Top 10 Plumbing Maintenance Tips: A Memphis Homeowner’s Guide

In this life, there are many things that you can do preventative maintenance on. Anti-aging wrinkle cream, flossing, cleaning out a fish tank. But what about our plumbing fixtures? Plumbing maintenance is huge, and it doesn't necessarily require a week's worth of tasks to complete them. All plumbing maintenance requires is a bit of elbow grease, good enough vision, and a few simple tips to add to your arsenal if your plumbing system decides to declare war. Routine maintenance is a way to scope out potential damage before it even occurs. What could be worse than waking up in the middle of the night to find your water pressure gauge is shot or your entire plumbing system is rusted? Some would say they would rather watch paint dry than have to deal with that...

So, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Memphis wants to gift you with something: the secret handbook for plumbing maintenance tips. Our Memphis professionals received one when they joined Mr. Rooter Plumbing, and now we want you to have one. This article will take you through eleven essential plumbing maintenance tips so you can rest easy at night knowing you did everything in your power to maintain the efficiency and functioning of your plumbing system.

Let's dive in.

Why Plumbing Maintenance in Memphis is Important

With proper use and regular maintenance, most plumbing systems and fixtures can have a long lifespan. Engaging in regular maintenance is a crucial method to prevent costly repairs caused by plumbing emergencies and related damages. Fortunately, it's never too late or challenging to attend to your plumbing needs and prevent the most common issues, such as leaks, clogs, and broken pipes.

Let's take a look at these simple ten steps to reduce the need for expensive plumbing repairs!

Number One: Check For Leaks

They say habits are something you ought to quit. However, there is one habit you may want to take up and never try to quit: frequent inspections for leaks. Even the smallest of leaks can waste water and increase your water bills. Did you know that plumbing leaks, such as leaky faucets, can waste up to eight gallons of water each day? Not to mention the water damage that comes from leaking plumbing fixtures. The real kicker is that running toilets can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. Wow.

Potential sources for leaks are:

• Refrigerators
• Water heaters
• Garbage disposals
• Dishwashers
• And washing machines

Low water pressure could be a potential indicator of concealed leaks. If you suspect there is a leak in your home but are unable to find it, it is crucial to seek the expertise of a professional plumber. Undetected leaks can lead to structural damage and may attract pests.

Number Two: What’s Going Down Comes Around - Watch What You Flush

There are two things in life that are certain: the sun will rise again tomorrow, and a plumber will inevitably discover items in your plumbing that are not meant to be there. Only toilet paper and human waste should be disposed of in your toilet. It's important to add a general rule for toilet paper is three sheets. An overuse of TP may result in a big fat toilet clog. Not only do clogged toilets cause frustration, but they can cause quite a mess too. You want to be gentle with your toilet and know that it's not a garburator and can't dispose of most items. Safe flushing will reduce the chances of suffering from blockages.

An essential plumbing maintenance tip is about items that should not at all costs go down the toilet:

• Baby wipes and makeup wipes
• Q-tips and cotton pads
• Feminine hygiene products
• Diapers
• Cotton balls
• Hair
• Cooking oils and grease
• Bleach
• Food items
• Paper towel
• Dental floss

Number Three: Clear Your Slow Moving Drains

One crucial plumbing maintenance tip is to promptly address slow drainage issues in your home. Slow sink drains are usually caused by a combination of soap scum and hair in the drain walls. Before drains are blocked, there are some cost-efficient ways to get the drains moving. You can begin by removing and cleaning the stopper may just do the trick. Using a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar is an effective way to clear out sluggish drains. If these remedies don't solve the problem, the blockage is likely deeper. A professional inspection of your drain pipes by a licensed plumber may be worth your time and money.

Number Four: Know How To Stop An Overflowing Toilet

On top of clogged toilets, a common issue is overflowing toilets. Have you ever witnessed the water levels in the toilet bowl rise, chomping on your nails as the levels rise and rise...When faced with this situation, simply open the toilet tank and push the flush valve down. Additionally, you can turn off the water supply to your toilet, and you can find it on the left side of the toilet. Though these are not permanent solutions, they will give you time to create a plan. The plan? Call your local Memphis plumbing maintenance professionals to take care of this issue for you!

Number Five: Clean Your Shower Heads Often

Cleaning shower heads may seem like a peculiar task, but it is vital for effective plumbing maintenance. This simple yet critical action can prevent problems such as low water pressure caused by mineral deposits accumulating in the shower head. To tackle this issue, remove the shower heads and soak them in white vinegar for 24 hours to dissolve the mineral buildup. It is important to steer clear of using harsh chemicals like bleach, as they can corrode the plumbing system or even rinse off while you shower. If, after the 24-hour vinegar soak, your shower head is still not sufficiently clean, it may be worth considering purchasing a new one. For the ultimate shower experience, our plumbing maintenance tip is to clean your shower head periodically.

