Avoid
Touching Any Exposed Pipes
Some parts
of your plumbing are exposed by way of your laundry room, basement, or an
uncovered space on the ceiling. Some homeowners seem to think it's harmless to
use these exposed pipes for something other than their intended function, i.e.
hanging clothes on the pipe. This extra weight can gradually loosen the joints
and bolts and cause the pipe to leak faster and more frequently.
Identify
High-Risk Areas of Your Home
Your
bathroom is perhaps the most at-risk space in your home, followed by your
kitchen. Avoid flushing anything that your toilet cannot easily pass, such as
plastic materials, heavy chemicals, etcetera. Switch to toilet paper that is
labeled as "septic safe" for easier flushing. As for your kitchen,
watch what you throw out in your sink or garbage disposal system. While many
garbage disposal systems can process food scraps, a more plumbing-friendly
solution to getting rid of food scraps is by disposing of them in a waste and
compost bucket. This way, you take care of your plumbing while also collecting
a compost pile you can use for your garden.
Prep
Your Pipes For the Winter
Water pipes
are especially vulnerable during wintertime as they tend to freeze. Unfreezing
these waterways can cost $200 or more, depending on the extent of frostbite
damage sustained by your plumbing system. If your plumber concludes that a
water main line replacement is necessary, you're looking at anywhere between
$500 to $3,000 in plumbing services. Prep your plumbing through proper
insulation, sealing any cracks and openings, and using heat tape for pipes.
Check
Your Faucets
A leaky
faucet may be a telltale sign of extensive and costly plumbing damage. Left
unchecked, this water leak can lead to mineral deposit buildup in your
household's water heater. This, in turn, leads to clogging that lowers the
water pressure level. If you notice anything abnormal with your faucet, it's
best to have a professional plumber perform a thorough inspection of your
home's plumbing and, if needed, flush your water heater routinely.
Use
Drain Covers
These
strainers help keep hair and food out of your kitchen and bathtub drains that
can otherwise enter the pipes. Drain strainers cost little but can avoid
expensive water pipe repairs by controlling what gets into the pipes and what
gets blocked. A drain strainer is also a cheaper and more
environmental-friendly alternative to drain chemical clog removers.
Consider
Trenchless Repair
Trenchless
pipe repair involves carrying out the necessary plumbing work without digging
an open trench. Open trenches typically require more manpower, time, and
equipment, which ultimately increases repair costs. With trenchless repairs,
you end up with labor that causes less overall structural damage, has a faster
completion time, and saves you more money.
Clean
Your Drains Regularly
Over time
your sink’s pipes can become clogged. This can lead to an expensive repair if
not regularly maintained. It is recommended that you clean your drains at least
once a year. This is especially important in the bathroom as over time
toothpaste can build up residue and ruin your sink’s pipes. To remove this
residue you can use a combination of a drain snake, draino, and accordion
plunger.
Consider
Touchless Upgrades
Replacing your
old and dated fixtures can significantly lower future plumbing costs. For
example, a touchless faucet reduces the risk of germ transmission and costs
less to repair and replace since there are fewer parts involved, i.e. no
handles, cartridges, or rubber washers. And while it initially costs money to
upgrade to these touchless options, the upgrades pay for themselves over time
through water conservation and reduced water bills.
Invest
In A Backflow Prevention System
Backflow prevention systems are instruments tacked onto a pipe that effectively limits water flow to a single direction. This prevents the backflow of wastewater into your home's main water supply while still allowing water from the city's public supply to flow into your home pipes. You can learn more about how a BPS works and its benefits when you consult your local plumber.
In many cases, expensive plumbing repairs can be prevented by making simple behavioral modifications, such as avoiding the use of strong and toxic chemicals that can corrode pipes and installing newer and more efficient fixtures that can better regulate water flow.
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