to move freely through the pipe network.
8. Watch Your Septic Tank
If you have a septic tank, you need to be mindful of what you flush down your toilets. This is because flushing inappropriate items and materials down the toilet can cause problems in your septic system. You should only allow human waste and toilet paper in your septic tank as other products can clog your pipes. If you notice that your toilets are backing up or your drains are slow, this is a sign that there is a problem in your septic tank. You should contact a professional plumber to have it checked and repaired as soon as possible.
9. Dispose of Grease and Oil in the Trash
You may not know this, but grease and oil can solidify your pipes and cause clogs. In addition, if you pour grease or oil down the drain, they get stuck in your plumbing system, leading to expensive emergency plumbing repairs later on. Therefore, you should always dispose of your grease and oil into a trash can instead of pouring it down the drain to prevent this problem.
10. Prevent Frozen Pipes
Sometimes water can expand and cause damage to pipes and other plumbing fixtures. To prevent this problem, you should ensure that your pipes are appropriately insulated during the winter season. This will help avoid frozen pipes and expensive emergency plumbing repairs later on.
11. Check Water Pressure
Defective water pressure in different areas of your home can cause plumbing problems. This is because too much water pressure can rupture pipes and increase the risk of clogs. If you notice high water bills or low water pressure in your home, it could indicate a problem with your system. You should contact High 5 Plumbing to have your pipes checked and repaired as soon as possible.
12. Replace Defective Parts
If any of your plumbing fixtures are defective or worn out, it is crucial to replace them as soon as possible. This is because these parts can cause bigger problems in your system if they are not replaced accordingly. For example, a defective pressure regulator can lead to water damage in your home by not effectively doing its job. Therefore, you should regularly inspect your parts and replace any defective ones as soon as possible.
13. Avoid Unlicensed Plumbing Techs
Using unlicensed plumbing technicians is a common mistake people make in repairing their plumbing system themselves. This is because they think they can save money by doing it themselves. However, this is not the case, and unskilled plumbing repairs can often lead to more damage.
14. Clean Your Water Heater
Water heaters are some of the most critical appliances in your home. These units provide hot water for showers, laundry, and dishes. However, if your water heater is not properly maintained, it can break down and cause expensive emergency repairs. Therefore, you should regularly inspect your water heater and clean it per the manufacturer’s instructions. This will help prolong its lifespan and prevent expensive repairs down the road.
15. Learn Your Plumbing System
Finally, a great way to avoid emergency plumbing repairs is by learning more about your home’s plumbing system. This will help you detect problems early on and fix them before it becomes an expensive repair job. You can do this by reading up on how your home’s plumbing system works and asking a professional plumber questions at your appointment. This will better equip you to handle any plumbing problems in the future.
These tips are critical in enabling you to remain proactive in plumbing maintenance. Contact High 5 Plumbing today for professional plumbing services in the greater Denver area. We provide comprehensive plumbing repair, maintenance, and re-piping. Our services also include kitchen plumbing, water heater repair services, drain cleaning, and inspection, as well as sewer cleaning and replacement. We even offer specials and financing! Give us a call today!
