Plumbing Tips from the Kansas City Plumbing Experts
August 23, 2023
As often you use a toilet or take a shower, thinking about a plumbing system is something that you should do but don't do on a regular basis. Typically, the only time that you’ll focus on the health of your plumbing system is when there is a repair issue to address. Dealing with plumbing repairs on your own will require a lot of hard work and careful research.
Here are some tips from plumbing experts you’ll need to consider while attempting to make your own plumbing repairs.
Plumbing Tips: Know Where Your Main Water Cutoff is
When dealing with plumbing repair problems, you will need to find out where your main water cutoff is. If you break a pipe, you’ll release a lot of water into your home if you do not know how to cut it off. Usually, the main water cutoff will be on the outside of the home near the road. If you are unable to find it, then you will have to call the utility company for help. Calling them for help can save you a lot of time and effort.
Learn How to Listen to Your Water Heater
The next thing you need to do when trying to keep your plumbing system in good shape is to listen to your water heater. When you start to hear a crackling noise during operation, it probably means that there’s a buildup in your water heater that needs to be addressed. The best way to reduce the amount of rust and scale buildup in your water heater is by flushing it on a regular basis. By flushing the tank every 6 months to a year, you’ll be able to reduce the repair issues you have to deal with in the future.
If your system is over 9 years, it’s time to seriously start thinking about replacing the unit. Your energy bill will only go up as its efficiency goes down. You can also extend your water heater tank's life by replacing the anode rod.
Early Leak Detection is Key
One of the best ways to catch repair issues before they create too much damage is by doing routine inspections. The first place to check when doing your inspections is under the sinks in your home. Usually, if there is a leak you will be able to tell right away by looking under the sinks. If there are puddles of water or the wood under the sink is beginning to buckle, you will need to find and fix the leaks causing it immediately.
Additionally, if you notice water spots on your basement ceiling, you may need to call in a plumber before it gets worse.
Avoid Products Marked Universal Fit
In some cases, you will need to find replacement parts to fix the issues with your plumbing system. When shopping for the right parts, you will need to avoid using products that are billed as universal fit. Using these products will usually produce less than stellar results. Paying a bit more for an exact fit part will be worth it when you are able to permanently fix the issues you are facing with your home’s plumbing.
By reading these tips and putting them into action, you should have no problem keeping the plumbing in your home repair free.
Actionable Steps:
- Locate the cutoff water valve before starting plumbing repairs
- Listen to the sounds coming from your water heater
- Regularly inspect your plumbing for leaks
- Universal fit plumbing products usually create more harm than good
- The team at Hamilton Plumbing Heating A/C Rooter can help you get your plumbing repairs fixed the right way.
Call the experts at Hamilton today at (913) 227-4943 or schedule your service online!