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At Best Carpet Cleaning Guide we know that as the weather heats, it’s time to take a step back and consider adequate property-wide plumbing maintenance. Time flies, and you may find yourself dealing with plumbing troubles you aren’t even aware of.
Here’s a list of the most useful and simple plumbing maintenance tips for the spring!
Examine the toilet tanks, tubs, and bowls for any cracks or leaks.
Professional leak repair is frequently required for high-traffic components such as sinks, batteries, and, of course, toilets. It could be due to a crack in the seat or faulty pipes allowing water in and out.
Examine the float valve and the system.
Check that it is set to a low setting. If it is set too high, water may flow into the bowl rather than out. Examine the seal around the tank. If the gasket has worn down, water may be able to seep in. Change it with a new one.
Regularly flush your toilet.
Consider hiring a professional for tap replacement and repair.
Adding droplets of food colouring to the toilet tank is a wonderful leak detection technique. If the toilet is leaking, multicoloured leaks will trickle at the place of the breach, and it’s up to you from there.
Examine the faucets for drips or leaks. Repairs should be scheduled.
Check that your toilet flushes properly.
If the handle must be held down for a thorough flush or jiggled to stop the water from running, some tank parts may need to be replaced. If you’re prepared to do some handyman work, the parts aren’t that expensive, and you’ll notice a decreased water cost.
Pour a bucket or two of water into the sump pit to ensure the sump pump is working properly. The pump should start swiftly, discharge the water, and then turn off without incident.
Water heaters that are more than 15 years old should be replaced.
Heating technology and standards advance, and the fact is that newer water heaters are just way more energy-efficient. It’s a good idea to replace your old water heater with a newer model when the time is right.
Tank replacement If the following conditions exist, it is time to replace the tank:
- The heat exchanger has become corroded.
- The metal shows signs of corrosion.
- The tank has a crack in it.
- The tank is dripping.
- The tank’s water pressure is low.
Check temperature settings on your water heater
It should be set no higher than 50 degrees to prevent scalding and reduce energy use.
Carefully drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out corrosion-causing sediment, which reduces heating efficiency and shortens the heater’s life. Check your water heater manufacturer’s website for specific instructions concerning your make and model.
Remove sediments from boilers
Sediment buildup in boilers cause reduced efficiency, increased energy consumption, and shortened lifespan of the equipment. It acts as a physical barrier between the heating element in the tank, thus reducing its overall efficiency.
You don’t want a barrier between heating elements. Neglecting to spot on time, makes it harder to heat water for household use such as showers, dishwashers, and laundry.
Check dishwasher, washing machine, and ice maker supply hoses for bulges or leaks
Replace hoses showing signs of weakness or those that are older than ten years. Use stainless steel hoses wherever possible. They are more reliable and less prone to bursting than other types.
Ensure that yard drains, gutters, and downspouts are cleaned out, open, and free of debris.
Inspect vent pipes
Confused birds often find vent pipes as a great place to settle in and nest. Unfortunately, along with bird nests, other debris clog up plumbing vent pipes and render your system draining at a snail’s pace.
Check water hoses
As you should always unhook the hose after each use to prevent pipes from bursting due to frozen water if temperatures should drop, you should always test it for rips and holes right before you hook it back in.
While you’re taking your cleaning to a higher level, now is also a good time to take a closer look at grout throughout floor tiles, backsplashes, and counters.
Look for new cracks that may have occurred because of changes in humidity and seal before they spread.
Check the bathtub and trim in showers and sinks to look for any sign of leaking or mould. Spotting problems while small can save you thousands of dollars down the road.
Carry professional water reading test
Look at your water metre before leaving for work for the day and check the metre when you come back (making sure no one uses any water in the home while you’re away). If the number changed, you have a leak.
Remember that regular maintenance and inspections can save you money in the long run by
Consider installing a water softener
Hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium and systematic neglect leads to problems with your plumbing, appliances, dishes, clothes, and even your skin and hair.
That’s why installing a water softener is a smart choice and ever more recommended addition to modern UK properties.
A water softener is a device that uses salt, be it sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl) to sanitise excess minerals from your water.
Salt acts as a magnet to attract and capture calcium and magnesium ions, leaving behind softer water that flows problem-free through your pipes and faucets.
The benefits of having a water softener are quite a few. Here are some of the advantages of water softeners:
Water softeners save you money on soap and detergents, as hard water makes it harder for soap to lather and rinse, thus leading to more mire water use. With soft water, you would use less soap and detergent as you literally wash faster.
Water softeners reduce damage done to your dishes, clothes, and hardware. Hard water leaves unpleasant spots, stains, and residue, making both fabrics and dish look dull and dirty.
Water softeners reduce corrosion and mineral build-up damage and extends life of your hardware, such as faucets, shower heads, and pipes.
Water softeners enhance your skin and hair. Hard water can dry out your skin and hair, making it rough and brittle. It also clogs pores to cause irritation and breakouts. Soft water moisturises your skin and hair for a softer and smoother feel, not to mention benefits to skin complexion and problems with acne.
Maintenance gutters & downspout sewage
Gutters play a crucial role in maintaining the health of your outdoor plumbing systems. Thus, it is imperative to include gutter cleaning as an essential task in your spring plumbing checklist. Cleaning gutters and yard drains regularly helps prevent debris from accumulating and freezing, which could potentially damage your home.
Moreover, it’s equally essential to clean your downspouts to prevent clogging, which can result in water build-up around the foundation of your house. This build-up can cause walls to sweat, water seepage out of the foundation, and, if you have a basement, it could lead to a wet basement.