Plumbing can be a major household concern. Statistics show that a leaky faucet can cause you to waste 100 gallons of water a day. This isn’t the only problem that can affect your plumbing. Imagine a toilet that can’t be flushed, a water meter that keeps running even if none of the faucets in your home are in use; or worse, a broken pipe. Such problems will require the help of a professional plumber to fix, which means you may end up spending a lot of money on them.
This is why it’s important to have the plumbing in your home inspected regularly. Checking key plumbing fixtures at home can help you spot potential issues before they get worse. Of all the areas in your home, you should prioritize your bathroom and kitchen when it comes to plumbing inspections. Here’s what you should know about both rooms before you call a plumber.
Bathroom
You should have the plumbing in your bathroom checked regularly because everyone in your family uses it on a daily basis. That’s also why the bathroom is most likely to have plumbing problems. Below are the specific fixtures or parts of a bathroom that must be checked:
Faucets – The sink, tub, and faucets in your bathroom often need attention. You have to check them for leaks regularly. If the faucets are dripping, replace the cartridges or bad washers. You also have to watch the faucets as you turn the water on. If you notice weak water pressure, chances are there might be calcium buildup on the aerator. Now, for tub and shower drains, you have to check the water supply lines hidden in the wall. There may be leaks hidden below the pipes, which is a sign of water damage.
Drains – The tub, shower, and sink drain in a bathroom also need to be regularly checked. They may be filled with hair and soap. You should frequently disassemble the drain traps and remove whatever’s clogging them. It’s best to snake out the branch drains to remove clogs before they become more serious.
Toilets – You should regularly check the parts of your toilet. You have to remove the lid of your toilet’s tank and observe what happens as you flush it. Chances are it’s wasting a lot of water by continuing to run at the end of the flush cycle, instead of shutting off. Fixing a running toilet is remarkably easy. But in some cases, the worn out wax ring that seals the toilet base to the drain opening needs to be replaced.
Kitchen
You should check all kitchen fixtures twice a year and fix small problems if you find any. Below are some of the parts that you need to inspect:
Sink drains – The sink strainer is where leaks commonly occur. You have to watch the strainer area and the P-trap as water in the sink drains out. If the P-trap isn’t tightened and the strainer area has small leaks, then you better fix or replace them. Also, a sink may have a clog building in the P-trap or branch drain if the sink drains too slowly. You can simply disassemble and clean out these fittings.
Faucets – A leaky faucet in your kitchen is said to be the most common plumbing problem. You will surely waste hundreds of gallons of water each year if you don’t get it fixed. That said, you have to observe your faucet as you operate the lever. You should have it repaired if needed.
Shutoff valves – The shutoff valves are responsible for controlling the water supply to the sink faucet, dishwasher, and refrigerator water lines. The water flow should shut off completely when the valves are closed. If not, then they ought to be replaced.
