It is safe to assume the plumbing system inside your home is not something that will last forever. Constant usage does not prolong its life, that is for sure. Anyway, that daily strain from constant water flow will most probably affect your piping system in a negative way over a longer period of time. Now, winter is a bit far away from us at this moment. However, that does not mean you should not prepare for it in the best possible manner since winter is probably the toughest season for your plumbing system to handle. In other words, the holiday season with all its food scraps, fats, and various oils that go through your kitchen isn’t exactly the favorite subject of your plumbing system. In the text you are about to read, we will show you 6 ways to prolong the lifespan of your plumbing system. Stick around!
#1 Always rely on professionals (no DIY shenanigans)
Now, now. We are not saying you should not touch your plumbing or something. Still, we don’t think that is always such a good idea (especially when we are talking about large-scale issues). Here is why: because many folks believe the prices of plumbing services go beyond what they can afford, they might resort to trying to fix a particular plumbing issue in a DIY manner. Even though they had the best intentions, sometimes they end up causing more damage than there already was. If there is a major repair to be done, we would always recommend you avoid going DIY and call a local plumber to handle the process. Just so you do not end up paying more because you have wanted to save some funds. It would be downright ironic, don’t you think?
If there are major issues to be handled, it’s always best you call professionals instead of trying your luck DIY-style.
#2 Winter is coming (preparations)
As we have mentioned above, winter is probably the worst season for your pipes. That is because harsh temperatures present a serious risk for your water pipes unless, of course, you have done everything that is in your power to prepare them for winter. So, if you are sporting outdoor faucets outside your home, you will want to shut off their water supply for the upcoming winter. You will not have to go through a plumbing issue hell once the moment to use them again comes. Here is what can happen: if you do not shut off the water supply and water is left running as if nothing has changed, the frozen buildup can result in your pipes bursting inside or under your house. Needless to say, that is a holiday surprise you would most likely want to skip!
#3 Schedule plumbing maintenance every once in a while (waiting is not good)
Just picture this: your plumbing system resembles your body. You should schedule maintenance every once in a while, just like you would go to the doctor’s office for a seasonal check-up. It’s very simple! Speaking of the doctor’s office, you might have seen a poster saying: prevention is better than cure. Remember that one? If so, know that you’ll want to schedule regular plumbing maintenance every six months (in the best possible scenario) or, at the very least, once a year. If a professional detects an issue with your plumbing system, you will pay a lot less by fixing it right after it has appeared. Waiting will not do you any good, say the folks at statetostatemove.com, quality movers that had their share of relocating folks from flooded homes. If they do not know what’s up, there is a good chance that no one does.
You should schedule regular plumbing maintenance because you know what they say: prevention is always better than cure!
#4 Buy the plumbing parts yourself (stock up)
Of course, one needs to afford the action we have suggested in the paragraph above (regular plumbing maintenance). Anyway, you will need to be clever about your finances and find a way to greatly reduce your plumbing bills. Here’s our recommendation: either you should buy the parts yourself before an issue appears (stock up), or you will want to ask your plumbers what kind of parts they need in order to fix the issue with your plumbing system. The thing is: if you buy the parts yourself, there’s a chance you will go through the process in a cheaper mode since it will cost you more to let plumbers buy the parts themselves.
#5 Pay attention to the water heater (regular maintenance)
The next thing on our list of 6 ways to prolong the lifespan of your plumbing system concerns your trusty water heater. The thing is: sediments will build up inside it over a period of time. Needless to say, these little minerals will significantly reduce your heater’s ability to produce hot water because they will pile at the bottom of it. So, how does one maintain a water heater? You’ll want to flush it about once a year (at least); that way, you will save a lot of funds you would otherwise spend on a water heater replacement. Not to mention the fact you will have hot water to help you survive the winter.
By regularly maintaining your water heater, you won’t have an issue with it producing hot water during colder winter months.
#6 Keep your drains clean (prevent clogging)
Okay, last but not least, on the list of 6 ways to prolong the lifespan of your plumbing system, we suggest you keep your drains clean from everything that can harm your plumbing system. You will want to control what goes in the drains (no turkey skin or oils or potato peels or whatever). Keep in mind that drain covers are pretty inexpensive and can help you save some good money you would otherwise waste on pricey repairs. Also, mind what you are flushing down the toilet. In other words: avoid flushing paper towels, dental floss, etc. If for some reason, you end up with a toilet that is clogged, it is best you use a good old plunger instead of various chemical drain cleaners as they can cause further damage to your pipes. Their usage can result in pipes corroding and even—cracking since the product will leave hazardous traces.