When you own a home you want to keep your expenses down anyway possible. This goes for the short and long-term. Pipes eventually go bad in a home and replacing them can be very expensive. In this article we will go over methods to keeping your pipes lasting as long as possible.
Checking Water Pressure
This is a big one. Too much water pressure is bad for your pipes. Just a few PSI above the recommended level doesnt seem like much, but over years time it can do serious damage. It is suggested that you keep your PSI below 85.
No Chemical Drain Cleaners
This is easier said than done. We have all run into the situation where a drain becomes a little backed up with organic residue. A chemical treatment usually gets rids of this problem. But these chemicals can be abrasive to your pipes and start tiny cracks that lead to complete failure. Investing in a small pipes snake is a good alternative.
Regular Drain Cleaning
Cleaning your drains on a yearly basis really helps extend the life of your pipes. You can pay a professional to do this or you can do it yourself. An efficient drainage system keeps the pressure off your pipes.
Don’t Ignore Leaks
Leaks are easy to ignore if they are small. But that leak could be a sign of a much larger issue or it can turn into one if not addressed. Always tend to leaks of any kind.
Avoid Flushing Certain Items
We all know that certain items shouldn’t be flushed. They can create blockage that may eventually cause a pipe burst. Trash, wrappers, paper towels, and any large not totally soluble item will cause blockage. Its much safer to just throw that item into the trash can.
Slow Drains
This is another symptom of a much bigger issue. If your drains are slow then it could be a blockage further down the line and this could be putting unnecessary pressure on pipes throughout the entire home. Get your slow drains looked at by a professional plumber and get your system healthy again.