Plumbing issues are common in Californian homes, including the Bay Area. Top of the list of most searched plumbing services include:
- Blocked toilets
- Leaking pipes, and
- Overflowing dishwashers
Ageing pipes cause thousands of unrepaired leaks in California‘s 8,000 water systems. Out of the 1.2 trillion gallons of distributed water, at least 84 billion are lost through leaks.
Aside from old pipes and undetected leaks, many property owners in the Bay Area take time to repair or maintain plumbing systems because of perceived associated costs. Delays in servicing worsen the state of potable and drain lines, reducing their lifespan and efficacy in water distribution and wastewater elimination.
Go to:
10 Simple Plumbing System Maintenance Tips
Here are tried and tested ways to enhance your plumbing system performance, prevent water loss, avoid costly rehabilitation and replacements, and increase the system’s life span.
1. Inspect Your Plumbing System
One way to know the type and state of your potable and drain lines is through in-depth inspections. With technological advancements, plumbing inspections require minimal excavation, making them affordable and comprehensive. The most used assessment technique is video pipe inspections. The device’s high-resolution camera and attachment allow it to move deep into your system, transmitting videos of the internal state of your pipes in real time.
2. Install a Water Softener
The Bay Area has a unique estuarine system with salty water from the ocean occasionally mixing with fresh water from the freshwater rivers. The water system means the water line systems get varying degrees of salty water. The salts are corrosive on metal lines, water heaters, and other appliances. You can counter this by installing water softeners to prevent mineral buildup in pipes and fixtures.
3. Clear Out Drains Regularly
Do you want to prevent frequent backups, leaks, and fractures in your drain lines? Clean your drain regularly. Most clogs do not magically appear overnight. They result from accumulating hair, food particles, tissue paper, grease, and random objects. Keep your conduits clear by scheduling cleanups throughout the year to prevent buildup from clogging your drains.
4. Avoid Pouring Grease Down the Drain
Accumulated grease is a common clog in many drains in the Bay Area. While the oil appears liquid, once in your drain, it degrades into its basic components – fatty acids and glycerol. The fatty acids bind to the minerals prevalent in the Bay Area’s salty water, forming solid blockages. The cold temperatures underground also exacerbate the solidification, creating impenetrable clogs. One of the most effective tips in preventive plumbing maintenance is disposing of used grease in a can and throwing it in your trash.
5. Install Drain Screen
One way to slow down the rate of clogs forming in your sewer line is by installing drain screens to trap most of your solid matter before releasing water down the drain. The screen acts like a sieve, trapping hair, food particles, and other objects from entering the drain system. Clear the screens to enhance water flow into the drain.
6. Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
Consider using eco-friendly solutions to clear your drain. Chemical drain cleaners can release toxic gasses that are harmful to the environment and your drain. While the chemicals can dissolve clogs, they can also destroy the structural integrity of your drain pipe walls through chemical reactions like corrosion, creating fractures.
7. Insulate Exposed Pipes
Cold snaps happen everywhere in America, even in the Bay Area. Furthermore, it doesn’t take extreme cold weather for pipes to freeze. When temperatures plummet, stagnant water in your water and drain lines can freeze. When water freezes, it expands, exerting pressure on your pipes, creating fractures or causing them to burst. Maintain internal temperature inside your plumbing system by installing insulated pipes.
8. Check Your Water Pressure
One indicator of a malfunctioning plumbing system is pressure variations. Water pressure significantly reduces when your potable system loses water from a leak or burst. A similar outcome occurs when there are blockages inside the pipes. The clog interferes with water flow and redistributes pressure around the affected area. You can identify the cause of water pressure variations through in-depth pipe inspections.
9. Fix Your Leaks Immediately
Leaks can cause extensive issues in your plumbing system and property, from mold and mildew infestations to cross-contamination, property structural compromises, and conduit breakage. Be proactive in inspecting your plumbing system for leaks and repairing them before they become costly problems. Check your water bill for uncounted excessive water usage, assess water pressure and debris infiltration, listen or look for constant dripping, and inspect surfaces for wetness, smells, or mold.
10. Embrace Regular Maintenance
Consistent and professional maintenance is the most cost-effective solution for assessing your plumbing system. It enables you to find issues early and fix them before they escalate. Additionally, maintenance ensures your plumbing lines function optimally and increases your line’s lifespan by reducing wear and tear.
Hire Next Level Plumbing For Expert Services
These maintenance tips are essential in ensuring optimal water flow in your plumbing system. At Next Level Plumbing, we provide professional, reliable, and affordable plumbing services in the Bay Area. Call us today for customized solutions.
