As a St. Louis homeowner, maintaining your plumbing system is crucial to preventing expensive repairs and avoidable water damage. The local weather, with its steamy summers and freezing winters, can take its toll on pipes, making the timely and prudent maintenance of plumbing lines an even more pressing concern.
For the best ways to protect your St Louis plumbing, save water, and perform simple, preemptive care: follow these easy-to-do plumbing maintenance tips. By doing so, you will not only keep your system functioning properly in the present, it will also help to prevent more serious and costly repairs in the future.
Regularly Inspect for Leaks
If they are not kept in check, small leaks can quickly become big problems. From time to time, check places where plumbing is likely to be right up against your living space, such as under sinks, around toilets, and near water-using appliances, to look for moisture or suspicious stains that could indicate a leak.
If you have any signs of a problem, get them fixed right away. Don’t assume it’s just a small problem that won’t get any worse, because it probably will – and your water bill will likely go up as well.
Prevent Frozen Pipes in the Winter
Winter can be very hard on St Louis plumbing, with the mercury sometimes plunging well below zero. To stop pipes from freezing and bursting, insulate any that are exposed and running through unheated parts of your home.
That might be basements and crawl spaces, washing machine hookups, and any outdoor exposed piping. And when it’s really extreme outside, let your faucets drip a little. It takes so little water to keep things moving that it won’t affect your water bill.
Clean Your Drains Regularly
Do not use chemical drain cleaners, as they can damage your pipes over time. Use natural solutions like a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to clear minor clogs. For serious clogs, call a plumber.
Flush Your Water Heater
Hard water causes mineral buildup, which can sap the efficiency of your water heater and even lead to some potentially catastrophic failures. If you have hard water, you should flush your water heater to remove sediment at least once a year.
Additionally, check the anode rod for corrosion. If it’s past its prime, replace it. Anode rods are cheap, and replacing a corroded one can add years to the life of the average water heater.
Check Your Sewer Line
Your sewer line can be clogged or damaged by tree roots and debris, which leads to backups. If your drains are slow, making gurgling sounds, or emitting foul odors, it’s time to call in the pros for a sewer inspection. Keeping sewer lines well-maintained can save you big bucks on repairs and keep sewage from backing up into your home.
For More Urgent St Louis Plumbing Needs, Always Call the Pros
St. Louis homeowners must prioritize plumbing preventative maintenance to safeguard their houses from water damage and the expensive repairs that often follow such problems. Residents can keep their plumbing systems in good working order and ensure that all their plumbing runs smoothly by following the tips presented here today, along with performing regular inspections. And of course, if major issues arise, it is imperative to call in a professional plumber.