If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give the network of pipes between the walls and under your home much thought. But by paying attention to how you use the plumbing fixtures around the home, and a few inspections now and then, you can prolong the life of the system, and avoid costly repairs. From drain care, detecting water pressure, and detecting and stopping unnecessary leaks, these tips will not only help to save you money, they could also save a potentially costly callout to emergency plumbers.

Don’t turn off taps too tightly.

Every time you twist the hot or cold water taps as tight as they go, it wears down the washers. While these can be easily replaced at your local hardware store, this isn’t usually prioritised and taps leaks for days – even weeks – before washers are changed. If it’s a dripping hot water tap this can add a significant cost to your heating bill.

Beware what goes into drains

Grease, oils and fats might be in liquid form when hot, but as soon as they are return to room temperature, they become solids, and can clog up pipes. Also to avoid blocked drains, always scrape food deposits off the plate and into the garbage, and only ever flush toilet paper and sewerage.

Speaking of drains, to prevent foreign items entering, make sure to install drain screen over kitchen sinks, the bathroom or laundry floor, and the bathtub/shower. This will avoid stop hair and other small items like hairclips, razors and dental floss making their way into the drain system. Avoid using harsh drain cleaners since they often don’t remove the cause of the clog completely and can corrode drains. TO remove a clog, either call a plumber or purchase a drain snake from hardware stores and give it a go yourself.

Inspect Exterior Pipes for Corrosion

If you’ve ever heard the saying ‘a stitch in time saves nine’ this also applies to inspecting for leaks. The sooner a leak is detected and fixed, the smaller the repair will be, and the less cost. Check for grass which may be greener than other areas and damp soil to located the leak. Copper pipes with green coloured stains is a sign of corrosion so these should be monitored and patched up before corrosion gets worse and leads to a leak or ruptured pipe.

Understand How to Shut of Your Water Supply

If you suspect a leak, or you have a burst pipe, it’s a good idea to shut off the main water ASAP. We’re previously explained about reading and understanding your water meter, and this is important in a plumbing emergency and to detect if you may have a leak. It can also help solve the problem of banging water pipes.

Monitor Water Pressure

Finally, it’s also a good idea to take notice of water pressure. If you notice pressure seems too high it can add stress to your pipes and reduce the life of your plumbing. If it seems too low it can be frustrating for a decent show, but also could mean there is a leak somewhere on the property. The ideal pressure should be 40-85 psi, (pounds per square inch) and your plumber can adjust this and install pressure regulators on the property.

To arrange a plumbing inspection, routine maintenance or for a plumber to fix common plumbing problems around your Brisbane home, from Woolloongabba to Wynnum, call Fixzit today on 1300 726 806