If you live in Colorado Springs, you must ensure your home’s plumbing system is well-maintained and ready for the changing seasons. If you have a lawn or landscaped garden, your plumbing provides water indoors and outdoors for garden fixtures like sprinklers. Regularly inspecting your pipes and drains is always a good idea to ensure they are ready for the new season.
However, there are times when you’ll need a reliable Colorado Springs plumber to fix or check something in the plumbing. You might need high-level plumbing services if you’re dealing with low water pressure, dripping faucets, or clogged pipes. But the good news is there are steps you can take to make sure your plumbing is always in top shape. We’ll also give you some tips on how to DIY easy and simple plumbing fixes.
Plumbing System Maintenance
Part of being a homeowner is knowing how to maintain every aspect of your property. This includes ensuring that every part of your home’s plumbing system works as it should. It is crucial to make sure there are no areas that could cause issues later on.
Most parts of your plumbing systems are designed to last a long time, as long as they are properly maintained. In terms of cost, regular maintenance is cheaper than dealing with repairs and plumbing emergencies causing damage to other parts of the house.
Prevent Clogs
Clogged drains are among the most common issues with your plumbing system, especially if you don’t perform regular and proper maintenance. Though it might not be possible to eliminate clogging completely, you can take steps to avoid it.
For example, you can use filters in sinks and tubs to catch soap scum and food scraps. You can also use filters to catch hair in your bathroom’s floor drain. Another crucial step to prevent clogging is not pouring grease and oil down the drain. Regular buildup clearing is also a must. Baking soda and vinegar are suitable for unclogging drains.
Leak Detection
If you have a leaking faucet, get ready for high water bills. You could waste up to eight gallons of water daily if a leaky faucet is left unattended. If you have a running toilet, water wastage could reach up to 200 gallons daily. Other potential sources of small leaks in your home include dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters, etc.
A sudden increase in water consumption and low pressure are common signs of leaks. So, a good maintenance routine is regularly checking for leaks around pipes, faucets, and toilets. You should also check for signs of water damage on ceilings and walls. Undetected water leaks can lead to structural damage with expensive repair costs, and you might need a professional plumber.
Easy DIY Plumbing Fixes
While plumbing problems can be overwhelming, there are minor problems you can fix on your own. For example, a simple clog can sometimes be cleared using a plunger or drain snake. Here are some tips on how to fix easy plumbing issues:
Clogged Drains
At the first signs of a minor clogging, you must deal with it promptly. First, clear out any standing water and remove visible blockages. Aside from pouring baking soda and vinegar, you can also pour about a half cup of table salt followed by boiling water to unclog the drains. Plungers and drain snakes are often used for more challenging clogs.
Leaking Faucets
If you’re dealing with a leaking faucet, remember to turn off the water supply in your home before doing anything. Then, check if tightening the packing nut would stop the leak. You can use an adjustable wrench to do this. Sometimes, changing the worn-out washers can also solve the issue.
Running Toilet
Having a constantly running toilet is not just annoying but also expensive because it can significantly increase your water bills. You can solve this issue by identifying what’s causing it to run continuously. The fill valve can be adjusted, or you can check your toilet’s model to see if replacing the flapper valve is possible.
When to Call a Plumber?
While these tips and easy fixes can help you solve minor and temporary problems with your plumbing, extensive maintenance and checks are still necessary for the more complex parts. For example, extensive leaks causing water damage to your home require the services of a licensed and experienced plumber.
