Keeping Your Plumbing Flowing Properly With Basic Maintenance And Care
The plumbing in your home does not need much attention, but there are some times when maintaining the system will become essential. Plumbing maintenance is not difficult, but if neglected, it can become a problem down the road.
Basic Care
The plumbing in your home is designed to flow water and waste, so any materials that go down the drain must be able to pass through the pipes without getting stuck. Things like grease from cooking can create a real problem because it will form a layer on the inside of the pipe that makes it hard for water and waste to slide through the line smoothly.
Basic plumbing maintenance includes taking the time to ensure things that should not go down the drain don't end up in the pipes. Using chemicals to clean the system after a problem arises is also not a good idea. The chemicals can cause problems in the sewer system or septic tank if you have one.
Having the pipes hydro jetted and cleaned will help ensure any buildup in the pipes is removed, but this process can take some time, is costly, and must be done by a professional plumber.
Cleaning The Pipes
Slow drains can signal a potential issue with your plumbing. Often it means that is a partial blockage in the system, and a plumbing maintenance service will need to come to clean the lines for you.
Typically the plumber will use a high-pressure hose and water to clean the line starting at the clean-out near where the sewer line leaves the house. The clean-out is the lowest spot in the system, so cleaning from that point and moving up into the mainline allows any debris coming off the pipe walls to flow down the line and out to the sewer system.
The plumber will continue up the line until they have cleaned to the top of the plumbing system in your home, then test the drains to ensure they are working again.
Plumbing Leaks
It is essential to check the plumbing system for leaks from time to time. A small leak that is not repaired can worsen until the leak causes damage to the wood and other materials around it. A plumbing maintenance service or local plumber can help if you are not comfortable fixing the leak. Taking the time to inspect the plumbing system regularly, deal with leaks, slow drains, and other issues can make a significant difference in the plumbing in your home.