10 Basic Home Plumbing Maintenance Tips

A healthy home plumbing system is a healthy home. It makes sense then that keeping plumbing systems in check with some basic maintenance is the best way to avoid costly repairs and plumbing emergency situations.
With these 10 simple plumbing maintenance tips, you can keep everything from your hot water system to your toilet running smoothly. Many of these tasks are basic DIY jobs that anyone can do. Others may require the expertise of a licensed plumber. But by staying on top of things with proper maintenance, you’ll save on water bills and extend the life of your whole plumbing system.
1. Regularly Inspect Your Plumbing for Leaks
Inspecting your home’s plumbing for water leaks is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent problems down the track.
The common locations to inspect for any signs of dripping or water damage are:
- Under sinks
- Around toilets
- Along exposed pipes
- Your taps and hoses
A regular plumbing maintenance inspection will help to identify leaks from your plumbing system early, so you can avoid emergency repairs in the future. Even small leaks from your water supply can add up to bigger bills and damage to plumbing systems. Best to call a local plumber and nip it in the bud now.
2. Check Your Water Pressure
Checking your water pressure is an essential part of maintenance for home plumbing systems.
If the pressure is too high it can strain your plumbing fixtures and pipes, which results in leaks, damage and other plumbing emergencies over time. You can check your water pressure with a pressure gauge which you can buy from most hardware stores.
The ideal water pressure for most homes is between 40-60 psi. If your pressure is outside this range, we strongly advise that you adjust it or call a qualified plumber to help. Monitoring your water pressure regularly will prevent burst pipes and expensive plumbing repairs.
3. Clean Sink Strainers and Shower Drains
Cleaning your sink strainers and shower drains is a simple but effective way to prevent blocked drains and keep your plumbing system in peak working order.
Strainers for sink drains stop blockage-causing materials like food waste, hair and other debris from going down the hole, into the pipes and clogging up the system. But they can only keep doing their job if you empty and clean them regularly; this helps to maintain water flow and prevent odours. In the shower, remove trapped hair and soap scum from the drain to prevent build-up that can cause slow-draining water.
Keeping your drains clear with a sink strainer is another way to avoid the need for emergency plumbing services when you least expect them.
4. Don’t Use Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners are an easy option to seek when you’re dealing with a blocked drain. However, these products can do more harm than good.
Though they certainly might offer a quick fix, chemical drain cleaning products can cause corrosion and long-term damage to your plumbing pipes. Frequent use can weaken pipes and increase the risk of leaks or bursts. Instead of immediately resorting to a chemical drain cleaner, try natural alternatives like a plunger. The famed combination of baking soda and vinegar also often works well for minor clogs.
When your blockage is a little bit too stubborn blockages, call a professional plumber. They’ll likely have more advanced equipment that can tackle just about any blocked drain dilemma. Protect your plumbing system from harsh chemicals and prevent costly repairs.
5. Only Flush The 3 Ps Down the Toilet
Here is one of our most important plumbing maintenance tips.
To keep your plumbing (and sewer) system running smoothly, there are only 3 things you should be flushing down the loo. We like to call them The 3 Ps:
- Poo
- Pee
- (Toilet) Paper
Anything beyond that, like wet wipes (even the “flushable” ones), sanitary products or paper towels can cause blockages in your toilet bowl. Those blockages often result in serious plumbing problems in the sewer line or septic tank.
If you’d prefer to avoid foul odours and expensive repairs from a professional plumber (and why wouldn’t you?) stick to flushing only human waste and toilet paper. You’ll prevent clogged drains and avoid less-than-ideal surprises that require an emergency plumber.
6. Insulate Exposed Pipes to Prevent Freezing
Insulating exposed pipes is a simple but necessary step to protect your plumbing system, especially during winter.
When temperatures drop, exposed pipes are at greater risk of freezing. This will typically result in burst pipes and water damage. However, by adding insulation to these pipes, especially those in unheated areas like the roof space or garage, you can prevent frozen pipes and maintain water flow.
Pipe insulation is easy to install and will give long-term protection to your plumbing system. By doing this you’ll not only avoid plumbing surprises but also costly repairs in the future.
7. Check Your Water Heater Regularly
Checking your water heater regularly is important to keep your hot water systems running efficiently and avoid sudden breakdowns.
Look for signs of rust or leaks around the water heater as these can be signs of problems. Sediment build-up at the bottom of the tank can reduce efficiency and shorten the lifespan of your hot water system, so make sure to periodically flush the tank.
It’s also worth checking that the water heater temperature setting is optimal. 60°C is recommended for most homes as it kills off any bacteria growth in the water supply. However, with the addition of a tempering valve, the water comes out at a much safer 50°C.
By being on top of plumbing maintenance you’ll extend the life of your water heater, get hot water and avoid costly repairs down the line.
8. Have Your Septic System Inspected
Like any part of a home plumbing system, septic tanks benefit greatly from regular inspections.
A thorough inspection from a qualified plumber guarantees that your septic system functions properly. It also helps to catch issues like sludge build-up or blockages before they become serious. Neglected septic systems can overflow, leading to expensive repairs and unpleasant odours.
As part of your routine plumbing maintenance, we recommend getting your septic tank inspected every three to five years, depending on usage. Meticulous septic tank maintenance extends its lifespan and prevents avoidable environmental hazards.
9. Call a Licensed Plumber for Major Plumbing Work
For major plumbing work always call a licensed plumber. There will be some minor tasks that you can tick off the to-do list like unclogging drains, replacing a washer in a toilet tank, or fixing small leaks. However, the list of DIY-friendly plumbing maintenance tasks is relatively small.
For bigger jobs that include any work from the water main and sewer line connection points to the pipework on your property, you’ll need a qualified plumber. This includes jobs such as (but not limited to):
- repairing sewer lines
- replacing rusted-out pipes
- adding any additional fixtures to your home
- installing a replacement hot water system
Licensed plumbers have the training and experience to safely and efficiently handle all your plumbing needs, whether they’re basic or complex. Aside from being illegal in Australia, attempting major repairs yourself can lead to costly mistakes and even damage to your home. But by hiring a licensed plumber you’ll get quality workmanship and long-term peace of mind.
10. Install Water Leak Detectors
Finally, let’s come full circle back to leak detection. But instead of merely keeping an eye out for them, let’s take it to the next level.
Installing water leak detectors in your home is a smart way to protect your plumbing system from damage. Place these small devices near your hot water system, any washing machines or underneath the kitchen or bathroom sinks where leaks are more likely to occur. If they detect a leak, the device will sound an alarm and alert you to the issue before damage occurs.
Water leak detectors are great for catching hidden leaks that can go unnoticed for weeks. By installing these detectors you’ll be one step ahead of plumbing leaks and your home’s plumbing system will be in top shape.
Keep Your Plumbing System Running
Following these simple plumbing maintenance tips goes a long way towards keeping your home’s plumbing system in top shape and avoiding costly repairs. Checking for leaks, monitoring and adjusting water pressure and flushing only the 3 Ps down the loo are just a few ways to prevent common plumbing issues. While basic DIY maintenance certainly goes a long way, don’t hesitate to call a licensed plumber for major plumbing work or emergencies like replacing rusted pipes.
Being proactive with regular plumbing maintenance inspections will help you save money on your water bill and extend the life of your home plumbing. It’s an easy way to enjoy complete peace of mind and a more efficient home.
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