Plumbing is one of those things that most people take for granted until a problem arises. However, there are a few things you can do to help your plumbing last longer and to save you money on expensive repairs.
Flushing your water heater annually can help extend its life, save you money on energy costs, and maintain the water heater’s capacity. Over time, a layer of sediment builds up on the bottom of a water heater. This sediment makes the water heater work harder to heat the water and takes up space in the tank, reducing its capacity. In some cases, bacteria grows in the sediment and causes the hot water to smell bad.
Clogged drains are a common source of plumbing problems. Grease and hair are the two main causes and keeping grease and hair out of your drains will go a long way toward keeping them trouble free. Consider installing a screen over shower drains to limit the amount of hair that goes down the drain. Drain screens are available at your local home improvement store.
Most grease goes down the kitchen sink drain. First, Pour or scrape grease into a jar and dispose of it in the trash. Some grease will still make its way down the drain, so be sure to use plenty of hot water and soap when washing the dishes. Also, you can help keep your drains flowing freely by pouring hot, soapy water down the drain on a regular basis. Avoid using caustic chemicals as these can harm the insides of your pipes.
