Plumbing emergencies like backed-up toilets, leaky pipes, and clogged drains can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. But, with a little preventative maintenance, these disasters can be avoided.
Regular inspections can uncover tiny leaks before they turn into costly repairs. And, proper maintenance can help avoid clogs and reduce wear and tear on your plumbing system.
Turn Off the Water
There’s nothing like a burst pipe, flooded basement or sewer backup to grab your attention (and cost you thousands of dollars in repair bills). However, these disasters are usually preventable with the right combination of DIY care and professional inspections.
One of the most important things you can do to protect your home against plumbing emergencies is to know where your water shut-off valves are located. This will allow you to cut off your water supply as soon as you notice a problem. It will also save you money by allowing you to avoid excess water usage and high water bills.
Most homes have a main water valve that connects all of the water lines in your house. This is typically in a utility room on the ground floor or in the garage. You will probably also have individual shut-off valves for your sinks, toilets and other appliances. Familiarize yourself with where these are and how to turn them off, and teach family members as well.
You should also learn how to depressurize your pipes if you think you have a leak. This is easy: simply open the hot and cold faucets until you can feel no more water trickling out, and then turn the water off at the valve underneath.
You should also be careful not to pour fats, oils or grease down your drains. These can solidify in your pipes and cause blockages. Instead, use a garbage can or a pan to catch these substances and dispose of them properly. Also, be sure to clean your drain stoppers regularly to avoid clogs.
Check Your Pipes
Most homeowners take their plumbing system for granted until they need to call a plumber. A clogged drain or water leak may seem minor but it can lead to more serious problems and costly repairs if not addressed quickly enough. Regular maintenance and DIY care, along with professional inspections can help avoid plumbing emergencies before they occur.
One of the most common and expensive plumbing emergencies is burst pipes. When a pipe bursts it releases up to 100 gallons of water in an eight-hour period, which can flood your home and destroy furniture and other belongings. This problem is often caused by corrosion or ageing and can be prevented with routine maintenance.
During your inspections, check for signs of wear and tear as well as damage or rust. Look for rusting and corrosion on exposed copper pipe, especially around the fixtures and joints, and for any areas where water is running slow. These areas may need resoldering or replacement of parts to ensure a smooth flow of water.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your drains and toilets are not designed to handle all types of waste. Putting things down your drains that they are not meant to handle leads to buildup and clogs. Garbage disposals should only be used for food scraps and human waste; drain strainers are recommended to prevent hair from clogging shower and bath drains; and it is best to have traps installed in shower and bathtub drains to catch debris.
During winter, it is also important to make sure that your pipes are properly insulated. When you insulate your pipes, you can save on energy bills as well as avoid costly plumbing repairs caused by frozen and bursting pipes.
Check Your Water Heater
Water heaters are prone to leaks, and their leaking water can lead to flooding, water damage, and a myriad of other problems. Luckily, if you catch a puddle of water around your water heater early enough, you can prevent major water damage to your home and avoid the need for costly repairs or replacements.
To check your water heater for a leak, first locate the cold and hot water inlets on top of your tank. These pipes bring water into the water heater for heating and then out to your home plumbing when you need it. If these pipe connections are loose, they can leak and cause a puddle of water on the floor. To tighten these connections, you’ll need a pipe wrench and some elbow grease.
Next, inspect the pressure and temperature relief valve on top of your water heater. This valve aids in reducing the internal pressure within your tank when the water temperature rises too high. If this valve is leaking, it will need to be replaced.
If you have a gas water heater, you’ll also need to turn off the gas supply line by locating the shut-off valve located near your water heater (there will be instructions on the unit or a label on your breaker box showing you where this is) and turning it counterclockwise until it stops. Finally, you’ll need to turn off the electricity to your water heater by locating the breaker switch for it (either through a diagram on the panel or by using the breaker box labeling) and switching it to OFF.
If you’re not comfortable working with your water heater, it’s always a good idea to contact a professional for help. They can also help you with maintenance like repairing or replacing your drain valve, which is commonly the source of leaks in older tanks.
Schedule Routine Inspections
Many plumbing emergencies are preventable with a little routine maintenance, DIY care, and professional inspections. If you notice signs of damage, leaks, or clogs in your plumbing system, it’s important to address them as soon as possible. This will help you save money by avoiding costly repairs and potential property damage.
Inspecting your plumbing system on a regular basis can also help you avoid expensive emergency repairs. Checking for issues like rust, corrosion, or leaks can help you catch problems before they worsen and potentially become an emergency. It’s also a good idea to have your home’s plumbing system inspected by a professional plumber like Plumbers Bedfordview at least once a year. They’ll be able to identify any minor issues and fix them before they become bigger problems.
Some simple steps you can take to prevent plumbing emergencies include putting drain covers or strainers on your sinks and showers, installing water-conserving fixtures, and taking precautions during the winter to protect against freezing pipes.
Learn More About Your Plumbing System
Plumbing emergencies can be costly, inconvenient, and messy. However, with a little foresight and preventive maintenance, you can avoid most plumbing disasters.
The plumbing system includes all pipes, valves, and fixtures used to supply water and remove waste in residential and commercial buildings. It also includes the hot and cold water tanks, and it serves a variety of purposes, including heating, cooling, ventilation, and sanitation.
Some of the most common plumbing problems are caused by leaks, clogs, and frozen pipes. Leaks can damage your home and lead to expensive repairs, while clogs can cause flooding, water waste, and sanitation issues. Frozen pipes can be a major problem during winter, and they can burst if not properly insulated. To prevent this, you should insulate your pipes and leave a small stream of water running throughout your home during extremely cold weather.
One of the best ways to avoid costly plumbing emergencies is to learn more about your plumbing system. There are many things you can do to help prevent plumbing issues, including using drain covers and strainers to keep food out of your drains, avoiding pouring fats down the drains, and placing traps in shower drains to minimize hair clogs. You should also have your plumbing inspected regularly to identify any potential problems and address them before they become more serious.
The plumbing system is one of the most complex systems in your home, but a bit of prevention can go a long way towards avoiding costly repairs. By following these tips, you can ensure that your plumbing system is in good working condition and avoid emergency situations like a burst pipe or a flooded basement.
