The new year is almost upon us and as homeowners it is absolutely necessary that we do regular maintenance on our homes.  One area that is often neglected until costly plumbing repairs San Diego are needed is the plumbing system.  The 15 tips To Avoid Costly Plumbing Repairs listed below make an excellent checklist to make sure all is working well in your home or

15 tips to Avoid Costly Plumbing Repairs

1. Clear areas around fixtures under your kitchen and bathroom sinks.

We often find the reason many leaks go undiscovered is because of clutter blocking a clear view of the plumbing fixtures.  Try to limit this clutter so you can detect leaks easier.

2. Look for signs of leaks in exposed pipes.

Signs include puddles of water and watermarks.

3. Know the location of your main shut-off valve.

Make sure everyone in your household knows where to find the main shut-off valve in case of an emergency.  The valve should operate smoothly and shut off water completely.

4. Check your water meter periodically.

The meter is usually located under a concrete lid out by the sidewalk.  The dials of the meter should remain stationary with no water running in the house.  Any movement indicates a link of some type which, at best wastes water and may be causing damage to your home and foundation.

5. Check for signs of corrosion.

Corrosion of pipes can cause leaks and bad pipe connections if the problem is not fixed.  look for green stains around brass and copper fittings and shut off valves.

6. Test water pressure.

Water pressure is the amount of force coming out of faucets or shower heads.  Low water pressure can be a sign of sediment build up in the faucet or shower head.  It could also indicate a problem with the water line.

7.  Check drains for speed of drainage.

This includes sink, tub, shower and floor drains. Slow drainage usually indicates a clog in the drain or a blocked vent pipe.  If  bubbles appear while draining, this usually indicates a problem.

8. Check the flushing handle and inside parts of the toilets.

Flush each toilet to make sure that it is flushing properly. Check the parts inside the tank of the toilet to see if any parts are broken, rusted, or missing. Make sure the toilet water does not continue to run after flushing and make sure there is no sign of water on the floor around the toilet.

9. Look for cracked tiles in the shower, around sinks, or near water pipes in the home.

Loose or hollow tiles can be an indication that there is, or was, a leak that has caused rotting underneath or behind the tile.

10. Look inside the burner chamber of the home’s water heater.

See if there are any flakes of rust inside of the chamber. Also, check the flame of the water heater, which should be a blue color with no signs of yellow in the flame. If you see a yellow color, this may mean that the jets need to be cleaned.

11. Check angle-stops.

These are the small shut-off valves at each toilet, and under each sink. Examine these for signs of corrosion, as they hold back water pressure. Corroded valves and connectors often become the source of leaks, ruptures, and resultant flooding.

12. Check washing machine hoses.

Check hoses and connections for corrosion and signs of “blow-out”, which is a bubble caused by reinforcement failure. We recommend stainless steel re-enforced hoses which are rated to withstand much higher water pressure. Ruptured washer hoses are a primary cause of flooding in residential homes.

13. Check for cracked tiles in the shower, around sinks, or near water pipes in the home.

Loose or hollow tiles can be an indication that there is, or was, a leak that has caused rotting underneath or behind the tile.

14. Check guest bathrooms.

Turn on all faucets and tub/shower valves at least once weekly. Faucets in guest baths commonly seize up from mineral deposits when not used for a period of time. Also, running water into each fixture keeps the traps full, thereby preventing sewer gases from entering your home.

15. Check for mildew.

Mildew refers to certain types of mold or fungus which can be caused by standing water which has dried up.  This problem often occurs in kitchen drains and pipes.

Use this list to check your home for Avoid Costly Plumbing Repairs problems or potential plumbing problems. You will be glad you did.

If you’re looking for a professional Plumber then please call us today at (858) 536-4161).