A good bathroom can be an oasis in your house. Your kitchen is the hearth from which your family is nourished. Your washer and dryer are essential to keeping your home and family clean. Regular plumbing maintenance is key to ensuring that your family can live comfortably.
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Maintenance is not just about repairing broken objects in your house, it is also about taking preventative measures that will save money down the line. A top plumber in Ventnor advises his clients to regularly check their plumbing lines in all areas of the house to ensure that no issue goes unnoticed.
You should always be on the lookout for clogged drains or leaky pipes, and you should always remain aware of how you are using your water and appliances. Beyond the day-to-day issues and easy fixes, there are more in-depth projects that you can do to keep your plumbing working at the top level.
1. Replace Your Fixtures
A leaky faucet or a dripping shower head can not only be an annoying sound as you go to bed, it is a major drain on your water bill. As many times as you can tighten a faucet or snake drain, at some point, your fixtures will reach their last legs. Before you lose too much water, you can do the simple work of replacing your faucets and shower heads.
As energy-efficient technology advances, new fixtures are developed that reduce water use but still provide enough pressure to give you a satisfying clean. Low-flow showerheads are easy to install by yourself with little instruction and adjustments for your toilet and sink faucets can be completed with one call to a professional.
Your fixtures may work for you now, but updating them every few years is a quick way to save some extra money, leave a positive impact on the environment, and give your bathroom and kitchen a chic makeover.
2. Consider Your Appliances
After you address the smaller fixtures in your home, you may want to consider the larger water using appliances around the house. A new washing machine is a far more expensive investment than a new shower head, but after a few years, it may be time to consider how much money you are putting into running these appliances.
There are plenty of energy-efficient options for new dishwashers, garbage disposals, and even ice makers that will ultimately save you money on water and electric costs. Similarly, better built and designed appliances will run effectively without breaking down saving you money on repair and replacement costs.
Changing your appliances is not an investment to take lightly, so monitor how you use each appliance. Wait to run the dishwasher and the washing machine until you have a full load, then see how much water it uses and how that affects your bills each month. If it makes economic sense it might be time to replace them.
3. Flush Your Water Lines
Pipes and water lines are hidden away in your home behind walls and in opaque pipes. You cannot see inside to ensure that there is no resting sediment or issue with the water. That is why it is crucial to flush your water lines occasionally to rid the pipes of debris.
It might seem like a waste to let the water run without being used, but flushing your lines will ensure that any potential sediment deposit or harmful chemicals run through the system without putting your family at risk.
Allow the hot water lines of sinks and showers to run for at least 10 minutes, then turn them off and allow the cold water lines to run for about 5 minutes. Run the dishwasher and washing machines for a full cycle on empty. Also, be sure to replace filters on sinks and fixtures.
4. Inspect Your Outdoor Equipment
Plumbing does not stop when you flush the toilet. You also need to be mindful of and care for the sewage lines or septic tanks that help remove waste from your home.
Unlike changing your shower head, you will need a professional plumber to inspect your sewer line. They will often be able to send a camera through the piping to look for any damage or blockage. Though expensive you may also want to remove trees near the sewer lines, as their roots could grow near the pipes and break them.
If your house is on a septic tank system, it is even more important to properly maintain your equipment and use water. A professional should inspect your septic tank every few years depending on the type of tank and the size of your family. Regardless, A good rule of thumb is to get your septic tank pumped every three years. If you neglect this important equipment, you'll need to hire professional tanks repair to fix the blockage or other issues.
Using high-efficiency showerheads and toilets, and being mindful of how you run appliances like your washing machine and dishwasher will lead to less water waste, which improves the operation of your septic tank or the wear on your sewer lines.
You should do a routine inspection of your pipes maybe once a month. As long as you monitor the fixtures and check for leaks, no emergency will catch you off guard. Beyond your standard monthly checks, you should do a thorough inspection of all the plumbing lines in your house. Look for corrosion, tighten the fittings and adapters, be mindful of clogs.
It is important to always stay aware of the plumbing in your house. Watch for leaks and damage every day, and do these projects every few years and you will live a happy comfortable life!
About the Author
About the AuthorJennifer Bell is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.
