Getting Your Plumbing Ready Ahead of 2022
As the new year pushes onward, now is the time for homeowners to recommit to keeping their plumbing systems in the best condition possible. By preparing your plumbing system for success now, you’ll enjoy a stress-free 2022 without the constant need for emergency plumbing repairs. The team at American Vintage Home has put together the following tips to help you out!
5 Tips To Prep Your Plumbing for 2022
Tip 1: Have Your Pipes Inspected
Scheduling a professional pipe inspection with your trusted plumbing professional is one of the best things you can do for your system. During a pipe inspection, your plumber will identify any hidden leaks or pipe damage that may exist so you can avoid water damage down the road.
There’s a lot more to your home plumbing system than meets the eye, which is why a professional pipe inspection is always recommended over a DIY home inspection. Plumbers have access to specialized tools, including sewer pipe inspection cameras, which allow them to see all of the hidden components within your plumbing system. Without these tools and expertise, you could easily overlook a problem that would otherwise have been caught by an expert.
Tip 2: Keep Your Drains Clean
One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make is flushing materials down their drains that simply don’t belong there. This year, try to be more diligent about keeping materials that can clog your system from entering your drains in the first place. The following are just some of the things you should never send down your drains:
- Grease
- Oil
- Hair
- Fibrous foods
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
- Paper products
In general, if it’s not water or a watery substance, it’s best not to send it down the drain. If you do end up clogging your drains, don’t opt for a chemical drain cleaner. Those cleaners do more harm than good. Instead, trust a professional plumber to provide drain cleaning and clog removal services that address the root cause of your blockage.
Tip 3: Flush Your Water Heater
Unlike the previous tips, flushing your water heater is a job you can do all on your own! This should be done at least once a year as part of your water heater maintenance to-do list. To flush your water heater, follow the steps below:
- Turn the knob on your water heater’s thermostat to “off.” On a gas water heater, the thermostat is usually found near the bottom of the tank. If you have an electric water heater, you’ll need to find your home’s breaker box and turn off the switch that powers your system.
- Turn off the gas to your water heater. Only if you have a gas water heater, you’ll need to find the gas pipe that leads to the thermostat and pilot light to turn off the valve.
- Turn off the cold water supply. Locate the cold water valve near the top of your water heater and turn it off.
- Turn on the hot water. Go to a sink or tub and turn on the hot water only. Leave them on during the flushing process to prevent a vacuum from forming in the lines as you drain the hot water from the tank.
- Connect a garden hose. Connect a garden hose to the drainage spigot, ensuring that the other end of the hose leads outside or into a bucket before turning on the spigot and draining the tank.
- Drain your tank. Allow the water to drain from the tank until the water runs clear and there is no longer any sediment. If there’s a lot of sediment in your tank, you may need to drain it completely to get the desired result.
- Flush the hot water tank. Turn on the cold water spigot leading to your hot water tank and allow it to run for a few minutes until the water runs clear from your hose.
Tip 4: Check for Pipe Leaks
Perhaps one of the most important things you can do for your plumbing system is identify any leaky pipes. The number one cause for plumbing repairs in vintage homes is leaky pipes. To inspect for leaking pipes, first look to see if any water is leaking from your showerheads, sink faucets, or the pipes beneath your sinks.
If you don’t see any leaking water, the next step is to check your water pressure. Unusually low water pressure is an important sign that may indicate a hidden leak within your plumbing system. It’s critical that you have any pipe leaks repaired before the freezing temperatures hit: A frozen leak can build pressure within your pipes, leading them to burst.
Tip 5: Find All Shut-off Valves
Nearly all of the major plumbing fixtures in your home have a shut-off valve. Your washing machine, sinks, toilets, and water heaters are all equipped with shut-off valves so you can prevent the flow of water should something go wrong with your system. It’s important that you know where these valves are located so that you can act quickly should something go awry.
Bonus Tip: Sign Up for a Home Maintenance Plan With American Vintage!
As you prepare your plumbing for the new year, American Vintage is here to keep your systems running smoothly. By signing up for our Home Service Plan, you’ll be able to protect all of your home systems while saving significantly on your service needs. Our Home Service Plans include:
- The industry’s most comprehensive, 50-point plumbing maintenance inspection
- Priority emergency services
- 15% discount on plumbing repairs
- And much more!
Keep your plumbing system operating at peak performance by signing up for our Home Service Plan today. Call (847) 999-4595 to schedule a plumbing service or join our maintenance program!
