Plumbing Maintenance You Should Be Doing
There are a lot of maintenance needs to keep in mind as a homeowner. Adding in plumbing maintenance can sound like a huge undertaking. However, keeping up on your plumbing maintenance; you will be able to catch issues before they turn into huge problems. It is best to check on these annually or as often as you can.
Bathroom Maintenance
There are a few things to check on in the bathroom. The bathroom has some plumbing hidden in the walls, so it is important to keep an eye on things.
Faucets should checked for leaks. For bathroom plumbing you can not see, a leak may show itself by water damage on the ceiling in the room below the bathroom.
If your faucet is dripping it could mean you need to replace a washer or cartridge.
Weak water pressure, or if it isn’t regular, the aerators can have a build up on them. It is possible to remove the aerators and give them a good cleaning.
Along with cleaning the aerators, make sure to clean the shower head as scum builds up.
Next, check the drains in the tub, sink & shower. Bathroom drains are susceptible to hair clogs and soap build up. If you notice your drains backing up, call 1-Tom-Plumber to clear them out for you.
The next stop is to check your toilet. It is important to know what happens when a toilet flushes. Take the tank lid off and watch so you know. If anything seems off, look into these common toilet fixes.
If you notice your toilet wobbles when you sit on it or water is on the floor, it could mean you need to fix the wax ring around the toilet.
The only things that should be flushed are human waste and toilet paper. Anything else will clog your drain.
The last thing in the bathroom is to quickly check all the caulking in the bathroom. This can allow water to get behind the walls, which means mold will grow.
Kitchen Maintenance
The next room to check your plumbing is your kitchen. The first place to look is your kitchen sink. Check to see if you have any leaks or corrosion. If you see any, the pipe need to be replaced.
If your sink is draining slowly, you could have a clog in the P-Trap or branch drain.
Once you are done looking below your sink, next is to look at the faucet. If your faucet leaks it can waste 100 gallons of water a year.
The next place to check is the shut off valves, there is usually one in the sink, dishwasher & fridge water lines. They shut the water off to that spot when closed tightly. If the water is still coming out after a minute then the valve may need to be replaced.
With your garbage disposals, problems are most found where the drain connects to the dishwasher discharge. Make sure to tighten connections or change out gaskets if leaking.
Run a test of your dishwasher, make sure it is filling quickly and draining easily. If it fills slowly the water supply hose could need maintenance. A slow to drain dishwasher means there could be a clog in the discharge drain.
A refrigerator with an ice maker or water dispenser it is important to have your filter replaced as needed. Check with your owners’ manual to see how often it needs to be replaced.
Sewer and Septic Maintenance
A septic or sewer issue can be caught sooner with checking on the system regularly.
There are two types of septic systems: a drain field and a tank system. Drain field systems need to be inspected and serviced regularly. Make household members aware of what can’t go down the drain.
A tank system needs to be pumped whenever it is close to full. This is extremely important as it can cause sewage to come back out.
For your sewer system it’s important to prevent mainline blockages by doing regular maintenance (like preventative drain cleaning). If you see periodic stoppages should get snaked by your local 1-Tom-Plumber annually.
To test how well your sewer line works, empty all sinks and tubs at the same time. Look out for sinks or tubs taking too long to drain or if the drains back up.
Miscellaneous Maintenance
Your water heater is one of the most important things to have maintained in your home. With all pipes, make sure there isn’t any corrosion or leaking. Look for leaking around the base of the water heater. Every few years, the water heater needs to be flushed. There can be sediment build up in the bottom that can make your water heater less efficient.
If you have a sump pump in your home it is important to make sure it is running correctly. To make sure it works, fill it with water and make sure the sump pump activates and drains in a timely manner.
The last place to check is your washing machine. Take a look at the hoses, they may need replacing if they show any bulging, or other wear and tear. Then, make sure the hot and cold valves are able to be turned off. They could need replacing if they aren’t working properly.
Final Thoughts
Our biggest tip is to make a preventative maintenance schedule for your plumbing (and everything else) in your home. Regular preventative maintenance can catch small issues before they turn into big and expensive headaches.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you any sort of preventative plumbing maintenance. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem.
We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.
