Many plumbing disasters would have been a small, easily fixable problem if you had caught them months earlier. Don’t worry; nobody expects you to become a licensed professional. You just need to know when to call a plumbing service.
In this guide, Prime Plumbing & Drains will explain how even a basic plumbing maintenance guide can help you take care of your system.
Why Plumbing Maintenance Saves You Money
Preventive plumbing maintenance often costs a fraction of what emergency repairs will. A worn supply line might cost $20 to swap out, while the flooding it causes can run into the thousands. There’s the comfort factor, too, as you enjoy steady water pressure and drains that work.
A leak the size of a pinhole can waste more than 100 gallons a day without ever showing up on your floor, so working plumbing also keeps your utility bill in line.
What Belongs on Your Plumbing Maintenance Checklist?
Learning the basics of how your plumbing system works can make tasks less intimidating. This guide to plumbing recommends starting with:
- Water leak detection: Check under sinks and behind toilets for dampness or musty smells.
- Drain cleaning: Regularly flush slow drains with hot water and a baking soda rinse.
- Shutoff valve testing: Turn each valve fully off, then back on, to prevent it from seizing.
You can also look at water heater maintenance. Draining a few gallons from the tank once a year helps clear sediment and test the pressure relief valve.
Use This Plumbing Maintenance Guide Through the Year
It helps to break the work into seasons so that it never piles up. Spring is for outdoor spigots and hose bibbs, since freezing weather often cracks them without any visible sign. Summer works well for a full plumbing system inspection, whereas you should leave exposed pipe insulation until the fall.
All through the year, you can watch for slow drips. In winter, keep cabinet doors open on the coldest nights.
Keep Things Flowing With Prime Plumbing & Drains
Plumbing maintenance catches small issues before they lead to ruined drywall and other costly problems. From conducting camera inspections to preventing pipes from freezing before winter hits, system tune-ups are worth it in central Indiana.
Locals can call Prime Plumbing & Drains at (317) 210-4858 to put a personalized plumbing maintenance guide to work in Indianapolis, IN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Homeowners tend to ask the same handful of questions once they start paying attention to their pipes, including the ones below.
Should I Flush My Water Heater Every Year?
Yes, you should flush your water heater annually. Sediment that settles at the bottom of the tank can reduce efficiency and shorten the unit’s lifespan.
Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe for Pipes?
No. Chemical drain cleaners are not safe for regular use because their caustic ingredients generate heat that can damage seals and fixtures.
How Often Should Plumbing Be Inspected?
A typical plumbing maintenance guide will advise an inspection once a year. Homes older than 40 years, or those with a history of leaks, may need an inspection every six months.
