Plumbing Maintenance Steps That Every Homeowner Should Be Able To Handle
Posted on: 15 December 2020
There are homeowners who are really handy and able to do a large portion of their repairs themselves. Then, there are homeowners who are less handy and who don't approach anything more than basic maintenance. If you fall into the second category, the idea of maintaining your plumbing may seem a bit intimidating. However, there are maintenance steps you can take even if you barely know how to turn a screwdriver!
Figure out where your water main valve is.
In every home, there is a main water pipe that brings all of the water into the home. This main pipe is fitted with a valve. You can turn the valve one way to close the pipe and stop the flow of water, and the other way to open the valve and let water flow into your home. You should locate this valve and make sure it turns. If it feels stiff, apply a little lubricant, like WD40. If you do ever have a plumbing leak, you can turn this valve and stop the flow of water, minimizing damage.
Flush your drains with boiling water or vinegar.
To prevent drain clogs, pour either boiling water or some warm, white vinegar down your drains at least once a month. This should dissolve the beginnings of any clogs caused by soap scum or grease. Pour slowly, and let the drain sit for a half hour or so before you run any plain water down it. If you do this regularly, you are less likely to get clogs.
Put baskets in your drains.
Put a mesh basket in each of your drains. You can buy these baskets at most hardware stores. They will catch hair, which is a common cause of drain clogs. Empty the baskets, removing the hair, every couple of days. If the baskets ever start rusting, replace them. They only cost a couple of dollars, at most.
Remove mineral deposits from shower heads and faucet aerators.
Especially if you have hard water, mineral deposits will build up inside of your shower heads and faucet aerators. If you clear these away every 6 months or so, your water pressure will stay higher. To remove mineral deposits, just unscrew the shower head or aerator. Then, drop it into a cup of white vinegar, and let it soak for about 8 hours. Rinse, and reattach.
All of these plumbing tasks are pretty easy to tackle. If you run into any trouble, call a local plumbing service.
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