Plumbing maintenance is essential and should be taken seriously. The most common plumbing issues include clogged drains and toilets, water heater issues, low water pressure, leaky faucets and pipes, and running toilets.
Almost every homeowner experience plumbing problems now and again. However, plumbing maintenance will help with water conservation as a large amount of water is used by toilets and faucets. Plumbing maintenance can be in Do It Yourself (DIY), or you can engage experts. For more insight, check out local to Essendon, VIC.
Fresh water and sanitation are so easily accessible until something goes wrong. Instead of waiting for things to go wrong, you can proactively take control of your plumbing maintenance.
Here’s a list of plumbing maintenance tips that may come in handy for your home:
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Be Mindful Of What You Flush Down Your Toilet
It’s easy to start flushing cotton swabs, sanitary pads, plastic, and even condoms down the toilet. After all, it’s quick and convenient. However, it’s certainly a call for trouble. Don’t do this unless you’re keen on paying plumbers to unclog your toilet, which can be avoided if you don’t do it.
The only thing that should be going down your toilet is your waste and toilet paper. As for the others, put a wastebasket in the bathroom and make use of it.
Fix An Overflowing Toilet Before The Problem Escalates
Watching water levels rise in the toilet bowl can send you gagging. Don’t wait for it to overflow, but rather, open the tank and push the valve down. It will not necessarily fix your problem, but at least it will buy you time as it stops the water from overflowing.
Clean Showerheads Using Vinegar
Water has mineral deposits, and with time, showerheads can become clogged. There’s nothing like a nice shower after a long day.
Make sure your showerhead doesn’t disappoint. You can do this by unscrewing and soaking your showerhead in vinegar for 24 hours. It will clear the mineral deposits. When this trick stops working, it might be time to get a new showerhead.
Use Soap To Clear Blocked Toilets
A blocked toilet is a pain in the back for everyone. If you don’t have a plunger, don’t panic. You can add hot water to the toilet bowl until it’s full. Whether you get it off the tap or boil it, make sure the water is as hot as possible.
After adding hot water to the bowl, add liquid soap, and don’t be shy with it. You can never add too much. While the hot water breaks the clog down, the soap will help it start moving, and just like that, your toilet can be unblocked.
Regularly Check For leaks
Corroded or rusted-out piped don’t happen overnight. However, it will cause your faucets to leak and toilets to run overtime. It sadly may cost you hundreds in water bills.
To avoid losing money in hectic water bills, be it a habit of regularly inspecting all exposed pipes in your home for any signs of damage or decay. This way, you can stop any impending leakage in its tracks.
Check Shut-Off Valves
In case of a plumbing emergency, you need your shut-off valves. These valves allow you to stop water flow through your pipes before getting to faucets, showerheads, or toilets. Every home has a main shut-off valve that can cut off all the water supply to your home.
Toilets and sicks also have their shut-off valves. It allows you to cut off water flow to a particular fixture. So, if your taps or toilets suddenly have uncontrollable leaks, you can cut off the water supply using shut-off valves. It will buy you time before you can fix the problem.
You might want to look for the location of the shut-off valves inside your home. Ensure that they’re functioning properly. Otherwise, get them fixed. You’ll be happy that you did when you get a plumbing emergency.
Clean Your Drains
Soap scum, shampoo, and grease can make their way down the pipes and get stuck in the drains. It may happen no matter how careful you believe you are. It’s wise to regularly clean your drains before they become completely blocked to prevent more serious problems from happening.
If your drains are already clogged, take out that plunger and use it. It will loosen the gunk clogging the drains. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners and clog removers at all costs. It’s because they’re made of toxic chemicals that can seriously damage your plumbing.
Install Mesh Drain Covers
Debris like hair, food particles, and soap can clog up your drains. Thus, it can be avoided by using mesh drains because they cover your sinks, showers, and bath. It will save you many plumbing issues, and you won’t have to snake your drains regularly.
Conclusion
It’s easier to call for help from plumbing professionals. However, many regular plumbing maintenance tasks are things you’re capable of doing for yourself. You can use the tips given in this guide to help keep your drains, pipes, and other plumbing components in good condition.
