These Leak Preventing Tips Will Help You Take Care of Your Plumbing System

Would you rather spend a small amount of time today or deal with a messy, expensive headache tomorrow? The choice is easy, especially when you consider how simple preventative maintenance and common sense use of your plumbing can help you avoid leaks (or at the very least, minimize the impact of them).

Not sure where to start? We’ve compiled some great tips to help you prevent an emergency leak and keep your plumbing in your Stuart, FL home in great shape.

Find Those Leaks

If you think you have a leak, you should deal with it right away. Even a small leak can cause big problems, which are generally easier to fix if you get ahead of them.

Signs of a leak include water damage, mold growth, the sound of rushing water through the walls, elevated water bills and low water pressure.

Avoid Commercial Drain Cleaners

Nobody likes to deal with clogged drains or pipes, but resist the urge to pour a commercial drain cleaner down the pipe to deal with the problem.

It may break the clog up in the moment, but the residue from the cleaner collects in the pipes. Over time, this will cause your pipes to weaken, which is how leaks happen.

It’s a much better idea to prevent clogs before they have a chance to form by scheduling a professional cleaning every year or so. It’s especially important if you cook a lot (i.e. have a lot of food debris and grease that falls down the sink).

Reduce Pipe Corrosion

When you are dealing with plumbing leaks, you can very often trace the leak source back to a weak pipe. Plumbing doesn’t last forever, and the life span will accelerate if pipes corrode.

Some of the contributing factors to pipe corrosion are material (i.e. PVC piping is more durable than copper) and chemical composition of your water.

If you know that you have mineral dense water that could bind to your pipes, be more vigilant for leaks.

Smart Water Pressure

Everyone loves the relaxation you get from a strong, hot shower, but if your water pressure is running too high, you are putting your pipes at risk for leaks.

Elevated water pressure will put excessive compression on the pipes and the joints, making them prone to leaks.

Check your water pressure. If it is close to 60 psi, it could be too high. Cut it down to the 40-45 psi range. This is just a selection of the ways that you can help your plumbing to stay strong and last longer.