For many people, a call to the plumber usually means a disaster has struck. Although most plumbing repairs should be performed by a trained professional, there are steps you can take to reduce the number of visits needed and save you money in the long run. Here are some of the ways to extend the life of your plumbing system:
1. Prevent Clogs
Clogged drains are one of the most common reasons for a plumbing service call. Fortunately for you and your wallet, they're fairly easy to prevent. Inform your family about what's acceptable to be flushed and what shouldn't go down the drain at all. Adding drain covers to sinks, bathtubs, and showers will help prevent hair from getting caught and keep the plumber away from your home.
2. Ask for Preventative Maintenance
Plumbers can be expensive, so if you need to take care of a few different issues around the house, it'd be wise to condense all the repairs into one trip. Have the plumber look at your pipes, faucets, and exterior plumbing to check for potential issues, damage, or wear.
3. Get a Snake
The professionals use a drain snake and so can you! Head to your plumbing supply store or hardware store and use it to go through your drains when a problem arises. It's an easy fix and will save you money in the long run, but also will help with flow quality through your pipes.
4. Check for Leaks or Running Water
Small leaks or a more-than-usual running toilet can create a spike in your water bill and create problems for your plumbing later on. If you are willing to get your hands a little dirty, you can diagnose and correct some issues yourself. In the instance of a running toilet, check the chain and flapper at the bottom of the tank to see if it's fully sealing. That's a relatively simple fix and may only require a cheap part replacement - not something typically worth a plumbing service call.
5. Inspect your Pipes Each Season
Use the changing seasons as a regular reminder to check your pipes for cracks, leaks, and other issues! Ensuring problems get taken care of before they become expensive and damaging disasters can go a long way to helping the lifetime of your plumbing.
Contact Pioneer Plumbing and Heating to discuss how we can help you limit your costs and prevent extensive damage to your plumbing systems.
