Who has time to take care of plumbing mishaps?
If you’re a homeowner that doesn’t want to have to replace their plumbing any time soon, it’s time to start thinking about how to extend your pipe’s lifetime by utilizing plumbing services from Summit Plumbing. Keeping your plumbing healthy and functioning doesn’t require any dangerous DIY steps.
1. Avoid Unnecessary Plumbing Clogs
The things you flush down your toilet and into your drains travel straight through your pipes. Your septic system may be sturdy, but plumbing is not built to withstand all waste. By flushing down harmful materials, not only can you create clogs, but you could damage your plumbing and septic system.
In order to keep your plumbing healthy, remember to avoid putting these products into your system:
- Drain cleaners
- Feminine products
- Grease
- Baby wipes and similar cleaning pads
- Cotton balls/Q-tips
- Pills
Should an unexpected clog arise, invest in a good plunger and always have a reliable emergency plumber on-hand.
2. Shop around for Local Plumbers
We know that emergencies are never planned, so creating a plan for a “just in case” scenario is always a good idea. While your plumbing is currently problem free, look at your local plumbers and find out which ones specialize in emergency plumbing situations.
When looking for a plumber:
- Always check their reviews
- Learn about their company
- Ensure that your home is in their service area
- Verify that they are licensed and insured
Plumbing emergencies tend to happen at the most inconvenient times of our lives. Have an emergency plumber on-call that can get to your home and fix the problem fast.
3. Complete a Plumbing Inspection Every Season
At the start of every season, make a note to inspect your home for anything that could be wrong with your plumbing.
We suggest that you create a checklist that includes:
- Looking out for minor leaks
- Checking your faucets
- Monitoring your water pressure
- Searching for wet spots in the ceiling or floor of your home
4. Save Your Plumber Some Time
Even though your plumber may charge by the job, there are still some things that you can do as a courtesy for your temporary guest. Your local plumber takes great pride in getting your job done as efficiently as possible. Make their job just a bit easier by prepping the area before they arrive.
If your issue is a leaking pipe under a sink, clear out the cleaning products you probably keep in there. If your plumbing problem is in a bustling part of the house, do your part to keep your kids and pets away from the worksite.
5. Get a Sewer Snake
The professionals use a drain snake and so can you! Head to your plumbing supply store or hardware store and use it to go through your drains when a problem arises. It’s an easy fix and will save you money in the long run, but also will help with flow quality through your pipes.
6. Combine Plumbing Jobs
How often have you had a repair person over to fix a problem only to remember after they leave that you had another thing that needed to be fixed? We’ve all been there. Next time you call a plumber for an emergency, take stock of the health of the rest of the plumbing in your house. Are drains running slowly? Is there leaking coming from the faucets, or signs of mildew in certain parts of your home? By having a plumber investigate potential problems as they develop, you’ll save money on repeated visits while extending the life of your plumbing system.
7. Periodically Check your Pipes and Fixtures for Signs of Corrosion
If you have copper or brass pipes, you may notice green stains or discoloration around the base of the pipes. If you have steel pipes, you may be able to see rust-colored or orange stains on or around the pipes. If you notice corrosion, contact a plumber to inspect the pipes to see if they need to be replaced.
8. Perform Regular Water Heater Maintenance
Ideally, you should drain your water heater at least a couple of times a year to prevent sediment from building up inside the tank. This relatively simple process can go a long way toward prolonging the life of your water heater.
By doing everything you can to avoid clogged drains, using a snake rather than chemical drain cleaners, keeping an eye on your pipes and fixtures for any signs of corrosion, and regularly draining your water heater, you can keep your home’s plumbing system in great shape for years to come.