As a homeowner, one of the things that you should always be conscious about is your home's plumbing. Any malfunction in your plumbing system could cause serious problems that would cost you much more to fix and reflect on your utility bills.
Of course, you will need some maintenance and repairs once in a while. Even so, if you’ll be doing your routine checks and if you’re wise with the kind of plumbing fixtures you choose for your home, it will be a long time before you need to call in a professional to fix any problem. Water heater repair specialists share their knowledge on the measures homeowners can take to enhance affordable plumbing:
1. Buy Plumbing Emergency Tools
You don’t have to stock up every plumbing tool like a specialist, but just the basics come in handy in emergencies. These basics include a screwdriver, a plunger, heavy-duty paper rolls, towel rags, and garbage disposal wrenches. Have a designated place in your basement, shed, or storage unit so they don't clutter up your home.
2. Check for Leaks and Drips
You can easily underestimate a dripping tap, but can you imagine the amount of wastage that you do if you leave that trap dripping for the rest of the day? Besides its insignificance, it will also reflect on your utility bills. If you’re guilty of this, you can still rectify it by always ensuring that the taps are fully turned off before you carry on with your daily business.
If you notice water drips even after turning all the taps off, it only means there is a deeper problem underneath that needs to be addressed early enough before it worsens. A better way to know if there are internal leaks is by checking your water meter to confirm that it is not recording anything when you’re not using water. Call a plumber to identify the problem and repair or replace it as needed.
3. Inspect The Toilet
The toilet is one of the most frequently used places in a home; thus, it deserves some attention. First, ensure that the flushing system is in place and working as it should without any leaks. If the leaks are minor, you can seal the holes off with epoxy gum. Also, if there are faulty parts, try to fix them as soon as possible to prevent more issues from coming up.
4. Check the Drains
At some point, we have all been faced with a clogged drain that we overlooked until it was too late. A clogged drain could be caused by continuous accumulation of oil, dirt, hair, soap, etc. Most people make a mistake during the unclogging process by flushing the debris using chemicals. Continued use of these harsh chemicals will eventually damage your pipes, and they’re also not environmentally friendly.
To keep your drains clear of any obstructions, you can pour a cup of vinegar and baking soda and then run a substantial amount of hot water once a month. Also, you can use filters on your sinks or water outlets to ensure that solid substances don’t pass down to the pipes.
5. Inspect the Sewer Line
Most often, people confuse the water pipes with the sewer line. However, the sewer line pipes are actually located a few feet underground, and it’s responsible for draining all the water in the main sewer.
Water won’t go down the drain if the sewer line is clogged. Usually, when the sewer line starts clogging up, you’ll notice bubbles when you run water through the sinks. It is recommended that you call in your plumber to fix this problem as soon as you see it, as fixing it yourself could worsen the situation.
6. Insulate Your Pipes
During the colder seasons, frozen water can easily make the pipes burst. Therefore, it would be wise to take care of this early enough before the cold season starts, as this could cause severe breaches for you in the long run. Take care of it before the cold season begins as it also makes the whole process easier for the people handling it. Lesser complications translate to more affordable rates for the entire process. To ensure the insulation work is done right, call the plumbing experts to take care of it.
It may seem like a complex task to follow through with these routine maintenance checks, but as the homeowner, you benefit greatly in the long run. You will still need a professional plumber to check in at some point, but those routine checks will have helped you save much more money and time. Every plumbing problem has a solution as long as the right person addresses it.
About the Author
Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.
