Without a proper plumbing system, life at home becomes difficult. After all, who wants to deal with low water pressure and clogged drains when you are trying to get on with your busy day and attend to your family’s needs? Serious plumbing issues can also end up costing a lot of money. It’s no wonder water damage accounts for as much as 40 percent of all home insurance claims throughout Canada.
To avoid plumbing catastrophes, a plumber recommends you must learn how to properly use and maintain your system. Easy-to-follow tips from a professional plumber can help.
Reduce Your Water Pressure
High water pressure can be nice when scrubbing dishes or taking a shower. However, it comes at your expense. It not only uses more electricity from your pump, but it also applies more pressure on your pipes. Subsequently, leaks can develop.
To check your water pressure, you can use a hose bib gauge. Normal water pressure typically ranges from 40 to 85 psi. If yours rises above this level, you can contact a plumber to install a pressure reducer.
Soften Your Water
When your water maintains a high mineral content, it threatens the lifespan of your plumbing. Minerals such as calcium and magnesium tend to accumulate inside your pipes and eventually restrict their flow. The pressure is therefore increased, raising the prospects for a pipe burst. These minerals can also result in corrosion to pipe fittings and joints.
One of the best ways to tell if you are dealing with mineral-laden hard water at home is to check for any white buildup on both your faucets and showerheads. If you can confirm that hard water runs throughout your household, consider installing a water softener. Typically, a water softener uses sodium to counteract any minerals in your water. There are also new electronic softeners utilizing electromagnetic pulses to dissolve minerals in water instead of using sodium.
Avoid Using Chemical Drain-Clearing Products
Sure, you can readily buy chemicals to clear your clogged drains at home. The problem with using these lies in their caustic ingredients, which erode particular types of metal pipes. These chemicals are intended to only temporarily resolve your clog. The same problem is likely to occur down the road.
Follow these tips to minimize plumbing issues year-round. However, in case you spot any signs of trouble, be sure to contact a professional plumber right away for assistance. It’s important for any plumbing problems to be fixed immediately before the situation worsens. A well-maintained plumbing system leaves your busy days uninterrupted and stress-free.
Sources:
Plumbing Maintenance Tips, hgtv.com
Caring for Your Plumbing System, houselogic.com
Water Damage Statistics, simplyjustice.com