Tips From Your Local Plumber On How To Avoid Costly Plumbing Repairs | Helotes, TX
Photo By hanibaram at isotck
Plumbing repairs can cost you a fortune, especially when there is heavy water damage. Thankfully, there are tons of ways to avoid costly water damage and prevent plumbing repairs. Read this article for effective tips on how to save thousands of dollars on your plumbing.
Prioritize Plumbing Maintenance
Apart from periodically checking your plumbing appliances and fixtures for wear and tear, or leaks, it’s just as important to contact a plumber in Helotes, TX, for regular plumbing maintenance. During the inspection, an expert would check your entire plumbing system to see if it still runs efficiently. They will also address problems on the spot. A regular plumbing inspection extends the lifespan of your plumbing appliances and fixtures and prevents costly repairs down the road.
If you have had slow drains and don’t do something about it, a minor slow drain issue could lead to a costly plumbing emergency, especially when the issue concerns corrosion in the pipes. During a plumbing inspection, a licensed plumbing company can use his drain camera to check the interior of your pipes for problems. Rest assured, all issues will be resolved on the same day. There’s no need to schedule another plumbing repair when the plumber sees a problem during the inspection. You’ll be thankful when issues are resolved early, as that can prevent major water damage that may cost you a fortune in repairs and restorations.
For regular plumbing maintenance or inspection, do make sure to only work with a licensed plumber in Helotes, TX. You can’t afford to hire an unqualified and inexperienced plumber to take care of the job as that may only lead to frequent repairs down the road. Call us immediately, and we’ll make sure that you are delighted with our service.
Take Care of Minor Plumbing Issues
Plumbing emergencies can be costly, especially when it concerns pipe replacement or other issues concerning water damage. Thankfully, most plumbing emergencies are preventable. You can avoid major plumbing repairs by not postponing minor problems that may cost you thousands of dollars down the road. If you suspect that there might be an issue with your drains, water heater, or dishwasher, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Call a licensed plumber in Helotes, TX, immediately for an inspection. Only an expert plumber can permanently fix any problem and ensure it doesn’t ever recur.
We also want to stress the importance of working with a licensed plumber when it comes to repairs to ensure that the problem gets resolved quickly and permanently. Also, try not to DIY plumbing repairs to avoid problems. While some DIY plumbing videos can be helpful, they may not contain enough information to fully resolve the problem. To stay on the safe side and to avoid additional expenses in the future, only call a licensed plumber in Helotes, TX. That’s by far the best thing you can do in dealing with any plumbing issues at home or in your business location.
Watch Out for the Septic Tank
After a heavy storm, ensure that you check the septic tank for any water leaks, malfunctions, and overflows. A sump pump can also help in this situation. You may contact a plumbing expert to help you inspect the septic tank after every storm in your area.
Install a Sump Pump
Installing a sump pump for your basement is an absolute necessity if you want to avoid costly repairs and restorations. Imagine how much it would cost you when your basement floods during a major storm. It will even cost you more money when you have some appliances and other stuff stored in the basement. To avoid problems, call a plumber for a sump pump installation.
After installation, don’t forget to perform regular maintenance of your sump pump, as that’s the only way to extend the lifespan of your unit. You don’t want to spend any more money buying another sump pump simply because you failed to maintain it. Clean the components of your sump pump and test it before a major storm hits your area. To test the sump pump, pour about a bucket of water in the pit, just enough to activate the float switch. The latter is responsible for turning on the sump pump. When it’s on, check if it gets rid of the water in the pit. Call a plumber if you’re having issues with it.
Check Your Water Pressure
When it comes to your water pressure, moderation is always the key. You can’t have low water pressure, too, as that’s an indication of something wrong with your plumbing. That could mean a leak somewhere, or there is an issue with the plumbing fixtures. High water pressure isn’t good either, as that could severely strain the pipes. Eventually, your pipes will break, and that could lead to major water damage. To avoid these problems, make sure that you regulate your water pressure. You can buy a pressure regulator at your local hardware to help you regulate the water pressure. If you don’t know how to do this, it’s best to contact a plumber for assistance.
Watch What Goes Down the Drain
To avoid clogged drains, ensure that you and everyone else in your family know how to take care of your drains. For example, don’t throw grease, food particles, debris down the sink or toilet to avoid a major clog. Clogged drains can cost you a fortune in repairs, especially when they also damage the pipes. Contact a plumber for professional drain cleaning. Do this regularly, so any problem is addressed early.
Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners Like the Plague
You may have seen these heavily advertised cleaners on your local television. Business owners usually swear to them, saying that they are the solution to unclog a major drain clog. Please don’t ever use chemical-based drain cleaners for your drains as they only pose many problems. They don’t just damage your pipes, but these cleaners also pose health risks. You could get injured if you’re not careful. Never buy these, especially when you have little children at home.
Call a plumber in Helotes, TX, for a professional drain cleaning to effectively clean your pipes. An expert plumber is equipped with the experience and the right tools to properly clean your drains and effectively fix a major clog.
It’s also best practice for homeowners to clean their drains at least once a week. Use vinegar and baking soda solution, or pour boiling water in the sink to get rid of the little grease that’s stuck in the pipes. Most importantly, install strainers to catch dirt and other debris from entering your pipes.
Insulate the Pipes
We all know that when the temperature starts dropping, we better insulate our pipes, so the water inside them doesn’t freeze. Otherwise, they may burst, and that could lead to costly water damage. To prevent this, go to your local hardware store and buy some durable insulation for your pipes. If you have outdoor faucets, make sure they are protected as well.
For added protection, ensure that the water flowing through your pipes stays warm. Slightly open your faucet, and don’t adjust the temperature in your water heater. Try to also open the cabinet doors, especially those under the sinks, so warm air can circulate inside.
Maintain Your Water Heater
A leak in the water heater tank leads to costly water damage, and you may also need to get a new replacement that will cost you more money down the road. The best way to prevent leaks in your water heater is to make sure that you properly maintain it. Flush the sediment buildup at least once a year to avoid leaks and conserve energy at the same time.
If you don’t want to perform a lot of maintenance for your water heater, consider switching to a tankless water heater as you won’t have to worry about flooding in the basement. Tankless water heaters can also save you more money in your utility bills every month. You also don’t need a bigger space as you can mount this type of heater on your bathroom walls. Contact a plumber if you’re thinking about installing a tankless water heater for your home.
Fix Faucet Drips
This may just be a minor plumbing problem, but faucet drips can waste hundreds of gallons of water if you don’t fix this right away. So please fix this immediately to avoid higher water bills every month.
Inspect Washing Machine Hoses
If you have a laundry room, ensure that you periodically check it for leaks to avoid costly water damage. One thing you can do is replace your rubber hoses with braided stainless steel. The latter is more durable and lasts longer than rubber hoses. For installation, make sure that you only work with a licensed plumber to avoid other issues down the road. Improper installation of your plumbing appliance can also lead to other problems such as leaks in the plumbing.
Install strainers in your laundry room sink to catch debris and other dirt and prevent clogging in the drains. You can also consider investing in an energy-efficient washing machine as they are designed to use less water and are also more durable. They may be a little pricey, but you get to save money in the long run.
Install Several Shut Off Valves
During a plumbing emergency, the first thing you need to do is shut off the main water to prevent further water damage. Remember to install several shut-off valves to make it quicker to turn off the water if there is a leak in your plumbing. Also, you need to make sure that they are accessible. Most importantly, inform all of your family members where these are located so they know where to find them if there are plumbing emergencies.
Install Leak Detection Devices
To avoid water damage, we highly recommend that you contact a licensed plumber to install a leak detection device. These devices are excellent to prevent costly repairs and water damage in your homes. Simply place them near your water heater, washing machine, and dishwasher. If there is a leak in the plumbing, these devices can alert you. They can also automatically shut off the main water supply. Some of them can also detect fluctuations in the temperate and alert you as well. For installation, only work with a licensed plumber in your area.
Watch Your Water Bill
When the water bill suddenly skyrockets, there could be a leak somewhere in your plumbing. We recommend that you contact a professional immediately for assistance. With professional leak detection, a licensed plumbing expert can locate the leak and fix it on the same day.
Another way to check if there are leaks in your plumbing is by doing the toilet test. Drop a few food coloring in the toilet tank and then check the toilet bowl after 30 minutes. You have a leak in the plumbing if the water inside the toilet bowl changes color.
You can also check the water meter and take note of the numbers. First, make sure no one uses the water for at least an hour. Then, recheck the water meter, and if the numbers are different, you likely have a leak in your plumbing.
Contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio
A plumber can help you maintain your plumbing and provide safe drinking water to your home. He can also help you make sure that your appliances run efficiently. If you need a plumbing expert in Helotes, TX today, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime. We can help with any plumbing repairs, maintenance, and insulation. So call us today for an appointment.
Priority Service