Round Rock Plumbing Company Shares Plumbing Maintenance Tips To Local Residents

When was the last time you even considered your plumbing system? If your response was, “red-only on emergencies,” you’re not the only person. Nevertheless, these systems in your house labor tirelessly each day and must have a little love just like other things.

In this article, we’ll look at some real-world, actionable tips that any homeowner can start using today to take care of their plumbing system. And the best part? All these tips can help you avoid disasters and expensive services like drain cleaning or re-piping.

Know Where Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve Is

You wake up in the middle of the night to water pouring down from the ceiling of your hall. You check the bathroom upstairs and that looks like the seat of the cause. Now, you’re starting to panic. You know you need to shut off the water, but just how do you do that?

If your answer is “Hmm. I don’t know,” then pause for 5 minutes and go find your main water shutoff valve. Typically, this will be located in your basement or near the water meter. You’ll thank us the day something in your plumbing does fail.

Knowing how to turn off the water quickly can be the difference between a small puddle and a kitchen turned into a swimming pool! To learn more about the shut-off valve, check out this resource: https://www.thespruce.com/.

Be Kind to Your Drains

…and your garbage disposal. Like some sort of magic portal to a different dimension, people sometimes think they can throw anything down the kitchen sink and it will magically disappear. The truth is that this is very rarely the case. Grease, coffee grounds, eggshells, and foods like celery can all be big-time culprits in clogging a kitchen sink drain.

The alternative is dumping everything on top of a strainer. Some will go down the drain, and those ones will not clog it. Those that remain in the strainer should go to the compost bin or garbage disposal.

If you use feminine products in the bathroom, don’t flush them down the toilet, even if the label says it’s ok to do so. While they may flush easily, the action puts undue stress on the plumbing system, causing it to wear out quickly and easily within a short period.

Fix Leaks Early

That tiny drip is no big deal, right? Wrong! A seemingly small leak in a fixture or even behind a wall can lead to a lot of water going to waste and a bigger drain repair cost. Leaks can also cause mold to grow in your walls if not handled promptly. They can cause rust or other types of damage if left unchecked.

Local plumbers suggest that once a month, you do a quick check of all visible plumbing fixtures in your home, like your shower-head, faucets, and exposed pipes, for leaks. If you notice any, call a plumber or tackle the problem yourself if it’s something easy like tightening a connection. Doing so can prevent stress and save you hundreds or thousands on drywall repair, leak detection services, or plumbing service calls later on!

Insulate Your Pipes

Sure, not everyone needs to protect their pipes in the winter, but with temperatures still dropping in winter, your unprotected pipes could be at risk of damage. A busted pipe may not seem like an issue you want to handle right now, but ignoring it can only lead to more damage.

Pipe insulation is a cost-effective way to combat all these problems. Be sure to insulate those pipes in the unheated areas of your home, such as the garage, attic, and crawl space. Hot water pipe insulation also helps retain heat, lowering your energy bill. Click here for steps to insulate your pipes.

Don’t Ignore Your Water Heater

This work horse in your house gives you everything, from hot water for showers to clean dishes and fresh laundry. Keep it working at top efficiency by flushing the unit once a year to remove sediment and mineral build-up.

These two things can cause your heater to run less efficiently and lower its life expectancy. Be sure to check your temperature settings as well. 120°F is widely considered just right. It is hot enough to kill most bacteria and keeping it at this level prevents scalding and wasted energy.

Use Your Garbage Disposal Wisely

While it’s there to grind up the leftover food from dinner, it is NOT a wood chipper. Never put bones, fruit pits, garbage, or non-food items down the drain. If the object is larger than one of your fingers, it’s too big.

Here is a pro tip: if you can, throw a few ice cubes and some lemon or orange peels into the disposal once a month. This can help you clean those blades and reduce/eliminate bad odors at the same time.

Keep an Eye on Your Water Pressure

Low pressure can be a problem, making showering a nightmare. High pressure can do a number on your pipes and fixtures, often leading to leaks and bursts. Purchase a water pressure gauge. This can be found at most hardware stores and typically screws onto a spigot or a washing machine line.

Only fill up a bucket half way and time the duration or measure in PSI (pounds per square inch). A good pressure should be between 40-60 PSI. If you are out of the range, a pressure regulator may be in order.

Schedule Regular Professional Inspections

In this case, your best bet is to have a plumbing technician check the entire system and let you know how and if detected problems should be addressed. It’s all part of a comprehensive plumbing check-up and the standard procedure. A professional plumbing company like ROD Plumbing in Round Rock can use a special camera to inspect all areas of your plumbing, identify any trouble spots, and put a plan in place to keep them from becoming full-blown problems.

Be Cautious with Chemical Drain Cleaners

When it comes to clearing clogs, chemical drain cleaners are instant death. They may seem like an easy solution. However, they’re anything but. Technically, they dissolve the clog and send it on its way so if it gets part way down and sticks again the chemical will clear it again.

But over time, they wear the pipes by corrosion, leading to costly repairs or replacements. In their place, use natural clearing agents. Baking soda and vinegar might sound like the two things you don’t want in your drains, but those stinky solutions can be a help busting a clog.

Even if they don’t clear the clog completely, they will help loosen it up, so it can be easily removed with a plumbing snake. Snaking is the greenest clog-clearing option of all; it’s basically a long, flexible cable tipped with a corkscrew. You snake the corkscrew end into the drain and turn it with a ratchet, clearing the blockage.

10. Watch for Warning Signs

Homeowners aren’t helpless when it comes to their plumbing. You can fix a lot of your maintenance problems all on your own.

Slow drains: Your plumbing system is hidden from view for a reason. So, this could indicate a clog forming deep in your pipes.

Discolored water: Rust- or brown-colored water generally indicates pipe corrosion or trouble with your water heater.

Sudden spikes in water bills: A hidden leak might be the culprit.

Addressing these signs early can save you from major headaches later.

Conclusion

Take care of your yard and other parts of your house as regularly as possible. Many plumbing tasks are easy to do. Your backyard plumbing system includes your faucets, irrigation and drainage lines.

Take out the hoses from taps over winter, to avoid freezing, and inspect your irrigation system on a regular basis for leaks or cracks. But if you have a stubborn issue, a sewer line issue, or just want to update your bathroom, call a professional to inspect and fix possible issues.