Though not often thought about, your plumbing system is a vital part of your home and is used for just about everything in your daily life. Below are some tips to help you ensure the integrity of your plumbing system as well as help identify issues and avoid costly and unexpected repairs.
Whether you have well or municipal water, water flows into your home through your water main. Make sure you and everyone in your family knows where the water main is located. Should a catastrophic leak occur, water to your home can be stopped quickly to minimize damage.
Hard water can wreak havoc on your plumbing and your appliances. Nearly every home in Lancaster County has hard water. Installing a water softener can remove minerals that lead to clogs, appliance breakdowns and other issues. Haldeman Mechanical offers free testing for hardness and can recommend solutions for your home.
Each faucet in your home has an aerator which controls the flow of water and removes particles from the water. Over time, they become clogged and eventually wear out. Cleaning/replacing aerators every six months helps reduce water usage and increase water pressure.
Most homeowners aren’t aware that they have a leak until it’s too late. Periodically check your water meter when no water is in use to ensure none of the dials are moving. If they are, this is an indication that you have a water leak somewhere in your home. Call a professional right away to address the problem.
Most of the appliances in your home use water in some capacity – your washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator’s ice maker, and even your dryer if it has a steam cycle. Make sure you are familiar with the water sources for all your appliances and how to shut them off in an emergency.
Clogs are unfortunately a fact of life. Make sure you have a handy plunger to address clogs or invest in an auger, or “drain snake”, to address larger issues. NEVER use chemical drain cleaners to remove clogs as they can damage your plumbing.
As with other systems in your home, preventive maintenance is key. Your plumbing system is no different. An annual inspection can identify small problems before they turn into major leaks. Call Haldeman Mechanical today to schedule your plumbing maintenance appointment.