Many homeowners like to take the approach of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, this approach doesn’t work for plumbing or pipes. During an average day, the plumbing and pipes in your house are working nonstop. Between flushing the toilet, showering, doing laundry, even washing your hands, the plumbing and pipes take a lot of wear and tear every day. Inevitably, plumbing and pipes are going to wear out. Eventually, the years and daily usage take their toll. The pipes start to thin, corrode, or even spring a leak. This can cause a lot of damage, and it can be extremely expensive to fix.
Here at New West Plumbing, we offer comprehensive plumbing maintenance services that can help extend the life of your plumbing. Our experienced Burnaby plumbers as an example have the skills and expertise to handle any type of problem you have, whether it’s a simple clog, a broken or burst pipe, or even a major flood. That’s why it’s essential to keep an eye on things to ensure that your plumbing system is working correctly. These six tips can help extend the lifespan of your plumbing. 1. Stay Away from Those “Magic” Drain Cleaners The ad on TV looks so promising—just pour some magic drain cleaner down the drain, and the clog will instantly wash away! Unfortunately, if it sounds too good to be true, it is. Drain cleaners don’t work. Not only do they not work, but they’re incredibly damaging to your pipes. They might eliminate a clog, but then they keep going and can corrode the pipes. In fact, sometimes, they even push the clog further down the pipe, making it more difficult to clear. 2. Check the Water Pressure If the water pressure in the plumbing is too high, it can wear out the system faster. It’s important to ensure that the PSI stays below 85, which is a safe pressure. You can even try installing a water pressure gauge to keep a much closer eye on the pressure. If there’s ever an issue with either too low or too high water pressure, just give us a call here at New West Plumbing, and we’ll fix it right away. 3. Invest in Regular Plumbing Maintenance The more debris and clogs that build up in the pipes, the worse it is for the entire plumbing system. It creates more pressure on the system that strains it, making it work harder. Eventually, it can corrode and damage the inside of the pipes until they eventually start leaking. To avoid this problem, invest in regular plumbing maintenance. Here at New West Plumbing, we offer plumbing maintenance services that can help extend the lifespan of your plumbing system. At the very least, you should have drain cleaning services once a year. 4. Only Flush Toilet Paper This is one of the biggest mistakes people make with their plumbing system: flushing things down the toilet that aren’t toilet paper. Every other type of garbage should go in the trash can. This includes things like “flushable” wet wipes, tissues, Q-tips, paper towels, sanitary products, food, hair, and grease. The only thing that should ever go down the toilet besides waste is toilet paper. 5. Fix Leaks right Away Many homeowners think a leaky faucet or showerhead isn’t that big of a deal besides being annoying. But, a leaky faucet is a big problem that can lead to more serious issues down the road. Have you ever seen a rock that’s been worn down by a river or the ocean? The same principle applies to a leaky faucet. Eventually, the drip-drip-drip wears connections and other components of the plumbing fixtures, which can cause expensive problems that will need to be repaired. 6. Get Slow-Clearing Drains Fixed A slow-clearing drain is a big problem for homeowners. Any drain that’s slow to clear is an indication that there’s a clog or backup somewhere in the pipe. Blockages eventually lead to increased pressure, which can be catastrophic for a plumbing system. The more the pressure builds up, the more strain is put on the plumbing system, and the faster it starts to deteriorate. If there are any slow-clearing drains in your home, don’t wait until they cause a flood. Instead, try to snake them or plunge them right away to fix the problem. If that doesn’t work, give us a call here at New West Plumbing, we’ll help you get the drain cleared right away. Invest in Plumbing Maintenance with New West Plumbing We go above and beyond for our customers. Nobody wants to deal with a plumbing emergency, but they happen. However, there are plenty of tips you can do to help prevent plumbing issues. Be gentle on your plumbing system. Don’t use harsh drain cleaners, and get all minor problems fixed right away. Sometimes, even preventative maintenance doesn’t work, and when that happens, we’re just a phone call away. Contact our expert plumbers in Burnaby, Coquitlam and New Westminster today to learn more about the plumbing services we offer or to schedule a home service call. Comments are closed.
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