Regular maintenance is what makes a great home beautiful throughout the years. Just like what the famous saying goes, “Great things last when you take care of them.” The same goes for your plumbing system; regular maintenance keeps your house from danger and ensures everything works correctly.
Furthermore, why is having a plumbing checklist also essential? A list will help you to have a visual reminder of the tasks you’re going to do. It also lets you have a detailed process of each step, enabling you to stay organized.
So, when doing regular maintenance to your plumbing, here are the things you should add to your plumbing checklist.
1. Leak Detection
The fixtures should be checked first when doing a routine inspection of your plumbing. It is easier to inspect and doesn’t require complicated tools to check. Faucets, showerheads, and pipes are the areas to prioritize first on your checklist.
On your faucets and showerheads, it is easy to tell when they’re leaking when you shut them off, but the water continues to run. Also, leaking pipes often have water spots, and you can see water dripping. You can use a dye tablet to determine if you don’t see that.
But what is a dye tablet? A dye tablet is excellent for detecting leakage in various plumbing systems. To use a dye tablet, put a table in the tank and wait a few minutes. If there’s a color in the bowl after a few minutes, then there’s a leakage on your pipes.
2. Water Pressure Evaluation
After checking your fixtures for leakage, the next on your checklist will be the water pressure on your plumbing. Why should you check the water pressure? Well, uneven water pressure can lead to plumbing issues.
A continuous high water pressure puts too much force on your pipes, causing them to break down. To determine your water pressure, you can use a water gauge to measure them. The recommended water pressure ranges between 40-80 psi. If the water pressure goes above 80psi, it can damage your appliances, pipes, and fixtures.
3. Drains and Sewer Lines Inspection
For your plumbing checklist, you should also check other areas like sinks, showers, and toilets for clogging. Clogging happens most of the time, and it’s usually considered a normal thing to happen. Especially in the toilet, most homeowners treat clogging as a typical day and use a plunger to treat it from time to time.
Early signs of clogging help homeowners determine if your sewer line has clogging or blockage. The signs are
- Gurgling sounds on different drains
- Water backs up the sewer line
- A foul odor coming from the drain
- Slow drain from multiple fixtures
- Plunging becomes typical
Once you experience these signs, get them treated immediately. It will help you save you a lot of money for repairs and parts replacement.
4. Water Heater Maintenance
Water heater is also a fixture that you should take care of. Since it is one of the most used fixtures, it’s also one of the fixtures that should have regular maintenance. One way to maintain your water heater is to flush it to remove any sediment buildup.
You wouldn’t want to take a cold bath early in the morning. It is essential also to check for early signs of leaks from your water heater, such as
- Corrosion
- Rusty water
- Lack of hot water
- Condensation during cold days
- Valve issues, and
- The water pressure is too high
Aside from early signs, ensure that you set the right temperature of your heater to avoid any more problems. A regularly maintained water heater can last between 8-12 years.
5. Check for Hidden Leaks
After checking all the pipes and fixtures for leakage signs, you must also check other areas. Some areas in the house can start to leak, like walls and the ceiling. It can happen for multiple reasons, but a common problem is if pipes on the wall are damaged or in need of replacement.
You can test for leakage in hidden areas using a water meter. The device works when the water passes through the meter and spins the built-in device. Every full spin of the water meter detects a specific amount of water and the amount of water. You can instantly see the amount of water at the top of the device in cubic meters once the process is complete.
6. Sump Pump Evaluation
A sump pump is useful for removing accumulated water inside your house to move it outside your house. It is typically found in the basement, where a water-collecting sump basin is also located. Aside from your drainage and sewer lines, a sump pump prevents flooding inside your home.
From time to time, you should check if your sump pump is still working properly. As with sewer lines and drains, sump pumps are prone to clogging or blockage. So, after experiencing heavy rain, it’s better to check the device or call a professional to avoid any plumbing emergencies.
7. Winter Preparation
Winter is a very harsh season for everyone. Even your pipes aren’t immune to its threat. During winter, exposed pipes are prone to freezing. When the temperature drops, you can start experiencing clogs and blockage in your plumbing.
To prevent that from happening, insulate exposed pipes before the winter season starts. You can buy them at your local stores and hardware.
Lastly, shut off outdoor faucets and draining hoses. Stop any source of water that’s exposed to avoid any troubles once the winter comes.
Schedule a Plumbing Inspection Today!
Just like strategy during a war, it’s important to follow your checklist for your plumbing maintenance as well. Following your plan or strategy ensures any new problems come out at the most unexpected time.
You can always call an emergency drain cleaning in San Francisco, but scheduling a regular plumbing inspection is better. It’s much better to prevent plumbing problems from happening rather than waiting for it before coming up with a solution.
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