When it comes to home maintenance, having the basics covered will help prevent problems that will require expensive damage or fixes. Plumbing is often mystifying for homeowners outside the trade and should be handled with care.
By having some basic plumbing maintenance skills in your repertoire and knowing what to look for, you’ll be able to determine when a plumber is needed and convey information in a way that saves time and money. Here are some basic DIY plumbing tips every homeowner should know.
Vet a Plumber in Advance
One of the best things homeowners can do to ensure that their plumbing is well-maintained is to vet a plumber before a problem arises, preferably as soon as you move in. Having this information on hand will mitigate time spent trying to find a plumber should an emergency situation arise. As many plumbing emergencies can have lasting impacts on the value of your home and the amount of damage sustained, it’s important to be able to act quickly.
Look for professional local plumbers and read reviews and recommendations. Look at the services they have to offer and check that their prices are listed. Most well-respected plumbing companies will have this information listed on the homepage of their website. Your Local St George Plumber – a plumber St George locals swear by – has links to their reviews and commonly used pricing options apparent on their site. Plumbers who do this are confident in the quality of service they offer
Check for Leaks Regularly
Checking for leaks should be a regular part of your home maintenance routine. At least once a month, take a look at your pipes and note any leaky faucets. Not only can an undetected leak cause extensive water damage over time, but it can also increase your water bill substantially.
If you notice an inexplicable change in your water bill, take a more thorough look. Check walls, floors, and ceilings for wet spots. Vigilance in this regard will help prevent mold growth as well.
Know How Water Gets Into Your Home
Homeowners should have a basic understanding of how water gets into their home and how to shut it off. Knowing how to turn off the water can be crucial when a pipe bursts and can make it easier to communicate with a professional when you call them in. Additionally, knowing how your water system works will give you a better idea of finding the source of an issue and troubleshooting the cause.
How water gets into the home will vary depending on the residence. Many urban areas are on a municipal water system while rural homes still have dug or drilled wells. It’s also important to know where water goes when it leaves – particularly where the sewage access is.
In many cases, a continuously running toilet or a leaky faucet can be fixed with a new seal. These components are sold at home hardware stores and are easily installed with minimal handy skills.
Replacing a flapper in a toilet is a quick process; the parts often come with instructions for the average homeowner. Replacing a worn o-ring in a leaky faucet requires turning off the water and removing the various components, swapping out the aging piece for a newer one, and putting it back together. Learning these basic skills can save a lot of money. Consider adding a toilet leak test to your regular home maintenance routine.
Avoid Chemicals
If you have a slow or blocked drain, forgo the harsh chemicals. Instead, use a drain snake to remove the blockage. Drain snakes are a great asset to , especially when children are in the home.
For tub and shower drains that tend to get blocked with hair, using a wet/dry shop vacuum to remove the blockage is another way to avoid dumping harsh chemicals into your pipes.
By practicing regular home maintenance and knowing some basic DIY steps for plumbing problems, you can save time and money in labor and repairs. If in doubt, however, it’s always better to call a reputable professional to help with your plumbing needs.
