Updated Apr 17, 2023 By Joyce Wilson (info@teacherspark.org)
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Well-functioning plumbing is critical to maintaining a safe, hygienic, and comfortable environment in your house. As a property owner, there are some do-it-yourself steps you can take to help maintain this critical home system. However, some other maintenance and repair jobs are best left to a professional. Second Plumbing & Heating is dedicated to giving homeowners the practical knowledge they need to maintain safe and effective plumbing infrastructure.
Read on for a quick guide to best practice tips—plus some pointers on how you can upgrade your plumbing to boost your house's value.
Practice good plumbing protection habits
Some common-sense guidelines can help you protect your home's plumbing. First off, don't put hazardous goods or substances down your toilet, sink, or shower drains. Better Homes & Gardens lists items that should never enter drains, like paper towels, feminine hygiene products, dental floss, and hair. These goods can cause clogged pipes and pricey damage.
Regular cleaning can also help maintain your plumbing. Good Housekeeping offers an easy checklist for cleaning. For example, you want to remove mineral buildup from faucets and showerheads to prevent them from backing up. Additionally, regularly cleaning your sinks, shower, and tub can help prevent potentially hazardous mold and mildew. Since these fixtures tend to get wet, they are prone to such organic growth.
Enlist the help of a pro for bigger plumbing jobs
While you can DIY smaller maintenance and cleaning tasks yourself, bigger plumbing issues require the expertise of a professional. Serious clogs, pipe fixes, and water heater repairs are best left to experts. If you try to do jobs like these yourself and something goes wrong, you may create even bigger problems—meaning more expensive repairs.
For example, say you have a leaky pipe and try to fix it yourself. In the worst case scenario, a poorly fixed leak can result in a burst pipe. As Water Damage Advisor explains, a broken pipe doesn't just impact your plumbing. It also means water damage to your property, potentially ruining carpets, furniture, electronics, flooring, and more.
Any sort of septic tank installation or maintenance is also a job for a pro. The Spruce explains that septic tank pumping generally needs to be done every three to five years. However, the precise timeline will depend on personal factors like the size of your household and how much water you generally use.
Consider upgrading your plumbing systems for added value
In addition to maintaining your plumbing with the above best practices, consider upgrading your system to add value to your home. In case you sell your property, focus on upgrades that will be valued by homebuyers. For example, you might switch to water-saving fixtures like toilets and showerheads. The Balance explains that this will save money on water costs.
A water softening system is another worthwhile investment. Popular Mechanics explains that this removes mineralslike calcium and iron from your water, improving its cleaning properties and preserving the lifespan of water-reliant fixtures and appliances. Finally, you might consider investing in luxury fixtures like a large bathtub, rain shower, or bidet.
Whenever you make home upgrades like these, make sure to save your receipts. Redfin reveals that if you ever sell your property, you can present such receipts to demonstrate how you've invested in the house and potentially increase the appraisal value. For visible changes, like new fixtures, it also helps to take before and after photos.
The above tips can help you not only save money but also maximize your home's value. Follow these pointers for plumbing best practices and you will reap the rewards.
Second Plumbing & Heating offers essential services to help you maintain your home plumbing. Get a free quote.