In a previous post, we discussed plumbing maintenance for your water heater and bathroom. There are more areas around your home that need to be checked to do a complete plumbing audit for your home. It is best to check all the places at one time so that you can make sure that you have checked everything. Here are some more areas to review for regular plumbing maintenance.
Main Water Shut Off
If you ever need to shut off water to your house, it will be good to know where this is, for one, and if it is working properly, as well. You’ll inspect this as you have done other things in your home for any type of water around it, or if it is sweating or leaking. You can check to make sure the cut off works by turning on a faucet or hose and turning the main water off and seeing if the water stops flowing. If it does, then things are working properly, and you can turn it back on. If you notice that it is not working properly or if you notice that it is leaking, then you might need to change the main shut-off valve.
Clogs
One thing that can start out slowly but become a big problem later is a clog. You might notice that your water is draining, but not quite as fast as before. In the beginning, you might not be sure that is what is happening, but then you begin either standing in water or notice that the sink has filled up and has stopped draining. You are going to want to check the drains in the shower/bathtub, toilet, and sinks in the house. Depending on where you live, there are a few things that could be clogging the drain. You could have dirt and grime build up or in certain areas, you could have roots that obstruct your pipes. You will want to use drain cleaner that works the best with the type of piping you have and if this does not work, then have a professional come out and review your situation.
Water Pressure/Temperature
When you are reviewing your plumbing, make sure the water pressure is good and the temperature is correct. There can be a problem with the line if you notice that your water pressure is getting worse. There are a few things that can cause this. You could have partial clogs due to dirt, sand, or food stuck in the pipes. You can also have mineral build-up. All of these will require some type of cleaning out of the pipes to bring the water pressure back to normal. Additionally, you don’t want the temperature to be out of the correct range for safety. The lowest temperature should not be below 120 degrees. Lower than the recommended temperature creates a risk for bacteria in the water.
You can make a list of all the areas and check them off with the date so you can keep track of when you last checked. The general rule for a plumbing audit is about every two years. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, check with a plumber to do a walkthrough with you. They can point out areas of concern that you might need to keep an eye on. Regular plumbing maintenance helps your home run more efficiently.
