Many homeowners or property owners don’t think of their property’s plumbing system until something needs repairs. However, regular plumbing maintenance is vital and can save you time and money. Discovering that your drains are clogged, toilets are backed up, or a pipe has burst in your basement can be anxiety-inducing. By performing regular maintenance checks by yourself, you can mitigate the chances of these occurring.
Vital Plumbing Maintenance Tips for Residents in Monterey, CA
At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Monterey, we offer exceptional service that licensed professionals perform for any of your plumbing repair or replacement needs. However, we can also share tips that may lessen your chances of needing repairs in the first place. Below is a list of helpful tips so that you may perform regular plumbing maintenance on your own and save yourself the time and money of unnecessary repairs.
Be Aware of What You Flush
It’s important to be careful of what you flush down the toilet. Items such as hair, grease, wet wipes, and food waste can congeal and form a solid mass, plugging up your drains and heightening your chances of needing to snake drains or call a plumber to unclog your plumbing system. The only two things going down your toilet should be toilet paper and waste.
Check Toilets for Leaks
A significant leak will require a licensed plumber, yet a few things to watch for might indicate a toilet leak. The quicker you can catch a leak, the lower your chances for significant damage. Perform regular checks for pooling water on the floor beneath your toilet or dripping from the tank.
Repair Faucet and Shower Head Leaks
A leaky faucet or showerhead can result from a worn-out washer, corroded valve seats, or problems with the O-ring. These leaks can waste water and subsequent money. They can also cause lasting damage to the structure of your property as the water pools behind walls and causes a mold issue to arise. To mitigate this risk, check your faucets and showerheads regularly for leakage.
Check for Appliance Leaks
Your refrigerator, washing machine, and water heater connect to your home's main water lines. These appliances can use heavy amounts of water and are therefore at risk for leakage. Pools of standing water around these appliances can indicate a leak and should be addressed as quickly as possible to mitigate damage.
Be Careful of What Goes Down Your Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal in your kitchen is an amazing modern convenience, but it can also be prone to clogs if used improperly. Incompatible items can clog your sink’s drain or cause build-up in the disposal's inner workings. Avoid putting eggshells, coffee grounds, greasy, starchy, or fibrous foods down the garbage disposal.
Keep Drains Clear
The best way to know if your drains are clogged is to check how slowly water goes down them. Your first thought might be to use a chemical drain cleaner to clear the pipes. However, these cleaners can cause more harm due to their harsh ingredients. A homemade drain cleaner made from baking soda and vinegar does just as well to clear the gunk build-up in your drains without the side effects of a chemical cleaner.
Check Sewer Drains
Depending on the location of your home, you may be connected to a main sewer line or septic tank. Regardless of which type of sewer drain your home uses, you should have a professional inspect these drains at least once a year. These pipes can clog up from time to time due to debris, and the sooner the blockage is identified, the less likely you are to have to deal with possible plumbing emergencies in your home.
Flush Your Water Heater
Your hot water heater should be flushed once a year to clear out sediment build-up, especially if your home has hard water. This will prolong the life of your hot water heater and can even improve its performance.
Contact Mr. Rooter Today for Your Plumbing Needs
Proper maintenance checks are vital to your plumbing system's overall health and longevity. Check your drains for clogs, inspect shower heads and faucets for leaks, and clear out your garbage disposal. It’s also important not to wait until you have a plumbing emergency to call a professional plumber. Instead, take the steps to be proactive and regularly inspect your sewer lines and overall plumbing system.
If you’d like to schedule a yearly inspection of your home’s plumbing, contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing today.
