It goes without saying that you’d do everything in your power to protect your Lakewood, CA home investment. Don’t forget that protecting your home means protecting its components, like your plumbing systems.
The good news is that this is easily accomplished with a little preventative maintenance on a regular basis. Don’t be daunted by the prospect of maintaining your plumbing; the following tasks are easy and entirely manageable:
Corrosion Protection
Over time, your plumbing system will most likely corrode. This is caused by a combination of factors, like iron and other minerals in your water that eventually cause damage and breakage to the pipes, causing leaks.
There are certain steps that you can take to extend your plumbing’s life. First, if your pipes are made of copper, you may want to consider switching to PVC.
PVC is far more resistant to rust. Check your water’s PH balance. If it is out of balance, put in a water softener. Make a point of running your water often, as standing water will promote corrosion too.
Drain Cleaning
The right way to clean your drains? With a professional drain cleaning on a regular basis, which can help to reduce the likelihood of clogs ever even having the chance to form.
The wrong way? Dumping a bottle of commercial drain cleaner down the pipes. The same chemicals that work to remove the clog bind to the sides of the pipes and will eventually cause them to leak. It’s not worth the long-term damage for a quick fix.
How to Source Leaks
One of the most important tasks you can do is to find water leaks before they have a chance to develop into something more serious.
Taking care of a small leak is usually a small job with a nominal cost, whereas a bigger leak means more mess and more cost.
Do you know what some of the indications that you’ve got a leak are? Pooling water and moisture on pipes are two major signs. Also be watchful for dropping water pressure, rising water bills, sunken patches on your lawn and mold growth.
Water Pressure
If your water pressure is running too high, that could create damage to your pipes and cause leaks.
Check it regularly to make sure that it is in a good range. Ideally, try to set it between 40-45 psi.
Don’t wait until plumbing leaks damage your home. Follow these tips to avoid leaks in the first place.