As a homeowner, you should be checking your plumbing every couple of months to ensure it’s up to standards. Your plumbing is an essential part of your property and by looking after it you’ll benefit in many ways. Not only will you find your water bill is less (as you will be able to spot any leaks) but you will also benefit from higher water pressure, fewer needs for someone to come in and fix your plumbing issues and it will reduce any health risks.
In order to look after your plumbing, there are a number of home plumbing maintenance tasks that you should know of. Not only should you be checking your drains, but you should also be inspecting your pipework, testing your water pressure, checking your washing machine/dishwasher hoses for cracks/leaks and cleaning your showerhead.
Below we look in more detail at our top tips on home plumbing maintenance tasks you should know.
Testing your water pressure
When was the last time you checked your water pressure? Your water pressure can tell you a lot and whether there is something wrong with your plumbing system. If when using your taps, your shower or bath, you think the water is slower than normal, then perform a check to make sure your water pressure is right. A basic check that you can perform is to get a large jug and place it under the tap. Run this tap and time how long it takes to fill up the jug. If it takes longer than 7 seconds then this could be an indication that something isn’t quite right.
Check your washing machine & dishwasher hoses for cracks or leaks
Your washing machine and dishwasher will be used quite regularly. The more you use them, the greater the chances of a leak occurring through their hoses. Often you will find leaks or cracks appear due to something going through the washing machines that shouldn’t have, like a coin or credit card. This can cause damage to your pipes which you may not be aware of, with a slow leak happening. Check regularly to ensure this hasn’t as if it has, it’s a quick fix if caught quickly enough.
Check your drains for blockage
Just like your guttering, your drains are likely to fill up with moss and dirt over time. The more moss and dirt that is collected in your drains, the more likely they will flood as rain will not be able to disperse when entering. This can cause not only the plumping of your home to clog up but also your drain to overfill, causing nasty smells and leaks. Take a moment every couple of months to lift up your drains and clear out any debris. The more often you do this, the better the condition of your drains will be.
To put it simply, the more things you have on your home plumbing maintenance tasks, the greater your plumbing will be. If you are ever unsure about anything or if you find any issues, call a professional to help fix them. Call in your local plumber as they will be able to assist you. Never try anything if you are unsure and not confident.