A well-functioning plumbing system ensures your home’s comfort and well-being. But to keep your plumbing system in good condition, it is important to maintain it consistently. To help you take care of your plumbing system, check out this list of plumbing maintenance tips by the pros at OnTime Service!
1. Keep an Eye Out for Leaks
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average household’s leaks can account for nearly, 10,000 gallons lost per year. That is a lot of water wasted! To prevent your water bill from going up, make sure you inspect your home monthly for leaks. Check around your sinks, faucets, bathtubs, and your toilets as leaks are most common here. Some leaks are easier to spot and fix, but others are hidden, such as in your crawlspaces, under sink cabinets and in your ceilings. To check for hidden leaks, make sure you know the signs:
Bubbling paint or wallpaper
Mold and mildew
Water stains
Strange odors and musty smells
2. To Prevent Frozen Pipes, Try These Two Tips
If you live in a particularly cold area susceptible to sudden drops in temperature, make sure you protect your pipes. Frozen pipes can burst, cause water damage, and temporarily shut off your access to clean water. Here are some measures you can take to protect your pipes:
Insulate Them
Use foam coverings to insulate your pipes outdoors, under your sinks or in your crawl spaces. These pipes are most vulnerable to freezing up.
Leave Faucets Running
Obviously, you don’t want to leave your faucets entirely on. Just make sure they are dripping slightly. Leaving your faucet like this for a few hours keeps the water running throughout pipes, preventing pipes freezing or clogging up.
3. Be Careful of What Goes in Your Toilet
Make sure you don’t flush objects other than toilet paper down the toilet drain. Paper towels, wipes (even flushable ones) should not go down your toilet. Toilet paper is much easier to break down, whereas paper towels and wipes have a higher risk of clogging your toilet.
4. Make Sure These Items Don’t Go in the Garbage Disposal
Just like you have to be careful about what to put in your toilet, you have to be careful about what goes in your garbage disposal too. Here are some items that should not go in your dishwasher at all:
Coffee grounds
Egg shells
Oatmeal
Starchy vegetables
Large animal bones
Grease
Items that can go in your dishwasher are smaller animal bones, small pieces of meat, lemon slices and ice cubes. Other items, as long as they are small and few, can also go in your disposal.
Need more helpful plumbing maintenance tips for your home? Get in touch with the pros at OnTime Service! Our team of experts will be more than happy to answer your questions and help you with your plumbing issues. Call us today or schedule a service with us on our website. We’re excited to hear from you.
