Maintaining your Whittier, CA, home’s plumbing system is important for preventing issues like leaks, clogs and water waste. Many maintenance tasks will need to be done by a professional plumber. However, there are also some things you can easily do on your own. With spring just around the corner, here are some tips you should consider for maintaining your plumbing system and ensuring everything is in working order.
It’s always a good idea to go around your home every few months to inspect for any visible signs of plumbing leaks. Especially important is checking inside your kitchen and bathroom cabinets to make sure that neither the water lines nor drainpipes are leaking. You also want to make sure that the flooring around your toilets, dishwasher and washing machine hasn’t started to warp.
It shouldn’t feel soft or spongy, since these are all sure signs of a leak. You should also make sure that none of your faucets or showers are dripping or leaking, since this can waste a lot of water. Another easy way to check for leaks is to listen to the sound of running water in your kitchen, bathroom and anywhere else where there is a plumbing fixture or pipe. Before doing this, you need to first make sure all of the fixtures inside and outside your home are shut off.
If you hear water running when no fixtures are turned on, it’s an obvious indication that there is a leak somewhere.Many people in Southern California leave their outdoor plumbing on all year round since there is an extremely low risk that it will get cold enough for these things to freeze. Whether you shut your outdoor plumbing off for winter or not, it’s a good idea to check all of it in the spring, when you’ll start watering.
You want to make sure that no hose bibs are dripping when off or leak water when turned on. If you have an underground sprinkler system, you should also check to make sure it isn’t leaking. Things to look for in this regard include standing water or wet spots, soggy ground or areas that are greener than the rest of the yard.
2. Test Every Toilet for Hidden Leaks
Most toilets may have issues where a small amount of water constantly leaks out of the tank into the bowl. While this can lead to the toilet running occasionally to refill the tank, it’s not something that you’ll always notice. A leaky toilet can potentially waste up to 200 gallons of water a day and cost you a lot of money, so it is a good idea to check all of the toilets in your home for this type of leak.
The easiest way to do this is to put a couple of drops of food coloring into the tank when the toilet isn’t running. You should then wait one hour and check to see if the water in the bowl is colored. If it is, you’ll want to have a plumber inspect the toilet to determine why it is leaking. This type of leak can occur for a few different reasons, such as a broken overflow tube or worn-out flapper.
3. Make Sure Toilets and Drains Are Working Correctly
Another thing we recommend is to check that all toilets and drains are working properly when checking for leaks. This means flushing each toilet to make sure that it fully flushes and doesn’t flush slowly or make a gurgling noise since these issues can indicate it has a clog inside it or in the drainpipe underneath it. You should also make sure that none of your sinks or showers drain slowly. This indicates that they are starting to clog. If you notice that multiple fixtures have issues, it could mean that the vent stack that sticks up through your roof is clogged with debris. Your main sewer line may be starting to clog up.
4. Get Your Water Heater Flushed and Serviced
All water heaters should be professionally serviced at least once a year. Tank water heaters also need to be flushed regularly to remove the corrosion-causing sediment that naturally forms inside them. Tankless water heaters should be flushed and de-scaled to prevent limescale from building up on their heat exchanger. Having your water heater serviced and flushed will keep it working effectively and limit the amount of energy it uses. It also helps to prevent issues that could lead to your water not getting hot enough or force you to have the unit repaired. Flushing and maintenance are also important for protecting a water heater’s lifespan.
Spot On Heating, Air & Plumbing is the top choice for all of your plumbing needs in the Whittier and Riverside areas. We can assist if you need professional drain cleaning, water heater maintenance, sewer repairs, etc. We work on both residential and commercial plumbing systems. We also specialize in air conditioning, heating and electrical work, so give us a call today if you need to schedule an appointment.