We need to learn how to avoid plumbing setbacks. Most of us wouldn’t know where to start when it comes to our plumbing. But, we can take some basic steps to prevent that plumbing setback. It’s inevitable that if you are a homeowner, you will have plumbing issues. You will address the problem yourself or hire a plumbing company to take care of it for you. Recognizing a problem before it happens is the best way to tackle a plumbing issue. Most of us have heard that “the best defense is a good offense,” which goes for our home maintenance.
Most Homeowners Don’t Know Their Water Heater Requires Maintenance
Our most significant plumbing setback starts with our water heaters. Year after year, our water heaters continue to work for us endlessly day and night. But, unfortunately, most families don’t even maintain them. What’s worse is most homeowners don’t know they require maintenance. So instead, they sit in the corner of our garage until a problem arises and they break down.
New Models Can Save As Much As 20-30% In Energy Costs
In some cases, it’s a rusted-out tank, pressure relief valve, or heating element. While some heaters give no signs of a setback, others will start to leak and show signs of aging. If your heater is between eight and ten years old or older, you may want to consider replacing the old model with a new one before you start dishing out money to fix the old one. On the other hand, if the problem is a minor fix with minimal charges, go ahead and get the most out of it. But there are some things to keep in mind; first, new water heater technology outperforms old technology in energy proficiency by as much as 20-30% over water heaters developed ten years ago.
Avoid The Plumbing Setbacks and Give Your Water Heater Annual Maintenance
Water heater maintenance will not only extend the life of your heater, it will also perform better while using less energy. Most heaters need to be flushed once a year unless the water falls out of the normal water hardness ranges.
- First, turn the water heater thermostat to off.
- Then turn the cold water supply valve off.
- Allow the water to cool down.
- Attach your garden hose to the spigot located on the side of the storage tank.
- Position the end of your hose in a floor drain or bucket.
- Turn the spigot on and open the drain valve and begin draining the tank.
When making a water heater purchase, consider purchasing one with the EnergyStar label. The label has taken all the guesswork out of buying an energy-efficient water heater that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, they use less energy which costs less to run without giving up quality and durability.
Avoid Plumbing Setbacks and Replace Your Shut Off Valves
Avoid another common plumbing setback and replace your shut-off valves and supply lines before they start to leak. We have supply lines and shut-off valves attached to our bathroom sinks, water heaters, kitchen sinks, and toilets. Unfortunately, they often go unnoticed until they start to leak. In some cases, if the leak goes unnoticed for some time, it could cause damage to baseboards, drywall, tiles, floors, and more. If your shut-off valves have never been replaced and are showing signs of corrosion, then it’s time to have them replaced. The better than average do-it-yourselfer can replace them. However, we would have you prefer a licensed plumbing contractor to avoid complications. Depending on how many valves need replacing, the cost is usually minor.
You Can Work Out Your Shut-off Valves By Turning Them Back And Forth
With the average lifespan of a shut-off valve being 10 to 20 years, you should anticipate replacing them much sooner, around 10-12 years. The problem with shut-off valves is that they freeze up over many years of being set in the same position. When it comes time to shut them off, they can leak, break off at the pipe or snap at the stem. As part of regular plumbing maintenance, work out your shut-off valves by turning them back and forth a couple of times of year to keep them from freezing up. Another excellent idea is to have them replaced every 10-12 years.
Call For A Plumbing Specialist At Big B’s Plumbing
No one ever wants to encounter any plumbing setbacks, but they are unavoidable, especially if your plumbing system and appliances receive annual maintenance. Maybe your home is due for a plumbing inspection from one of our expert plumbers at Big B’s Plumbing. If you reside in the Inland Empire, Riverside, or San Diego County, we’re ready to give you the service and value you deserve.
