According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), household leaks cause around 900 billion gallons of water wastage per year in the U.S. That’s equivalent to what about 11 million homes consume per year. This wastage occurs due to plumbing leaks, old appliances, ineffective sprinkler systems, and burst pipes. The exciting news is CW Service Pros offers routine preventive plumbing maintenance to help detect and fix these plumbing issues quickly.

Regular preventive plumbing maintenance can protect your home against flooding and extensive water damage. It can bring your repair costs down. It can also minimize your utility bills. The following eleven preventive plumbing maintenance tips will keep your plumbing system operating smoothly and efficiently:

1.      Repair Loose or Leaking Faucets and Showerheads 

A single drip per two seconds from your defective tap or showerhead can cause more than 3,000 gallons of water wastage every year. If left unrepaired, these drips can exacerbate over time and cause your water bills to skyrocket. Inspect your faucets and showerheads for leaks regularly. Fix any problem you detect as soon as possible.

 Are there drips or water stains beneath the sink? Is your shower head dripping even when the valve is closed? Ask yourself these questions when checking for leaky faucets and showerheads. Replace your faucets and showerheads if they are damaged beyond repair. 

2.      Clear Clogs Immediately 

Clogs are the most frequently occurring household plumbing problems. They develop gradually and are hard to detect. Signs of clogs include slow drainage, unusual sounds and smells from the pipe, and low water pressure. Non-toxic drain cleaners, including vinegar solution and baking soda, can clean most clogs effectively. You can also clean clogs from most plumbing fixtures with a plunger. 

3.      Inspect Your Appliances for Water Leaks 

Your water appliances like water heaters and laundry machines can be a source of hidden leaks. Be sure to check them regularly for water puddles and wet patches. If you find these signs of water leaks, call your plumber hired from teamemergencyplumber.com immediately to get the leaks fixed.

4.      Don’t Throw Everything Down Your Drain 

Your drains are built to process liquids. Solids and semi-sold items are likely to make your plumbing system inefficient. Items like cloth pieces, food, hair, and leftovers should never go down the drains. Install sink stoppers and drain screens to keep these items from accidentally seeping into your drains. 

5.      Invest in the Right Plumbing Tools 

Plumbing issues are a fact of life. You’ll deal with clogged drains, leaky faucets or pipes, and toilet overflows in your home. And you cannot call your plumber for every plumbing problem. It will be costly and time-consuming. If you have suitable plumbing tools, you can address simple plumbing issues in your home. Hacksaw, plunger, propane, hand drills, and tongue-and-groove pliers are some plumbing tools to keep in your home. 

6.      Pipe Insulation 

Ensure all pipes in your attic and basement are insulated. These parts of your home are the coldest. Pipe insulation keeps water freezing at bay. This protects your pipes from bursts and your property from extensive damage. 

7.      Schedule Regular Inspection and Maintenance of Your Plumbing System 

Your plumbing system requires routine checkups and maintenance to keep it in perfect working condition. Bring in a professional plumber to inspect your plumbing system at least once a year. Regular plumbing inspection keeps your system safe and efficient. It also prevents future repairs and ensures every part of the system is working well.

8.      Know What to Put in Your Garbage Disposal 

Garbage disposals are not the same as garbage cans. They work differently. If you throw things meant for the garbage can into your garbage disposal, major plumbing disasters will be inevitable in the future. Things that your garbage disposal can handle efficiently and safely include citrus rinds, small chunks of cooked meat scraps, fruit scraps, and nearly all vegetable scraps, except potatoes. 

9.      Routine Maintenance of All Plumbing-Related Machinery 

Make sure all the pumps in your home are in peak performance. Inspect them for strange or excessive noise, clogging, worn-out bearing, and overheating. Ask your plumber to inspect and service the engine or motor of your plumbing-related machinery. You can schedule this maintenance at least twice per year. 

10.  Quickly Respond to Foul Smell

If you notice a smell akin to rotting eggs or Sulphur, you could be dealing with a gas leak. Close the shutoff valve and evacuate the house immediately. Call an emergency plumber right away for assistance. Ensure everyone in your house knows the location of the shutoff valve and how to use it. Have a plumber install natural gas detectors in your home to detect even slow gas leaks. 

11.  Address Plumbing Emergencies Immediately 

A plumbing emergency can arise at the least expected time. Be sure to get the problem fixed as soon as possible. Always have the direct contact information of a reliable emergency plumber near you in your phone book. That way, you will have someone to call in the event of a plumbing emergency. 

The Parting Shot 

Regular preventive plumbing maintenance is an important part of improving the safety and efficiency of your plumbing system. Implement the above eleven tips to keep your plumbing system in peak performance. Work closely with your local plumber to develop an effective preventive plumbing maintenance schedule.