Just like changing the batteries in your smoke alarms, evaluating your plumbing system every spring is a vital part of home maintenance. A quick review of your system could help you avoid costly repairs in the future. When you discover a problem, you may need the help of a plumbing technician. Each year, take a few minutes to evaluate the condition of your indoor and outdoor plumbing system:
- Outdoor Faucets: Even a small, constant drip wastes water unnecessarily, and can seep into the ground and potentially damage the foundation of your home. Check out all outdoor faucets for leaks. If a faucet is leaking, the most common problem is a worn washer. Some older faucets may need to be partially or completely replaced.
- Irrigation System: Homes with an irrigation system can have invisible leaks. A simple way to identify a leak in the system to take a reading on your water meter before going to bed. If it shows any change in the morning, you may have a leak in the system.
- Patio Drains: Clean away any debris on your patio drains, and ensure they are working as they should. Clean out gutters and downspouts of the debris and leaves that collected during the winter months.
- Sink Traps: If your drains are slow, the problem could be in the sink trap. Some do-it-yourselfers may want to attempt resolving this themselves, while others trust to us at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Bay Area. The sink trap is the curved bend in the pipe beneath a sink, bathtub, or toilet, and is filled with water that prevents sewer gas from entering the home. If you smell sewer gas, it is time to get the sink traps cleared.
- Toilets: If your toilet tends to run or requires a “jiggle” to get it to fill, it is time to replace the tank parts. If your toilet bowl fills to the point of overflow, you have a clog somewhere in your system. Rather than waiting, get the problem completely solved. Our plumber may “snake” the toilet or may need to remove it to get at the blockage.
- Water Heater: Water heaters have a limited lifespan and will require replacement after about ten years. Some may last a few years longer. Newer water heaters, particularly tankless hot water heaters, are far more energy efficient. If your water heater is older, take proactive steps and have it replaced before it develops a leak or suddenly fails.
- Showers: Clean mineral deposits on your shower heads. Remove and soak in white vinegar to dissolve deposits.
- Water Supply Valves: Open and close water supply valves for sinks and toilets several times to keep them from getting frozen in position.
When You Need a Plumber
Not every homeowner is a do-it-yourselfer or wants to get involved in plumbing repairs! When it comes to plumbing, our team of technicians does the job right, understands your time is valuable, and our services are guaranteed! From simple jobs to the most complex, we have the training, skills, and knowledge you want when you call a plumber. If you discover a problem in your plumbing system, we can solve it fast.