Start the Year Right With This New Year’s Plumbing Checklist
The New Year is about reflecting on the past year and what you need to do for a successful future. While this usually consists of working out, eating healthier, or achieving a goal, don’t forget about your plumbing.
Without a functioning plumbing system, you put your house, comfort, and quality of living at risk. Don’t wait until a catastrophic failure to address your plumbing. Instead, start the year off right with this handy New Year’s plumbing checklist.
Flush Your Water Heater
Over time, sediment builds within your water heater. If left inside the tank for too long, this sediment can cause malfunctions and breakdowns that can make a hot shower impossible. The only recourse is to flush your water heater at least once a year.
Releasing water from your water heater ensures that the pipes connected to the water heater and the water heater itself are clear of debris — saving you on costly repairs to boot.
If you’re thinking about making the switch to an instant water heater you can avoid thi step all together. Express Plumbing has installed hundreds of tankless water heaters in the Bay Area and our customers love it.
Only Put the Right Things Down the Drain
A house call for a clogged sink or pipe can cost you hundreds of dollars, but the good news is that it’s avoidable. As part of your New Year’s resolutions, make a concerted effort to put only correct items down the drain — water, certain foods, and toilet paper.
Avoid putting these items down the drain or garbage disposal:
- Eggshells
- Coffee grounds
- Feminine hygiene products
- Diapers
- Paper towels
- “Flushable” wipes
- Cotton balls
If you can keep these out of the drain, the chance of a plumbing catastrophe lowers immensely.
Fix Leaks and Insulate Your Pipes
Fixing a leak isn’t exactly a fun way to spend your New Year, but it’s a necessary task for a homeowner. When you see a leak, take time and care to fix it quickly. If you need help or your home DIY doesn’t get the job done, you can always contact a plumber. By fixing these leaks early, you can avoid potential damage and higher water bills.
In addition, you should also insulate any pipes that are exposed to low temperatures or the elements. Using foam insulation, wrap each of these pipes, which helps them avoid freezing and bursting. Just like fixing leaks, insulating pipes is every bit as important to the integrity of your plumbing system, as well as the cutting potential repair costs.
Schedule Preventive Maintenance With a Certified Plumber
A final way to ensure your plumbing hums along without issue over the next year is to hire a certified, experienced plumber. Not only can we diagnose any potential issues, but we can also perform preventive maintenance that ensures you don’t have any problems in the future.
We offer our Bay Area customers a preventive maintenance visit for a small fee, allowing you to get priority service and discounts on parts and house calls. It may not be the same as running a marathon or eating better, but it’s one thing off your plate. You’ll be glad you made the call — and you’ll start your year off with a bang — just not one from your plumbing system.
Happy New Year from all of us at Express Plumbing, your local plumbers, always eager to help you, 24/7 including holidays and weekends.
