Top Plumbing Maintenance Tips So You Can Avoid Costly Repairs
Having plumbing issues in your home can be a big problem. Plumbing problems can cause damage to your home, and they can also be expensive to repair. Regular plumbing maintenance is a great way to help avoid costly plumbing repairs and protect the integrity of your plumbing system.
The plumbing system of your home is responsible for maintaining the overall water supply and sewage system. So, maintenance of the plumbing system also should be one of the top priorities of a homeowner or renter.
In today’s discussion, we’ll explore some common plumbing issues and share some cost-effective ways you can ensure the best plumbing maintenance at your property.
We’ll also talk about the difference between home and commercial plumbing services, when to call the professionals, and when you can DIY your way around. Without any further ado, let’s get right into it!
Common Plumbing Problems in Toronto
Regular plumbing maintenance is essential for the proper functioning of a household, as it helps to prevent costly repairs and potential water damage. Develop and maintain a plumbing maintenance checklist in order to ensure optimal performance of pipes and fixtures, reduce the risk of flooding or other water-related issues, and maintain the overall efficiency and longevity of a plumbing system.
According to the First State of the Canadian Home Survey, a significant number of Canadian homeowners are financially unprepared for a home plumbing emergency. Nearly one in five (19%) homeowners have no money at all set aside for an emergency home repair while almost one-third (31%) have only $500 or less.
Here in Toronto, plumbing problems like leaks, clogged drains, and plumbing back-ups are all too common. These plumbing issues can be caused by faulty plumbing fixtures, broken pipes, or improper plumbing installation.
Let’s have a closer look at some of the most common household plumbing issues that can be solved with the help of regular plumbing maintenance.
Leaking Pipes
Leaking pipes are a common plumbing issue that can lead to severe water damage in your home. If left unchecked, leaking pipes can cause mold growth and other structural damages as well.
Regular inspections of your pipes are necessary to identify any signs of leaks or corrosion before they become serious problems.
Clogged Drains
Clogged drains can cause a lot of nuisance, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. Common causes of clogged drains are hair, soap scum, food residue, etc. Regular maintenance of the plumbing system can help identify signs of any clogs early on and prevent them from becoming severe issues.
You can use DIY and other home remedies for this issue. There are a lot of ways you can unclog a drain.
But if nothing works, it’s wise to seek professional drain unclogging service from your local plumbing maintenance company.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure is another nuisance and can impact your daily lifestyle. The main reasons for such low water pressure in your plumbing system can be due to sediment buildup in pipes, corrosion, or even faulty fixtures.
By having an experienced plumber inspect your plumbing system, you can identify the cause of low water pressure and take necessary action before it becomes worse.
Running Toilets
Running toilets can be both extremely annoying and costly if left unchecked. Common causes of running toilets are worn-out flapper valves, faulty toilet fill valves, or even clogged pipes. Regular maintenance of toilets can help identify the issues early and keep your water bill to a minimum.
Faulty Fixtures
Faulty plumbing fixtures, such as faucets, showerheads, and toilets can cause a lot of issues. Faulty fixtures can cause leaks, water damage, and even mold growth. Having an experienced plumber inspect your fixtures regularly is essential in order to identify any problems before they become worse.
Congratulations! Now you know a lot about the most common plumbing issues. But now the question is, how do you keep all these plumbing issues to a minimum? Well, that’s what we’ll explore now, so follow along!
A Look Into Plumbing Preventative Maintenance Tips
Regular plumbing maintenance is the key to keeping your plumbing system in good condition. It doesn’t only increase the durability of your system, but also prevents further plumbing issues down the line.
The overall maintenance includes inspection, replacing, cleaning, and fixing. Let’s have a closer look at the whole maintenance process and how it works.
Regular Inspections
Getting the plumbing system inspected on a regular basis by an experienced plumber is key to preventing future problems. The plumbers can detect any signs of faulty fixtures or pipes, and parts that are due for replacement before they become serious issues.
Try to observe your pipelines and plumbing courses once in a month. If you face any water blockage issue, seeking professional help would be the wisest course of action.