Number Six: Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners

Stop! Do NOT put that chemical drain cleaner down your drain! We know it is tempting, especially when you have an annoying slow-moving drain. Chemical drain cleaners are kind of like a fast food restaurant: it fills you up for about an hour, and then you're hungry again. Although chemical drain cleaners deliver fast results, they offer only a temporary fix, necessitating repeated use. Most drain cleaners contain caustic chemicals that are dangerous to both people and piping, especially non-metallic ones. If you are facing clogs in your plumbing pipes, it's recommended that you use a drain snake to dislodge the clog. If you can't do it on your own, no worries. Our plumbing experts have you covered.

Number Seven: Check For Tank Leaks

If you're worried your toilet tank is leaking into the bowl, you can detect water leaks by doing a simple test. Pour a couple drops of food coloring into the tank. We suggest red or blue, and then wait a couple of hours for the results. When the toilet bowl doesn't show red or blue, it's time to replace the tank ball. This simple yet effective test is an essential part of plumbing maintenance to ensure that the tank doesn't leak fresh water.

Number Eight: Use Enzyme-Based Drain Cleaners

As stated adamantly earlier, do not use chemical drain cleaners. Instead, use enzyme-based pipe cleaners to remove buildup in your plumbing systems. Enzymatic drain cleaners, in contrast to traditional chemical cleaners, harness the power of beneficial bacterial cultures and enzymes. These remarkable solutions effectively dissolve various organic materials such as food particles, mold, hair, and skin cells. The bacteria present in enzymatic cleaners not only break down organic waste but also cultivate a thriving ecosystem of healthy bacteria within your drains and pipes, ensuring optimal performance and cleanliness.

Number Nine: Your Drains ‘Mesh’ Well With Drain Covers - Install Them

Investing in mesh screens for your drains is an excellent strategy to effectively minimize the accumulation of debris in your plumbing system. Instead of junk going down your sink drain, shower, or bath drains, it'll get trapped in the mesh drain cover, and then you can toss the debris in the trash afterward. This will prevent clogs from forming and give you more confidence that nothing unwanted is entering your drain pipes.

Some items should never go down your drains, as they are prime culprits when it comes to causing clogs. These include hair, soap scum, mineral deposits, grease, oils, and food scraps.

Number Ten: Check Your Water Pressure

In general, it is recommended that home plumbing systems maintain a water pressure between 40 and 50 PSI. High water pressure can lead to strain on the plumbing system, weakening pipe joints and making them susceptible to bursting. Conversely, low pressure often indicates a leak within the plumbing system. If you discover that your water pressure is too high, it is crucial to enlist the expertise of Mr. Rooter Plumbing to install a water pressure regulator.

Water pressure regulators are small valves used to decrease high incoming water pressure from the public water main, ensuring a more consistent and lower water pressure throughout your household plumbing and fixtures. If you think this is something your household could use, we'll have one installed for you!

Plumbing Maintenance Tips: Additional Steps

• Flush your water heater to rid it of mineral sediments.
• Keep an eye on your water meter. If the spindle is turning ever so slightly and nobody is using the water, you have a leak somewhere.
• Regularly inspect exposed pipes for signs of damage or decay.

Professional Drain Cleaning Services From Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Memphis

If you've never invested in a Memphis professional drain cleaning, you should. It could be considered as one of the Eight Wonders of the world, because it is truly miraculous. One of the most effective ways to handle and avoid clogged drains is by employing the expert drain cleaning services available in Memphis. We use the most innovative drain cleaning technology to give your system a good scrub. HydroScrub Jetting utilizes high-pressure water to effectively clean your system and eliminate tough debris. The benefits of Mr. Rooter Plumbing's drain cleaning service are:

• Reduces the likelihood of clogs forming again and again.
• Reduce the chance of property water damage.
• Improve the longevity of your plumbing system.

The Eleventh Step: Hire Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Memphis for Plumbing Maintenance!

The eleventh and final step is to call the one and only Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Memphis for plumbing maintenance. Since 1970, Mr. Rooter Plumbing has been serving communities throughout the United States with top-notch plumbing services, effective solutions, and essential maintenance tasks. Whenever you've got a plumbing issue in Memphis, it doesn't need to scare you because you have a plumbing ally on your side. Repairing slow drains, fixing leaky pipes, and addressing emergency repairs is considerably more convenient now than it was ever before.

Proudly serving the surrounding Memphis areas, including Brunswick, Germantown, Collierville, and beyond! Ready to get your plumbing maintenance done? Contact our excellent customer service team today to get started!