Every member of your household needs a little plumbing knowledge, most especially where the shut-off valves are in your house, and how and when to use them. Everyone needs to learn how to cease water flow that could cause flood damage. If they understand how to turn it off, they will have the ability to prevent water flow.
Learn to maintain your sink so that you won’t have to deal with leaks. Water wasted from leaks can reach 150 gallons everyday, so you should check your pipes regularly for any moisture or leaks. Regular and consistent maintenance will keep your plumbing from having significant signs of wear and tear. When you install a water heater, take a close look at the drainage and make sure the pipe is connected. This pipe, the recirculation pipe, helps keep your water heated without wasting water.
Frozen pipes are on of the worst plumbing problems. Prevent the pipes from freezing by insulating any sections of pipe that are close to the outside walls, and never allowing the temperature inside to be below freezing. It is easy for pipes to freeze whenever the mean temperature near the pipes drop below freezing. It could take some time in order for the pipes to thaw out so that you can have running water. However, your pipes can explode, as well – making a huge plumbing bill. Don’t bother running your water when you use the garbage disposal. It is assumed that food will go down more smoothly if the water is running, though in reality that does nothing good. The truth is that water could make garbage stick to the disposal, which might create a problem later.
Some property owners are electing to install flood alarms as a part of their home plumbing system. A flood alarm will protect your property from water damage, much like a smoke detector will protect your house from fire. Just like smoke alarms, flood alarms are battery-powered devices that emit an alarm when touched by water. Flooding and leaks are easily prevented through the installation of flood alarms.
A sink hose that is installed incorrectly will lead to water flowing into the dishwasher. The hose going from the dishwasher to the sink must go downhill, and then uphill, to prevent water mixing from the two devices. If water is collecting near your water heater, don’t hesitate to hit the water shut-off valve right away. If you don’t, a small leak can turn into a much larger leak, making it harder to shut off.
Keep your dryer’s lint trap clean. This not only prevents fires, but saves money. Be sure to check the trap for tears and rips, because this can cause bigger problems as it may mean that lint is escaping into your pipes. Adequately insulate pipes that are prone to becoming cold during the winter months, such as pipes that reside in attics or exterior walls. You may get insulation that can wrap around your pipe from home hardware stores. Doing this will not just save your pipe from busting if it gets frozen, but it will also ensure that your hot water remains hot until it reaches your sink or shower.