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Top 5 Plumbing Maintenance Tips From The Experts

March 23, 2022

The plumbing in your home is a complex system, but it's an essential one for keeping you clean, fed and warm. It's easy to take your toilet, sink and shower for granted, at least until something goes wrong. But don't panic, practically every household will experience a plumbing problem at some point. Here are 5 plumbing maintenance tips to keep your house in good working condition.

1. Check for Leaks on a Regular Basis

Your water bills will go up quickly if you have a leaking tap or toilet, but leaks can also cause damage to your home that is costly to repair. Many causes of leaks, such as corroded and rusty pipes, happen over time. So, make sure you assess your pipes regularly for signs of deterioration. You should get in touch with a professional plumber if you notice rust or water droplets on the exterior of the pipes.

2. Don’t Use the Toilet as a Garbage Bin

The only things you should be flushing down your toilet are your toilet paper and bodily waste. A toilet bowl is not a bin, so never flush cotton buds, hair, sanitary products or makeup wipes as this will cause a blockage. Clearing a blocked toilet isn't fun and calling in a plumber to fix it is an expense you could easily avoid.

3. Monitor Your Water Pressure

If it takes longer to run the hot water tap or have a shower, chances are your water pressure is low. On the other hand, if you notice a leak or one of your pipes ruptures, your water pressure is too high. Using a pressure gauge to check your water pressure can help you to spot fluctuations in pressure before costly damage occurs.

4. Stay Away From Drain Cleaners That Include Chemicals

When you have a sluggish drain or a blockage, it's tempting to use a chemical drain cleaner, but these solutions hardly ever clear a blockage entirely. In other words, you'll need to continue using them to keep the drain clean. Instead, if one of your drains is clogged, use a plunger to clear it out. If you're unable to remove the clog on your own, contact a professional plumber instead - they will be able to clear the blockage without causing damage to your pipes.

5. Use Food Colouring to Check if Your Toilet Is Leaking

Do you think water is seeping from your toilet's water tank into the bowl? The best way to check is to put some red food dye in the tank and wait an hour. If the red water has seeped into the bowl after this time, you need to replace the tank ball to prevent water from leaking out.