Regular attention and consistent upkeep can help keep your home plumbing system running efficiently and smoothly for years. To avoid small problems like leaks and clogs, consider the following preventive maintenance tips:
Get a home plumbing inspection. Whether you’re planning to buy a new home or have lived in your house for years, it’s wise to have a professional plumber inspect your plumbing system and sewer pipes. “When you have your whole house inspected by a professional, they’ll look for running toilets and leaky faucets, make sure the water heaters are installed to code, and look for potential future problems that can save you thousands of dollars in damages and wasted water,” explains Joel Ledesma, owner of Atlas Plumbing & Rooter in San Francisco. Some plumbing contractors have equipment that allows them to visually inspect drain lines and sewer pipes. This can show tree roots, pipe flaws and areas that are prone to clogging well before the drains back up.
Maintain your sewer pipes. Hire a licensed rooter service company to clean your sewer pipes every year or two. Rooter services are also advised for customers whose drainage systems are prone to clogging. While this may seem like an unnecessary expense, the minimal cost of maintaining pipes can help allay possible backups and expensive repairs.
Invest in lint traps. “Lint traps are very effective when placed on the discharge hoses of laundry machines,” says Mr. Ledesma. “Lint tends to stick to pipes and can cause clogs and water backups, but a lint trap ensures the lint doesn’t get inside the drain.” Washing machine lint traps are inexpensive and can be purchased at home improvement warehouses, hardware stores or from local plumbing companies.
Make repairs immediately. A dripping faucet, running toilet or leaky valve is more than just a waste of water or a source of annoying dripping. Small leaks can easily turn into large problems if left unaddressed. If you can, tighten or replace the seals yourself. If the problem is larger, call a plumber. The repair cost for a small fix will be considerably less than having to repair a larger issue.