Replacing Old Fixtures
For a durable and efficient pipeline and water supply, consider wasting your money on quality plumbing materials. Rusted, corroded, and old pipelines or parts should be replaced quickly, otherwise it can cause health issues.
Chemical cleaning or physical cleaning can be a home remedy to prevent rusted supply lines and clogging issues. You can also use common household items like lime juice, vinegar, and baking soda to clean the rusted and corroded part away.
Rusted and old joints can leak or break, and cause major water loss, as well as blockage. Replacing these elements can be a better way to fix these issues.
Cleaning and Unclogging Drains
You can clean and unclog the drains by using homemade cleaning products, or call a professional plumber to do the job. Tools like plungers, hi-pressure water jets, and drain snakes work great to unclog drains.
You can also use chemical drain cleaners that are sold in stores. Chemical cleansing is the easiest way for non-solid materials which are causing the blockage. However, be careful about using harsh chemicals as it may damage the environment.
Try to clean your drains and garbage disposal system cleaned at least 3-4 times a year.
Fixing Leaks
Leaky water systems or pipes can cause great water loss and increase your energy bills. You should try to identify the source of the leak as soon as you can, then it would be easier for you to fix it.
For minor leaks, apply some sealant or a patch to stop them temporarily. But if the leaks are severe, or if you find it difficult to track the source of the leak, then call for professional help.
DIY Plumbing Maintenance
Are you thinking about cost-effective monthly plumbing maintenance? Or an easy way for your home plumbing maintenance?
Homeowners can perform home plumbing maintenance tasks, such as cleaning and inspecting pipes, fixtures and other parts of the system on their own. All you need is the right tools and some basic knowledge about home plumbing.
Tools Needed for General Plumbing Maintenance
Plunger: You can simply fill the sink or basin, and then push and pull toward the inner hole of your plumbing line to create suction, and break up the clog.
Small but long-term blockages created by hair, soap, and food particles can be cleaned with this tool easily. If you don’t have a plunger, you can also use a wire coat hanger to break up clogs.
Auger: An auger is an effective tool for home plumbing maintenance and it helps in removing any solid objects that are stuck in your pipes or drains. It is a plumbing snake with a cable attached to the end which can be inserted into the pipe and controlled from outside.
Wire Brush: A wire brush can be helpful in general plumbing maintenance too. It helps in cleaning out rusty and corroded pipelines by removing any accumulated rust or scale. It is also useful when it comes to removing dirt from the inner walls of your pipes or fixtures.
Hydro Jets: This tool puts high water pressure to blow the blocking stuff away from the inner pathway. To remove grease, mineral buildup, and other stubborn clogs, no other method is a s efficient as this one.
Chemical Cleaners: Chemical cleaners are so powerful to dissolve any non-solid portion of blocked plumbing lines. This also may harm pipe layers and the water ecosystem.
Household Items: at hangers and household items such as lime juice, vinegar, and baking soda can be used for home plumbing maintenance too. These items help to clean the rusted and corroded parts away.
Tips for Successful DIY Maintenance
Coordinating regular plumbing maintenance for your home is essential for a safe and efficient plumbing system. The key to successful DIY plumbing maintenance is knowing what tools are needed and when to use them. Here are some tips that will help you with your DIY plumbing maintenance:
Know the overall plumbing system: Before attempting any DIY work, make sure that you know the basic layout of your plumbing system. Understanding how the different components are connected will help you identify issues and fix them quickly.
Always wear protective gear: Whenever doing plumbing maintenance at home, make sure to wear safety gear such as gloves, goggles, and a mask so that no harm comes to you.
Use the right tools for the job: Using the right tools is essential to success when it comes to DIY plumbing maintenance. Be sure to use only quality pipes, fittings, and other materials that are designed for residential use. Keep the tools close in case of emergencies.
Follow instructions carefully: If you’re using a product or tool for the first time, be sure to read the instructions carefully and follow them as best as you can.
