ARTICLES

PHOENIX PLUMBING PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

DEC 04, 2017

While mankind has been reaping the health benefits of plumbing since Roman times, modern plumbing advances make the entire system seem like a set-and-forget convenience. But the truth is that smart homeowners will take steps to maintain the condition of their plumbing systems to avert potential problems that can take their toll on the entire home.

PHOENIX PLUMBING TIPS

We are incredibly lucky in the Phoenix area to not have to deal with the whole host of plumbing problems (like frozen pipes) that come along with sub-freezing temperatures. Even so, Phoenix homeowners who want to prevent plumbing issues from happening in the future should add these tasks to their regular overall preventative maintenance checklist.

BE OBSERVANT

The thing about plumbing problems is that they can start out so small that they are hardly noticed. The first step to maintaining your plumbing — and really any system within your home — is to keep your eyes and ears open. Knowing how systems typically function can help you identify problems more quickly and precisely when they occur. Furthermore, issues with things like loose tiles or warped vinyl can actually be indicative of a plumbing problem.

In addition to physical inspection of your home, pay attention to things like your utility bills. An unexplained spike in the water bill can be an indicator of a hidden leak that is hard to see.

HANDLE PLUMBING ISSUES EARLY

Left unaddressed, a small plumbing problem can quickly grow into a larger problem. For example, over time, a small leak can cause mold to grow or become an entryway for rodents in your home. When you notice something that is not quite right, do not put off finding out what is going on and fixing the problem. This goes for both inside and outside of your house. Luckily, because we do not have snow in Phoenix, homeowners have the benefit of being able to observe plumbing problems happening outside of their house quickly and easily.

LEARN TO HANDLE MINOR PLUMBING ISSUES

Handling plumbing issues quickly is a lot easier if you are able to do it yourself on the spot. Review some of the weekly articles we post that help homeowners learn how to do things like unclog a sink or identify the problems associated with weird noises from the toilet. These articles will also give you a good idea of the types of tools you should have on hand in case of a minor plumbing problem: a plunger, adjustable pliers, a pipe wrench, etc.

FIND YOUR MAIN WATER SHUT-OFF VALVE

Make sure other members of your family know where it is too! In the case of a sudden plumbing issue — say, a busted pipe, for instance — turning off the water quickly can be the difference between a minor hassle and the need for an unplanned remodel.

SAME GOES FOR APPLIANCES

In the same vein, make sure you know where the valves to shut off water to places like your washing machine are. If one of them starts to act up and overflow, you will be glad that you did.

TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR WATER SOFTENER

Phoenix is notorious for its hard water. For all of the pros of living here, this is one of the only drawbacks. Luckily, water conditioning systems offer a great solution that can improve the quality of the water in your house, and in turn extend the life and well being of your plumbing system. However, the water softener will only be as good to you as you are to it.

KNOW WHEN TO CALL AN EXPERT

While having some general DIY abilities around your house should be a point of pride for any homeowner, do not hesitate to call a professional plumber if you fear that a problem may be beyond your capabilities. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but you should still see an M.D. if you think you might have a broken arm. Same goes for the house. The peace of mind that comes with knowing that everything, including your plumbing system, is in working order is priceless. Call us anytime, day or night, for quick and efficient solutions for all of your Phoenix plumbing needs.