All You Need to Know About Preventative Plumbing Maintenance
If you are like many homeowners we here at Boss Plumbing encounter in and around the Los Angeles area, you may feel as if your home’s plumbing system is a mysterious maze of pipes and gadgets that can only be understood by the most experienced of plumbers. While this is true to some extent, the fact is there are also many things you can do with your plumbing system in terms of preventative maintenance.
By being proactive with your plumbing, you may be surprised at just how many problems you can head off at the pass and how much money you can save year after year. If you’re eager to get the most helpful preventative plumbing maintenance tips, our Boss Plumbing experts have compiled everything you’ll ever need to know right here.
What is Preventative Plumbing Maintenance?
When you think of preventative plumbing maintenance for your home, it is important to view it in terms of how you approach keeping your motor vehicle on the road. Every now and then, you pop the hood and take a look at the fluid levels, hoses, battery, and other things that are crucial to keeping your vehicle in top condition. Essentially, this is the same thing you would do for your home’s plumbing system. By developing a checklist and sticking to it regularly, your preventative maintenance can help you spot common toilet problems as well as water heater leaks and even signs that your pipes may be rusting and in danger of bursting.
Why is Preventative Maintenance Important to Homeowners?
Preventative plumbing maintenance is important to you as a homeowner for a variety of reasons.
First, it will give you peace of mind. As you examine your home’s pipes, water heater, drains, and other plumbing components, you will know exactly what condition your home’s plumbing system is in. As a result, this lets you know there will be little chance you will be experiencing a plumbing emergency anytime soon.
Next, it helps you discover small problems before they become larger and more expensive issues. As an example, should you inspect your garbage disposal a bit more after it has been getting noisier and maybe even shutting down on its own for no apparent reason, it may become clear to you that you need a new garbage disposal for your kitchen.
Finally, preventative plumbing maintenance helps you avoid plumbing disasters. This is especially true for homeowners who have septic tanks. If you’ve started to notice a sewer smell in and around your home, this can alert you to the possibility of your septic tank being full and in need of being pumped out.
Here at Boss Plumbing, we cannot emphasize enough just how important preventative maintenance is to you as a homeowner. From saving you money to giving you and your family peace of mind, an ounce of prevention goes a long way.
What Should Be On Your Checklist
Now that you know the value of doing preventative maintenance for your home’s plumbing system, we’ll give you 10 things that should always be on your checklist.
Check the Water Heater’s Pilot Light
If you have gas-powered appliances such as a gas water heater or stove, always check their pilot lights for signs of damage or other issues. Should you ever start to notice a gas smell in your home, turn off the gas immediately and contact us here at Boss Plumbing for quick assistance.
Check Your Home’s Water Pressure
Easily done by using a pressure gauge, you can check your home’s water pressure for signs of potential problems. Since very high pressure will affect plumbing joints and pipes, this type of preventative maintenance will lessen the chances of your pipes bursting when you least expect it.
Water Heater Noises
When your water heater is making noises that sound like gurgles, knocks, and hisses, this can indicate sediment buildup or heating elements that may be about to give out. If your water heater is at least 10 years old, you may want to contact us about water heater repair or replacement.
Be Careful What You Flush
Let as little hair and grease as possible go down your drains. As for your toilet, don’t send cat litter, paper towels, or diapers down the drain.
Unclog Drains
If you’ve got slow drains, use a plumbing snake to unclog the drain or call in a professional plumber if your best efforts aren’t successful.
Appliance Water Leaks
Wet spots on the floor near your refrigerator or water heater usually mean these appliances are leaking. By using a drip tray, you can prevent damage to flooring and other areas.
Fix Leaky Faucets
A tap that drips once every two seconds results in you wasting 3,000 gallons of water per year. Fixing leaking faucets or having a pro plumber do so will save you more money than you ever imagined.
Fix the Toilet
Replacing the flapper on your toilet will ensure it won’t keep running. If you don’t do this, it’s possible you could waste up to 13,000 gallons of water each year.
Get Rid of Showerhead Sediment
As mineral deposits build up on your home’s showerhead, this makes your water heater work harder, changes water pressure, and puts unnecessary strain on your pipes. Thus, get rid of showerhead sediment on a regular basis.
Insulate Your Pipes
In your basement and other colder parts of your home, insulate your pipes to keep them from freezing. If your pipes burst, you’ll have lots of water damage and definitely need to call on us here at Boss Plumbing for assistance.
When is it Best to Call in a Professional?
If you are unsure of what to do or suspect a plumbing problem you encounter may be dangerous, never hesitate to call us here at Boss Plumbing. If you try to fix something on your own without the proper tools or knowledge, you will almost always make a plumbing problem much, much worse.
Why People Always Call Boss
If you’ve been hesitant about calling in a plumber to help with your home’s plumbing system, you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you call us here at Boss Plumbing. Known for our quick same-day service, honesty, and reputation for high-quality plumbing services, you’ll soon trust our team to handle all of your home’s plumbing needs here in Los Angeles. Contact us today to schedule a service call, get a free estimate, and gain peace of mind.
