The plumbing system in your Tucson, AZ home is essential for daily activities such as bathing, cooking, and cleaning. While plumbing is something we rely on every day, it’s also something that we often neglect. Routine maintenance for your plumbing system is essential, along with repairs when necessary. Cal’s Plumbing can help with maintenance and repairs to keep your plumbing system functioning efficiently. There are also some things you can do as a homeowner to extend the lifespan of your plumbing system.
Maintain Your Water Heater
Your water heater is an essential part of your plumbing system. It’s what helps produce hot water when you want to unwind in a hot bath or you have dishes to wash. Over time, water heaters can experience mineral deposit buildup, especially in areas with hard water. Ideally, your water heater should be drained and maintained once per year. Maintenance includes flushing the tank to remove sediment buildup and mineral deposits.
You should also check for any leaks or damage to your water heater. Small spots of rust can indicate that your tank is starting to wear down. You should also inspect the various connections and hoses that are attached to your water heater. A professional should look at the anode rod in your water heater every three years or so. The anode rod is sacrificial. It attracts corrosive particles inside the water heater so that they don’t harm the rest of your tank.
Insulate Your Pipes
Not only can insulating your pipes help increase the efficiency of your plumbing, but it can also protect your pipes from bursting. It’s not uncommon for some locations in Arizona to drop below freezing at night. If you’re away from your home for an extended period and you’ve dropped your thermostat to save energy, this puts your pipes at risk. Insulating wrap can help your pipes retain heat, especially when there isn’t any water running through them.
Schedule Routine Maintenance With a Professional
Each year you should have a professional from Cal’s Plumbing come to your house to inspect your plumbing system. We’ll check for leaks, pipe damage, clogs, mineral buildup, and more. We’ll also look at the calibration of any water monitoring devices, inspect your water pressure, and check your wastewater system. If there are any minor issues that are spotted during your routine maintenance appointment, repairs can be made before the problem progresses into an issue that could compromise the integrity of your entire system.
Consider Your Water Usage
Water conservation is beneficial for your utility bills, but it also reduces strain on your plumbing system so that it lasts longer. Taking shorter showers, turning off the water when brushing your teeth and washing dishes, and using the efficiency setting on your washing machine can all minimize leaks, clogs, and damage. The fewer issues you encounter, the longer your plumbing system will remain in good condition.
You can monitor your water usage by reviewing your water bill. On your bill, you’ll see a section that explains the amount of water that you used in that billing cycle. You can compare that usage to previous months to see if your usage has changed. If you notice an increase in usage but don’t feel that you’ve been using more water than normal, this is often an indication that you have a leak somewhere in your system. We can provide leak detection assistance to rectify the situation quickly.
Prevent and Treat Drain Clogs
There are many different items and materials that can clog your pipes. When clogs are left alone, they can grow bigger. In extreme cases, you could experience a burst pipe from an untreated clog. Make sure that you’re not putting anything down your drain that doesn’t belong there. Use your garbage disposal properly, avoiding putting large items into it that don’t get broken down easily. You also shouldn’t pour grease or oils down your drains.
Drain covers are an inexpensive way to prevent clogs. These covers will catch things like hair, lint, food, and debris before they pass through your pipes.
Cleaning your drains periodically can help prevent issues that would otherwise damage your plumbing system. If you don’t have time to clean your drains yourself, our team can provide this service for you. In the meantime, watch out for slow-moving drains or foul smells coming from your drains.
Avoid using chemical drain cleaners as well. These products are marketed as an easy way to remove clogs, but they can be very damaging to your pipes and plumbing system.
Consider Water Pressure
If you experience low water pressure, you’re likely to take notice. The problem may be attributed to work being done around your house. Once the work is complete, your pressure should go back to normal. However, you’ll want to check with your neighbors to see if they’re also experiencing low water pressure. If they’re not, then the problem is likely with your home’s plumbing system. The issue should be addressed by a professional as soon as possible.
Too high of water pressure can also be an issue. This could put a strain on your fixtures, faucets, and pipes.
Know What to Look For
If you want to prevent portions of your plumbing system from breaking down, know the signs to watch out for if something is wrong. This can include slow drains, odd smells, water accumulation near pipes, damaged pipes, rust on your pipes, and more. These issues should all be addressed by our experienced team of professionals in a timely manner. Our goal is to take care of the necessary repairs as quickly as possible to protect your plumbing system for years to come.
Plumbing problems can also occur outside of your house. If you notice pooling water anywhere on your lawn or property, you may have a broken pipe underground. This can be a major health concern if sewage is backflowing into your plumbing system.
Avoid DIY Repairs
It can be tempting to take on a plumbing repair on your own to try and save money. However, this can lead to more expensive repairs later on. Most homeowners don’t have the experience or knowledge to properly complete plumbing repairs. All the work we do at Cal’s Plumbing is according to local code. This ensures safety, but it’s also necessary if you ever want to sell your house in the future. Prioritizing the integrity of your plumbing system is imperative to lengthening its lifespan. While it might seem like a leaky faucet or low water pressure are issues that can wait to be addressed, they may be underlying problems that are more serious than you realize.
If you’d like to learn more about extending the lifespan of your plumbing system, reach out to the team at Cal’s Plumbing in Tucson. We can help with the routine maintenance of your system and make any necessary repairs. We also install, repair, and maintain gas lines, backflow prevention equipment, sump pumps, and more. We can even address water quality issues with water testing and equipment installation of water softeners, conditioners, and filtration. Contact Cal’s Plumbing today to schedule an appointment for our plumbing services.
