Clogs, sewage backups, odors and cracked pipes; these are just some of the things that could go wrong with your plumbing system. Dealing with these problems can be incredibly frustrating, especially because a lot of them could be easily prevented. If you want to ensure your plumbing system has minimal issues and is functioning properly throughout the year, it is important that you keep it well-maintained. To help you get started, the pros at Acree have prepared a list of effective plumbing maintenance tips.
1. Inspect Your Home for Leaks
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, household leaks can account for 10,000 gallons of water lost every year. Leaks can be expensive and even worsen your plumbing fixtures in the long run. Make sure you inspect your kitchen and bathroom sinks, toilets and showerheads for leaks and troubleshoot them as soon as possible. Many of these leaks can be fixed with DIY methods while others might need professional plumbers and leak detectors.
2. Do Not Use Chemical Drain Cleaners
Clogs and backed up drains are no fun but try to avoid using chemical drain cleaners as much as you can. These drain cleaners can corrode your pipes and can even be dangerous for you to use as they can burn through clothes and skin.
3. Use Hair Catchers
If your bathtub or shower drain is clogged, the culprit behind that might be hair. To prevent doing the nasty job of removing the hair from your shower drain, use a hair catcher. These plastic or metal objects resemble strainers and can catch not only hair but other small objects as well as soap scum. Hair catchers can easily keep your drain clean for little damage to your wallet.
4. Be Careful What You Flush
Nothing other than human waste and toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet. Even flushable wipes should not be flushed as they don’t easily break apart as toilet paper does. If you flush anything else down the toilet, it could cause a clog that may have easily been avoided. If you have little children, use toilet locks to prevent them from putting objects like toys in the toilet.
5. Schedule a Professional Inspection
Yearly professional maintenance checks can detect and prevent problems earlier on. A professional plumber can look at the ins and outs of your plumbing system and fix anything before it becomes a major issue in the long run.
6. Make Sure Your Water Pressure is Right
Make sure your water pressure is between 40 and 60 psi—consult a plumber if you want another source to clarify this for you. In addition, make sure you keep the pressure at a moderate level. Extremely high water pressure can damage your pipes while low water pressure can make cleaning difficult and even prevent clogs from flushing away.
Need more plumbing maintenance tips? Get in touch with the pros at Acree! Call us today at (813) 530-9061 or schedule a service with us on our website.
