The start of a new year is the perfect time to address home maintenance tasks, especially your plumbing. As a homeowner, it can be easy to assume everything is working fine until you’re faced with a clogged drain, a burst pipe, or a failing water heater. The truth is, many plumbing issues can be prevented with a little foresight and care. These tips can help you to avoid common plumbing issues in the year ahead, and keep your home’s plumbing system in top shape!
Inspect Pipes for Early Signs of Damage
Over time, the pipes in your home can wear out due to factors like age, extreme weather, or mineral build-up. Left unchecked, these issues can lead to serious damage and costly repairs. However, if you know what to look for, it is possible to spot problems with your pipes before they reach a critical stage! Warning signs like leaks, water stains, rust or corrosion on pipes, or mold and mildew in certain areas of your home can alert you to a pipe problem that is about to rear its head. If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to call a professional plumber right away to address the issue before it escalates.
Schedule Regular Plumbing Maintenance
Just like you schedule regular checkups for your car or HVAC system, your plumbing system requires routine maintenance to ensure everything is working efficiently. Scheduling regular plumbing inspections can help you catch small issues before they turn into major problems by preventing blockages, identifying and fixing issues with your water pressure, and keeping an eye on the health of your pipes over time.
At Schuler Service, we offer comprehensive plumbing inspection services that can help identify hidden issues in your home’s plumbing system. Our expert technicians will provide you with a detailed report and recommend any repairs or maintenance you may need to keep things running smoothly!
Know the Signs of a Failing Water Heater
Your water heater plays a crucial role in your daily comfort, providing hot water for showers, laundry, and dishes. However, like all appliances, water heaters don’t last forever. Understanding the signs that your water heater may be failing can save you from unexpected cold showers and costly repairs, so watch out for strange popping, banging, or rumbling noises, discolored water, inconsistent water temperature, and leaks around the water heater.
If you notice any of these problems, it’s time to have your water heater inspected by a professional.
Maintain Your Drains
Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing issues homeowners face. While it’s tempting to grab a bottle of drain cleaner when you notice slow drainage, this can actually do more harm than good. Over-the-counter drain cleaners are often harsh and can damage your pipes over time. Instead, opt for preventative measures like using drain screens to keep debris out of the pipes, flushing your drains with hot water to remove buildup, and disposing of grease and oil in the trash rather than down the drain. Regularly maintaining your drains can prevent most clogs, saving you both time and money in the long run.
Protect Pipes in Cold Weather
During winter, the low temperatures can wreak havoc on your plumbing system, causing pipes to freeze and burst. Taking steps to protect your pipes in cold weather can help avoid these costly and destructive issues. Your pipes, especially external pipes, should be insulated to prevent them from freezing, and when you go away for overnight trips during the winter, you should always leave your heat to at least 55°F to keep the pipes warm! During particularly cold stretches, especially at night, it’s smart to leave the cabinet doors under your sinks open to allow warm air to circulate next to the pipes, and leave the faucets on a slow drip to keep water moving through them.
Preventative plumbing maintenance can save you a great deal of money and hassle in the long run. Whether you’re inspecting pipes for early signs of damage, scheduling a routine checkup, or addressing a failing water heater, taking action now can help you avoid major plumbing issues later! At Schuler Service, we offer comprehensive plumbing inspections and preventative maintenance services to help you with just that. Don’t wait until a small issue turns into a big problem– contact us today to schedule an inspection and keep your plumbing running smoothly throughout the year.