There are so many factors that contribute to making a home comfortable and practical environment. You can think of your home as a unit with different systems that work together to help you maintain a convenient lifestyle. For instance, you may have noticed how difficult it is to go about your daily life if you get disconnected from the internet. It can be hard to work, study, or entertain yourself when this happens.
Aside from the internet, electricity, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing are essential parts that keep your home functioning. But plumbing is especially important because of how necessary it is in our daily lives and how troublesome it can be if it’s malfunctioning or damaged. This is because water can be highly damaging to beams and even your home’s foundation. There are all kinds of plumbing issues that you need to keep an eye out for.
With this in mind, knowing how your actions affect the different plumbing systems in your home will be a vital step to keeping it in tip-top shape. But it can be confusing, and you might be surprised that some things you thought were harmless are actually damaging your pipes. To keep you aware of how you can take care of your plumbing safely, make sure to keep the following details in mind:
#1 Don’t Try To Fix Serious Issues Yourself
The first thing you should remember is to avoid fixing plumbing issues that are way beyond your skills. Some of these severe issues include flooding, sewer backing up, leaking water heaters, freezing showers, and any other issues you don’t know how to fix.
Yes, there are easy plumbing repairs for your kitchen or bathroom. But if you aren’t confident in your handyman skills, or you can’t even identify the source of a problem, then you’ll need to call a plumber to help you out.
#2 Do Yearly Leak Inspections
Leaks are one of the most common signs that there’s something wrong with your plumbing. It’s necessary to check for leaks every year because these can lead to severe water damage in your home. Inspecting your toilet and exposed pipes can be quickly done on your own. However, it’s more challenging to find any leaky pipes if they’re hidden in the walls or under the floor. You might be able to notice water stains in your home, and leaky pipes could be the cause of these. To avoid further damage from developing, getting a professional to inspect all the pipes will be your best course of action.
#3 Wear Eye Protection When Doing Plumbing
When doing plumbing repairs, you need to be careful because you’ll be working with tools and dealing with water pressure. Even if you turn off the water valves before working, clogged drains have a lot of pressure, and when you open them, they can spray into your eyes. To protect your eyes, make sure that you wear safety goggles beforehand.
#4 Read Labels When Working With Chemicals
People commonly deal with clogged drains using a plunger. But if this doesn’t work, drain cleaners and clog removers can be a good solution. To be safe, always keep in mind that these are strong chemicals, and you’ll need to be careful with them. Each brand will have different instructions on how to use their products, and you should never skip reading them so that you can avoid any mishaps.
Also, you need to wear eye protection and rubber gloves because these strong chemicals can cause burns. Furthermore, you should not mix drain cleaners with other chemicals because this can cause a dangerous reaction. And if you’re dealing with a clogged toilet, don’t use drain cleaners for it, especially if it isn’t indicated to be used for toilets. Lastly, make sure you flush it entirely with water to avoid any remaining residue.
#5 Don’t Wait to Do Repairs
The worst thing you can do is delay any plumbing repairs because they’ll worsen with time. When you notice a leak, clogging, or water stains in your home, be sure to find out what the problem is and do any necessary repairs as soon as possible. This way, you won’t need to deal with more extensive and expensive repairs in the future.
Conclusion
Plumbing needs to function correctly so you can feel safe and comfortable in your home. But it’s only going to stay in good shape if you take care of it. This means that you’ll need to inspect it regularly and do maintenance, as well as occasional repairs. But it can be a dangerous undertaking, especially if you’re not familiar with how plumbing works and how to use chemicals and tools. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from professionals who can effectively help you maintain your home’s comfort and safety.
Published in: Home advice | Author: Yanita