10 Plumbing Maintenance Tips to Save You Money

Nearly 1 trillion gallons of water are wasted each year by American households, primarily due to plumbing leaks and burst pipes. One of the best ways to prevent water (and money) from going down the drain is through regular plumbing maintenance. To help you avoid costly leaks and extend the life of your plumbing system, Iceberg’s plumbing technicians have put together a list of our top 10 preventative maintenance tips. These plumbing maintenance strategies will help keep your fixtures in top shape and protect your budget from unexpected repairs!

Top 10 Plumbing Maintenance Tips From Our Technicians

#1 – Inspect for Leaks

The first thing you should do to protect your plumbing system is identify any leaks that may exist. Be sure to inspect your water appliances routinely for any water stains or puddles near where they are installed. If you do suspect a leak in one of your plumbing fixtures, place a drip tray beneath it to prevent any leaking water from damaging the structural integrity of your home.

#2 – Fix Leaking Fixtures

Placing a drip tray under leaky fixtures should only ever be a temporary fix until you schedule a proper plumbing repair. Just one drip every two seconds from a faulty faucet can waste over 3,000 gallons of water annually — that’s a lot of wasted water and dollars from your wallet. Repair any leaks you identify in your home quickly to prevent further system damage.

#3 – Clean Your Showerhead

Especially if you have hard water, minerals can become easily trapped inside your shower head, reducing its pressure and efficiency. Your sink faucets can also experience this problem if they aren’t routinely cleaned. Be sure to remove the mineral deposits regularly from your faucets and shower heads to prevent low water pressure.

#4 – Check Water Pressure

While we’re on the subject of water pressure, it’s important to ensure your system is operating at the proper psi. Water pressure that’s too high can put excess strain on your plumbing, while water pressure that’s too low will fail to satisfy your daily water demands. Use a pressure gauge to identify your current pressure rate and consider calling a repair specialist if you experience extreme fluctuations.

#5 – Clean Your Drains

Clogged, dirty drains are the culprits for many common plumbing problems. Keep your drains clean by scheduling routine plumbing maintenance or a video camera pipe inspection to have the blockage removed at its root. DIY drain cleaning techniques are often ineffective at eliminating severe clogs, so it’s best to leave this job to the professionals.

#6 – Proper Drain Use

You can prevent a clogged drain altogether simply by knowing what not to put down it in the first place. Fibrous foods, coffee grounds, paper products, oil, grease, and hair are just a few examples of items that should never be flushed down your drain. As a rule of thumb, if it’s not water or a water-based substance, it’s best to err on the side of safety and not send it down.

#7 – Inspect Sewer Drains

It’s important to stick to a maintenance schedule for your sewer pipes as these systems are hidden underground and difficult to monitor. Have your sewer drains inspected once every six months to catch severe blockages or tree root infiltration early. Identifying these problems now will help you plan and prepare appropriately.

#8 – Insulate Your Pipes

Especially ahead of the winter season, it’s important to insulate your pipes to keep them from freezing and bursting in the colder weather. While Central Florida has milder winters, we do get some nights that dip below freezing, and that may be all it takes for your pipes to freeze. If you have pipes located in the basement, attic, crawl space, or other exposed, poorly insulated areas of your home, be sure to wrap them with pipe insulation. Burst pipes can cause extensive damage, so it’s critical that you act before the first freeze of the season!

#9 – Flush Water Heater

You should flush your water heater system at least once a year to rid the unit of excess sediment buildup and improve its efficiency. This is something you can do all on your own and is a great way to prevent against system breakdown. Additionally, you should make sure that your water heater maintains a temperature no less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

#10 – Caulk Any Gaps

Gaps between your water appliances — like between a toilet and a bathtub — can lead to leaks and cosmetic damage with time. Prevent this from happening by caulking any gaps you see that could pose a problem. If caulking doesn’t do the trick, you may need to hire a plumbing contractor to address the issue as it could be more extensive, requiring specialized training.

Bonus Tip: Trust Iceberg Home Services With Your Plumbing Needs!

At Iceberg Home Services, our team is proud to offer Central Florida families the plumbing services they need to keep their systems operating smoothly all year long. We are here for you when it matters most so you can protect against damage to your home and plumbing fixtures.

Get the long-lasting plumbing repairs you need to keep your system safe this year by calling Iceberg at (863) 223-1849 to schedule plumbing service!