Warmer weather is a perfect time to take on some plumbing maintenance efforts around your business or home. The old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” holds true when performing regular plumbing maintenance. Maintenance before cold weather sets in and now before the summer heats up can save lots of money in the budget. Follow our guide that will walk you through some helpful steps.
Plumbing Leaks
Any place water is turned on or off – sinks, showers, outside spigots – is a great place to start inspecting for leaks. Look for dripping faucets or shower heads, and also check around the base of these outlets to determine if any water is seeping from the bases and pooling. Also check ice maker water lines and washing machine hoses. Toilets, which get flushed constantly, are also possible leak points. A toilet that runs continuously, has a loose foundation or flushes slowly could be leaking. Any points of leaking water are signs that some part of the equipment isn’t functioning properly. Cold weather or sudden changes in weather may have weakened faucet parts or caused a pipe to crack and leak or burst. Check all exposed pipes under sinks, in the basement or behind toilets. The urgency is to catch any leaks before they linger. These points of plumbing water leaks may have been there for some time. If so, leaking water could be spreading into flooring, cabinets or walls. Wet or damp building materials may attract outside pests such as termites or encourage the growth of mildew or mold inside your business or home. These can lead to serious property damage or health concerns. Check now for plumbing leaks to help keep your business or home safe from water damage in the future.
Pressure And Hot Water
Low water pressure may be a sign you have a more serious problem. Causes may include a water softener that needs service, a failing water heater or an unseen leaking pipe. The valve controlling the water pressure when water enters your business or home from the street may also be malfunctioning. Warm weather means it’s time to check your hot water heater. If your unit is older than 15 years, it’s time to consider replacement. Top hot water heater maintenance concerns are keeping the temperature setting no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, removing anything that has been stored within 2 feet of the unit, and checking for any water leaks at the connections where cold water flows into the unit and hot water flows out to the interior pipes. Keeping your hot water heater working at peak performance saves energy and money.
Drain Cleaning
Drains that are working properly shouldn’t be releasing any foul smells into the air. Check all strains to make sure they are not broken. They should be working properly to keep large debris from washing down the drain and getting stuck. Rotting debris can create a foul stench. If you have any drains that are not often used, pour several pints of water down them. This keeps the trap full and stops odors from escaping the drain pipes. Drains in sinks and tubs should be cleaned. Run hot water from the tap down the drains and use a store-purchased plastic wand or bent wire coat hanger to clear out any hair or other debris. Common drain problems are caused by a clog of hair and personal cleaning products. Once any clog is cleared, run the hot water again. If this process doesn’t work, the clog is likely further down the pipe and is a more significant problem. It’s time to call a plumber.
Professional Plumbing Company
Whether you need regular maintenance, emergency repairs, or any related plumbing service, you’ll need a professional plumbing company ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You deserve the best plumbing system possible, provided by professional plumbers with the skills and knowledge to make it happen. Your residential plumbing or commercial plumbing needs deserve quality service from a local company. For all plumbing needs in Austin, call the professionals at Reliant Plumbing today at [rp_phone withdots=”true”].
