Your plumbing is integral to your daily life, yet it’s one of the things many people ignore until something goes wrong. Identifying and addressing problems quickly minimizes the damage.
Look for water stains, rusty pipes, and musty smells under sinks. Avoid clogged drains by being careful about what you flush and pour down them (only toilet paper and human waste should go in the toilet, and avoid putting food scraps or grease into sink drains). If you need help, don’t hesitate to call Plumber Fayetteville AR.
Check The Water Heater
Your home’s plumbing is central to your daily life. From running water through your pipes to flushing waste out of the house, everything must run smoothly and efficiently. Fortunately, while many plumbing problems may require a licensed plumber to fix, you can do some preventative maintenance that will catch small issues before they turn into bigger ones.
Your plumbing system includes all the pipes and appliances that supply water to your home, including the sinks in your bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room, the toilets, showers and bathtubs, dishwashers, and washing machines. A well-maintained plumbing system will help you save on energy costs, conserve water, and avoid costly plumbing repairs.
Most homeowners don’t think about their plumbing until they have a problem, but catching problems early with routine maintenance can save you money and stress. Plumbing leaks are one of the most common plumbing problems, and just a single drip every two seconds from a faulty tap can waste over 3,000 gallons of water each year!
Leaking water supply lines can cause major damage and increase your water bill. You can help prevent these problems by locating and repairing leaks in your water supply line connections, shut-off valves, and fittings.
Tank-style water heaters can develop rust and corrosion over time, which reduces efficiency and shortens the life of the unit. A professional technician can flush the tank to remove sediment and restore the unit’s efficiency and lifespan.
Your water heater’s pressure and temperature relief valve should be tested to ensure it is functioning properly. When this valve fails, it can allow hot water to scald you or flood your home. This valve can also become clogged with debris, which can lead to a leaking water heater.
You can test your water heater’s safety valve by turning off the power and draining the unit. With the house circuit breaker for the water heater shut off, you can then remove the wire nuts that connect the gas and electric supply lines to the unit. Use your multi-meter to measure ohms of resistance. If the meter reads infinite resistance, the valve is working properly.
Check The Water Pressure
Low water pressure can lead to trickling showerheads and faucets while too high pressure can damage your pipes. Testing your home water pressure a few times a year is a great way to identify problems before they get out of hand. You can do this by purchasing a water pressure gauge at your local hardware store and hooking it up to a hose faucet. Make sure that all the other faucets and water-using appliances are turned off, as this will ensure you get a true reading. You should aim for a pressure of between 40 and 50 pounds per square inch (psi).
Leaks are another common plumbing problem that can damage your home. Even if they are small leaks, they can add up over time and could result in expensive repairs. Leaky faucets and showerheads can also waste gallons of water each day, and it is important to check for any potential leaks in your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else in your home.
Many people think that a leaky pipe is something that can only be fixed by a plumber, but it is a fairly easy repair that most homeowners can do themselves. Leaky pipes can be caused by a variety of things, including corrosion, loose fasteners, or an old and worn-out valve. In some cases, you can see evidence of a leak by looking for rust spots on exposed pipes or a puddle in your basement.
You should also be on the lookout for any signs of water stains on your ceilings or walls. This is often a sign of a hidden leak that hasn’t been detected yet. Leaks and water stains can cause serious structural damage to your home, so it is important to check for them regularly.
Finally, you should know where the main shut-off valve is for your home’s plumbing. This will allow you to cut off the water supply if there is ever a major problem. It is also a good idea to locate any other water shut-off valves in your house, such as those for the hot and cold water in the bathroom or kitchen.
Check The Drains
Whether you live alone or with a family, it’s important to know where the shut-off valves for your water line and major appliances are located so you can quickly turn off the flow of water in an emergency. Having these shut-off valves handy can save you from costly repairs in the event of a broken water heater, overflowing toilet, or pipe burst. If you’re not familiar with the location of these valves, ask a plumber to show you where they are in your home.
You may not think about your drain pipes much until something goes wrong with them, but you should regularly check the condition of all drains and sewer lines to identify any potential problems. For example, it’s common for food waste and soap scum to build up in drains over time, leading to slow or blocked drainage. Taking preventative measures like installing a drain guard for your garbage disposal and using hair traps for shower drains can help minimize these issues.
Another drain problem that’s often overlooked is leaks. If you suspect that your pipes are leaking, look for signs of moisture around the drains, such as puddles, mold growth, and musty smells. Check underneath sinks, in the yard, and around the washing machine, dishwasher, toilets, and water heater to identify any problem areas.
While it’s not a good idea to pour chemicals down your drains, it’s also a good idea to regularly clean your drains with natural products, such as hot water, baking soda, and vinegar. These products are safe for your pipes and can help eliminate odors and slow drainage.
The kitchen and bathroom are two of the most common rooms for plumbing problems to develop, especially when wastes are poured down the drains that shouldn’t be there (such as grease and fat). Be sure to keep fibrous foods out of garbage disposals and use a strainer in shower drains to catch hair and other debris.
You should also schedule an annual drain cleaning service to ensure that your pipes are clear of obstructions and clogs. This will help reduce the number of times you need to call a plumber and can help protect the longevity of your drain pipes.
Check The Water Meter
The water meter is the best tool available for diagnosing leaks. It allows you to determine how much water you are using and whether or not that usage is changing. In some cases, a small leak can add up to an enormous amount of wasted water. It is very important to find and fix the source of the leak, so you can save money, avoid costly repairs, and protect our precious water resources.
First, locate the meter on your property. It is usually located in a concrete box on the street labeled “Water Meter.” It is very important to read the meter correctly, as this will help you detect leaks and understand your water usage. You should read the meter daily and weekly to ensure that you have accurate information about your water usage. If the reading is going up, you are likely leaking water and need to find and repair the source of the leak.
Once you have determined that there is a leak, shut off all faucets and appliances, including the toilets. You can also turn off the irrigation system if you have one. Next, look at the meter dials to make sure that they are not moving. If the meter dials continue to move, you may leak in the service line between the meter and your house or in the mainline from the meter to your home. You will need a professional to resolve these types of leaks.
Some older meters have a red triangle or silver sprocket-shaped “leak indicator” that will spin when water is flowing. If you have this type of meter, make sure that no water is being used inside or outside your home, and watch to see if the indicator is spinning. If it turns, you leak and should call a plumber to repair it.
Newer digital meters have a display that shows the current reading along with the rate of flow in gallons per minute. This can be useful for detecting small leaks, as it will show you the exact volume of flow.