It’s no doubt that all necessities such as washing and cleaning revolve around plumbing. Bad plumbing can also expose your household to disease-causing organisms. If you fail to fix the system, you also risk having sluggish drains and low water pressure in your home.
Did you know that a leaky faucet could waste up to 180 gallons of water every month? Minor plumbing leaks in your home may result in mold growing in your walls. Molds can trigger allergic reactions and respiratory problems when inhaled.
There are simple plumbing tips you can follow to improve your hygiene and prevent leaks. Maintaining your plumbing system can help you prevent water damage and lower water bills. In this guide, we’ll take you through 9 simple hacks to keep your plumbing system in good shape.
1. Invest in a Strainer
A strainer is a pipe fitting that purifies, filters, and separates water from debris. Install strainers in your pipes to trap rust, scale, and other harmful debris. This pipe fitting can protect your control valves, flow meters, and pumps against damage when installed properly.
Invest in a strainer to reduce clogs in your home’s plumbing system. You won’t have to worry about slow drains in your sinks, bathrooms, or toilets.
2. Know Where Your Main Water Valve Lies
The main water valve directs water that comes through city-installed valves. You need to know its location in case of an emergency.
You’ll likely find the main valve on the wall of a utility area or in the basement of your house. It lies past the water meter and usually has a red/green knob.
Turn off the main water valve when your water pipes burst or start leaking to reduce the damage. It will also help you save water bills while waiting for a residential plumber to fix the broken pipes.
3. Inspect the Flush Valve Seal on Your Toilet for Leaks
It’s easier to manage toilet leaks and avoid expensive repairs if you catch them early. The flush valve seal in your toilet is among the areas that are prone to leaks. This seal prevents water from flowing into the toilet from the tank.
Food coloring can help you catch a leak in the flush valve seal. Simply pour a few drops of the substance into the toilet tank. If you spot colored water in the toilet, it may suggest that the seal is leaking.
4. Always Check What You Flush
Modern toilets are designed to handle human waste and toilet paper only. Avoid flushing moist wipes, napkins, eggshells, and hair down your toilet. If you start flushing other things, you risk having severe clogs in the toilet.
If your toilet clogs more frequently, it may be due to the unwanted substances flushed down. Sensitize your household on the importance of throwing other waste products in bins instead of the toilet.
Grease and oil can also clog your pipes when flushed in the toilet. They will also attract foul smells and leave your pipes with serious home plumbing problems.
5. Protect Your Plumbing System Against Freezing
Your plumbing system will work fine in the summer, provided that it doesn’t have any leaks. However, as the temperatures drop in the winter, the system will be prone to freezing.
You can prevent frost in the pipes by having good air circulation in your homes. Maintain temperatures of at least 16 degrees Celsius for the same effect. Insulating the pipes can also help prevent freezing.
6. Use Safe Drain Cleaners
Most homeowners go for chemical drain cleaners because they seem effective. However, these cleaners may corrode your home plumbing system and cause clogging.
Use safe drain cleaners made of natural bacteria since they won’t corrode your pipes. They will dissolve organic matter inside the pipes to keep your water safe.
Use drain cleaners every time you notice that your drainage system is clogged. They will prevent sounds, odors, and slow drains in your plumbing.
7. Keep the Main Sewer Drain Accessible
Your main sewer drain should be free and clear from obstacles to help you deal with blockages. Keep it uncovered at all times in a place that’s easy to access.
The main sewer drain acts as the meeting point of all your drains. A standard home should have only one main drain leading to the public drainage system. It transports sewage from your home to the sewage plant.
8. Maintain Your Faucets
Don’t wait until your faucets become faulty for you to repair and maintain them. Clean them with a mild cleanser and damp cloth to get rid of rust and dirt. If your water line carries hard water, you should also remove any mineral deposits on your fixtures and faucets.
Replace the seats and springs in your faucets once you notice any signs of wear and tear. You can also buy faucet repair kits or seek plumbing services to fix a faulty faucet.
Apply gentle pressure on your taps when opening them to prevent breakage. You should also keep them shut when you’re not using them to save water.
9. Use Separate Shut Off Valves on All Fixtures
Install shut-off water valves on all fixtures to control water flow. These valves will help you turn off the water flowing into different pipes in your house. It will also be easier to use water in one part of your house when a different part has a leaking pipe.
Install a shut-off valve on the cold water supply pipe that leads to your water heater. It can also help you restrict water from getting into the appliance when it’s faulty. Seek water heater services to repair any defective water heaters in your home.
Ready to Put These Plumbing Tips Into Practice?
Your home needs a good plumbing system to deliver clean water and remove wastewater. With the plumbing tips discussed above, you can maintain your health and hygiene. It will also be easier to clear slow drains and prevent water leaks.
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