Avoiding Plumbing Links
You don’t have to be a professional plumber to take steps to prevent common household leaks. You need to have the mindset of helping to remove anything that might cause undue pressure to your plumbing system.
In order to do that, you need to have a basic understanding of how your plumbing works and how certain factors may contribute to leaks.
Here are a number of tips that can help you reduce the possibility of water damage from those pesky plumbing leaks.
Avoid Commercial Drain Cleaners
In some cases, commercial drain cleaners can work well to remove a clog in your plumbing. However, for the sake of that convenience, you are putting your plumbing at risk.
Most of those commercial cleaners have hydrochloric acid, which is how they break those clogs up. The acid also attacks your pipe walls, causing them to weaken and leak.
Why not work on avoiding clogs at all with regular drain cleaning from your Milwaukee, WI plumber? You can also remember not to put anything harmful down the drains, like hair, food or grease.
Reduce Water Pressure
If you let the water pressure run too high, there could be serious damage done to your pipes. You may appreciate the force of high water pressure in the shower, or when you are filling pots or washing dishes, but that’s a high price to pay.
The force and strength of the water will eventually cause leaks. Adjust your water pressure so that it reads in the 45-60 psi range. Don’t exceed 60 psi though.
How to be a Leak Detective
If you want to minimize the damage of water leaks, find them in your home before they have a chance to develop into something more substantial.
Check all the exposed pipes in your home for signs of moisture of pooling water. Check plumbing fixtures like showerheads, faucets, and toilets.
Do you know how to check for a toilet leak? Drop a dye tablet into the toilet tank and if the color runs into the toilet bowl, you’ve got yourself a toilet leak. Call your plumber for help.
The Danger of Pipe Corrosion
As your pipes age, they can often get rusty, which can be a major problem spot for leaks. In order to slow this process, take the following steps:
Upgrade old copper plumbing to PVC; install a water softener to keep harmful levels of minerals out of your water. Be sure to run water often, as water that stands for too long can cause leaks, especially in horizontal pipes.
Convinced about the merits of plumbing maintenance? The sooner you start on this list, the sooner you will see the benefits.