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Maintaining Your At-Home Plumbing Systems

perfectplumbingsystem

Properly functional plumbing systems are essential to home life. Everyday tasks such as cleaning, bathing and eliminating waste depend on this network of water and sewer pipes. It makes every activity more comfortable and convenient, which is why it needs to be maintained.

Every homeowner needs to understand the importance of keeping their plumbing in top condition. There are a number of small tasks you can perform to help extend the life of your system and prevent costly disasters. Here’s how you can maintain your at-home plumbing.

Make Sure Drains Are Clean

“cleandrains”One of the biggest threats to your plumbing system is a clogged drain. It’s easy for debris such as dirt and food to get trapped in your pipes. Over time, this debris can accumulate and form obstructions.

These clogs can mess up the flow of water and result in leaks and eventually bursts, which can be costly to fix. A simple way to help prevent this from happening is by purchasing a sink strainer for your kitchen sink.

This device, which rests on top of the drain, is designed to trap debris before it gets flushed down. It’s inexpensive and only requires you to clean it out regularly.

Another thing to keep in mind is never dump cooking grease or oil down your kitchen’s pipes. These substances may be liquid when hot, but if they come in contact with cold piping and other liquids they can become solid and form or build on prior blockages.

Decrease Water Pressure

“balancedwaterpressure”High water pressure can feel great when you’re showering, but it’s actually a strain on your plumbing system. It can add stress to pipe connections and fixtures, which can cause them to buckle and create leakages or bursts.

One way to keep tabs on water pressure is by purchasing a measurement device from a hardware store. Normal levels are between 40 and 85 psi. If you detect anything outside this range, you should call a plumber for help.

Homeowners who use low-flow plumbing components should be aware they don’t affect the pressure within the pipes, only the amount of water dispensed.

Hair Screens Are Your Friend

“haircleaner”It isn’t pleasant to think about, but our own hair can be the cause of clogs in plumbing systems. During showers or when we shave, strands often find their way down our bathroom drains.

Buying a hair screen can help stop this by catching hairs before they flow down. These devices are cheap and can go a long way toward preventing clogs. All you need to do is clean them on a regular basis.

Follow Local Plumbing Regulations

“localrequirements”Every city and town has laws dictating the plumbing procedures allowed in your home.

These are set in place to ensure every property’s water demands are met, and plumbing systems are maintained.

Check with Concord, CA municipal services to see how they may affect you.