Master These 11 Basic Plumbing Tips Now to Avoid Leaking Catastrophes
You don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night to some water leaking issues, do you? It might sound dramatic and over the top, but it happens more often than you’d think.
There are multiple reasons why your complex system of drainage pipes suffers from wear and tear. Fortunately, it doesn’t take sophisticated measures to fix most problems. Here are 11 basic plumbing tips you should know to counter those plumbing nightmares.
1. Know where your water main is
The water main or the main underground pipe is the largest one supplying the system with water. In most cases, it is situated next to the water heater in the basement. You will find a large valve on it (either shaped like a wheel or a lever) made for opening up or cutting off the water.
Before fixing your plumbing network, closing off your main water valve should be the first and foremost.
2. Working on your clogged drains
Hairs and debris can sometimes get stuck in your drains, hence the drains being obstructed. Using chemical drain cleaners is possibly your go-to solution. However, steer clear from it, for it will wear down your drainage system quicker than you can imagine.
If you’re facing a clog, you can use some tools to remove the objects from your drain, keeping your plumbing infrastructure intact.
3. Pay attention to the water pressure
This might sound like a redundant thing to work on, but constant pressure can put your plumbing pipeline at risk of bursting. Measuring water pressure can be easily achieved by purchasing a pressure gauge or a monitoring system if you feel fancy.
Keeping an eye on the water pressure will minimize the chance of bursting the pipeline and prolong the longevity of your plumbing system. This is one of the plumbing tips you should fully comprehend.
4. Reducing the water pressure
If your home runs on a high-pressure water system, you might want to reduce them to a certain level. This is achievable by buying a PRV (Pressure Reducing Valve).
Households depending on municipal water supply benefit greatly from this plumbing tip. This is due to municipal supply being built for high buildings and fire hydrants.
5. How to keep your toilet functioning well
You can’t always flush everything down the toilet. Slightly more solid objects such as paper towels, baby wipes, and cotton swabs can easily get stuck and form clogs. To prevent this from happening, a plunger is required. You can acquire one from any local store in your area.
Leakage, however, is a different story. Every time a leak occurs, it doesn’t leave a sound. You can quickly check on this by pouring one or two drops of food coloring into the bowl, then leaving it be for approximately 30 minutes. After that, if the color vanishes, then you have yourself a toilet leak.
6. Make sure your gutters are cleaned
It’s better to take a look at your gutters and clean them from time to time. They’re responsible for keeping water from seeping into the walls of your home. Leaving clogged drains unchecked for a long period will eventually compromise the structure.
7. Water heater is also important
Speaking of leaving things unchecked, the water heater is often overlooked when it comes to plumbing. A quick tip is to keep a tap on its lifespan. When it reaches a two-digit period (usually between 10 to 15 years), replace it immediately. Since one water heater can hold up to a whopping 50 gallons, a leak can spell a disaster.
Plus, when you replace your heater, change your sump pump too.
8. Make things easier for your garbage disposal
The objective is to keep the blades of your garbage disposal sharp. This will prevent the clogging of the pipes from oil, fats, or greasy substances.
You can do this by letting cold water run through the disposal for 5 to 10 seconds before powering it up and after shutting it down. You can also occasionally put several ice cubes in there.
9. Cold weather is your enemy
One of the must-know plumbing tips is protecting your pipelines from cold weather. Remember to keep your house warm and have cold protection for your water pipes.
The standard temperature should be 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. This is essential, especially when you’re out on vacation, since any pipe damage from cold weather is mind-numbingly expensive.
10. Schedule your water leak checkups
Take notes of the places in your home where you should check for leakage periodically. Visible leaks are pieces of cake, but you’d be surprised how well-hidden some leaks are.
Several signs you might be having hidden leaks are as follow:
Discoloration or molds on ceilings and walls
The foul stench on attics or in basements
11. Dripping faucets should be fixed as soon as possible
It’s infuriating to see a faucet dripping water. It’s a waste of water and money at the same time. High pressure from the water supply and faulty components can cause this problem.
You can replace the faucet with a new one, and that will be it. You only need to know about the types of faucets for each place.
Those are the 11 plumbing tips you can master with ease to prevent or resolve water leakage at home. This type of problem is usually annoying to deal with. However, with these solutions, you won’t have to worry about water leakage for a long time.
Contact Local Rooter Corp.
If you would like a free quote on inspecting your plumbing system in San Jose and surrounding areas, our professional plumbers at Local Rooter are here to assist you. Call us at 408-641-9245 or contact us here