Plumbing Preventative Maintenance Checklist

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but in the plumbing world, preventative maintenance can save homeowners money on costly repairs and utility bills. Here are seven easy preventative maintenance actions for your home’s plumbing system.

1. Prevention on the Potty

Although your toilets get visitors every day, it’s not often you take off the tank cover to inspect its components.

It’s a good idea to inspect the fill, supply, and flush values as well as the supply line for corrosion and function. Leaky toilets can be subtle but costly because of wasted water.

2. Don’t Get Heated Over Your Water Heater

Ever get the cold shoulder from your water heater? It might be because your water heater has built-up sediment, making it less effective.

It’s important to drain and flush your water heater to remove the sediment annually to improve the function and the life cycle of your home’s water heater.

An annual inspection of your water heater’s shut-off valve and piping can provide an early alert if there is an issue brewing.

3. Check for Slow Drains

Slow-moving drains can be a symptom of bigger problems. How well do your sinks, tub, or showers drain?

If your drains are slow-moving, try flushing them with a mix of vinegar and hot water. If they still seem slow, you may have a blockage and need to call a professional.

Attempting to clear a clog using chemicals or force can lead to broken pipes and bigger issues. Clear drain P-traps under your sink and use screens or drain baskets in the tub and shower to catch debris from creating a clog.

4. Fix Leaky Faucets & Showerheads

If saving money, and the environment, sounds like a good idea, then fixing your leaky faucet and showerhead are a great place to start. The average family can waste 180 gallons of water per week from household leaks, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Check that your faucet handles don’t leak when you turn off the water, and look for leaks under the sink or dripping from showerheads. These all can be signs of a corroded valve, a worn washer, or deteriorated O-ring.

5. Signs of the Season

Outdoor spigots, pool lines, and sprinkler systems are free-flowing in the summer but can bring your plumbing to a grinding halt if they aren’t prepped for colder weather.

Put outdoor fixtures on your preventative maintenance to-do list by shutting off the outdoor water supply to these fixtures and insulating them before temperatures dip. You may need to do a complete sprinkler winterization before landscaping goes dormant.

6. Under Pressure

Check your home’s water pressure gauge. If it is set too high, it will put unnecessary pressure on your plumbing system.

Make sure your regulator is functioning properly to keep your pressure in check.

7. Missing Caulk

Caulking is important in your bathroom because it provides that waterproof barrier for your walls and flooring. Missing caulk can allow moisture and water to seep into your floorboard and behind your walls creating the perfect environment for mold and mildew.

Inspect the tiles in and around your sink, shower, and tub for missing or deteriorated caulk. Repairing and replacing is simple by using do-it-yourself caulking tubes and guns.

Choose Len The Plumber for Plumbing Repair & Maintenance

Plumbing emergencies are hard to ignore, but preventative maintenance is easy to push off. Creating a preventative maintenance schedule for your home can help you save money.

At Len The Plumber, our plumbers can provide a preventative maintenance service for your home’s plumbing system. Or, if you discover an issue while conducting your plumbing assessment, our professionals can respond to your need for service the same day with top-notch service.

When you need a plumber you can trust, contact Len The Plumber online or call (800) 950-4619(800) 950-4619.