Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

Regular plumbing maintenance can keep your home’s plumbing system working properly all year. Plumbing maintenance takes only a little time and it will help minimize plumbing problems that will require more time and money to repair.
Bathroom
Fix leaking faucets or showers. A small leak in a faucet or shower could get worse over time. The amount of water that is leaking may seam insignificant, but even a little water can cause water damage which can be quite costly to repair. Not to mention the gallons of wasted water that a leak can produce. Check for faucets leaks regularly to catch them early.

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• Clear slow drains. Debris that collects in sink and tub drains will cause the water to drain slower and slower over time. It only takes a few minutes to clear the debris out of the drain and get it flowing again. This should be done every few months or when you notice a drain slowing down.
• Clean faucet aerators. Calcium builds up inside a faucet aerator over time and it can obstruct the flow of water. You may notice lower water pressure or an irregular spray in the faucet or shower as the calcium build up. To fix this problem just remove the aerators and clean them out on a regular basis.
• Fix running toilets. The working parts of a toilet can start to wear down over time and cause problems. Often this involves running water such as when the toilet handle sticks and it needs a little jiggle or you hear water running when the toilet is not flushed. It may seam like it is not a big issue but a running toilet can waste an incredible amount of water. Often the repair that is needed is quick and inexpensive. Fixing a running toilet should be a regular item on your plumbing maintenance checklist.

Kitchen

• Check for kitchen sink leaks. The kitchen sink gets a lot of use and can often be the source of leaks. Leaks can occur at the faucet, at the sink strainers, at the garbage disposal, or from any sink accessories. Check the top and bottom of the sink carefully for any active leaks or signs of water damage on a regular basis.
• Check for garbage disposal leaks and maintenance requirements. The garbage disposal can also be a source of leaks that can easily go unnoticed. Check the garbage disposal for signs that it is developing a leak. Also, it is a good idea to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintaining your unit.
• Clean the kitchen sink drain. Consider using a mild home made drain cleaner through your kitchen sink drain on a regular basis. This will help to break up the usual buildup in the drain and keep the water flowing.

Septic and Sewer A main line stoppage or a sewer back up is a serious plumbing problem that is best to avoid. Regular maintenance is the best way to do this.

• Maintain the septic system. To avoid problems with your septic system have it inspected regularly. Septic tank pumping is an important part of maintaining the septic system and an inspection will let you know when pumping is necessary.
• Maintain your sewer main. If you have regular main line stoppages try to prevent them through regular maintenance. Be aware of how your sewer main line is functioning and how long it usually takes between stoppages. For houses where tree roots cause regular sewer main problems it is a good idea to schedule regular sewer main snaking as a preventive measure. Look out for the signs of a sewer drain clog and catch it before you have a full stoppage.

Checklist To Winterize Plumbing In The Home

The cold winter months can wreak havoc on your home's plumbing system if you aren't prepared for the temperature drop. Frozen water in pipes can be inconvenient at best and destructive at worst. As a good preventive measure get ready for winter with this winterize plumbing checklist.

1. Fix Leaks

Even the smallest water leak can turn into a big problem when temperatures drop. Take the time to check all exposed pipes indoors and out for leaks. If you wait for the water to freeze the damage to surrounding pipes is likely to be more significant. If your pipes are insulated feel for moisture that might have been soaked up by the insulation if there is a hidden leak.

 

2. Insulate Pipes

A basic preventive measure you can take is to make sure that any exposed pipes are well insulated. To locate exposed pipes look in your attic, crawl space, and garage. If you can see the pipe it needs to be wrapped with insulation foam. Pipe wrap insulation is inexpensive and easy to install and it can save you on heating costs as well as keeping your pipes protected.

3. Swamp Cooler

An evaporative cooler, also known as a swamp cooler, is another source of water that needs to be drained before winter. To winterize your swamp cooler turn off the water and power to the unit first. Drain the water out of the cooler and the water supply line to the unit as well. This is a good time to clean the interior and change the pads. Finally, cover the swamp cooler with a cover or tarp to keep it dry over the winter months.

