How to Avoid Expensive Plumbing Problems?
When dealing with tricky plumbing problems, prevention is more effective (and cheaper) than constant repairs. While some plumbing issues can be unavoidable, homeowners can look for several things to prevent frustrating leaks and flooding. Identifying these signs early on is the best way to avoid expensive and unnecessary repairs on appliances and pipes in your home.
At Advantage Plumbing and Sewer, we want to teach you how to avoid plumbing problems so that you don’t experience any plumbing emergencies. However, our technicians can be available 24/7 to come to your aid if issues arise. You can feel safe and secure in your home with the knowledge and tips to look for to avoid plumbing issues.
If you find yourself experiencing any plumbing issues, don’t hesitate to contact Barrington’s trustworthy plumbers at 847-860-7147.
1. Identify Leaking Pipes
The age of your home can give you a clue about the state of your pipes. Older homes typically have rusty pipes made from materials like steel that are prone to leaks with age. Catching a leak early on will prevent further water damage to your home and belongings.
A leaky pipe can also lead to lower water pressure, resulting in more water usage to make up for the lost pressure. Low water pressure makes showers uncomfortable and doing the dishes tedious. Keeping an eye out for leaks is the first step to understanding how to avoid plumbing problems in the first place.
2. Locate Your Main Water Valve
Locating the primary water valve in your home can save you in any plumbing emergency. Our homes have numerous appliances and devices connecting to our water supply that can cause severe damage if they malfunction.
If you take away one tip from this article, identifying your home’s main water valve provides the most security for your home.
The main valve typically lies on the home’s lowest floor, nearest the wall that faces the street. Placing a clear label on this valve will help you identify where you need to turn the water off immediately in an emergency. If you have problems locating the main water valve, contact Advantage Plumbing and Sewer to show you and teach you how to avoid plumbing problems.
3. Check Your Laundry Connections
Some homeowners use their washing machines every day, which causes extreme wear and tear on the surrounding plumbing. Rubber connection hoses attaching the washing machine to the water supply can become dry and develop cracks over time. This damage can allow large amounts of water to flow into your home if the hose gives way.
To avoid this issue, check the connection hoses for cracks frequently and shut the main water valve off before leaving for an extended period. Shutting off the water will preserve your home and belongings should the plumbing give out while you are away. There is nothing worse than coming home to a flood in your home after a nice vacation.
4. Tighten Outdoor Faucets
A leaking outdoor faucet can cause your water bill to spike without you even realizing it. Tightening or replacing outdoor valves will save you money in the long run. In addition, be sure to drain outdoor valves properly and turn off all faucets to prevent freezing and bursting during the wintertime.
5. Upgrade Your Water Heater
An old water heater can leak and cause water damage to the surrounding area over time. Worse yet, an old water heater can burst and cause significant flooding in your home. Keep an eye out for signs of damage, including rusting, leaking, or cracking around water valves on your water heater.
Advantage Plumbing and Sewer handles water heater repair and replacement and will even discard your old water heater.
6. Check for Clogs
Clogged drains can disrupt the function of your entire kitchen or bathroom. Showers and sinks often become full of hair and soap remnants, causing the water to drain more slowly until it cannot drain entirely. You can purchase chemical products that break up the buildup in your drain yourself, but these won’t be strong enough for extreme cases.
Contact a reliable plumber to fix your clogged drains with ease if your water will not drain. While the water drainage is likely due to a clog, there could be an underlying issue with the plumbing in your home that requires professional intervention.
7. Think Before it Goes in the Sink
Every day we place items into our garbage disposals that can cause significant harm to the plumbing system. Excess grease and fats from cooking that go into the drain will build up and clog your sink over time. To avoid this, pour hot oil into a container to cool for disposal in the garbage can and utilize a strainer for your drain to catch large food pieces.
8. Promptly Handle Toilet Trouble
Toilets are notorious for causing unpleasant plumbing issues for homeowners. As we use toilets several times per day, the plumbing around the bathroom can break down very quickly. Aside from clogging, toilets also frequently experience leaking.
A leaky toilet throws your money down the drain and creates a hazardous, slippery environment that can result in serious injury. Consult with a professional plumber right away if you notice water pooling around your toilet to avoid wasting money and putting yourself in harm’s way.
Top-rated Plumbers in Barrington, IL
Many homeowners have carefree attitudes toward minor plumbing problems and wonder, “why be careful of small leaks?” Little leaks can lead to big problems if you do not address them immediately. They can also present health risks in slipping hazards, water damage, and mold.
Common plumbing issues such as clogged drains and leaky pipes can be disastrous and cause severe damage to your home if not taken care of upon discovery. An expert plumber will identify your plumbing predicament and teach you how to avoid plumbing problems in the future.
If you notice any signs of leaking and want to know how to avoid plumbing problems, contact Advantage Plumbing and Sewer today at 847-860-7147.
