As a homeowner, your time is money. That is exactly why you need to take the time to maintain your plumbing on a regular basis because investing that time in maintenance can help you avoid (or reduce) the costly repairs associated with pipe leaks.
Even a tiny leak can cause all kinds of damage, so it is completely worth your while to do everything in your power to avoid them altogether.
Here is a handy guide for you to refer to for leak prevention tips.
Water Pressure Brought Down
You’ve heard of checking your blood pressure regularly, right? That’s to make sure that everything is functioning properly and that you aren’t putting undue pressure on your heart.
The same sort of idea applies to your water pressure. You’ve got to check it to make sure that it’s not pumping too high because it will put dangerous pressure on your pipes that could result in leaks.
If it’s in the 50 psi range, that is safe, but you may find the pressure inadequate. You can turn it up slightly, but don’t go much over 70 psi.
Drain Cleaner Danger
It can seem like a good idea at the time to pour commercial drain cleaner in your pipes to remove a clog, but the damage that will happen in the long term isn’t worth the immediate benefit.
The problem is that the harmful chemical in the cleaners that are effective in breaking up the clog also do damage to your pipes.
You can avoid having to use drain cleaners at all by reducing the likelihood of clogs. Don’t let food or grease fall down the drain. Schedule regular drain cleaning by a professional and clogs won’t have a chance to form.
Make Finding Leaks a Priority
A small leak is a big deal, even if it looks innocent. Get in the habit of finding them before they have a chance to wreak havoc on your home.
Inspect your plumbing fixtures and visible pipes. Don’t forget to open up cabinetry under sinks to check the pipes.
Make sure not to overload with storage under sinks, or it will be hard to find leaks.
Corrosion Issues
Corrosion IssuesThe interaction of the minerals in your water with the pipes will lead to corrosion over time, which in turn will cause leaks. Certain factors will speed that process up, so that is something that you want to avoid.
Replacing highly corrosive copper with PVC is a good idea. A water softener can help bring minerals into balance. Don’t let your water get too hot because extra hot water is a good environment to promote corrosion.
It’s expensive maintaining a home in Nashville, TN. Every little bit counts when you are trying to cut costs.