Learning more about your plumbing system can save you a lot of trouble, especially if you are an inexperienced homeowner. In most cases, the problem with your plumbing is as easy as adjusting the water pressure or getting rid of clogs. Educating yourself on some of these problems can help you avoid costly repairs and improve your system’s life. In this article, we discuss some plumbing tips for new homeowners.
9 Things That You May Not Know About Your Plumbing System
Contents
- 1 9 Things That You May Not Know About Your Plumbing System
- 1.1 1. Sink Traps Are More Than Just Jewelry Traps
- 1.2 2. Water Seals Can Evaporate
- 1.3 3. Importance Of Plumbing Vents
- 1.4 4. Water Heaters Should Also Be Maintained
- 1.5 5. Your Toilet Can Make Or Break Your Bank
- 1.6 6. Chemicals Are Not Always The Solution For Clogs
- 1.7 7. Even The Most Skilled DIY Enthusiasts Have Their Limits
- 1.8 8. You Use Drop-in Toilet Fresheners
- 1.9 9. You Use The Garbage Disposal As A Trash Can
- 1.10 Conclusion
- 2 Call Robinson Plumbing For All Of Your Plumbing Requirements
Here are 9 things that you may not know about your plumbing system.
1. Sink Traps Are More Than Just Jewelry Traps
Without the sink traps, most of our items would be lost forever in the sewers. However, this part of your plumbing system does more than just trap the jewelry that falls into the sink drain. The drains connecting your sink to the sewers contain noxious sewer gasses that pose a threat to the well-being of everyone in your home. Some of these gasses are explosives while others can make you sick. The water trapped in your sink traps acts as seals and prevents these gasses from gaining access to your home.
2. Water Seals Can Evaporate
When a bathroom or drain is not used for an extended period of time, the water in the traps eventually evaporates. When this happens, your home is no longer protected from sewer gasses and creepy crawlers which can climb through the drains into your home. Having a professional plumber install trap primers can help prevent such problems by automatically refilling the water when it goes low.
3. Importance Of Plumbing Vents
Plumbing vents are those white pipes sticking out of your roof. These ones help water flow easily through your plumbing system. They also help get rid of any gasses trapped in your system.
4. Water Heaters Should Also Be Maintained
Most homeowners are unaware that their water heaters, just like the rest of their plumbing system, require regular maintenance. Some of the most common problems associated with water heaters include:
- Corrosion and deterioration of the anode rods,
- Accumulation of sediments in the tanks,
- Burning out of one or more elements in the heater,
- Problems with the TPRV
5. Your Toilet Can Make Or Break Your Bank
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about a fourth of the water used in residential homes is used for flushing toilets. Older toilets use as high as 6 gallons of water per flushing. You can avoid loss of water by upgrading to a newer, more efficient toilet. Using a dual flush toilet that uses less water for liquid waste can save you up to $2000 over the lifetime of the toilet.
6. Chemicals Are Not Always The Solution For Clogs
It is common for homeowners to drain chemicals whenever there is a clogged drain. This is not always a good idea since the chemical might react with other chemicals present in your system. Consequently, this poses a threat to your health or damages your plumbing system. Talk to an expert on the right kind of chemicals to use for different problems can help you avoid a lot of problems.
7. Even The Most Skilled DIY Enthusiasts Have Their Limits
It is often tempting to take on small repairs in our homes. It is however important to know your limits when it comes to do-it-yourself. If you are not familiar with a problem, no matter how simple it may seem, it would be wise to call a professional plumber.
8. You Use Drop-in Toilet Fresheners
Simply put, don’t use drop-in toilet fresheners. The tablets have chemicals that can wear out the parts in your toilet, especially the tank. It is also possible that as these tablets disintegrate, they can get stuck in the flush valve which will prevent your toilet from flushing properly.
9. You Use The Garbage Disposal As A Trash Can
Your garbage disposal is a lot more sensitive than you might realize. Do not pour grease or fibrous foods into it. Do not put large amounts of food into it at a time. Put small amounts into it and use running cold water.
Conclusion
Many homeowners can really benefit from knowing a little more about their plumbing system. This will help them take care of it so that it can last and with little problems. Therefore, be sure to have a trusted, high quality plumber that you can call when you do notice that your plumbing system is having issues.
Call Robinson Plumbing For All Of Your Plumbing Requirements
Contact Robinson Plumbing, one of the most trusted plumbing companies in the Lehigh Valley, for reliable plumbing services. We have lots of plumbing services ranging from water heater replacements, whole-house water filter installations, toilet repairs and replacements, water leak repairs, and more. We always give a wide range of solutions when possible for any plumbing repairs. This allows you to choose the best options for your budget and home.
We proudly offer the most affordable and best plumbing services in the Lehigh Valley area. Our plumbers all have the proper licenses and expertise to ensure your satisfaction. All of our work comes with a guarantee. Contact Robinson Plumbing today and schedule your free estimate.
Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or click here to contact us for any questions that you might have!