New homeowners are often thrilled to have their own house, but that independence comes with a few extra responsibilities. One of the most important is keeping your plumbing in working order.
Dripping faucets, clogged drains, and other issues are annoying, but many of them can be avoided with regular maintenance. Read on to learn some valuable plumbing tips and tricks for homeowners!
Update Your Plumbing Fixtures
Your plumbing is an essential part of your home. It brings in fresh water and drains wastewater, so it’s important to keep your pipes and fixtures updated. This will help prevent leaks and other problems from arising. It will also make your house more comfortable and beautiful.
Over time, your plumbing fixtures will start to wear down. This can happen due to regular use or just age. If your fixtures are starting to wear down, it’s important to replace them before they start leaking or giving you low water pressure.
Some of the most common plumbing fixtures include sink faucets, showerheads, and toilets. The good news is that there are a lot of options when it comes to replacing your fixtures. There are new styles of faucets and showerheads that are designed to be more energy efficient. This will save you a lot of money in the long run on your water bills.
There are also many different types of toilets on the market today. Some are low-flow and are designed to save water while others have features that allow you to customize your flow of water. This can save you a lot of money in the future because you won’t be using as much water.
Another way to know when it’s time to replace your plumbing fixtures is if you’re seeing water stains on your walls or floors. This can be a sign of a leaky pipe or an old fixture that is starting to break down. In any case, it’s important to replace your plumbing fixtures as soon as you notice a problem. Doing so can save you a lot of money in both repair costs and utility bills.
Hire a Professional
Having access to clean, fresh water is something that many homeowners take for granted. Our plumbing systems are intricately designed to bring in fresh water, heat it for washing and distribute it throughout our homes. These systems can become damaged over time, causing problems like leaks and clogs.
When it comes to fixing these issues, hiring a professional plumber is always the best way to go. Professionals have the skills and expertise to fix these problems quickly and efficiently. Plus, they can provide you with better solutions that will last a long time.
Trying to fix these plumbing issues yourself can be expensive and dangerous. Hiring a professional will save you money and time. Salmon Plumbing can handle all of these budget bathroom plumbing tips for you in one call out, so give them a call today!
Install a Water Heater
If you’re in the market for a new water heater, it is important that you know what to look for. A professional can help you select the best model to fit your home and provide installation services as well. The steps that are required for installing a water heater vary by location and piping, so this is a project that’s best left to the pros.
Before starting work, make sure the power is off at the circuit breaker. Working on an energized circuit can cause serious injury or death from electric shock. It’s also a good idea to turn off the water supply to your home to prevent flooding while you work on the water heater.
Drain the Old Water Heater: After turning off the water, disconnect the hot and cold water supply pipes from the old unit. Be sure to drain the entire tank and use a large bucket to catch the water that drains out. Once the old water heater is drained, remove the wall-mounting brackets and pull off the old wires and plugs. Be sure to empty the drain pan, as well.
Install the New Water Heater: After establishing the hot and cold water connections (refer to the manufacturer’s instructions), install a pressure reducing valve if needed. This is usually on the cold water side, but you should check your local code to see if this is required in your area.
If you are replacing a gas water heater, you must install an atmospheric vent or powered direct vent (depending on your local code). It is also necessary to connect a carbon monoxide detector in the same room as the water heater, and you may need to upgrade your gas line from a simple atmospheric vent to a larger one.
Check Your Water Pressure
As a homeowner, you know that regular maintenance is necessary to keep your home in tip-top shape. Changing the batteries in your smoke detectors and replacing the air filter in your furnace or air conditioner are both important tasks that you should do regularly. You should also make checking your water pressure a part of this routine. Having proper water pressure is essential for both your comfort and the health of your pipes and fixtures. Having too low of a pressure can lead to leaking or broken pipes, while too high of a pressure can cause them to burst.
You can check your water pressure by using a simple gauge. First, shut off all the faucets and showerheads in your home. Then, turn on a couple of appliances like dishwashers or washing machines and a kitchen sink or bathtub tap. If the water takes a long time to fill up a jug, you may have a problem with your water pressure. If it seems to be lower in one area of the house than another, you should look at your water meter or main shut-off valve to see if there have been any repairs made by the municipality or utility company that could affect your water supply.
If your water pressure is too low, you may need to have a plumber install a new pressure regulator or a booster pump. This will help to ensure that you have a minimum of 50-60 pounds per square inch (PSI) of water pressure in your home. You should also be sure to clean your faucets and showerheads regularly to remove any buildup that can reduce your water pressure.
On the other hand, if you have problems with water pressure that are higher than usual, you might need to replace your pipes or your water meter. It is possible that a water hammer has formed in your pipes, which is a loud banging noise caused by high-pressure water running through the system and hitting against surrounding framing components.
You can test your water pressure by turning off all the faucets in your home and then attaching a water pressure gauge to the hose bibb, which is located on the outside of your house. The gauge should have female hose threads for easy connection, a rubber gasket to form a seal, and the ability to measure up to 300 pounds per square inch of pressure. You can find a pressure gauge at any hardware or home improvement store.
