Indoor plumbing is one of the things that make modern living so incredible, but that doesn’t mean your pipes don’t need some help from time to time.
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your plumbing system is to take on regular leak-prevention responsibilities, and today we’ll tell you what DIY steps you can take to keep your plumbing in peak form.
Maintain Good Pipe Health
Good pipe health can be easy to keep up as long as you know the different possible causes of corrosion and how to prevent them. For starters, water is one of the major culprits when it comes to corrosion.
To prevent this, it’s best to make sure standing water doesn’t stay in your pipes for too long, especially when you go away on vacation (shut off the water and bleed the pipes before you go).
Similarly, if the water in your hot water tank fully corrodes the anode rod, it will start to attack the metal in the tank, and this will result in iron deposits in your water that can corrode the pipes.
Fortunately, the prevention of this problem is simple and involves replacing the anode rod every five years. Bacteria can also cause corrosion and leaks, and you can stop this from happening with a filter that treats your water before it comes into your plumbing system. Finally, a low-pH, high-acid water can cause corrosion, and you’ll want to treat your water with a calcite neutralizer tank or a soda ash feeder if your water pH is below 6.5.
Put Away the Drano
Chemical drain cleaners are marketed as a quick and simple solution to clogs, but what they don’t tell you is that these products can cause major damage to your pipes, such as corrosion, erosion, and full-on holes.
Luckily, the easy way to prevent these types of leaks is to avoid chemical drain cleaners and instead reach for the plunger or the phone to call your local plumber when you have a clog.
Keep the Water Pressure at a Safe Level
High water pressure may be the bee’s knees when it comes to showering and doing chores around the house, but your pipes will appreciate it if you turn down the heat a little bit.
Safe water pressure is between 30 and 80 psi, and as long as you don’t exceed the higher end, you won’t risk damaging or weakening your pipes, joints, faucets, and appliances.
Know How to Spot Leaks Around the House
One of the most important tasks you can take on when it comes to preventing leaks is knowing how to detect small issues before they turn into major problems.
One thing you can do is regular inspections of your pipes, faucets, shower heads, toilets, and other fixtures and appliances for leaks and drips. If you find anything, address it immediately yourself or call a professional who can.
Another inspection you can do is for leaks that might be behind walls, under floors, or above ceilings. Go around the house and check these surfaces for warping, wetness, discoloration, bubbling, and other signs of water damage. Finally, if you want to be sure you don’t have a leak, check your water meter reading, wait two hours (without using any water), and then check the meter reading again.
DIY leak prevention is simple but something that every homeowner should take seriously. Especially when it comes to keeping your pipes leak-free, taking steps to maintain your plumbing system will only benefit you and your family, and these easy prevention methods will keep your plumbing healthy and functioning optimally.
