Most of us don’t think much about the water and sewerage pipes in our homes that deliver us water eliminate waste. The plumbing system is a complex network of pipes that you use on daily basis at your home during water usage and drainage. A little regular attention to your plumbing system can prolong its life, avoid costly repairs, and prevent leaks. Here are some tips that can help keep your plumbing system in good condition.
- Soften the Water:
Hard water that contains high mineral content can shorten the lifespan of your plumbing. Hard water causes the buildup of magnesium of calcium inside your pipes that restricts the water flow and increases pressure. Moreover, these minerals can also corrode fittings and joints. White deposits on showerheads and faucets are clear indication of hard water. An effective way to deal with hard water is to install a water softener in your home. It significantly reduces or eliminates mineral content in water, helping to prevent clogging and corrosion in your plumbing system.
- Keep Pipes Clear of Debris:
If there is a buildup of debris in your pipes, water can take a long time to drain down the sink. Dust, dirt, grime, and other nasty stuff can affect the functionality of your plumbing system and can produce unpleasant smell. However, there is a solution to this problem. Clean out your pipes with the help of a mixture of baking soda and hot water. If this method doesn’t work, call an emergency plumbing service to unclog your plumbing system properly. Emergency Plumber Finder has a huge network of licensed plumbers to help you find the best nearest plumber for handling your plumbing emergencies. They also provide free in-home estimate of the expected cost to their customers in all fifty states.
- Watch What You Pour Down the Drain:
People usually pour flour, grease, tea leaves, eggshells, and other food scraps down their kitchen sink. This is usually the main cause why many homes end up having clogged drains. Items like these should not be poured down your sink. Also, keep the hairs out of your bathroom drains. Throw them in a garbage bin and half of your plumbing problems will be solved! Install screens over drains of bathrooms and clear out the hair or debris buildup once or twice a week.
- Reduce Water Pressure:
High water pressure stresses your pipes and increases the chances of leaks, which reduces the lifespan of your plumbing system. That’s because high water pressure causes your faucets, pipe joints, and appliance valves to work harder. Get your water pressure checked and hire a plumber to install a pressure reducer to keep your plumbing system working in good condition. Clogs can also cause backed-up water to put added pressure on your waste pipes, affecting their functionality. Therefore, avoid plug-ups in your drains.
- Don’t Use Chemical Drain Cleaners:
Chemical drain cleaners will usually do more harm to your drain pipes than good. They can cause your cast-iron pipes to erode. Moreover, chemical drain cleaners don’t really remove the entire clog; they push them farther back, and the problem is likely to reoccur. If you repeatedly use chemicals to clear clogs, they will gradually eat away at the pipes, and you’ll end up having leaks. The only good way to get rid of drain clogs is to hire a professional plumber.