Can you really extend the life of your plumbing? Of course you can! Your plumbing doesn't have to degrade and fall apart. While a home's plumbing system is one of the complex things in your house, there are a few simple things you can do to make sure it's operating at peak performance, and able to last as long as possible.
1. Don't Skip on Routine Maintenance
Like your car, you need to have your plumbing inspected periodically by a professional. Most problems with your plumbing aren't noticeable right away. In fact, it could take years before you might realize you have an issue with your plumbing system, and by then, it may be too late. There's almost nothing else in your life you rely on as much as your plumbing, so you don't want it to reach the point where major renovations are necessary. Having a plumber come in on a regular basis to maintain and inspect your plumbing is the best way to keep major repairs to a minimum.
2. Rely on Professionals to Clean Your Drains
The most obvious incidents of plumbing trouble are when a drain clogs up. When a drain clogs, you have no choice but to deal with it. The good news is there are plenty of products on the market you can buy which can clear out your drain. The bad news is these are terrible for your plumbing. It's tempting to think you can buy an inexpensive drain cleaner to solve your problems, but the chemicals used in these products can do tremendous damage to your drains, particularly if they're used repeatedly. When you have a clog that requires service, bite the bullet and hire professional rooters. They can resolve the clogged drain without doing any damage to your plumbing.
3. Treat Hard Water
Hard water sounds scary, but it just means your water has high concentrations of magnesium and calcium. This can make it more difficult to clean things, but they're harmless chemicals to ingest, so treating hard water is not a health issue. It is, however, a health issue for your pipes. Hard water can cause buildup over time that leads to clogs, further damaging your pipes. If you live in a community that delivers hard water, the best solution is to have a professional install a water softener. Water softeners remove the minerals from your water that make the water hard, and can do wonders for extending the life of your plumbing.
4. Don't Hesitate to Call for Repairs
You can't do everything by yourself. While it may seem tempting to try to fix a plumbing issue with a store-bought solution, or to just ignore the problem until it goes away, the fact is plumbing problems aren't going to solve themselves. The longer you wait before calling a professional, the more expensive your plumbing issue is likely to be. Having a professional plumber analyze and fix whatever ails your plumbing system is the best way to ensure a long life for your home's plumbing.
The important thing is to stay ahead of the game. Contact The Pink Plumber to have your plumbing serviced, and follow these few simple rules, and you're going to get the most out of your plumbing system.
