When something goes awry with your home’s plumbing it can be a scary situation. Depending on the severity of the matter, you could face up to thousands of dollars in damage. Some instances are out of the blue and cannot be prevented, but the majority of the time, there can be something done to prevent any large mishaps with your home’s plumbing.
With so many plumbing fixtures in your home, it can be hard to know what to look for and how to handle an issue when it comes up. Read on to learn about general plumbing upkeep and maintenance tips that can help to prevent issues from occurring in the future.
Be On the Lookout
To keep your home’s plumbing up to date and working, it is good practice to always be on the lookout for any leaks. This can include leaky faucets and showerheads, slow drains, but also any water spots on the floors, walls, or ceilings. This is most likely a sign of a broken or busted water pipe or a malfunctioning appliance.
Act Fast
Without a doubt, the first thing you should do upon noticing something off with your plumbing is to act fast. The longer that you ignore the problem, the worse it can get. If you see that your faucet is leaking or hear that your toilet is running then it’s best to investigate the situation.
Leaking Faucets
If you notice that your taps continue to leak water after they have been shut off, then this is a sign of a leak somewhere. Leaking taps over time can add unnecessary costs to your water bill. Fixing them right away can actually save you money long-term.
Running Toilets
If your toilet is making weird noises after a flush, or randomly throughout the day, then something isn’t right. Running toilets imply that a part is malfunctioning which in turn forces the toilet to use more water than what is needed, in the end costing you more money. If left untreated, the issue can become worse over time.
Slow Drains
If after you shut your tap or while you are showering, you notice that the water is taking a long time to drain, this can mean that your pipes are blocked. Blocked pipes that are left untreated can lead to erosion of the pipe and also many other issues. Regularly cleaning your drains is a great way to prevent this from happening.
All of the above signs are warning that something is leaking and needs to be fixed. Since plumbing fixtures can be complicated, calling a pro to check out and repair the situation is best. However, if it’s only small and you know how to fix it, then go ahead. The quicker it’s taken care of the less worried you have to be about it getting worse.
Know Your Home
Recognizing, investigating, and solving plumbing issues within your home can be a whole lot easier if you know your home. By the time a plumber shows up, it might be too late and the damage is done.
In the case of an emergency, such as an overflowing toilet or sink, if you know where your shut-off valve is then the situation can be stopped. If you’re unsure where your valve is, then the water will keep running and cause more damage.
Understanding when your home was built, when it was last updated, and what material was used for the plumbing fixtures can not only give you an understanding if you need to update your home asap, but it can let you know what to keep an eye out for. If you notice a brown tint in your water, then this could mean that your old pipes have become corroded and require an update right away.
Using online resources can help you learn about your plumbing appliances and how to make small repairs. Making repairs yourself can help to save money and also help to act fast in the case of an emergency. Be cautious when performing DIY tasks as sometimes it can be more harmful than good. As a general rule, try to keep DIYing to small repairs and leave the big repairs for the pros. If you are unsure or are unable to perform a repair, there are pros near you to help out.
By looking for warning signs, acting fast and understanding your home, you can save thousands of dollars in damage. On top of these, performing regular repairs, checkups, and practicing proper disposal routines can help keep your plumbing in good shape. If you need a hand, get connected with a local plumber by clicking the banner below.
