Six Essential Plumbing Maintenance Tips for New Homeowners
Make your life easier - and save money - with these preventative maintenance tips
Being a new homeowner can be a daunting experience. There’s so much to consider when it comes to maintaining your home that it can be difficult to know where to start and what needs to be prioritized. You are responsible for every aspect of your property – including elements that are hidden behind your walls such as your plumbing and electrical wiring. While making repairs to these elements often requires professional assistance, there are a few things you can do to keep your plumbing system in good condition and avoid costly repairs. Here are some essential plumbing maintenance tips for new homeowners like you in Bucks County, Montgomery County, and the greater Philadelphia area:
Regularly Check for Leaks
- Sinks: Check under every sink in your home, including kitchen, bathrooms, utility sinks in your garage or laundry room, etc. Look for dampness on the pipes and inspect the surrounding area for signs of water damage, which might appear as yellow or brown stains.
- Toilets: Similarly, inspect the pipes behind your toilet for any signs of moisture. Water may pool on the floor near the toilet in this case.
- Washing Machines: It is very common for leaks to appear under your laundry washing machines or dishwashing units. These leaks are often caused by a faulty drain hose or seal that has deteriorated over time.
- Bathtubs & Showers: While it can be hard to detect leaks originating from your bathing area, you may notice telltale signs, including water pooling at the exterior base of the tub, loose tiles or vinyl flooring, wear and tear on baseboards and wood finishing, or water stains on the ceiling of the room beneath your bathroom.
- Water Heater: Your water heater is likely in a basement or a utility closet within your home. While it may be out of sight, it should not be out of mind. Check for moisture on the pipes or water pooling below the system.
You might want to make this a regular habit to ensure that you’re on top of any potential leaks. Make it a point to check these key zones at least once per quarter; you might even want to add a reminder to your digital calendar so that you don’t forget to check. You can also build these checkups into your cleaning process – do a quick inspection under the sink as you clean your kitchen and bathrooms.
Think Before You Flush
Your toilet is capable of flushing waste material and toilet paper only. Any other solid materials should never be disposed of by flushing them down the toilet. This includes items such as feminine hygiene products, diapers, paper towels, and yes – flushable wet wipes! They are not, in fact, fully biodegradable and should not be flushed down the toilet. Even flushable wipes can cause clogs in your plumbing system which can lead to backups. Keep a covered waste basket in your bathroom and use this to dispose of any used sanitary items.
Maintain Your Water Heater
Your water heater is an essential component in the ecology of your plumbing system, and it must be maintained regularly in order for it to function properly throughout its life cycle. While every water heater will eventually need to be replaced, there are a few things you can do to ensure that yours lasts as long as possible:
- Annual Flushing: As your water heater unit processes water, sediment inevitably begins to build up within the system. This causes your water heater to work less efficiently and can cause corrosion over time. You can certainly attempt to flush the system yourself by researching your particular unit online, or you may want to hand this job off to a professional. This relatively minor maintenance task can save you significant money in the long run. Even if you handle most of these flushing tasks on your own, it’s always wise to call in a water heater specialist once every few years to ensure that your system is performing at its best.
- Check the Insulation: Your water heater pipes are often covered in insulation to protect the unit and the surrounding areas from the ambient heat of the water running through the system. Check these insulated coverings for cracks and tears which can compromise the integrity of the insulation.
There are many different types of water heaters – including tankless, gas, and electric. Your particular unit may have specific maintenance needs, so it’s never a bad idea to consult with a professional to ensure that you’re maintaining your unit properly. And when it’s time to get a new water heater installed in your home, look for a professional who can give you insights into the type of water heater that is best for your needs and your home!
Know Your Plumbing System
In case of a plumbing emergency, it will be extremely important to know where your main water shutoff valve is located. This will turn off the water throughout your home in case there is a leak or other situation that is endangering your home. Turning off your water in these instances can be crucial to mitigating water damage. It is likely located in an out-of-sight spot within your home, such as a basement, crawl space, utility closet, or garage. If you’re not sure where to locate it, you may want to have your plumber point it out to you during their next visit.
Research Local Plumbers
Having a reliable and knowledgeable plumber is extremely important when you’re a homeowner. When a plumbing emergency occurs, you don’t want to be spending valuable time combing through reviews and websites to find a plumber that can assist you. Here are a few key points to look for when researching plumbers near you:
- Are they licensed? A plumber has to undergo extensive training, education, and experience in order to achieve a licensed status. This license is proof that they are aware of plumbing codes, they fully understand plumbing systems, they utilize best practices to resolve issues, and they are up-to-date on the latest plumbing technologies, techniques, and regulations to service your home safely.
- Are they insured? Hiring a licensed plumber, or any type of home service professional, is critical! If an accident occurs while on your property, the plumber’s insurance will cover any injuries they sustain, and their insurance will cover repairs for any damage they might cause to your home. Otherwise, all of these costs will fall to the homeowner (that’s you) which can be extremely expensive and time-consuming to resolve.
- Do they offer 24/7 emergency service? Plumbing emergencies can occur at any time of the day or night, which is why it’s so important to have a plumber’s phone number on hand so that you can quickly call them when you need them. Emergency plumbing services don’t come cheap, but resolving these problems quickly can save you a ton of money in the long run.
- Do they offer a wide range of services? Ideally, you’ll want to find a plumber who handles more than just drain cleaning and routine maintenance. Research your options carefully to ensure that they can handle any plumbing problems that may arise in your home – from water heaters and sewer line inspections to excavation and water damage remediation.
- Do they have good reviews? Check multiple sources to see if your plumber has generally good reviews from customers. Can you identify any particular strengths or weaknesses as you scroll through these testimonials? Do the reviews talk about a variety of services? Do customers generally find them to be reliable, trustworthy, professional, and knowledgeable?
By following these tips, you can keep your plumbing system in good condition and avoid costly repairs. When you inevitably do need to find a plumber near you in Bucks County, Montgomery County, and the greater Philadelphia area, contact the team of plumbing professionals at McClain Bros.!
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