Hello, my name is Lelani O’Malley. Welcome to my website about keeping your plumbing system in great shape. When I bought my first home, I was shocked to learn that it was built in the early 1900s. Another shocking discovery awaited as I learned that the plumbing system remained from its original build. Upon learning those facts, I dedicated my time to learning how to keep that system in great condition. I developed this website to bring that knowledge to you as well. I want to help all my readers maintain their existing plumbing system for years to come. Thank you for coming by.
3 Plumbing Maintenance Tips You Can Do Today
It can be disastrous if something goes wrong with your plumbing. Not only do plumbing disasters have the potential to be very costly, they also have potential to cause serious water damage to your home. One of the best ways to prevent costly plumbing disasters is to keep up with maintenance.
Here are three plumbing maintenance tips that you can start doing today.
1. Find and Fix Water Leaks
It's usually quite obvious if you have a leaky faucet. The faucet will either drip continuously or you will notice water damage underneath the sink. Sometimes, it can be hard to determine if you have a plumbing leak. Hidden water leaks often happen behind the walls or underneath your flooring. In these cases, you may have to look for certain signs that you have a water leak.
Here are some signs of a water leak in your home:
- Your water usage is unusually high.
- Your water use habits haven't changed, but your utility bill has gone up.
- You notice mold or foul odors around plumbing fixtures.
Leaks in your plumbing system waste a lot of water, and they can cause water damage. For these reasons, you should find and fix water leaks right away. If you can't find the water leak yourself, you may need to hire a plumber who specializes in leak detection.
2. Stop Toilets From Running
Your toilet should stop running shortly after you flush it. If the toilet continues to run, this could indicate a slow leak. A toilet might also continue to run if the flapper isn't working correctly, the fill valve needs replacement, or the toilet chain inside the tank isn't functioning properly.
One more cause of a running toilet is that there is either too much water in the tank or not enough. A running toilet is not only annoying, but it wastes a lot of water. For these reasons, you should get a running toilet fixed right away.
3. Adjust the Water Pressure
You might think the higher your water pressure, the better. However, water pressure that is too high causes damage to your plumbing and also corrodes your pipes. High water pressure can even damage household appliances.
Low water pressure can be problematic as well. Water pressure that is too low will cause your tub to fill too slowly or it will take much longer to do the dishes. Hidden leaks and a buildup of minerals are common causes of water pressure problems. A plumber can help you check your water pressure and adjust it for you.