5 Plumbing Maintenance Tips For Your Bathroom Fixtures

The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your home and one of the few rooms that is equally used by all members of your family. Also, the bathroom is one of the dirtiest and most in need of maintenance. The last thing you or your family wants is a clogged or stinky plumbing fixture. These tips will help you keep your bathroom clean and your plumbing system running smooth.

1. Faucets

Your faucet is a critical component to a working bathroom. This fixture cleans your hands, provides you with a bath, and is used to clean the bathroom.

Faucets are composed of many moving parts that can degrade and break over time. If you start to notice leaks or that your faucet isn’t responsive, speak with a plumbing maintenance expert. Leaking faucets are also a common problem. That small drip of water may not look like a lot, but one drip every second for a year can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water.

If you notice low water pressure, that is likely due to lime and sediment build-up in your faucet aerator. You can clean the aerator by following these steps. First, unscrew the aerator by turning the faucet counterclockwise. Second, take the aerator head apart. Then, using a small brush dipped in vinegar, remove the sediment. Finally, reassemble the aerator and place it back on the faucet.

2. Shower Heads

Shower heads are another vital plumbing fixture. If you notice the water pressure is low or the water comes out inconsistently, that could be a sign that the holes are clogged. Water that comes through your shower is full of minerals and over time they can build-up and block water flow. To remove these deposits, unscrew the swivel ball nut and the collar nut. Next, gently clean out the holes using a thin wire. Flush the head with clean water, and reassemble the showerhead. Finally, soak it in vinegar to remove mineral deposits by tying a plastic bag full around the nozzle.

3. Toilets

The toilet is one of the biggest sources of leaks in your home. A clear sign that your toilet is leaking is if you see that water keeps flushing into the overflow pipe in the tank. To stop the leaks, adjust the water fill valve until the water is at the marker. The marker is about one-inch below the overflow tube. Then, test the flush valve by dropping some food coloring into the tank. After ten to fifteen minutes, check out the bowl. If you see the water in the toilet bowl has changed, the flapper is leaking and needs to be replaced.

You should not use your toilet as a trash can. Don’t flush facial tissues, cotton balls, diapers, or sanitary products. Doing this can clog your plumbing system and damage the municipal water system.

4. Clogs

Clogs are one of the biggest problems you can experience in a bathroom. A clog means your plumbing isn’t working, and clogs that are persistent can be a source of bacteria build-up and odors. To prevent clogs and backup, follow these steps. First, once a week run hot water down the drain. Second, clear hair and soap chips from the bathtub or shower strainer. Finally, if the clog persists, call a plumbing professional.

5. Bathtubs

Like clearing clogs, you should remove the drain strainer from your bathtub and clean it once a week. You can also use a bent wire hanger to reach into the drain and clear out hair build-up and other small clogs. Also, put boiling water down your drain now and then to clear up soap build-up.

If you experience a clog, you should use a few rounds of boiling water and then try a plunger. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners, because the fumes can be dangerous, especially in a small room like a bathroom. You can also use baking soda and vinegar to clear some clogs. Finally, try using a drain snake to remove larger clogs or call a plumbing maintenance company.

Hiring an experienced plumber will help keep your plumbing system and its fixtures in top condition. Allen’s Tri-State Mechanical Inc. in Amarillo, Texas can help with all your plumbing maintenance needs. We offer Commercial and Residential plumbing services. Call us at (806) 376-8345 or Contact Us by email to learn more.