The plumbing system is an essential element in your home that needs to be functional and useful. It may not be an easy task, and it requires adequate knowledge to keep the system working because you need to ensure proper installation, maintenance, cleaning, and repair.
When the system gets installed well, you’ll avoid problems and severe damages that can lead to costly repairs or a complete replacement. Many people usually wait to see issues in the system before taking action. It’s worth noting that the plumbing system is a crucial component that demands close attention to keep it functional. Here are the essential tips that will help you reduce problems in your drainage system.
Work with an Experienced and Reliable Plumber
Probably, several plumbers within your area can offer basics plumbing services. However, not all may have adequate skills for the job. In this case, you need to do in-depth research and identify someone who has at least five years of experience in the industry. In this case, I recommend TNT plumbing services as they are impressive in their service.
The professional should offer comprehensive plumbing services and needs to have the capability to deal with the most challenging plumbing problems. Additionally, you need to ensure that the expert is reliable. Meaning, the person should always be available when you need them, especially during emergencies.
You don’t want to wait for a plumber for hours when you have burst pipes that can cause severe damages to your property. Therefore, to keep your plumbing system functioning, ensure you hire someone that can attend to all your plumbing needs.
Maintain the Kitchen Sink
The kitchen sink must be functional to avoid water blockage when using the sink. In this case, you need to use a strainer to get rid of grease build-up in the sink. Ensure the grease doesn’t run down the drain to avoid blockage. Instead, dispose of in the trash. It’s also vital to run hot water on the sink to remove any stubborn grease and sticky soap.
Remove Hairs from Your Bathroom Drain
Hair is a component that can quickly block the drainage system if not removed from the bathroom drain. When people bathe, it’s possible that hair penetrates the system and causes blockage.
You need to be careful and take precautions around the bathroom drain. For best results, use a wet-dry vacuum to grab the mess around the drainage surface. This is an effective way to avoid causing problems in your drainage system.
Be Careful with Chemicals in the Sinks and Toilets
Some chemicals are the number one enemy to your drainage system. They can be harsh and quickly cause tear and wear, weakening the drainage system and causing leakages.
When your pipes wear off, you’ll have no option than to buy new ones. This not only causes you to spend money purchasing the pipes, but you’ll also pay for the installation services. Therefore, establish suitable ways to dispose of chemicals instead of letting them get into your plumbing system.
Replace Old and Worn-Out Pipes in the System
Probably, some of the pipes in the drainage system are old or worn out. This decreases the functioning rate of the system, making it ineffective. When you move into a new house, or if your drainage system has been there for many years, it’s high time you replace them to keep the system functional.
Luckily, there are durable materials for the system today, unlike what was traditionally used. Once you replace the pipes, you can be sure that they’ll stay for a more extended period while serving the whole purpose. Avoid overlooking old pipes thinking that you can use them for a few more years. This may lead to more problems in the long run.
Always Be Ready For the Weather
The plumbing system can quickly get affected by the cold weather. For instance, your pipes can freeze, making them ineffective. In this case, you need to prepare your pipes earlier to ensure that they do not freeze when winter sets in. This will save you from many common issues, which can lead to severe damages. This may not be an easy task, and you’d want to seek professional help from an expert to guide you through.
Ensure Your Water Heater Remains Functional
Keep a close eye on your water heater to avoid leakages. If it leaks, you’ll encounter more problems. In this case, ensure you keep it drained every season to prevent issues that may cause the heater’s failure. Also, ensure you maintain adequate water pressure within your home for a functional plumbing system.
Keep a Clean and Functional Septic Tank
The wastewater emptied from drains flows to the septic tank. With time, the septic tank fills up and may spill over on your property if not taken care of. That’s why it’s vital to clean the septic tank often and ensure that it doesn’t fill up. This is better than taking it for granted and causing damages to your property due to the septic tank’s overflow.
Sometimes, it may not be easy to know when your drainage system needs cleaning since it requires an expert’s skills. Therefore, instead of assuming or postponing the cleaning, you can seek professional advice from an expert to inspect the tank and take the necessary measures to avoid plumbing disasters.
Monitor Water Pressure
Damages in the drainage system can lead to reduced water pressure in your home. However, you may not understand the root cause, especially when you do not know how the drainage system works.
It’s easier to identify common causes of reduced water pressure when you work with an expert. However, one of the most common problems is a leakage within the plumbing system. When you let the issue persist, you’re likely to incur higher water bills and severe damages to the system. Therefore, ensure you keep a close eye on reduced water pressure. Take the necessary measures and save money in the long run.
Replace Fixtures
To keep your plumbing system functional, ensure you replace worn out, or old fixtures such as faucets, sinks, handles, and toilets bowl flaps. This is an easy DIY that you won’t have to take more time or incur higher costs. It also doesn’t require any special tools, prior knowledge, or experience. Properly functional fixtures can keep the water in the bathroom and kitchen running smoothly for longer.
Know the Location of Shut-Off Valve
Every homeowner needs to know where the shut-off valve is located on the property. This is often overlooked until when there is an emergency. Instead of waiting for an issue to occur before you locate the valve, ensure you know its location to help you reduce damages that could occur as a result of emergency plumbing issues.
The Bottom Line
While homeownership comes with many benefits, it also has its downside, such as taking full responsibility for the plumbing system to ensure it remains functional. It may sound a daunting task, but it’s worth every effort, time, and resources invested in it.