Your home plumbing system comprises about 15 percent of your total home value. Not a bad investment! When you incorporate an efficient, smoothly operating plumbing system, you get clean, fresh water whenever you want it, and enough warm water to ensure your home and family stay clean.
Properly functioning plumbing systems come with many other benefits, such as:
- Access to clean water: imperative for good health, well-being and hygiene.
- Add convenience to modern living.
- Helps communities thrive in times of water shortages and drought.
- Water-saving devices boost water efficiency and home energy savings.
As a homeowner, you must protect your investment, which means you have to maintain your plumbing system on a regular basis.
Daily Maintenance Tips
Daily maintenance includes prevention of clogs, one of the most common plumbing issues faced by homeowners. You shouldn’t ignore clogs. They’re not only nuisances, they can also cut the life of your pipes short through the addition of extra pressure and stress. Even a slow drain may cause you problems, so you should always clear a clog quickly before it turns into a blockage. Preventing blockages in the first place is your best bet.
In the Kitchen
- Don’t put grease or oil down the sink drain, including butter, cooking oils and fats, which will congeal in the pipes and bock water flow.
- Turn your water and disposal on before you add food.
- Run your dishwasher at night so as to conserve hot water and keep up good water pressure throughout each day.
In the Bathroom
- Don’t use a lot of bath oils so as to keep shower and sink drains flowing freely.
- Install screens over drains to keep hair out.
- Only flush human waste and toilet paper down the toilet.
- Wait 10 minutes between showers to keep proper hot water and water pressure throughout the day.
- Don’t use chemical clog removal products, which can corrode your pipes.
Weekly Maintenance
Check on your pipes once a week to prevent small problems from becoming large, expensive ones.
- Check for leaks, looking under sinks for signs of moisture and mold growth.
- Test out all sink and shower drains for drainage and speed. If you see bubbles appear while the water is draining out, this signals a slow drain. You should always see a full swirl.
- Make sure water isn’t coming out of the handles or valves.
Small leaks can waste one trillion gallons of water a year nationwide. Regularly check these items:
- Loose pipe fittings
- Pipe valves
- Faucets
- Worn toilet flappers
- Dripping shower heads
Seasonal Maintenance
Did you know the change of seasons impacts your plumbing?
Fall
During fall, leaves and temperatures start to drop. Prepare your pipes for the cold winter days by preparing outdoor spigots and water hoses. Disconnect water hoses from outdoor spigots. Check outdoor faucets for leaks. Cover all outdoor spigots, and insulate pipes in unheated areas.
Spring
- Check for slow leaks around the home.
- Check all pipes for puddles or watermarks.
- Check your washing machine and dishwasher for cracked, bulging and worn hoses.
- Inspect for leaks in your toilet bowl and tank for leaks.
- Clear gutters and downspouts of any debris or bird nests.
- Turn on outdoor spigots to ensure they don’t leak.
Summer
- Have your septic system inspected. Get it pumped if needed.
- Have your septic system inspected regularly.
- Remove trees with large, invasive roots so you don’t encounter future plumbing problems.
- Clean sprinkler system heads and make sure they work correctly.
Contact Tidal Plumbing
Need help with any of the above tasks in NYC? Contact us at 718-505-9300 or fill out our online form.
