New Years Resolutions For Your Plumbing System

Construction & Contractors Blog

When it comes to making a new years resolution, it is common to set goals, such as losing weight or quitting bad habits. Most people do not consider making a new years resolution that involves plumbing. But, if your resolution is to save money or even to quit a bad habit, showing your home's plumbing system a little new year's love, and contacting a local plumber like Kendall Plumbing & Heating Company Inc for routine maintenance, may help you accomplish both saving money and quitting bad habits.

Save Money

The lack of quality plumbing in your home may be costing you more money on the water bill each month. There are a variety of plumbing maintenance things you can do that may help extend the life of the plumbing system and save you money, including:

• Check for leaks. A leak means the water is continually running, so even the smallest leak in your pipes and faucets may be costing you extra each month for water usage. Small leaks, especially in the pipes can also lead to flooding, which may lead to expensive to repair damages throughout your home.
• Draining water. Burst pipes can be expensive to repair. Draining the outdoor faucets and pipes may prevent water from getting trapped in the pipes, which can freeze, expand and possibly burst the pipes. To avoid future problems and save money on expensive repairs, drain and disconnect garden hoses and use a hose bib to insulate outdoor faucets.
• Weatherproofing the doors, windows and vent fans will keep your home warmer, which may help to prevent the plumbing system from freezing.
• Insulate all exposed pipes. Installing foam tubing around the pipes can help your water heater retain heat, which may lower your energy bills.
• Keep indoor pipes warm. Indoor pipes can also freeze during cold weather, so doing small things, such as opening cabinet doors to expose the pipes, may prevent internal plumbing problems.

Quitting Bad Habits

One of the most difficult things about making a new years resolution is sticking to your goals. It is easy to get in a hurry and overlook the little steps that are necessary to keep your body healthy and working properly. The same concept applies for a quality plumbing system. By slowing down and taking a few extra steps, you can break several bad habits that may be damaging your home's plumbing system, including:

• Stop clogging the drains. Make it a habit to keep drains free of soap debris and hair. To help break this habit, consider using a drain screen.
• Stop incorrectly using the garbage disposal. Food scraps, such as celery stalks, artichoke leaves and corn husks can jam the blades, and egg shells and potato peels may not completely break down, which may clog the pipes.
• Bad flushing habits. It is common for many people to think the toilet is a "trash can", but it is really only meant for things that are easy to break down and flush. Avoid flushing baby wipes and diapers, cotton swabs and paper towels.
• Avoid plumbing repairs. Letting leaky faucets go to long without repairing can cause a number of other issues, including flooding and mold. The continuous moisture may create stains, mildew and mold, which is difficult to remove and the mold may lead to health problems.

A small amount of commitment can help you achieve your new years resolution when it comes to your home's plumbing. By making a conscious effort to pay attention to your home's plumbing system, this year may be the year you can say you followed through with your new years resolution.  

26 December 2015