Throughout the year, a home’s plumbing system gets a lot of use. Frozen pipes, backed up septic systems, and leaks can all be prevented with periodic preventative maintenance on your plumbing. The following are quick and easy things a homeowner can do to maintain their plumbing.
Kitchen
Daily Preventative Maintenance Tips
- Avoid placing hard food waste into the garbage disposal. This includes bones, dense and fibrous plant products, and stringy waste.
- Use cold water to flush the disposal for at least 15 seconds before and after use.
- Never pour grease or oil down the sink as this can cause clogs.
Monthly Preventative Maintenance
- Grind ice cubes and citrus peels. This will clean and sharpen the disposal blades.
- Clean the disposal and pipes by pouring baking soda into the drains and following it with vinegar. Let it sit for an hour or so and flush with running water.
- Check all water connections and pipes leading to the appliances. Make sure there are no leaks and all connections are in good condition.
Bathroom
Daily Preventative Maintenance
- Keep a hair strainer in all bathroom sinks and tubs. This will prevent hair, soap chips, and other debris from clogging the drains.
- Do not flush garbage, such as sanitary products, cotton swabs, wet wipes, and makeup sponges.
Monthly Preventative Maintenance
- Clean the shower head using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, or your preferred cleaning product, to ensure proper water flow.
- Check your toilet for leaks by placing a small amount of food coloring into the tank and waiting several hours. If the water in the bowl is tinted with the dye, there is a leak that needs to be addressed.
Annual Preventative Maintenance
- Check all gaskets on faucets, shower heads, and toilet for signs of wear and replace as needed.
Basement and Laundry Room
Daily Preventative Maintenance
- Keep the trap seals clear of debris.
- Run the washing machine only when it’s full to prevent unnecessary wear on the machine.
Monthly Preventative Maintenance
- Add water as needed to trap seals to maintain the proper level.
- Check and clean the strainers to prevent clogs.
Annual Preventative Maintenance
- Check for hidden leaks by monitoring your water meter. To do so, don’t use any water for an eight to ten hour period. Record the value from your water meter and wait for at least eight hours before returning. If the value has increased, there could be a leak hidden under or around your home.
- Drain about one third of the water from your water heater to remove build up, which will prolong the life of your water heater.
- Check and test the water heater’s pressure release valve.
- Turn the main water valve off and on again to make sure it can be done easily and quickly if needed.
- Your septic tank should be pumped and inspected at least every three years by a qualified expert. To prolong the life of your septic tank, add septic tank treatment at least twice a year.
Whole Home Preventative Maintenance
- Remove and clean all faucet aerators to promote steady flow and water pressure.
- Inspect hoses leading to appliances. Check for leaks, cracks, and bulges.
- Before winter, make sure all under cabinet and under floor pipes are properly insulated.
- Open and close the water shut off valves leading to all appliances and sinks to ensure quick access and ease of closure in the event of appliance malfunction or sudden leakage.
- A professional should inspect your plumbing annually as they will be able to spot potential problems before you would and offer advice on fixing the problem.
