Making a list and checking it twice is not just a job for Santa. As a homeowner, you know that regular maintenance is required to keep your home up and running – otherwise you could be facing a disaster one day. One of the best ways to cut down on a plumbing emergency is to do prevention maintenance and make sure everything is working the way it should.
Plumbing Maintenance Checklist for Homeowners
In a perfect world, plumbing would be a one and done investment. Thankfully you don’t always need a plumber to keep your various systems in check and running smoothly. Many places inside your home utilize plumbing: the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, sprinkler system etc. These checks are recommended at the very least annually but we’d recommend doing it at least twice a year with an eye out for those little drips that are likely to pop up when you’re least expecting it.
Take A Walk Around The Home
This is the easy stuff. Take a walk around and look for any outward signs of plumbing problems.
- Find out where any exposed pipes are inside of your home, and check them for any signs of leakage. For any pipes inside the wall, you can look for other signs like watermarks, mold, or puddles.
- While you’re looking at the pipes, look around the area for signs of corrosion. You’ll see greenish stains around copper and brass pipes and valves. Steel pipes the color will be more of an orange or yellow stain.
- Check your toilet tank. Check the pieces inside and see if they look broken or rust stained.
- Be on the lookout for cracked or broken flooring because this could be a result of water pooling beneath.
- Check out your water heater for any signs of rust.
- Check your washing machine hoses where water could be leaking.
- Look for areas of caulking that are no longer sealed. If left unsealed water can enter and damage your property.
Test Each System
In addition to visually inspecting your plumbing you will also want to take a more hands on approach.
- Check the water pressure by running water in your shower, sinks, toilet, etc. If you notice a decrease in the water pressure in your shower, kitchen, toilet etc. If you are noticing a decrease in water pressure you may have sediment building up.
- Watch how long it takes water to drain out of your tubs or sinks. Is your garbage disposal backing up? These are indicators that your system is clogged or backed up.
- Flush your toilets and be sure the water is swirling down properly followed by replenishing the water to the appropriate level without delay. While you’re watching the water, make sure your toilet is not wobbly or coming loose. If you can wiggle the toilet, this could be sign of a leak.
- Make sure toilets are not wobbly or coming loose from the floor. If you can wiggle the entire toilet, this may be the sign of a leak. The area may need to be sealed once again in to the flooring to prevent future issues.
- Drain the water heater periodically to assure that there is not an abundance of sentiment present.
- Turn the handles on all faucets off completely and watch for drips or any other signs of leakage.
- Check the walls in the bathroom by pushing on them in the areas around the sink and tube to assure no water is leaking and causing structural damage.
If you have any questions, concerns, or want to schedule a plumbing inspection, call your local Mr. Rooter Plumber of Oneida, NY.