Owning a home can be expensive. However, properly caring for your home’s components, including its plumbing fixtures, can make them last longer. You won’t have to replace or repair parts as frequently, which saves money, too! If you’re looking for ways to extend your plumbing system’s lifespan, a plumber in Henderson can provide some helpful tips.
Keep Pipes From Corroding
Most of the time, you don’t see the pipes in your home. They’re “out of sight, out of mind” until there’s a problem like corrosion. Corrosion is caused by decay and deterioration in your home’s water supply pipes. It affects pipes of various materials, including cast iron, lead, copper, clay, PVC, and concrete. Pipe corrosion can start out as a relatively small problem. However, it will continue to eat away at the pipes if left untreated. Cracks and leaks will eventually develop. This can cause low water flow and discolored, foul-smelling water. Corrosion can be caused by several problems, including a pH level that is above or below average. Sediment, sand, and grit can also cause corrosion, as can above-average levels of iron and sulfate. An expert plumber can check for corrosion and corrosion risk factors, and then perform pipe maintenance service Las Vegas if needed.
Be Aware of Chemical Clog Removers
When you walk into a store, you will find liquid products advertising a “quick fix” for clogged drains. But beware, these products may do more harm than good! Many chemical cleaning products have an ingredient called hydrochloric acid. While effective for cleaning, this chemical is harsh and can damage your pipes, especially with frequent and long-term use. This ingredient can have the same effect on other finishes in your kitchen and bathroom. If you’re dealing with clogged pipes, a better option is to purchase a drain snake from a hardware store. Snaking a drain can remove the clog without chemicals, which in turn leaves your pipes intact. Best of all, a snake is a relatively inexpensive fix that you can use repeatedly.
Lower Your Water Pressure
No one likes turning on the bathroom or kitchen sink only to have water jet out on the counters and floor. While you need some degree of water pressure in your pipes, high water pressure is unnecessary. In addition to soaking your floors and counters, it can increase the cost of your water bill and strain your pipes, which ultimately increases the likelihood that they’ll develop leaks and cracks. You can fix the problem by installing a water pressure regulator, which is available at a hardware store. If you’re not sure how to install the regulator, contact a plumber in Henderson for assistance.
Clean the Drains
Just as dirt and debris collect in the living areas of your home, the same applies to your pipes and drains. If debris and water can’t flow freely through your home’s pipes, they will cause clogs and eventually back-ups. To prevent this from happening, be sure to clean the drains at least once each month. In this case, it’s okay to use a liquid cleanser. However, be sure the cleaning product is enzyme-based rather than chemical-based. To save money and have a truly safe alternative, just mix vinegar and baking soda together, pour it down the drain and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, pour boiling water down the drain to rinse out the solution and any residual debris.
Watch Your Waste
The pipes in your home might seem sturdy and strong. However, they are not indestructible. Toilet paper and human waste are the only items that should be flushed down the toilet drain. Paper towels, tissues, and diapers are some items that people sometimes flush down the drain. But these items, and even “flushable” wipes, can cause clogs and back-ups. The same rule applies to pipes in your kitchen. Many people put common items such as grease and coffee grinds down the drain. Similarly, these items can accumulate in your pipes and eventually cause the same problem. Grease is especially problematic, as it can travel from the kitchen sink to the main drain and sewer line. In doing so, it coats every pipe along the way. Rather than dealing with a clog in one pipe, you could face a systemic problem that is much more difficult to fix.
Keep Roots Away
It might sound surprising, but a significant risk to your plumbing system can come from your yard. Tree roots or roots from larger bushes can grow through the pipes if they are planted near the sewer line. If you notice a tree root that seems too close to your pipes, have an expert evaluate the situation to determine the best solution.
As with any part of your home, your plumbing system needs some TLC to keep functioning at its best. While you can perform some maintenance tasks on your own, don’t hesitate to contact Service Plus Plumbing for easy flow plumbing Las Vegas and expert solutions for your plumbing maintenance needs.
