10 Plumbing Maintenance Tips for Granite City, IL Homes & Businesses
When it comes to the plumbing system at your home or business, you’re talking about a complex system with pipes that wind from the earth below all throughout your home. With water and wastewater traveling throughout your home, you always want a system that’s functioning at optimal levels. However, a complicated system like this can be prone to busted pipes and clogs that can make your day really crappy. To eliminate many of those issues, here are 10 plumbing maintenance tips for a high-functioning system, and don’t forget to find a local plumber for the fast repairs you need when something does go wrong.
Watch What You Flush/Drain
Really, the only thing you should flush is waste and toilet paper. If it’s not one of those things, it belongs in the garbage can. Furthermore, the kitchen sink is no place for foreign objects either. Limit washing oil, coffee grinds and other substances down the down to avoid clogs and large problems down the road.
Insulate Pipes
Granite City gets cold in the winter, making it a good idea to insulate vulnerable pipes in your home to prevent freezing. Especially susceptible areas would be pipes located in walls, attics, crawlspaces, etc. Using foam insulation or even heat tape, it’s easy to prevent frozen pipe problems.
Fix Leaks Right Away
While that tiny drop from the kitchen sink seems harmless, it could be costing big bucks on your water bill. Be sure to have even the smallest of leaks fixed right away to prevent stress on your system and buildup on your bill!
Shut Off the Water
When it comes to doing your own repairs, it’s always best to be advised by a professional. However, if you must attempt the repairs yourself, be sure to shut off all appropriate water valves to limit any potential for flooding. You may even have to shut off the water to the entire home.
Get a Water Softener
If you have the means to acquire a water softener, we highly recommend picking one up. They limit minerals and other particulates in your water that could cause excessive buildup or corrosion in your pipes. Also, they make the water quality better and prevent spots on your dishes!
Keep a Plunger Handy
Where do you want the plunger to be when you’ve got a backed up toilet that’s turning your bathroom into a swimming pool? Answer; you don’t want to have to run across the house to get your only plunger. Keep one handy in every bathroom to ensure you’re ready when duty calls.
Drip Faucets
Dripping your faucets can help alleviate frozen pipe problems in homes where it’s especially prevalent or that don’t have insulated pipes. This involves keeping a drip coming out of one faucet when temperatures drop below freezing; this keeps water moving through the pipes. Choose a faucet far away from the main water source to ensure water must run through the whole house.
Reduce the Water Pressure
While it’s nice to have high water pressure, it can also put a major strain on the pipes and other components of your system. Additionally, water pressure that’s too high could shorten the lifespan of pipes, faucets, drains and more.
Know the Warning Signs
Whether it’s water spots on the wall and ceiling, a slow drain or a faucet that’s lost water pressure, know the sign and symptoms of a problem to ensure you can call a plumber and get it fixed right away.
Know a Professional
The most important tip we can give is to know the local professional that provides quality service when you need it most. In Granite City, that plumber is Morrison. With over 30 years experience and true 24-hour emergency service, there’s no one better for plumbing maintenance, installation, and repair!