4. Pump House

Prevention and planning are key for a smooth winter season when your water comes from a well. Proper insulation of the pump houses can keep pipes from freezing. For added protection it is important to insulate any exposed pipes in the pump house. A heat source is also needed to keep the temperature of the pump house above freezing.

5. Outside Hose Bibs

Protecting the hose bibs and pipes from the cold is very important. Start by removing any garden hoses that may be connected to outdoor faucets. By removing garden hoses you ensure that water doesn’t stay trapped in the hose bib where it can freeze and damage pipes. Drain any water the hoses may have in them before storing. Protect garden hoses by storing them in the garage or shed during winter.
To protect hose bibs from the cold you can drain collected water and insulate them. In places where temperatures drop significantly every winter many homes have dedicated shut off valves for outdoor hose bibs or faucets. If you happen to have a shut off valve you can turn the water to the hose bibs off. You will then need to drain any water that is already in the pipes. This can be done by opening the hose bibs and letting the water drain completely. If you don’t have a shut off valve you can protect hose bibs and outdoor faucets by insulating them with hose bib covers. Hose bib covers are inexpensive and easy to install. The insulation that these foam covers provide will keep the hose bibs from freezing.

6. Sprinklers System

The pipes of your irrigation system are a likely place for water to collect and then freeze in cold weather. To winterize your sprinkler system turn off the water and flush out any collected water by turning on each valve.

7. Locate Your Water Main

Lastly you should be sure to locate your water main in case of an emergency. Should you be faced with a burst pipe due to freezing you’ll want to be able to shut off the water quickly to minimize damage.

 

How To Avoid Septic Tank Problems

Septic tank problems are one of the more difficult problems to deal with because of their dirty nature. People who are not used to them will find them gut-wrenching, making the task quite impossible. Calling a plumber would be the next best thing to do but unfortunately, they can be quite costly too. The best and most obvious way to dealing with this dilemma is by avoiding septic tanks problems through cleanliness and maintenance. This article will look into the common septic problems and how to avoid them.
Excessive use and dumping of oil and grease can clog up both the upper chamber of the tank and the inlet drains because they can take quite some time to degrade. Aside from the clogging, you will most likely notice some unpleasant odors due to the clog. It will also make emptying the tank a much more difficult time when that time of the year comes along. A simple solution for this problem is to lessen your oil and grease usage. If you can’t seem to curb them, try using a separate system for your oil and grease where you can dump them without affecting your septic tank.
Throwing non-biodegradable items such as plastics down the drain can also lead to clogging the pipes or the soil. It isn’t too much of a hassle really to dispose of garbage properly because it will ultimately do you good in the long run.
Too much water filling your system can also lead to failure or shutting down. This may also be the result of too many food particles that are present in your system. Avoid overloading your system at all costs. Again, proper disposal is stressed to avoid this problem.
Certain chemicals can also harm your system as well as some septic tank additives that are thought to help the system. Adding or disposing of paints, pesticides and solvents can lead septic tank damage and will render it totally useless. Through proper disposal, you will be doing yourself and mother nature a favor. It will also extend the life of your system thereby sparing you from the hassles and expenses that come with repairs.
Lastly, never try fixing something that you have no knowledge of. It may make matters worse than it already is. Unless you have the knowledge and skill as well as the stomach to fix your septic tank, it would make everything easier for everyone if you just call the local health or environment authorities to assess the problem.
Septic tank problems are very hard to fix but ironically, it isn’t very hard to avoid. Repeated several times in the article is the need for proper waste disposal which isn’t impossible to do. Just make sure to have trash cans nearby where you can throw away your non-biodegradable wastes with ease instead of throwing them down the drain and you’ll be problem free. It may be difficult at the start because of what you’re used to but as time goes by, you’ll get used to proper disposal.