Build a maintenance routine: Regular flushing, drain line cleaning, and leak checking are good practices as plumbing preventative maintenance. Try to keep such a habit as a regular home inspection task.
Preventive measures: Regular maintenance of your plumbing system is essential for its longevity. Replace any worn or corroded pipes, check all connections regularly and install a water softener if necessary.
Home Plumbing Maintenance Vs Commercial Plumbing Maintenance: Key Difference
There are a couple of differences that stand out in the home plumbing maintenance vs commercial plumbing maintenance debate. Here are the major ones:
Home plumbing projects are generally done by individuals and require minimal equipment, while professional plumbers have access to more sophisticated tools, better knowledge and experience in dealing with complex issues.
Home plumbing maintenance usually involves the use of household items and DIY techniques like plungers, augers, wire brushes etc. Commercial plumbing services also involve the usage of specialized machines such as hydro-jetters, pipe locators, etc. which are used for heavy-duty jobs beyond the capability of an individual homeowner.
Furthermore, commercial plumbers will also offer you a warranty on the repair work they do so that you can be assured about their quality of service in case any damage is caused by the repair work.
Home plumbing maintenance generally does not come with any warranty or guarantee, so you may want to consider hiring a professional for ensuring peace of mind.
Carrying out home plumbing maintenance can save you money in the long run. It requires basic tools and some knowledge about home plumbing, but it does not require high-tech equipment.
On the other hand, commercial plumbing maintenance requires specialized equipment and expertise to perform complex tasks such as repairing and installing plumbing fixtures. As a result, home plumbing maintenance is less expensive when compared to commercial services.
When To Call A Professional Plumbing Maintenance Company
Although DIY plumbing maintenance can save you a lot of money, there are some circumstances when it is better to call in a professional plumber. Here are some situations where you should definitely hire an experienced technician:
Old Plumbing fixtures
If you have old plumbing fixtures that need replacing, it is best to hire a professional plumber who can remove them safely without causing any damage. They also have access to higher quality parts that may not be available to the average homeowner.
Complex Issues
If you find yourself dealing with any complex plumbing issues such as bursting pipes and water heater repairs, it is best to call in a professional plumber. A qualified technician will have the knowledge and experience needed to carry out complex repair jobs safely and effectively.
Safety Concerns
Dealing with plumbing issues can sometimes turn out to be dangerous. If you feel like you don’t have the skills or knowledge needed to tackle a plumbing issue, it is best to call in a professional plumber for assistance. They will help you get the job done without any risk of injury or damage.
Epilogue
And with this, we’ve reached the end of our discussion today. Our goal was to provide a general overview of the importance of regular plumbing maintenance to protect your property. We’ve talked about home/commercial plumbing maintenance, common plumbing issues, DIY maintenance, and plumbing preventative maintenance anyone can follow.
Whether you are a homeowner or a renter here in Toronto, plumbing maintenance can be the difference between peace of mind and a disastrous plumbing emergency.
If you are ever in need of a 24 hour plumber in Toronto, feel free to reach out to us here at Citizen Plumbing. We are a Premier Plumbing Service Provider company with over 25 years of experience. We can help you to keep your plumbing system running smoothly for years to come. Contact us today for a free estimation!
Thanks for reading this far. I hope this information will prove to be helpful in preventing plumbing issues in your home or office. Feel free to reach out if you have any further queries. I wish you all a great weekend ahead!
FAQs
Is A Monthly Plumbing Maintenance Plan Necessary?
If you have an older home with outdated plumbing fixtures, then monthly maintenance plans may be necessary to keep your pipes and drains running smoothly. On the other hand, if you have a newer home with modern fixtures and updated piping, then monthly plumbing maintenance plans may not be necessary.
How Can I Protect Plumbing Lines In Winter?
Make sure all exterior pipes, such as those in garages and outbuildings, are insulated. This will help prevent freezing and bursting of pipes during cold snaps. You should also turn off your water supply if you’re away from home during a cold snap and drain any remaining water from the pipes. Additionally, keep your thermostat at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to have your plumbing system inspected by a professional prior to winter for an extra layer of protection.