Although major plumbing issues and jobs should only be seen to and treated by professionals, there are still things you can do to keep up regular maintenance on the plumbing within your home. This can be as simple as looking out for anything unusual, or taking extra care to keep things in good condition. Whatever you are able to do, regular maintenance is very important in plumbing, and can really help save you from any potential threats and risks of damage in the future, or enable you to get it sorted before it escalates into a bigger problem.
Of course, plumbing isn’t something that everybody has a wealth of knowledge in, and so we thought we’d break down some simple and easy ways that you can be keeping up regular plumbing maintenance in your home, and why it is important.
Look out for leaks
Unfortunately, leaks can occur just about anywhere, and for all kinds of reasons, and they can lead to some pretty severe damage if left untreated for too long. Therefore, we strongly advise that you inspect around things like pipes, your toilet, drains – anywhere that a potential leak could take place. You may also find leaks around your sink, like from the tap for example. Sometimes when you switch off the tap completely, it will continue to leak, even if this is just drips. If you notice anything like this, you should seek professional advice, as it could insinuate that there is a problem somewhere in the system. Furthermore, if your tap is leaking, this could actually have an impact on your water bills, too.
If you have a visible leak, it probably won’t be hard to notice, however we would still recommend taking a close look at piping as well as throughout your bathroom, including your toilet, sink and shower.
Are there any unusual sounds?
If you start to hear noises in your home that are out of the ordinary and appear to be coming from the piping or your boiler, you should call out a professional to assess the situation. This can sometimes be an indication that there is a problem in the system, and if this is the case, you want to get it looked at and fixed as soon as possible. Perhaps there is a build up of air or dirt somewhere in the piping, and this could be causing a blockage therefore hindering the regular flow and function. Listening out for unusual sounds is a good way to keep check on your plumbing and remain aware of anything out of the ordinary.
Know how old your boiler is
Whether you have recently moved into somewhere new, or have lived there for many years, it is very easy for the age of your boiler to fall slightly under your radar. However, it is very important that you know how old your boiler is, as they have an average lifespan and should be replaced around every 15-20 years. Furthermore, it’s good to know what kind of boiler you have installed, as some have a better lifespan than others. The older your boiler gets, the less efficient it becomes and you may notice that it doesn’t perform as well as perhaps it should. This can actually impact your bills, and drum up a higher cost for a poorer performance.
If your boiler is becoming a little old, or is showing signs of age and deterioration, you may benefit from having a plumber come out and look at it. Although getting a new boiler installed is expensive, you will often find that this is the most cost effective option. If it’s left, things can start to break and require repair, which will drum up a high cost in itself, and you will certainly need a new boiler in coming years, so having a new, efficient boiler is probably the best option for you.
Keep your drains clear
One thing we can take extra care with to ensure better plumbing maintenance in our home, is looking after our drains. This means being extra careful to ensure that they are not getting blocked or clogged up, as this can cause issues in the system and prevent it from actually draining properly. Take your sink for example, if the drain on this becomes blocked, it can also cause a build up of water which could result in flooding as the water is not able to exit through the drain.
Pouring boiling water down the drain helps to keep it clear and get rid of any debris stuck in there. You can also help to keep it clear by ensuring that nothing gets down there that shouldn’t, or that it is at least kept to a minimum. This includes things like food if you are washing up plates for example; try to avoid letting bits of food go down the drain as this can cause a build up and result in a blockage.
Your plumbing system is highly valuable to your home, so where possible you want to prevent any problems from developing, and ensure that your plumbing isn’t outdated, weak or unreliable. For more information and advice or if you have any concerns, simply get in touch with us via our contact page and we will be more than happy to help!
