An ounce of prevention will go a long way toward keeping your home’s plumbing in top working order — and you’ll avoid the need for repairs!
Faucets and Sinks
- Even small drips can waste thousands of gallons of water, as much as 150 gallons a day! Be sure to check under sinks for moisture or small leaks. Always repair leaky faucets right away to avoid paying for wasted water, and also to avoid water damage to your fixtures and pipes.
- Remove and clean your faucet aerators annually to ensure an even flow of water.
- Make sure overflow holes on tubs and vanity are clear and open to prevent water damage to floors and ceilings.
- Be sure to disconnect your garden hoses from the outside faucets before winter.
Water Heater
- Before doing any maintenance on your water heater yourself, be sure to shut off the power, and read your owner’s manual.
- You should also periodically inspect your water heater burner. The flame under the heater should appear blue with yellow tips. If it’s mostly yellow, or if it’s sooty under there, your flue may be clogged, which is a dangerous situation. Contact a professional to check it out.
Clogs
- To help prevent clogs, fit all your tubs and shower drains with a strainer that catches hair and soap chips, and clean the strainer regularly.
- Do not rinse fats or cooking oils down the kitchen sink. Liquid fats solidify in the cold pipes and create clogs.
- Avoid using caustic liquid drain openers (like Drano or Liquid Plumber) on a drain that is completely clogged. The caustic ingredients are trapped in your pipes, and it can severely damage them. If you can’t snake the drain yourself, contact a professional to do so.
At Ciriello Plumbing, we promise expertise, honesty, and efficiency to the homes and businesses we service in Greater Indianapolis, including Carmel, Fishers, & Greenwood. From residential plumbing repairs to commercial installations, our expert team is dedicated to providing exceptional craftsmanship and unparalleled customer service. For reliable plumbing services you can trust, contact Ciriello Plumbing Solutions today.
