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You understand the true value of your plumbing and heating system when it breaks down without a notice. Your plumbing system is extremely complex, and you realize it when you have to fix a leaky pipe or find why that furnace has stopped working suddenly. Thankfully, you do not always need to hire a plumbing and heating expert, especially when you know some simple yet highly effective plumbing tips and tricks. Here are a few tips to prevent expensive plumbing repairs.
- Do not ignore any leaky faucet in your home. The issue may not look big at first, but things will quickly go out of hand if you do not take immediate actions. Also, you need to bear in mind that it takes no time to lose gallons of water when you have a single leaky faucet in your home.
- Think seriously of making hot-water storage tank more efficient by insulating it properly. It is also a good idea to insulate all those storage pipes as well. While doing it, ensure that you do not cover the thermostat or you may run into serious trouble in no time. In case of oil or gas hot-water storage tanks, you should not insulate the heater’s top and bottom. Avoid covering its burner compartment and thermostat. When not sure, do not hesitate to talk to a plumbing and heating expert.
- Make special moves to lower your water bill, and one simple thing is to opt for non-aerating low-flow showerheads and faucets. These fixtures may cost you a bit more, but you will end up saving some good money on your water bill.
- Do not wait for your 8-year-old water heater to go bad. While most water heaters continue to serve you up to 10 years, it is better to start looking for a new one once yours is at least 8 years old. At least, you should start paying more attention to its maintenance to ensure it does not break down at wrong times. Be sure to spend some time in educating yourself about different types of heaters currently available in the market because it will help you select a new one that perfectly meets your needs.
- Pay special attention to your thermostat settings when you have a new water heater installed. Most of the times, water heaters have higher temperature settings when you install them for the first time. Be sure to check it and lower it to make it serve you well. It is usually a good idea to keep it below 115F because it provides enough hot water at this setting.
- Consider draining some water from the water tank at regular intervals. Ideally, you should drain around a quart of water and do it every three months to ensure that there is no sediment in it to impede heat transfer.
Simply by following these pieces of advice, you will be able to prevent the need to hire a plumbing and heating professional, but if things have already started to go bad, do not waste time to ask a pro to have a look at it.
