Simple Plumbing Maintenance

Whether you’re a new home owner or a veteran of many years, everyone should plan for maintenace of their homes. Several years ago I did several posts on spring tasks and fall tasks for your home. Everything can wear out over time. It’s so important to set aside money each month for home repairs and to do inspections and simple repairs. Of course you want to do whatever you can to entirely prevent future maintenance issues, but it’s honestly not always that easy. Today let’s discuss maintaining your plumbing.

If you have a plumbing problem, while there are several simple things you can fix by yourself, it’s always a good idea to hire a professional for most work. Sometimes, if you try to DIY your plumbing, there’s a high chance you’ll make it worse, which will only lead to having to pay more for plumbers to fix it at the end of the day. My rule given to me by the first plumber I ever called is never go into the wall to fix plumbing. That’s a good rule to remember. Leave it to a professional.

Plumbing Maintenance to Prevent Home Repairs

Now, plumbing seems deceptively simple on the surface. It’s not hard to see why, honestly, a leaky faucet here, a clogged drain there—how hard can it be? The reality is plumbing systems are complex and intricate, woven into the very fabric of your home. Let’s looks at postitive actions to save you time and money.

I. Fix A Running Toilet

A running toilet can be comfortably fixed by a DIY-er with a toilet rebuild kit from any hardware or big box store. These kits typically contain straightforward and easy-to-follow instructions. If you have a one-piece or specialty toilet, these can be tricky and might need the professional touch. Even I learned to replace a chain and flapper years ago.

II. Keep your drains clear

1. Keeping foreign objects out of your drains is the best way to prevent clogs. Many people like the small screens made to protect the kitchen drain.

2. Do not run garbage disposal with vegetables with strings, like celery, corn silk, etc. The strings can wrap up in the motor and freeze its action.

2. Do not pour fat down the drain. You will end up with a clog requiring a professional.

3. Pour very hot water down the kitchen sink drain at least once a week. This can help prevent clog-causing buildup on the interior surface of pipes. Or you can pour one cup of vinegar down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes, followed by a rinse with two quarts of very hot water.

4. For refreshing a garbage disposal smell, place lemon rind or slices in disposal before running.

III. Unclogging Drains

Depending on the severity of your plumbing issues, you can either fix this yourself or get in touch with a professional if you don’t have the expertise and tools. Some simple clogs can be fixed with a plunger. I always try that first. To unclog your drains, you can use a plunger, hanger, or snake to clear your clog. If the clog is big (like from tree roots) and blocks the pipe, I have had a plumber roto out the main line. To prevent the problem from reoccurring, I removed several trees growing into my plumbing pipes.

IV. Fall Maintenace for Pipes

There are many reasons people should cover pipework with heat tape during the winter months. First, the product should help to reduce the chances of cracks and leaks. The tape keeps the pipes warm, and so the liquid inside shouldn’t freeze or expand. It’s possible to purchase electric heat tape from most hardware stores like Lowes or Home Depot. So, head into town and take a look around for the lowest prices. Heat tape should:

• Stop water from freezing and expanding
• Reduce the chances of cracks appearing
• Keep the pipework in pristine condition

I hope this discussion was helpful to you. I’m wishing you smooth sailing with your home and no severe problems with plumbing.

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