Does your home maintenance schedule include the plumbing?

Does your home maintenance schedule include the plumbing?

Your Alpharetta home maintenance schedule should include tasks such as scheduling heating and cooling maintenance checks, cleaning out gutters, removing old landscaping and cleaning inside the home. One task that's vital to include on a maintenance schedule is checking the plumbing system.

It's a good idea to include plumbing on the list of tasks you do before summer arrives. Over time, hair and soap residue can build up inside the pipes, toilets can leak and worn pipes can weaken. What's worse is that rusted and worn plumbing pipes will eventually burst. They will spray water and flood your basement, damaging any possessions stored there.

Here are some of the tasks homeowners should include on their maintenance checklists for their plumbing systems:

  • Check all the pipes you can access for leaks: It's important that homeowners periodically check for leaks because even a small drip in one pipe can increase the water bill. You'll need to hire a plumber to inspect the entire system, however. A professional can access pipes in hidden areas that homeowners can't reach.
  • Watch your drainage: If you notice that the drains in some sinks or tubs are slowing down, check for debris in the drains. Hair and soap residue can quickly turn into an obstruction, particularly in bathtubs.
  • Clean aerators on sinks and shower heads: Minerals and sediment in the water can build up on the aerators and slow down the flow of water.
  • Evaluate toilets: If a toilet runs, it uses a lot more water than it should. If the fill valve, flush valve, flapper or ball are faulty, the toilet may run nonstop.
  • Clean the kitchen drain: Because of daily activities, such as getting rid of food through the garbage disposal and cleaning up greasy pots and pans, it's important to maintain the sink's drain. Cut up a lemon, and run the disposal. You can also pour a cup of vinegar down the drain to keep it fresh and clear.
  • Evaluate water pressure: If, over time, you notice that the pressure is dropping, purchase a low-cost pressure gauge, and test the pressure on an outdoor spigot. HouseLogic states that a healthy water pressure range, measured in pounds per square inch (PSI), is between 60 and 75. A lower PSI could be an indication that pipes are clogged.
  • Check the septic system: Include your septic system on your annual home maintenance schedule. A septic system that operates as it should ensures the efficient, safe removal of waste and prevents harm to the environment.

It's also important that you enlist the help of a professional to inspect the entire plumbing system and clear out the drains to keep it in good working condition. For more information about home plumbing systems, contact RooterPLUS! Take advantage of our special on septic tank pumping or talk to one of our plumbers about our annual plumbing maintenance agreement. We proudly serve homeowners in Alpharetta and the surrounding areas with quality plumbing services.

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