No one loves having to rush to remedy a leak that went undiscovered or a blockage that won't move. The truth is that putting in a little work now will save you a lot of worry and money later. As plumber Hawaii Kai, we have some tried-and-true tips to keep your home's plumbing happy all year long.
1. Check for leaks on a regular basis
Every month, walk around your house and check under sinks, behind toilets, and around your water heater for any strange puddles or wet areas. You might not realize so, but salt air and humidity can wear down seals and fixtures faster than you'd think. If you catch a leak early, it might just take five minutes to fix instead of days.
2. Clean the Drains With Respect: Living on an island means that sand and grit like to slip into drains, especially after a day at the beach or marina. Put mesh strainers in your kitchen sinks and showers, and clean them out once a week. Don't throw oil or coffee grounds down the sink. They build up quickly and can cause problems in older plumbing systems.
3. Set up a yearly inspection by a professional.
A professional eye is the best way to find small flaws or difficulty locations that are hard to see. Get a local plumber to check your pipes, look for corrosion, and test the water pressure once a year. This proactive step typically finds small problems before they turn into big ones that cost a lot of money.
4. Clean out your water heater
Hawaii Because Kai's water has a lot of minerals in it, silt builds up in heaters. Every year, flush a few gallons out of your tank, or have the plumber do it during their yearly check. This keeps the hot water flowing well and makes your heater last longer.
5. Know where your shut-off valve is
It may seem simple, yet a lot of homeowners don't know where theirs is. Quickly turning off the main water valve in an emergency can save thousands of dollars in damage. Find it, put a label on it, and let everyone in the house know where it is.
6. Watch the pressure of the water
If the pressure is too high, your pipes and fixtures will wear out twice as fast. If it's too low, something might be restricting the flow. Call a pro to measure and fix it if you see any changes or if the shower takes a long time to start.
7. Don't put off fixing broken things
A sink that drains slowly or a faucet that drips is more than just a bother. Little indicators frequently mean that bigger troubles are on the way. Fix them before they get worse and you have to do significant repairs.
Following these actions once a season will help you live with less risk and less mess. Island plumbing has its own problems, but with some planning (and a plumber you can trust on speed dial), you can relax and take a lot of hot showers.