What Should Regular Maintenance Include?
While it might not be the first thing on your daily “to-do” list, protecting your home or business’s plumbing system is vital. Regular plumbing maintenance can pay dividends in the end, helping to prevent costly issues before they occur.
Implementing simple practices can help you save time, money, and hassle. Below are our best plumbing maintenance tips for San Diego homeowners and business owners.
Keep a Schedule or Calendar
Owning a home or business comes with many tasks and duties – and it’s difficult to remember them all! That’s why we recommend keeping a schedule or calendar of the maintenance done on your plumbing. Following a preventative maintenance schedule can help you ensure annual checks are not missed. Professional inspections may be needed more frequently for older homes or buildings. If you are unsure how often your plumbing should be assessed, a professional plumbing technician can help you create a personalized schedule.
Know What to Put Down the Drain
A kitchen garbage disposal is a very helpful tool to dispose of food waste when cooking your kitchen. However, not all food can safely go down your garbage disposal. Knowing what can and cannot go at your disposal can help you avoid potential problems, clogs, or malfunctions.
Hot liquids or oils, such as bacon grease, should never be placed down your garbage disposal. This is because they cool down to solids in the pipes and cause drain blockages. Other foods that can cause damage to your drains are egg shells, potato skins, or animal bones. These items should be disposed of in the trash can – not down your drain!
Regularly Check for Leaks
Small leaks are easy to miss, but they can cause a lot of water waste and an expensive water bill. Home and business owners should regularly inspect faucets and exposed pipes for leaks. Any signs of puddles or mold around exposed pipes could mean a leak is occurring.
It’s also a good idea to regularly check for leaks around your appliances that utilize water, such as washers or dishwashers. During your leak inspection, also pay attention to the condition of pipes or hoses. Signs of deterioration may indicate it’s time to call a plumber to prevent issues from worsening (leading to costly repairs).
Watch Your Water Heater
Many homeowners and business owners forget to check on their water heater, an appliance that is usually forgotten about (unless it breaks!) Every so often, it’s a good idea to look around your water heater for leaks or puddles. Traditional tank heaters (not tankless heaters) should be drained at least once yearly to remove build-up and improve functioning. Regularly inspecting your water heater can keep it running for longer, helping you save money on premature replacement costs.
San Diego Counts on Mr. Rooter Plumbing!
Do you have questions about your San Diego plumbing maintenance? The professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of San Diego are here to help. Contact us to learn more about proper maintenance for your plumbing system.
