Take Care Of Your Pipes, And They Will Take Care Of You
Your plumbing pipes are the unsung heroes of your home. They are mostly hidden in your wall space, but they work 24 hours a day transporting water to all parts of your house to meet your water needs. That is why it is important for you to take care of your pipes. Pipes that are neglected can develop leaks and cause major problems when they burst. This article will give you some tips on how you can maintain them properly.
Your pipes are most at risk when the weather is at freezing temperatures. That is because when water freezes inside your pipes, the ice expands and cause your pipes to burst. The most vulnerable spots are where two pieces of piping join.
Therefore, as winter approaches, you should insulate your pipes anywhere they are exposed. You can purchase insulation that are made especially for pipes at your local home center. Pay special attention to pipe sections that are exposed to the outdoor temperatures. Clean the dirt off of the pipe sections, then wrap the insulation around them, paying special attention to the joints. Secure the insulation around the pipes with duct tape.
You should drain your water hose and remove it from the outdoor faucet. Store it away because you will not be watering any plants. Caulk the area on the pipe that leads into your house with special outdoor caulk formulated for this purpose.
As part of your routine home maintenance, check the pipes beneath your bathroom and kitchen sinks. Feel them to see if you can detect any moisture. Leaks often start very small, like drops of water seeping through the seams. Look at the bottom of your cabinet to see if you can detect any water. Even though the storage area under your sink is meant to store things, you should avoid cluttering this area with things. A cluttered area makes it harder for your to detect any leaks.
If your pipes are making weird sounds behind your walls, that may be a problem of water pressure. Make sure that your water pressure is adjusted properly to minimize this problem.
When you have a clogged sink, avoid turn to corrosive drain cleaners as your first solution. These corrosive cleaners can damage your pipes if used too much. Opt for manual solutions. Get an auger and try to fish out the source of the clog. If appropriate, use a plunger to try to force the clogged materials down the drain.
Apply this advice to your home maintenance. If you take care of your pipes by taking these precautions, you can avoid major problems caused by leaky pipes. Although this does take time, it is better than dealing water damage resulting from undetected water leaks. Water damage in a home can cost thousands of dollars to fix, if your flooring or wall is damaged. Devoting a bit time and effort regularly as a preventative measure will save you from major head aches down the road.
