Residential Plumbing Maintenance Tips For First-time Homebuyers

Friday, May 17th, 2019
new house plumbing tips

If you have purchased a home for the first time, you may not be exactly sure how to maintain the plumbing. You want to protect your investment, especially since plumbing problems can become expensive fast. Here are some easy ways to maintain your plumbing system.

Take care of fixtures like the faucets

Make sure you look at all your faucets and check for leaks. If left alone, leaks can cause damage over time and waste thousands of gallons of water a year. You can do this on your own, but it is better to hire a local plumbing company. If you choose to fix this on your own, remember to turn the water off, get the right parts, and practice all safety protocols.

Clean the aerators on your faucets regularly to prevent low water flow and leaking faucet handles. You can clean these components by removing them from the faucet, taking them apart, and using a brush dipped in vinegar. If there are any blocked holes in the aerators, you can clean them with a wire.

Clean the showerheads

Showerheads, like faucets, can also become clogged, especially in areas with hard water. You can clean these by taking off the swivel ball nut, then the collar nut. This will give you access to the clogged parts of the fixtures. You can use a thin wire to clear any debris and also soak showerheads in vinegar.

Maintain the garbage disposal

In the kitchen, one of the most important parts of your plumbing to take care of is the garbage disposal. Maintenance for this fixture can be simple. Here are some tricks to help you.

  • Only put certain items in the garbage disposal. It is meant to break down smaller particles of food, not bones, oil, or grease.
  • Break up large chunks of food before putting them in the garbage disposal.
  • Only use cold water when running the disposal.
  • Use citrus fruit peels to help get rid of bad smells.
  • You can clean the disposal by running cold water and some dish soap.
  • Never use drain cleaners, as these can damage your plumbing pipes and garbage disposal.
  • Remember to be safe when trying to get something out of your disposal. Unplug the unit and be sure to use pliers or metal wire to grab the object instead of your fingers.

Maintain your toilets

The first step in taking care of your toilets is to inspect them regularly. Look at the overflow pipe in the tank to make sure there is no water in it. If there is, you can adjust the fill valve to where there is about one inch of water below the pipe. You can check the flush valve next by putting some food coloring into the tank and looking in the bowl fifteen to twenty minutes later. If you see dyed water, you have a leak from the flapper, which can be an easy fix.

Take care of your plumbing pipes

One of the most common issues with residential plumbing is a clogged pipe. There are many smaller lines within your home that run into larger pipes outside and eventually into the main sewer line. Clogs can happen anywhere along these lines. You can help protect your plumbing by running hot water down each drain and putting strainers on sink and tub drains to catch debris. You can also hire a local plumbing company to do regular drain cleaning to ensure your pipes are clear.

Plumbing maintenance in Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle

If you are experiencing plumbing problems in your home, contact the experts at Allen’s Tri-State today. We have decades of experience repairing, inspecting, and maintaining Residential Plumbing systems. Call us at (806) 376-8345 or Send Us an Email to learn more about our services.