Taking care of your plumbing system now can help prevent disasters later. Although not all water restoration projects are due to plumbing failures, a significant number of them are. Leaky plumbing resulting from damage to pipes and fixtures contributes to a lot of water waste. Something as common as a continuously running toilet can waste between 1,000 and 4,000 gallons of water per day. But that’s not all. Water damage can be expensive to repair, depending on the class and extent of damage to your home.
Here are some preventive maintenance tips you can apply right away.
- Check toilets for rotting seals, moisture around the base, and constant refilling.
- Repair leaking faucets and shower heads – any small leak – immediately.
- Check your washing machine, refrigerator, and water heater for leaks.
- Keep an eye out for slow drains – a blockage could be building up in the pipes.
- Check your water pressure and water bill regularly.
- Shut off your exterior fixtures seasonally by closing the feed valve inside your home.
- Remove hoses from outdoor spigots in the winter.
- If you have an irrigation system, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for seasonal use.
- Never pour grease down your drains.
- Keep the water pressure within recommended limits to reduce stress on pipes.
- Know where your main water shut-off valve is in case of a plumbing emergency.
- Add insulation to pipes in the coldest areas of your home.
Keeping your plumbing system healthy costs very little in terms of time and money. And the investment is well worth the cost. Maintaining your plumbing system will ensure that you will enjoy it for its maximum useful life while saving potentially thousands of dollars in repairs caused by plumbing failures.