Who doesn’t love saving money? Around the home, plumbing fixes can get pretty pricey. A few easy checks can help save you from costly water damage, water loss, and unexpected equipment replacement.
Check for leaky faucets
-Check underneath the sink to see if there are any active leaks from pipes or any previous water damage. Check around the base of the faucet to ensure the faucet is tightly attached to the sink and isn’t allowing water to seep down from the base of the faucet. If your faucet is outdated, it may be allowing too much water to pass through. Install an eco-friendly model that will reduce water flow and allow for less water wasted.
Inspect your toilet
-Check the handle to make sure it doesn’t jiggle or need to be pushed down too hard which may be a sign of failing parts. Add a few drops of food coloring to your toilet tank and if you see that coloring make its way to the bowl without it being flushed, you have a leak from the tank to the bowl.
Pour water down drains that you may not use often
-For drains that you don’t use often, pour a few gallons of water down them occasionally to ensure they are draining properly. This is especially important for floor drains that aren’t used often, but if there is ever a water leak, you’ll want to know that the drain is functioning properly to help prevent any water damage in that area.
Clean out gutters and downspouts
-Clogged gutters and downspouts will stop water from being directed away from your home’s foundation that can cause flooding in your basement and cause your sump pump to work overtime.
Check your sump pump
-Check your sump pump every few months but especially before the rainy season sets in. Pour a few gallons of water into your sump pit to make sure you hear your sump pump turn on when the water level hits the float and also check that the discharge line is discharging away from the foundation, otherwise the discharged water will have a tendency to seep back into the sump pit. Clean your sump pump annually to ensure that it isn’t plugged up with debris and that the pit also isn’t filled with debris.
Inspect your water heater
-Look for any leaks around any pipes and connections. Check your self-sacrificing anode rode to ensure that it hasn’t completely corroded away. Annually, drain your water heater to remove sediment that can inhibit heat transfer and cause higher energy bills to keep the water at the temperature you have set.
Small checks now can save you time and money in the future. If you find any issues or know you do have a problem, call us at 785-341-4193 to have our skilled technicians take care of your plumbing issues!
De Hart Plumbing Heating and Cooling, serving Manhattan Kansas, Junction City Kansas, Wamego Kansas, Topeka Kansas, and some surrounding areas.