9 DIY Plumbing Maintenance Tips

One of the critical aspects of a home is its plumbing. And with proper home maintenance, most home plumbing will work smoothly and efficiently.

However, not everyone can recognise the signs and types of a damaged system and have regular plumbing system maintenance know-how. This is why we’ve compiled this short guide to help you get started with your plumbing maintenance. And don’t worry- they’re super easy to do!

Let’s take a look!

9 DIY Plumbing Maintenance Tips

1. Use Non-Toxic Drain Cleaners

Whenever a tough bathroom or kitchen clog is spotted, the initial reaction would be to use a harsh chemical drain cleaner. This only results in more harm than good for your drains, even if only a few drops are poured regularly.

Since the chemicals in these drain cleaners are highly abrasive, they can damage the pipes. So, instead of using chemical drain cleaners, you can opt for a more natural solution, such as baking soda, vinegar solution, and hot water. This can help you eliminate the most stubborn clogs in the drains without damaging the pipes.

Baking soda, vinegar, and hot water is an all-rounder for home cleaning or plumbing issues, and cleaning kitchen or shower drains is no exception.

2. Fix Clogs And Leaks Immediately

Leaks and clogs are among the most common household plumbing problems. Both of these problems develop slowly, making detecting them harder. But, failing to detect a leak or clog as early on can make a small repair a much more expensive affair.

Apart from higher repair costs, unattended plumbing leaks can cause water-related damage to your home and grow unhealthy mould and mildew. Likewise, clogged drains can result in corrosion of the drain pipes, flooding and sewage backup.

This is why fixing water leaks and clogs is essential as soon as you spot them. So, keep an eye out for the following symptoms:

• Low water pressure, slow drains and rusted-out pipes
• Overflowing toilet or sink and reduced water flow
• Tree roots growing near outdoor pipes
• Cracks in the foundation of the walls
• Higher water bills and water metre readings even with usual water supply use
• Strange sounds within the pipes

If you spot these signs, repair the necessary plumbing systems or hire professional plumbers.

3. Avoid Discarding Non-liquids In The Drain

A typical house drain is designed to process liquids, so disposing of other solids or semi-solids like toilet paper, food waste, or other debris can lead to a clog. Hence, be vigilant about what goes into your drain to avoid problems from arising in the future. Objects like used toilet paper, hair, food leftovers, cloth pieces, etc., should never be flushed down the drain or toilet bowl.

An excellent way to ensure no solid or semi-solid matter passes through your drain is by placing a sink strainer or stopper on the drain opening (in the sink).

4. Have The Right Tools

Most homeowners have dealt with the issues of a leaky faucet, clogged sinks, leaky pipes, or a blocked toilet bowl at some point in their lives. These issues emerge randomly and, in most cases, cannot be avoided, no matter how careful you are.

However, calling a local plumber for every minor repair will be time-consuming and expensive. Often, non-technical plumbing problems can be fixed DIY if you have the tools to fix minor issues with your home’s plumbing system and plumbing emergency.

Here is a list of tools that will come in handy in case of any minor plumbing issue:

• Tongue-and-groove pliers
• Drain snake
• Plungers
• Sink augers
• Adjustable wrenches

5. Regularly Inspect Your Water Appliances And Plumbing System

The most important tip is to inspect your home plumbing system regularly. How often does one have to conduct a plumbing maintenance inspection? The answer is annual. Any plumbing fixtures and appliances, like water heaters, washing machines, etc., should be regularly inspected by a qualified plumber.

This helps detect problems early on, avoid any unnecessary plumbing repairs in the future, and ensure that all the plumbing system components work efficiently.

6. Check The Water Pressure

Typically, the water pressure in your home should be between 15 and 40 PSI, i.e., 1.0kg/cm2 and 2.8 kg/cm2. Anything above the said pressure puts unnecessary stress on the entire plumbing system. Irrespective of the water pressure readings in your home, consider installing aerators for the shower head and faucets. They are inexpensive and easy-to-install accessories that can help save on water consumption and energy bills.

7. Change Leaking Or Loose Faucets

Leaking or losing faucets can cause a lot of water waste, ultimately increasing your water bill. If you fail to fix leaking taps as early as possible, it will worsen over time.

So, to avoid this, check your faucets regularly and repair them immediately if you find them faulty. Check the faucet’s handles to ensure there is no water leakage when the handles are turned on or off.

The bottom of the sink can have water stains if and when the water is leaking, so be sure to check those areas. If the problem is not fixable, replace the existing leaky faucet with a new one.

8. Know What You Can Dispose Of In Your Sink

Only some things can pass through garbage disposals, and it is necessary to be aware of that. Mentioned below are a few among the list of things that can be discarded through your garbage disposal:

• Citrus rinds
• Fruit scraps
• Scraps of cooked meat
• Almost all vegetable scraps

Note: Refrain from disposing of potatoes down the drain as they may cause a clog.

9. Check All Exposed Pipes And Appliances

A leak can develop anywhere from your garbage disposal, shower heads, geyser, washing machine, dishwasher, water heater, or even the sewer line or sewer system.

So, checking the outdoor fixtures like outdoor faucets is essential to ensure no leaks or rusted pipes. Likewise, ensure there are no frozen pipes during the winter, as the low temperature can solidify the water inside the pipe, causing it to leak or burst.

Remember that you should inspect for mildew and install a drip tray beneath appliances like washing machines and water heaters, which will help limit damage in case of a leak. Similarly, ensure the water heater temperature setting is accurately set for optimal water usage.

DIY Plumbing Maintenance

Although many plumbing issues can be solved DIY, other cases require a licensed plumber’s help. In such a case, do not hesitate to call WP Plumbing. We provide same-day plumbing services for all your plumbing needs, any plumbing emergencies and regular plumbing maintenance services so that you don’t have to do the hard work!