Tips in Keeping Your Home Pipes in Good Shape

Most water supply and drain lines are hidden behind walls or under sink cabinets. It’s easy to overlook them until something goes wrong. Regular maintenance of your plumbing system can extend its life, prevent leaks and clogs, and save you money on repairs. 

No matter how well you maintain the plumbing system of your home, time will ultimately catch up with you, and problems will arise. It’s critical to have a blockage, leak, or other plumbing issue repaired as soon as possible to avoid property damage.

Tips For Pipe Maintenance

Water lines and drains in your home can be protected and maintained in various ways. Hence, we have prepared some of our top recommendations.

Tip 1: Avoid the use of harsh chemicals.

Homeowners frequently use chemical drain openers to clear obstructions. Bleach, acid, and other chemicals used in these products are dangerous to persons, plumbing fixtures, and the environment.

Because these treatments rarely clear a complete clog, the problem will likely recur, requiring homeowners to apply even more chemicals. These chemicals can begin to harm pipelines and plumbing fittings with regular usage. Call a property restoration company instead of employing chemical drain openers if you have a blockage that won’t come out with a plunger.

Tip 2: Sewer line maintenance must be scheduled regularly.

Hiring a plumber to snake your main sewage cleanout every few years if you have municipal sewer lines is a worthwhile investment. Regular maintenance will eliminate roots and other buildups, preventing sewage backups that are both messy and expensive. When you have a septic tank, it is very important to get it pumped regularly.

Tip 3: Tree roots must never touch your piping system.

Invasive tree roots frequently clog underground water and sewer systems. Planting trees and plants near subsurface water lines is not a good idea. If you fear tree roots have come too close to your underground pipes, it’s usually cheaper to remove the tree than to replace the sewer line.

Tip 4: Defend your pipes against a water hammer.

When you turn  the water on or off in your home, you may hear a loud clanging or banging noise. This is called the water hammer effect. These noises aren’t simply bothersome; they can also cause severe damage to your pipes by increasing wear and tear.

The sudden stoppage of rushing water might cause pipes to shake inside walls, depending on the age and installation of your pipes. Pipes that are not correctly secured to joists might slam against walls, causing them to crack and leak.

If your piping system is making a lot of noise, don’t ignore them. Contact a professional plumber to determine the exact origin of the problem and make any repairs. Click here for information on professionals.

Expired pipes should be replaced depending on the type of material used, the installation, and the water composition, plumbing pipes can last 20 to 100 years. Galvanized steel items corrode quickly and have only about 20 years. The following are typical pipe lifespans:

• Brass pipes:  40-70 years
• Cast iron pipes: can last up to 100 years
• Copper pipes: 50-year lifespan.
• galvanized steel pipes: 20-50 years
• PEX pipes: 30-40 years
• PVC pipes: 50 to 80 years.

A pipe examination is recommended if your home is more than 30 years old. Pipes that are replaced before they fail will save you money in the long run. Maintaining your pipes can help you avoid major issues and extend the life of your system.