Proper plumbing maintenance is crucial to avoid costly repairs and ensure the longevity of your plumbing system. Here, we are sharing five essential tips to help you keep your plumbing in top shape and avoid any unpleasant surprises.
If a plumbing issue has caused any damage to your home, contact our Florida water damage attorneys for a free case review today.
Why Is Plumbing Maintenance Important?
Inspecting your pipes frequently is a sensible practice to identify and address any potential issues promptly.
Here are some of the reasons why plumbing maintenance in your home is important:
- It can help maintain your home’s resale value.
- It’s a great way to ensure the longevity of your house.
- It’s a great way to avoid insurance claim rejections due to poor maintenance.
Here are some tips to follow to improve your home’s plumbing maintenance.
Check for Leaks Regularly
Regularly check around sinks and basins for any signs of water leakage. You should also be conscious of any dark or discolored stains on your ceiling or walls as they may signal a hidden water leak in the wall.
Keeping a check on faucets for any signs of dripping and inspecting your toilet’s flapper can be of great help. A worn-out flapper may cause the toilet to run more frequently or continuously.
Check Your Pipes
A great way to practice plumbing maintenance is by checking if your house was built before 1975, there is a good chance that you have a cast iron piping & plumbing system.
How to recognize if your pipes have gone bad? Be on the lookout for these issues.
Discoloration in water or rust. Rusting of cast iron pipes is one of the most common causes of discolored water coming out of taps, showers, and hoses. Over time, the lines will start to corrode and deteriorate. Property owners should pay close attention when they see brownish/yellow water while running faucets or shower heads as it could be a sign that their plumbing lines need replacing.
Water is slow to drain. In cast iron drain lines, even the smallest cracks or breaks can result in a blocked drain and impede the natural flow of water. This is often caused by damage to the pipes from external sources.
Plumbing backups. Blockages can form inside cast iron pipes, which can cause a backup of water. This is usually caused by debris getting stuck in the line and preventing it from flowing.
Foul Smells. Pipes that are cracked or failing can lead to the leakage of sewage gasses, which carries considerable health risks. It is therefore important to inspect these pipes regularly and take corrective measures as soon as any disruption is detected.
Wet Floors, Walls, and Puddles. One of the frequent indicators that you may have a leaking cast iron drainage system is wet floors, walls, and the presence of puddles. Water travels and finds its settling point when a pipe has cracked or gone bad. Property owners whose cast iron pipes have failed will notice random wet spots and puddles throughout their property.
Clean Fixtures Regularly
Part of plumbing maintenance is to be on the lookout for common issues that could arise with your home fixtures.
Colored stains. If your porcelain fixtures have developed fine cracks, you should use a stiff brush and brush the area thoroughly. Afterward, rinse the residue away with clean water and repeat several times if necessary.
Rust stains. Iron-induced staining on bathroom surfaces can be easily treated using a rust remover. For tough stains within the toilet bowl, an acid-based toilet bowl cleaner may be applied for the best results.
Bacteria. Poor cleaning and maintenance of fixtures can lead to the buildup of bacteria. To solve this issue, use powdered oxygen bleach or liquid household bleach to clean them regularly and maintain hygiene.
Install Water-Saving Fixtures
Installing water-saving appliances and fixtures in residential homes can be a significant contribution to reducing water wastage and helping conserve it for future use.
To conserve water, many homeowners have started using efficient appliances such as dishwashers and clothes-washing machines.
Additionally, modern toilets, showerheads, and faucets are very popular fixtures that help in water preservation. They can simply use less water while yielding comparable performance. For a more multifarious approach, certain appliances feature innovative technology that utilizes grey water from the kitchen sink for flushing toilets.
Replacing old, inefficient bathroom faucets with water-saving faucets ensures:
- Faucets remain in working condition throughout their expected lifespan without issues.
- Plumbing components designed to provide drinking water are free of lead for consumer safety.
- Low water pressure is sufficient to provide enough flow rate for the majority of applications that require it.
Have an Emergency Plumber on Speed Dial
If these all of the previously mentioned issues are beyond repair, consider getting professional help from an experienced plumber. You may need to submit a claim to your insurance company. If that is the case, consider hiring a lawyer.
It is important to remember that sometimes insurance companies do not fully cover repair and restoration costs. This can be due to them denying, delaying, or underpaying claims which makes it difficult to make your home as good as new.
By following these five plumbing maintenance tips, you can save yourself time, money, and the hassle of dealing with unexpected plumbing issues in the future.
Speak to Our Property Damage Attorneys!
If a plumbing issue has caused any damage to your property, it is recommended to consult with a property damage lawyer who can help you secure fair compensation. Here at Klotzman Property Damage Law, we advocate for fair compensation so you can properly restore and repair any damage.
Schedule your free case review today with our Florida property damage attorneys. When insurance companies fail, Klotzman Property Damage Law succeeds.
