Plumbing Company in San Antonio Shares Tips on Yearly Home Plumbing Maintenance
For a lot of homeowners, plumbing is not usually thought of until something goes wrong. Yet, just like your home’s HVAC system or your cherished car, your pipes, drains, and fixtures need to be maintained regularly. Apart from checks every now and then, a scheduled annual maintenance is necessary to prevent clogs, leaks and expensive repairs.
If you live in San Antonio, you’ll be familiar with the hot summers, sudden rainstorms, and hard water. These conditions are not great for plumbing systems, which is why San Antonio homeowners must prioritize plumbing maintenance. Below are yearly plumbing maintenance tips shared by Bexar Plumbing in San Antonio to keep everything flowing just right. Let’s get started.
Start with a Yearly Plumbing Inspection
One smart move that you must not ignore is a yearly inspection carried out by a licensed plumber. The inspection allows the professional to detect hidden leaks or weak points in the system that might become serious in the future. If you hire a good plumber, they will inspect corrosion signs, water pressure, and exposed pipes.
In addition to the above inspections, they will also check around toilets, under sinks, and even behind appliances. The goal is to find even the smallest of problems and prevent them from becoming major issues. You should ask the plumber for a written report to enable you monitor changes as they occur during the course of the year.
Watch for Leaks—Even the Small Ones
Apart from the annual inspection the plumber will carry out, you also need to watch out for leaks. This is important because even a small drip will not only waste gallons of water, but it can also cause wood rot or mold. Therefore, always check for moisture signs, such as stained walls, mildew smells, and wet spots. Areas you need to pay attention to during your checks include sinks, toilet bases, and faucets.
Another thing you should check is your water meter after you’ve turned off every running water. If you notice that the meter is still reading, it might be a sign of a hidden leak. If you cannot find the leak yourself, don’t hesitate to call a plumber.
Flush and Clean Drains Often
If we knew the amount of gunk such as soap, grease, and hair that goes down the drain each year, we’d be shocked. The downside of all of this is that the gunk can easily accumulate in the drain, leading to a clog. One easy way to clear the clogged drain is to pour hot water with dish soap down the kitchen sink every month. For your bathroom, flush the drain with a baking soda and vinegar mixture every month as well.
A preventive measure you should adopt is the use of mesh strainers in sinks and showers. This simple installation will catch the gunk that would naturally go down the drain. To keep the strainers effective, you need to clean them from time to time. You can read this article to learn how to clean a kitchen sink strainer.
Be Careful What You Flush
A common mistake people make is to flush everything and anything down the toilet. Apart from toilet paper and waste, your toilet isn’t designed to function as a trash exit. You shouldn’t be deceived by packaging labeled as “flushable” as they can still clog your pipes. If you have kids, teach them not to flush anything apart from toilet paper down the toilet.
When your toilet drains slowly, backs up or bubbles, they are signs of a blockage. If you see these signs, ensure that you take action immediately to prevent a messy overflow. This kind of issue requires the expertise of a plumber to fix it.
Don’t Forget the Water Heater
Our water heaters do a lot of work all year round, yet we fail to take care of them. Failure to maintain your heater can cause sediment to accumulate within it, which can block heat transfer. Therefore, you should flush it at least once a year to get rid of the sediment.
Proper maintenance will extend the life of your heater and ensure it functions efficiently. If your home uses a tankless system, schedule an annual maintenance with a reputable plumber. They’ll check the system for mineral build-up and ensure it operates safely.
Inspect Outdoor Plumbing and Hoses
San Antonio’s summer heat and surprise cold snaps can damage outdoor plumbing. To prevent this, you need to regularly check the outdoor faucets, sprinkler lines, and hose bibs. Watch out for rust, drips, and cracks.
As preventive measure, before winter, ensure that you turn off outdoor water lines and drain them. Doing this will prevent the pipes from freezing and bursting. If you have any exposed pipes, make sure you wrap them with foam insulation.
Keep an Eye on Your Water Pressure
We know how much you enjoy the high water pressure coming out of your shower and faucets. However, it is not good for your pipes, as it can cause the pipes and appliances to wear out fast. Normal pressure shouldn’t be below 40 psi and above 60 psi.
You can measure the pressure with a pressure gauge to determine your home’s water pressure. If it exceeds 60 psi, it is recommended you install a pressure regulator. This installation can prevent leaks and also cause your system to last longer.
Take Care of Your Sewer or Septic System
Every year without fail, check your sewer for signs of problems such as gurgling sounds or slow drains. You can get a plumber to check for blockages or root damage in the sewer line using a camera. If your home has a septic system, make sure you pump it every few years.
You should not waste time in calling a professional for help when your sewer smells bad or backs up. An issue with your sewer can cause expensive repairs and serious health risks due to sewage exposure. You can visit https://www.in.gov/ to read about some of the diseases caused by sewage or sewage contaminated water.
Conclusion
Most plumbing disasters start small before becoming big problems. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct an annual check-up to prevent small issues from escalating. If you fail to fix a small leak now, it might lead to a flooded bathroom in the next month. You should hire the services of a qualified plumber to help you with the annual maintenance check-up.
