How to Maintain Plumbing

It's easy to spot a person who didn't think about his home's plumbing until something went wrong--he's the guy who showed up at work with greasy hair and soggy shoes. You can avoid being that person by following these steps for maintaining your home's plumbing.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pipe wrench
• Adjustable wrench
• Screwdrivers
• Drain cleaning tool
• Drain cleaning chemicals
• Faucet washers

1. Know where your shutoff valves are. Do this right now; don't wait until water is pouring onto your bathroom floor to try to find them.

2. Locate your water meter. This is usually near the curb and may be covered by grass or mulch. Look inside to see what tool you need to turn your water off at the meter.

3. Find a plumber. Many plumbers work at companies that also maintain heat pumps and furnaces. Buy a maintenance plan that includes plumbing to make sure a plumber will show up on weekends or holidays if you have an emergency.

4. Learn how to do a few simple maintenance tasks. Learn how to disassemble a faucet or spigot to replace a broken washer and how to remove the trap under a sink to clear a clog or retrieve a ring that was dropped down the drain.

5. Buy tools and chemicals to clean out drains. Even drains that are used correctly can develop clogs from hair and soap scum. Whenever you notice that your sink or tub is emptying slowly, take steps to clean the drains.

6. Watch your water bill. If you notice a large fluctuation in your water bill, you may have a leak you haven't noticed or can't see. Call a plumber.

7. Inspect your plumbing. Every few months, look under your sinks, behind the washing machine, and everywhere there is water pipe you can see. Check to see if the pipes, hoses and fittings are in good shape or need replacement. Turn the shutoff valves off to make sure they're not frozen in the "on" position.

8. Check your water pressure. Use a pressure gauge on an outdoor spigot that's attached to a house wall to make sure the pressure is 80 psi or less. If the pressure is more than 80 psi, excess strain is placed on the pipes, which can result in breaks. Call a plumber to replace your pressure regulator.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need a curb key to turn off your water at the meter, buy one. Or you can use a wrench and screwdriver as a curb key by placing the wrench on the valve and putting the shaft of the screwdriver through the other end (the hole or the closed end of the wrench). Use the screwdriver to turn the wrench and close the valve. You may want to leave these tools inside the receptacle so you don't have to look for them during an emergency.
• If you go on a vacation during the winter, leave your thermostat on 55 degrees to keep your pipes from freezing. It's a good idea to shut your water off, especially if you're going to be gone for a long time.
• Frozen water pipes can break, and the water damage that results can costs thousands of dollars to repair. Insulate your pipes and spigots if you can. When the temperature dips below freezing, let some water drip from a faucet on the first floor of the house. If your pipes freeze (you won't have water the next morning), be sure to turn the water off until you can make sure the pipes haven't broken.
• Never leave the house for more than a day without turning off the water to the washing machine. This hose is under constant pressure and can break while you're gone. You may want to get in the habit of turning the water off except when you're doing laundry. .
• Avoid putting anything down a drain that may result in a clog. This includes grease, stringy vegetables in the disposal, hair clippings and toy soldiers. Don't let your children play in the bathroom without supervision.

Resources

• Learn more about the importance of maintaining your home's plumbing at Lowe's

[Plumbing]

on 5/15/2008 It's best to find a recommended local plumber from someone who has lived in the area a long time. Make sure you have a good plumber's name & number in your back pocket BEFORE an emergency happens. This prevents you from getting price jacked.