Plumbing Maintenance Tips
Most homeowners don’t pay much attention to their plumbing unless they have an issue. But when it comes down to it, preventive maintenance may be your best investment to avoid an expensive plumbing disaster.
Essential Plumbing Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
- Check for Leaks: There are many telltale signs that may indicate a leak. These include: elevated water bills; mold and mildew on walls, ceilings, or floors, especially in bathrooms and kitchens; a musty smell; pooled water under toilets or sinks; water stains; or a constantly running water meter. Regularly inspect areas around your kitchen, bathroom, water heater, and laundry room to identify potential problems early.
- Use Drain Screen or Strainers: Clogged drains are a very common, but preventable, problem. Installing inexpensive drain screens or strainers in all your sinks allows any debris to be captured and discarded, easily preventing dreaded clogs.
- Insulate Exposed Pipes: During the winter, colder temperatures can cause water inside exposed pipes to freeze and burst. To avoid this, make sure all exposed pipes in attics, basements, and crawl spaces are properly insulated.
- Be Careful What You Flush: Avoid flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper. Anything else, even items marketed as being safe to flush, like disposable wipes, can cause blockages, backups, and even potentially damage your pipes.
- Test Your Sump Pump: If you have a sump pump, it is a critical component to keeping your basement dry, but only if it works. Check it regularly by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit to ensure it activates and properly removes the water.
- Address Tree Roots: The roots of trees or large shrubs can infiltrate your plumbing system and cause damage and blockages. Plant new trees away from sewer lines and monitor existing trees for potential issues.
- Locate Your Water Main Shut-Off Valve: Identify the location of your shut-off valve and make sure you know how to operate it. If a leak or burst pipe occurs, you can quickly turn off the water to minimize damage.
- Schedule a Plumbing Inspection: While regularly checking for leaks on your own is a great start, an annual inspection from Haldeman Mechanical can catch hidden leaks, corrosion, and other plumbing issues. Catching these early can save considerable cost and aggravation in the long run.
Ready to schedule a plumbing inspection?
Contact us at 717-665-6910 or via email at info@haldemanmechanical.com.