Suppose you have recently purchased a home in Southern California. In that case, you probably have many more pressing concerns than how you will maintain your plumbing system. This is understandable since most new homeowners don’t pay much attention to their plumbing unless there is a problem. At that point, it will be a burden with a mountain of restoration work and a significant premium.
Be a wise new homeowner, and remember that you can stop this from occurring. Regular plumbing maintenance is essential because it enables you to identify potential problems before they escalate into expensive emergencies. In addition, caring about your plumbing maintenance saves you money on water and power consumption.
On average, the cost of repairing plumbing can range from $50 to $400+, but repairing more serious plumbing issues can be significantly more. If you take care of your plumbing, you can avoid common problems such as leaking pipes and clogged drains, which would otherwise require you to call a plumber. You will need to hire one if you don’t care for your plumbing as soon as possible. The vast majority of the errands involved in maintaining plumbing are simple enough that anyone can carry them out on their own.
Every new homeowner should familiarize themselves with essential plumbing maintenance to ensure maximum efficiency, avoid expensive repairs, and extend the useful life of their pipes.
So read the following five tips for maintaining an excellent plumbing system for your new house:
Always Have A Plunger For Drains
It is frustrating to have shower drains that frequently become clogged. We’ve all experienced or will have this problem at some point: the water from the shower won’t drain. This issue needs to be addressed immediately, so there is no chance of water buildup and avoid the subsequent growth of mold and bacteria. The answer is relatively simple if your shower has a drain hole that is open to the outside. You should invest in a filter or particle collector to gather the garbage. Make use of a plunger if the drain is clogged. If it doesn’t drain at all or drains slowly, you should try using a plunger again.
A plunger works only via suction and pressure to draw water. Most clogs can be cleared by sealing the plunger’s rubber cup over the drain hole and dragging the handle up and down, which causes water pressure to push the clog upwards and out of the pipes.
Three types of plungers for homeowners and their uses:
- Standard Plunger – The cup lies flat over the drain, which creates a vacuum. It is required to plunge and dislodge the clog adequately; this tool is referred to as a sink plunger because it works best in a sink.
- Accordion Plunger – This is ideal for unclogging toilets due to its tiny cup and clever design. You should only try to use it on this kind of drain. It could be more user-friendly, but it can generate much force.
- Toilet Plunger With Flap – The foldable flap on a toilet plunger makes it suitable for use with almost any bathroom or kitchen sink drain.
Regular inspection of Faucets, Showerheads, and Aerators
When you own a home, you’re always trying to find ways to make it better. It’s possible to reduce water and energy use, enhance comfort and convenience, and cut costs by making lifestyle adjustments or updating home systems.
As a new homeowner, your home should have faucet aerators as they are one of the most cost-effective strategies to improve your home’s efficiency. Aerators allow you to do the same work with less water. You may see a decrease in your monthly water bill due to this modification.
After some time in your new home, you may discover that the water pressure from your showerhead is lower than it used to be.
Debris built up in the showerhead over time is to blame for the diminished flow. A showerhead can be revived by submerging it in vinegar and letting it sit for a while.
It’s a good idea to routinely inspect the aerators and faucets in your home for water stains and to locate any leaks that may be present quickly. Do not disregard such warnings, as they could foreshadow a more serious problem. Please consult us for your professional SoCal Plumber inspection.
Ensure That Pipes Are Rust-Free
What is it that causes pipes to rust? Rusting does not frequently occur, even though metal and water are the primary components of most plumbing; hence, there must be specific causes. To overcome this issue, we will discuss some knowledge we obtained while working as plumbers.
Rust is the common name for the red oxides that occur due to a reaction between oxygen and iron in the presence of water or water moisture. This reaction is known as oxidation. Rust is a huge issue for any homeowner because it eats away at the metal, which weakens it and eventually causes the metal to crumble and flake away. Rust is a problem because it eats away at metal. Rust in your pipes will become a significant issue if you let it sit there for a while. Rust will start to restrict water flow through the pipes and lead to substantial leakage if it is allowed to progress. Lines that have rusted through are beyond repair and need to be replaced by a plumber.
Rust around your pipes is an indication that there is a leak, so you need to take immediate action. If you inspect your pipes for rust, you’ll be able to identify plumbing issues everywhere in your home quickly.
It also implies that you can reduce the money you spend on your monthly water bills. Your home may have leaks that cause water waste, resulting in your having to pay for the water you did not use.
Quick restoration is required for rust, and that remediation involves replacing the pipes afflicted. To complete this task successfully, you will need the assistance of a licensed plumber here in Southern California. Any attempt to repair the pipes on your own may result in loose connections or, even worse, leaks. Contact our Southern California Plumbing Experts if you need those corroded pipes replaced promptly and efficiently.
Regularly Check For Any Signs Of Leaks
Your plumbing pipes can corrode with time, and the connections can become loose, both of which can result in leaks in the plumbing. They might be as minor as dripping or as severe as gushing, which can cause your space to get flooded. Leaks in the exposed piping under your sinks are simple to identify and diagnose. Finding water damage caused by leaks that are concealed behind walls can be challenging.
When inspecting the walls and floors for leaks, you should search for drips, puddles, or wetness. Another valuable piece of advice is to check your water meter frequently. Take note of the reading, then wait one hour without drinking any water and examine it once more to see if the result has changed. An increase in the meter reading that occurs even when no water is being used indicates a leak somewhere in the plumbing.
When you put drops of liquid food coloring in your toilet tank, and you wait a few minutes to see if it makes its way into the bowl, you will determine whether or not your toilet is leaking. In that case, the flapper or other parts might need to be replaced.
Know How and Where To Turn Off Water Valves
Your house has a main shut-off valve, and many of your plumbing fixtures probably have individual shut-off valves. When you turn them on, they switch off the supply of water. This is a crucial step to take when you have significant water loss. Quickly turning off the valve can lessen the severity of the problem and prevent more extensive water damage. Find the shut-off valves for all of the plumbing in your home and familiarize yourself with their operation. Run some tests on the valves to make sure they are functioning correctly.
In the event that you ever experience an issue with your water supply, the first thing you should do is locate the main shut-off switch for the system in question. To give you just one illustration, you should be aware of the origin of the water that flows through the faucets in your kitchen at all times. The components that regulate the water amount that flows through the sink are called water supply valves. These valves are typically kept in drawers or cabinets located below the sink. The flow of cold water would be regulated by one valve, and the flow of hot water would be controlled by the other valve. This comes in handy in situations in which a pipe explodes or springs a leak. In the event that the pipe is corroded, you will be required to repair it and may even need assistance from a third party.
When you consistently put these plumbing maintenance recommendations to use in your house, you can ensure that your plumbing continues to function correctly, reducing the times with which you will need to hire a plumber. Want a consultation? You can always call our team of professional SoCal Plumbers.
