3 Ways To Avoid Costly Plumbing Repairs

by Grace Motley

The last thing you want to deal with after building a new house or redecorating your existing home is a plumbing leak. Water is extremely destructive to the interior of a home, destroying décor and leaving mold, mildew, and costly repairs in its wake. While you can't guarantee that you will never have a plumbing leak, you can take a few precautions to reduce the chances of leaky plumbing fixtures in your home.

Regulate water pressure

Regulating water pressure is an essential element in your home's plumbing. Too little pressure causes water to drip from your taps in an annoying dribble, making it difficult to do simple tasks such as bathing or washing dishes. Conversely, too much pressure can cause unnecessary strain on your pipes that could lead to water leaks. So how do you control water pressure? A water pressure regulator can help resolve pressure related problems. Generally installed near the main water shutoff valve, the regulator allows you to control water pressure before it enters the pipes installed in your home. Water pressure should remain between 40 to 60 pounds per square inch.

Replace leaky toilet parts

While a leaky toilet may not damage your woodwork or décor, over time, it can certainly put a dent in your wallet; a leaking toilet can waste nearly 80,000 gallons of water per year. Although a toilet leak may indicate that the flushing mechanism needs to be replaced, a constantly running toilet may simply be caused by the chain catching under the edge of the toilet flap allowing water to drain out of the tank.

Ensure your pipes are weather ready

Nothing will make an icy winter morning worse than to wake up to frozen plumbing. Not only will you have plumbing to repair if the pipes burst, you could incur costly damage to your furnishings. How do you prevent pipes from bursting in freezing temperatures? Insulate your plumbing, taking extra precautions with pipes that are exposed to the elements or near outside walls, including the pipes in the attic and crawl space. Are you planning an extended trip in the winter months? Leave your thermostat on at least 55˚F, and drain your pipes by turning off the main valve and opening the taps until the pipes run dry.

Finally, if you are in the early planning stages of building or remodeling your home, contact a trustworthy plumbing contractor such as Jim Dandy Sewer & Plumbing. It will be worth your time and effort to have a professional opinion in the beginning than to spend money on costly mistakes and repairs. With a little planning and maintenance, you can avoid plumbing problems and the subsequent hit to your finances.

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