Keeping your home plumbing system in good condition is a simple way to conserve water and energy, save money on bills and avoid costly repairs.
You can take care of your plumbing system by following a few simple steps, like checking for leaks, cleaning clogs and testing for hard water. These steps can help you extend the life of your plumbing and prevent problems from occurring in the first place.
Check for Leaks
If you’re a homeowner, it’s essential to take care of your plumbing system. This will save you money and prevent costly water damage in the future.
Among the most important things you can do to ensure that your plumbing system is in good working order is to check for leaks. These are very common issues that may go unnoticed and lead to a large amount of water damage in the long run.
To determine whether you have a leak in your plumbing, first check your water meter. If four people in your household use more than 12,000 gallons of water per month, this is likely to indicate that there is a leak somewhere in your home’s plumbing system.
Next, listen for the sound of running water in your plumbing pipes. If you hear a gurgling or hissing sound, this is almost certainly a water service line leak.
Clean Clogs
Clogs are an inevitable part of any plumbing system, and they can cause a lot of hassle if left unchecked. Hair, grease, soap scum, and other debris can build up in your drains over time and make it difficult for wastewater to flow freely.
Fortunately, there are some easy ways to clean blocked drain(s) in Melbourne and keep your pipes working well. First, try not to put anything down the drain that you don’t need or want to dispose of (e.g., food scraps, sand, cat litter, pet hair).
Another common home remedy is to pour boiling water down your drain, followed by a solution of baking soda and vinegar. This will dissolve soap scum, which can cause clogs.
For stubborn clogs, you can also use a drain snake. These are long wire tools that can reach places a plunger or other mechanical tools can’t. They come in a variety of sizes and can break up clogs that are too large for the plunger.
Check Water Pressure
Water pressure is one of the most important factors to take care of in your plumbing system. It can help prevent leaks and clogs, and it can also keep your pipes and appliances safe from damage.
Low water pressure is a common problem that can lead to serious damage and cost you a lot of money. There are several ways to test for this, including by hooking up a simple pressure gauge and checking the reading when all your faucets and other water-using appliances are turned off.
You can find these at your local hardware store, and they usually have female hose threads for easy connection and a rubber gasket to seal it. Once you’ve got one, connect it to a residential hose bib or faucet on the exterior of your house. Choose a hose bib nearest the water meter if you use city water or as close to your well’s pressure tank as possible if you have a well.
Check for Hard Water
Water hardness is an issue that can cause a number of problems. From mineral deposits on faucets and showers to spotty dishes and dry skin, it’s not only frustrating, but it can also be expensive to resolve.
If your home has hard water, it may be time to install a water softener. Not only will it help solve the problem, but it can also prevent many future plumbing headaches.
To check for water hardness, you can use a few simple tests that are easy and cheap to perform at home. Some of these include a soap test, which involves mixing liquid detergent with water.
Another DIY option is a digital TDS meter, which measures all dissolved impurities in water. These devices don’t offer accurate results for hardness minerals, but they are a fast and inexpensive way to get a rough idea of your water’s hardness level.
