Understanding Your Home’s Plumbing System 101

If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t think about your plumbing repair system until something goes wrong with it. But, if you know how to maintain and repair your plumbing system in the first place, then you can save yourself tons of time and money in emergency repairs down the road!

A Beginner’s Guide to Your Home’s Plumbing System

To help you get started, we’ve put together this guide on everything you need to know about your home’s plumbing system, from understanding its parts to fixing common problems.

Pipe Maintenance

When it comes to plumbing, many people panic and want the problem solved as quickly as possible. It can lead them to call out a plumber without understanding what they need or how they should go about it. Fortunately, there are some preventative measures you can take to ensure your plumbing is functioning at its best. One of the easiest things you can do is hire expert plumbing repair services for routine maintenance of your pipes!

Detecting & Preventing Leaks

Sometimes, the problem with your pipes is a leak. Leaks can happen at the source of where water enters your home, in which case you might have something wrong with the washer connections. Other times, leaks occur further down in the plumbing system and stem from damaged or corroded pipes or possibly a ruptured pipe under your property that you can’t see.

Water Heater Maintenance

One of the first things homeowners should know about is water heater maintenance. It will ensure that your water heater operates at peak efficiency, lasts longer, and doesn’t need expensive repairs later. A gas water heater needs to be cleaned at least once every two years, or it will release carbon monoxide. Inspect the tank for rust and clean out any sediment that builds up over time.

Faucet Maintenance

For you to maintain your faucet, it is recommended that you periodically remove and clean out any lime buildup. Lime can build up in the corners of the faucet, forming a brown-white residue that accumulates over time. To clear this buildup, mix white vinegar with water in a small bowl and soak a cloth in the mixture before using it to clean the area around the spout.

Sink Maintenance

Monitor your sink drain. Over time, minerals and dirt can build up in the drain pipe. Eventually, this can lead to a clog. A good way to keep things flowing is to occasionally run hot water in the sink for about two minutes or use an inexpensive snake or plumbing tool designed for this purpose.

While you’re at it, be sure to clean out your garbage disposal. To do so, run cold water and plunge it with a few teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar. If possible, avoid using ice cubes at your disposal because they can cause overheating and damage. With basic maintenance like these, you can reduce the chances of plumbing problems before they start.

Freezing Conditions & Outlets

Suppose the pipes in your home are located in an area exposed to freezing temperatures. In that case, they must be adequately insulated with specifically designed for outdoor use. Remember, the pipes must extend well past the area where there will be snow accumulation or risk of bursting. Furthermore, frozen water supply lines can also burst as soon as they thaw out.

Toilet Maintenance

For toilet maintenance, you first should ensure that you have enough water in the tank. Fill up a gallon jug of water and place it on top of the tank or fill up the tank with water. If your toilet flushes well after doing this, then chances are that you need more water in your tank. Try to flush again and if it still has issues, check the flapper and clean out any debris that might be blocking the flow of water.

Having a good idea of what goes into the plumbing over your home can help prevent potential issues in the future. However, plumbing problems can come out of nowhere – and by knowing how your plumbing system can be, you can know your limits in fixing it. At the end of the day, if you need expert plumbing repair services, find a plumber who will provide quality service and good prices. The experts can ensure expert routine plumbing maintenance at your place so that you avoid emergency repairs later on.