Clogged drains, leaky pipes, and other plumbing disasters can strike anytime. Some are serious enough to require professional help.
Prevention is the key to maintaining a healthy plumbing system in the home. There are some wrong turns you can easily avoid, preventing major plumbing problems from creeping up on you. Plumbing problems should be solved before they become bigger headaches. Read the advice below to learn how to avoid these costly issues.
Fix Leaky Pipes Right Away
A leaking pipe can start small but grow into a serious problem. It can cause flooding and damage to your home and belongings. The longer you wait to fix it, the more expensive it will be to repair. In addition, if you don’t fix a leaky pipe right away, it can lead to mold growth or other issues that are more difficult to solve. Not only do leaks have the potential to affect the health of those living in your home, but they can also affect your home’s structural well-being.
If you notice water dripping from a pipe under your sink or in another part of your house, you should call Cozy Home Services for help repairing the leak as soon as possible. Other signs of a leaky pipe include hearing running water when all taps are off, water stains or mildew on the walls, ceiling, or floors, and reduced water pressure. A professional plumber can identify where the leak is coming from and fix it quickly so that your water bills aren’t as severely affected.
2. Inspect Your Drains Annually
Inspecting your drains annually can save you a lot of money in the long run. Plumbers charge for their time and materials, so it’s in your best interest to take care of any plumbing problems as soon as possible. If you wait too long, the problem will worsen, and you’ll have to pay more to fix it.
Having your drains regularly inspected can also prevent more significant problems from happening later on. For example, if you notice that your toilet is draining slowly, it could be caused by a clog somewhere in the pipes. You might think that you don’t have time to deal with it now. However, if you don’t take care of it immediately, chances are good that the blockage will only worsen over time and lead to more expensive repairs down the road.
3. Regularly Check and Flush Your Water Heater
The water heater is one of the most important parts of your home. It can provide you with hot water whenever you need it. However, if there are problems with the water heater, it may lead to problems such as improper heating or even no heating at all. These problems can be dangerous and must be fixed as soon as possible. Regularly checking and flushing your water heater is a good way to minimize the risk of it failing and needing replacement prematurely.
4. Don’t Put the Wrong Things Down Your Toilets or Drains
The main thing to remember is that drains are not meant for everything. You should never put food scraps, grease, or other items that may cause blockages down your drain.
Be mindful of what gets flushed down the toilet. You should never flush feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, and swabs. Even if they go down your drain easily, they will eventually cause problems. They are not biodegradable and can catch on to something in the pipe system below ground level or get stuck in a pipe trap. The result will be a stoppage of water flow and an overflow of sewage into your home or basement.
5. Do Not Ignore the Warning Signs of Hard Water
If you have hard water, it’s important to understand how it can affect your plumbing. The biggest problem with hard water is that it can cause lime buildup in pipes, which reduces water flow and causes leaks. This is a particular problem for older homes with galvanized steel pipes.
6. Pay Attention to Your Toilet
The toilet is the most common place for a leak. If you have a running toilet, it’s time to replace the flapper or ballcock. These valves can wear out over time and cause your toilet to run constantly. This can lead to bigger problems and increase your water bill.
A quick check for this is to ensure the tank is full and turn the water to the toilet off overnight. The next morning, if you see that the water level in the tank has gone down, then chances are your flapper or ballcock needs replacing.
The seal around the base of the toilet is also prone to leaks. In addition to wasting water, this can lead to extensive water damage, necessitating major home repairs.
7. Avoid Store-Bought Drain Cleaners
There are many reasons to avoid store-bought drain cleaners. The most important reason is that they can remove protective layers from your pipes. When introduced into your sewer system, chemicals can eat away at calcium deposits and other minerals that protect your pipes from corrosion and rusting. Without these protective layers, your pipes are more likely to corrode and break down.
8. Do Not Let Hair Escape Down the Shower Drain
The shower drain is one of the most common places for hair to accumulate in a home, which can cause clogs and drainage problems. To prevent this issue, use a hair trap, such as a mesh cover, over the drains in the showers and bathroom sinks. When clogs occur, plumbers can use a drain snake or another cleaning tool to remedy the problem.
9. Insulate Pipes Properly
Insulation is important because it prevents condensation from building up on the pipe walls. A lack of insulation can lead to corrosion. Condensation also causes mold growth, which can get into your pipes and spread throughout your house.
Insulation also helps keep the temperature of the pipes steady, which helps prevent freezing during cold weather months. Pipes that freeze can burst and flood your home with water damage and even leak sewage into your home. A side benefit is that you won’t have to wait as long for the water to heat up.
10. Prevent Root Intrusion Into Your Pipes
Roots can get into your pipes by pushing their way through the joints where two sections of pipe meet. It can also crack and break the pipes, especially if you have concrete sewer lines.
Switching to PVC pipes and ensuring all your joints are sealed tightly are the best ways to avoid root intrusion. You should also monitor areas where the ground around your house slopes toward any of your pipes. If water collects in these areas, it could encourage root growth. You can also ask a plumber what they recommend to discourage roots from growing in the drains.
Our company has been helping Vacaville, CA residents for many years now, and we have built our reputation on excellent customer service and quality work. From Plumbing to HVAC services, we will handle all your problems as soon as you call us. We also offer electrical, indoor air quality, and solar services for families in the area. If you suspect a leak problem, please contact Cozy Home Services for assistance. Financing options are available.
