Whether you’re a new homeowner, or you’re just tired of paying for plumbing repairs, you may be thinking to yourself, “what would make my less-than-perfect plumbing system perfect?” The truth is that there’s no such thing as a “perfect” system, although you can always come close to perfect by diligently maintaining your pipes.
Below is a checklist of things to ask yourself if you want a “perfect” plumbing system. How does your home’s current plumbing measure up?
Do You Schedule Regular Drain Cleanings?
Maintaining regular and timely drain cleanings is perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind in your pursuit of a "perfect" plumbing system. You should have your drains professionally cleaned at least twice a year, to keep them working efficiently.
Some other benefits to regular drain cleanings include:
- Clearing our stubborn or recurring clogs.
- Reducing unpleasant odors from your drains.
- Lowering your risk of being hit with a plumbing emergency.
- Allowing your plumber to identify potential issues in your pipes before they get out of hand.
Is Your Water Pressure Well Balanced?
Making sure that you keep safe, yet efficient, water pressure in your home is also critical. As with most things in life, your water needs to be balanced, or it will throw off your whole system.
Too much water pressure may not seem like a terrible thing (especially if you have previously experienced showering with very little water pressure), but it can do some severe damage to your pipes and fixtures.
High water pressure can beat down on your pipes, making them more susceptible to breaking or leaking. This is especially true for older pipes and can put you at risk for flooding and excessive water waste. Low water pressure may seem like little more than an inconvenience, but it can also be a sign of something more serious.
If your water pressure suddenly drops inexplicably, and your pressure gauge shows no apparent change, it may be that there is a blockage somewhere in the line that is prohibiting an adequate amount of water to pass through. This can also put your system at risk for broken pipes, and severe leaking.
Are Your Drains Protected by Hair Blockers?
One easy and affordable way you can make your plumbing system a bit more "perfect" is by keeping your drains free of hair and other debris with a screen.
Drain screens, also known as hair blockers, keep hair out of shower drains, food debris out of kitchen sinks, and debris such as leaves and twigs out of outdoor drains.
Maintaining your drains this way will not only keep your drains emptying quickly but will also allow you to go six months between drain cleanings.
Does Your System Meet All of Your City’s Requirements?
To put it simply, yours couldn’t be a model plumbing system if it didn’t obey the law of the land. A “perfect” plumbing system is up to date on (and passes) inspections, has all of the permits required by city building codes, and is only worked on by licensed plumbing professionals.
As long as you make sure to keep your plumbing system up to code, keep your drains clean and free from debris, and monitor your water pressure, there is no reason why someone shouldn’t picture your home when they think of a “perfect” plumbing system!
