Making sure that the plumbing in your home is in optimal condition is vital. It is very inconvenient when your water, drain, and sewer system is not working properly.
Imagine you cannot take a shower in the morning, or use the toilet when you come home after a long car ride. Your family would not be very pleased. All the nagging and distress can be avoided by maintaining your bathroom’s plumbing system regularly.
Call a licensed plumber right away when an emergency occurs. Despite all your care and precautions, there are certain elements beyond your reach. That includes the water pipes located inside the walls.
Keep your bathroom in excellent shape by completing the following chores.
Faucets
Maintaining sinks and faucets is a long-term investment. A leaky faucet often wastes up to 150 gallons of clean water every day. That is bad for the environment and your wallet. Regular maintenance prevents significant wear and tear.
There are different types of faucets on the market. The easiest way to buy the right replacement parts is to take the old ones with you to the store. Do not forget to turn off the water to your sink, and drain the pipes before removing the faucet.
Cover the sink with an old towel to protect it from tools. They can easily drop, or the pointy edges can create nasty scratches. Covering the sink also prevents that small faucet parts get lost. Carefully wrap the jaws of your wrench with tape to protect the finish of the faucet.
Toilets
There are several things that can go wrong with toilets. They can clog, leak, and the tank runs continuously. When your toilet is not flushing properly, shut off the valve, which is usually located right next to the bowl near the wall. Give it a minute to drain the pipe. Grab a plunger, and cover the hole completely. Pull the plunger up and down to create suction and pressure.
Forcing air through the pipe may be just what you need to break up the obstruction. Several pumps generally do the trick. Inspect the floor around the toilet. Is it damp and soft? The unit may be damaged, or one of the pipes could be leaking.
Another sign that your toilet needs to be inspected by a skilled plumber is when you can rock it back and forth. Deal with this problem right away. It will be less expensive in the long run.
Check the flapper regularly. If there are too many mineral deposits encrusted water will be able to get in as the unit does not seal properly. Clean the flapper seat to resolve this issue. Replace the part if it is damaged. Try not to use chemicals. They are tough on rubber, and speed up corrosion in pipes.
Shower Heads
Hard water contains a lot of mineral content, such as calcium and magnesium. Hard water is not harmful to our health. However, over time, they build up inside pipes and cause clogs throughout your home’s plumbing system. The deposits also affect your shower head.
If you can, remove the head, and place it in a vinegar-based solution overnight. Wipe it clean with a damp, soft cloth in the morning. If the shower head is stuck, simply tie a bag filled with vinegar and water around the unit for several hours. Wipe off the deposits. Repeat if not all sediments are removed the first time around.
By constantly keeping your bathroom in great condition, you can avoid bigger problems in the future. Making sure all the plumbing in your bathrooms are in tiptop condition is a good way to save your family from future inconvenience and to keep them happy and healthy.
