Your home's pipes, toilets and other plumbing fixtures can develop leaks or other problems over time. Even minor plumbing problems can end up leading to serious water damage if they're not found early enough. Taking steps to keep your plumbing in good shape can help lower the risk of dealing with major plumbing issues. Performing the following preventive maintenance tasks on your home's plumbing can help you avoid unexpected repairs.
Check Appliances and Pipes for Leaks
Your fridge, washing machine, garbage disposal and other appliances can leak and cause water damage. Your pipes can also end up with leaks due to corrosion, wear and tear or other kinds of damage. You should check exposed pipes and your appliances for signs of leaks from time to time. Signs of leaks you should watch for include water puddles on the floor near appliances or under pipes and water stains on your ceilings or walls.
Check for Faucet and Shower Head Drips and Leaks
Shower heads and faucets dripping frequently can result in extensive water damage over time. Check these fixtures to make sure they're not dripping, and, keep in mind, even a slow drip can damage your home and waste water.
You should also search for leaks from these fixtures, such as under your bathroom or kitchen sink. Finding and fixing drips and leaks helps prevent them from causing major damage to your home.
Check for Toilet Leaks
Toilets can develop leaks due to faulty seals or other problems. A leaky toilet can damage your home and cause significant waste of water over time. Check your toilets for leaks, such as water around these fixtures. Toilets with leaks might also run constantly. If you discover a toilet leak, make repairs right away to reduce the risk of water damage.
Drain Your Water Heater
Sediment can build up in your water heater, which can cause it to run less effectively. Depending on how much sediment is inside your water heater, you should drain it once or twice a year. This helps ensure your water heater keeps working properly.
Unclog Drains
Slow drains can lead to severe leaks and other major problems if they're not fixed. Unclog drains with hot water and vinegar every few months or as often as needed. You might need professional plumbing repairs done for stubborn or persistent clogs.
About the Author
Ryan Christensen
Responsive, Responsible and Resourceful - How Real Estate Should Be. This is the foundation of our continued success: responsive service, providing accurate and timely information, and demystifying the process. 100% of my business is referral based because I listen to my clients' needs and exceed their expectations. As a full-time real estate broker, I am the best advocate for both my buyers and sellers. I am always available, regardless of the time of day.
Being a native Southern Californian is a tremendous advantage. I know the area. Time is more valuable than money, but neither can be wasted. And, I'm a fan of hard work. My clients can enjoy their home buying and/or selling experience because I provide a trusting, focused, straightforward approach. I look forward to helping you achieve your goals and find joy in homeownership.
I am both a licensed Real Estate and Mortgage Broker. Others choose to concentrate on one or the other. I provide a higher level of service and expertise than those who do not obtain this dual skill set, which differentiates me from other service providers. My decisions and advice are based solely on what is in the best interest of my clients. I use Real Estate Sales as a tool to make sure my clients get the home that meets or exceeds their needs. As a Mortgage Broker, I search for the best loans so I can offer lower rates and pricing than my financing competition. This certainly IS in the client's best interest.