Importance of Plumbing Maintenance

There’s no two ways about it, household maintenance is a boring job… but just because it’s boring doesn’t mean it isn’t necessary. When it comes to home maintenance, we often forget about things like the pipes, drains, and taps and only ever think about it when they block up or burst. Rather than waiting for an emergency situation and having to fork out for the cost of that, it’s a better idea to budget for plumbing maintenance and aim to avoid the emergency situation all together.

Here are some of the basic plumbing maintenance tips:

• Drains and Sinks

Kitchen sinks are often clogged with food and cooking oil. Even as you’re washing the tea leaves down the sink you know it’s a bad idea but do it anyway. And, who hasn’t had that horrible job of pulling hair out of the shower or bath plughole when it stops draining properly. A simple strainer on top of plug holes can help stop much of that gunk heading down the drain in the first place.

• Pipes and Taps

A drip or two from water pipes and taps should be given immediate attention. This is a small sign of a problem that will only get bigger if left alone. The pipes in your home can be affected by the toxins and chemical composition of cleaning products we use when unclogging drains and sinks. When taps start dripping, check the washer, it might need replacing. You can also check the main valve, the pressure might be too much which could be causing continuous dripping. If you’ve adjusted it already and replaced the washer, and the drip is still there, you may need a replace the tap.

• Sewer Lines

An annual inspection of sewer lines should be done to ensure water flows properly and continues to where it should go. If you have a garden, or trees near where your sewer lines are installed, there’s a possibility that roots might affect the pipeline. Tree roots can often be a cause of broken pipes. Call a plumber to have it checked once in a while, and never plant anything near your sewer line.

Maintenance and plumbing system checkups are designed to prevent costly repairs and replacements. You can do it yourself, but if you don’t know what to look for, it’s a good idea to get a professional plumber do it for you.