10 Plumbing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

10 Plumbing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

When you become a homeowner, you take on a lot of new responsibilities. One of those is being in charge of the plumbing system in your home. While this may seem daunting at first, it’s actually not that hard to keep your plumbing in good shape if you follow some simple tips.

As a trustworthy and reliable plumber in Auckland, iSpecailise offers the following ten plumbing tips for homeowners:

1. Check your water pressure

You might not give much thought to your home’s water pressure, but it’s actually an important part of your plumbing system. If the pressure is too high, it can cause your pipes to leak or even burst. On the other hand, low water pressure can make it challenging to get a good flow from your taps.

So what’s the ideal water pressure for a home? Most plumbers in Auckland recommend keeping it at around 60 psi (pounds per square inch). If your water pressure is higher, you can install a pressure-reducing valve to bring it down to a safer level. Of course, if you’re unsure how to do that, you can always call an iSpecialise plumber for help.

2. Inspect your shut-off valves for leaks and corrosion

As a plumber in Auckland, one of the most common questions I get from homeowners is: “how can I prevent my pipes from leaking?” While you can do several things to minimize the risk of a leak, one of the most important is to inspect your shut-off valves regularly.

Shut-off valves control the water flow to appliances and fixtures, and over time, they can develop leaks or become corroded. As a result, it’s important to check them regularly for any signs of damage. So, if you notice a leak, tighten the valve until it stops. If the valve is corroded, replace it with a new one.

By taking these simple steps, you can help prevent expensive repairs down the road.

3. Flush your water heater every six months

As a homeowner, you are responsible for maintaining your home’s plumbing. While most plumbing problems can be easily fixed with a little DIY know-how, some tasks are best left to the professionals. Flushing your water heater is one of them.

Over time, sediment can build up in your water heater, causing it to work less efficiently and potentially shortening its lifespan. The good news is that this problem is easy to fix.

Simply call a plumber in Auckland such as iSpecialise. We will be able to flush out your water heater, removing any sediment build-up. In addition to extending the life of your water heater, this simple maintenance task will also help to improve its performance.

So if you want to keep your home’s plumbing in tip-top condition, ensure your water heater is flushed every six months.

4. Insulate your hot water pipes

As an Auckland plumber, I often get asked about the best ways to save energy and money around the home. One of the simplest and most effective things you can do is insulate your hot water pipes.

This simple measure can help reduce heating costs by keeping the water hotter for longer as it travels from your water heater to your taps. In addition, insulating your pipes can help prevent pipe freezing in winter, which can cause costly damage.

You can purchase pipe insulation from most hardware stores, and installing it yourself is easy. Just be sure to measure your pipes carefully before cutting the insulation to size.

By taking this simple step, you can keep your energy bills down and help protect your plumbing system.

5. Repair any leaks as soon as they occur

If you’re a homeowner, one of your top priorities is keeping your plumbing system in good working order. And one of the best ways to do that is to repair any leaks as soon as you spot them. Even a tiny leak can cause severe damage to your home if it’s not fixed quickly.

So if you see any signs of a leak, don’t hesitate to call a plumber in Auckland right away. Luckily, iSpecialise are leak detection and repair specialists. We can help you find and fix any leaks in your plumbing system, no matter how small. The sooner you get the problem fixed, the better. Thanks for reading!

6. Never pour grease down the drain

As a plumber in Auckland, I often see homeowners making the same mistakes when it comes to their plumbing. One of the most common is pouring grease, fat or oil down the drain. Over time, this can cause a build-up that will eventually clog up your pipes. We call this build-up a fatberg, a solid mass made up of grease, fat and oil that can cause serious blockages.

So what should you do with your grease instead? Pour it into a container and dispose of it in the trash.

Following this simple tip can save you a decent repair bill from a drain unblocker in Auckland.

7. Shut off the main water valve in case of a plumbing emergency

One of the most important plumbing tips we can provide is to shut off the main water valve in case of a plumbing emergency. This will prevent water from flowing into your home and causing damage.

If you are unsure where your main water valve is located, ask your plumber or Auckland City Council for assistance.

Following this simple tip can avoid costly repairs and keep your home’s plumbing system in good working order.

8. Know where your home’s main shut-off valve is

It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t even know where their main water shut-off valve is located. So familiarise yourself with your home’s plumbing layout so you can find and use various fixtures and valves in an emergency.

Knowing where your home’s main shut-off valve is, you can avoid much damage in case of a flood. So take the time to familiarise yourself with your home’s plumbing and always know where the main shut-off valve is located.

9. Be careful what you flush down the toilet

As any plumber in Auckland will tell you, one of the most common cause of plumbing problems is what people flush down the toilet. While it may seem like everything can go down the drain, there are actually a few items that can cause major problems for your plumbing.

Toilet paper is designed to break down quickly in water, so it won’t clog your pipes. However, other items like paper towels, sanitary napkins, and baby wipes don’t break down as easily – no nappies, sanitary products, cigarette butts or food scraps! Such items can cause serious blockages in your pipes and lead to costly repairs.

So, next time you’re about to flush something other than toilet paper, think twice! It could save you a call to the plumber.

10. Have a plumber in Auckland check your plumbing system regularly to ensure everything is in good working order.

As a homeowner, you are responsible for your plumbing system’s upkeep. This means ensuring all the pipes and fixtures are in good working order. While you can handle some basic maintenance tasks, such as clearing blockages and tightening fittings, it’s essential to have a professional plumber in Auckland check your system regularly.

Plumbers have the knowledge and experience to identify potential problems before they cause major damage. They can also suggest upgrades or repairs that will improve the efficiency of your system.

Having your plumbing checked regularly allows you to avoid costly repairs and ensure that your home is always safe and comfortable.

Conclusion

If you follow these simple tips, you can avoid major plumbing problems and keep your home’s plumbing system in good shape for years to come. However, even if you take good care of your plumbing, it’s always a good idea to have a plumber in Auckland on hand in case of an emergency. So be sure to keep our number handy so you can call us at the first sign of trouble!

Need a plumber in Auckland? We’re here to help! Contact us today for all your plumbing needs.

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