Overlooked Plumbing Maintenance That Can Be Costly

We all must keep a checklist of home maintenance work that must be done periodically. This holds true especially for our home plumbing system. It is doubly important if you do not have a licensed plumbing professional that does regular plumbing inspection on your home. Did you know that there are some plumbing maintenance that can be overlooked, which can result in costly and damaging consequences? Here are some things that should be on your plumbing maintenance checklist regularly.

Plumbing Water Pressure

Are you aware that extremely high water pressure can result in wreck plumbing fixtures and appliances? When the water pressure goes beyond what is recommended for home use, it is normal to see pipes rupturing and hoses bursting. This is something that you definitely have to worry about because it will obviously be very costly if you do not address the problem immediately.

First off, your home plumbing system must be equipped with a pressure-reducing valve. Secondly, it is important to note that these valves are not meant to last forever. This means that you have to check them regularly and replace them after a couple of years. The reality though is that in some homes, the pressure-reducing valves are not checked and can be as old as 20 years.

What is the acceptable water pressure that should be flowing in your home? The maximum recommended water pressure in an average home should be no more than 80 psi. Can you imagine what would happen if you have a water pressure of anywhere from 100 psi to 150 psi? Luckily, replacing old valves or having one installed (in case there is none) should not cost you very much and can help limit the water pressure to about 75 psi. To check if you have this type of valve, look near the main water shutoff in your home.

When remained unchecked, the extreme water pressure will be detrimental to your plumbing pipes, connections, and water appliances. You may also experience water hammer and excessive water consumption. With pressure-reducing valves, keeping the water pressure in check is as easy as looking at its gauge. You can buy a good pressure-reducing valve from your local home center.

Draining Sediments

What happens when you fail to drain the sediment from your water heater? The most common consequence is that you will shorten its expected life cycle. Usually, the expected life cycle of water heaters is about 10 to 15 years on the average. If you do not maintain it properly by removing the sediments, then you can just as easily cut its life cycle by half.

The sediments can also cause the water heater to corrode resulting in leaks. When this happens it will need immediate attention from a licensed professional plumber. Normally, draining of sediments should be done at least once a year. This is because another consequence of sediment buildup is that it can create hot spots that will damage the tank resulting in premature failure. If you have an electric water heater, the consequence is lower heating from the element. You can also face high energy bills from the presence of the sediments.

Testing Sump Pumps

Homeowners that have sump pumps should also regularly check if it is functioning, otherwise, the risk of flooding becomes very high. Can you imagine coming back from vacation and returning to a flooded home? Because sump pumps are hidden in the basement, it is easy to forget that you have them.

Normally, sump pumps can be very easy to maintain. Just make sure that nothing is tangles with the float or check if the backup battery and the breaker is working properly. Remember that sump pumps should kick in immediately after the water reaches a certain level. Sump pumps must have a vertical float switch so that it can work properly. The unit must also be checked a couple of times each year to be sure it is in good working order.

Bottom line is that if you want to avoid costly repairs and keep your home plumbing in tiptop condition, pick up the phone and call Emergency Response Plumber now!