Moving into a new home? Let’s discuss the benefits of regular inspections and maintenance on a few household plumbing items. Faucets, garbage disposals, water heaters, and shut off valves are critical to maintaining the efficiency of your home. Not only does preventative maintenance keep these items running, it helps prevent accidents and potential hazards from occurring.
Garbage disposals make doing dishes a little easier. They collect waste from food and grind it up before it goes down the sink. Without regular use, garbage disposals can corrode and rust. You should be inspecting it periodically, making sure there are no clogs or leaks. They can last 25 years or longer with proper maintenance. Remember to never put grease, oil, bones, and starchy foods into a garbage disposal.
You should be checking your water heater every year, if not every few months. This routine inspection should include checking for leaks, signs of corrosion, and loose fittings. Consider draining and flushing the tank once a year to remove sediment build up from the bottom of the water heater tank. Most water heaters last 8-12 years, tankless water heaters, especially gas-burning can last up to 20 years or more if properly maintained.
A home has many valves to shut off water in case of a leak. It is important to inspect these shut off valves regularly to ensure they are functioning properly. In case of an emergency, such as a burst pipe or plumbing leak, shut-off valves play a critical role in preventing water damage. If the valve is difficult to turn on and off, try a little plumbers grease to loosen it up. Always consider replacing old or faulty shut-off valves to maintain the integrity of your plumbing system and protect your home from potential water-related disasters.
If you are not comfortable maintaining these plumbing items, you can always call you local plumberr for help.
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