Tips from Your Irving, TX Plumbing Service Provider
There is a myriad of reasons as to why plumbing systems fail, especially in older buildings. This is why an insurer will request the age of the original building, its renovations, its additions, and prior plumbing service to the policyholder. They recognize that the older a building, the more likely it will have serious defects, particularly in critical areas such as plumbing.
Plumbing systems in our homes and businesses have many parts, increasing the chance of something going wrong. Here’s why so many plumbing systems in our Irving, TX community fail over time.
They simply get old. Like everything else about a home, plumbing parts can wear out and deteriorate over time. Regular maintenance of your plumbing system will ensure that everything stays in working order.
Problems with the actual water. Some areas in the Irving, TX area might have problematic hard water. Calcium can lead to limescale mineral buildup within the pipes, decreasing the availability of water. Eventually, they can cause complete blockages. Other minerals like magnesium can erode the pipes and cause leaks.
There’s also the issue of water pressure. It’s advised that the water pressure in your home should not exceed 80 psi – anything that is higher than that can cause wear and tear on your faucets, causing them to continuously drip. It can also affect your water heater, leading to increased contraction and expansion. A plumbing service might be required if you notice intermittent water pressure throughout your home.
Lack of proper plumbing service and maintenance. Having a relationship with your plumber will allow you to have a contact point whenever an issue does arise.
Plumbing Service and Maintenance
Like almost anything else, prevention is the best mode of action. Regular maintenance of your plumbing system will ensure that it stays in working order throughout its lifetime, minimizing expensive, catastrophic scenarios. Here’s your home plumbing maintenance checklist and what you should be doing on a weekly and seasonal basis:
Check for leaks: Routinely look under the sinks for signs of moisture such as pools of water or watermarks. Test all of your sinks and shower drains for proper drainage. If you notice that bubbles appear while water drains, then there might be a blockage.
Check your valves: Even the smallest leak can waste thousands of gallons of water within a year. Check your pipe valves and examine your toilet flappers. If you’re not familiar or comfortable with changing your pipe valves or toilet flappers, then contact a Bluefrog Plumbing + Drain technician.
Seasonal maintenance: The change of season can affect your plumbing — during the warmer months, pipes expand. During the cold winter months, the pipes will contract. When the seasons change, it is best to hire a plumbing service to ensure the structural integrity of your plumbing system.
Check your outdoor spigots: Detach the water hose from your outdoor spigots and drain any remaining water. Then cover the spigot with an insulation cover.
Inspect your water heater: When water is heated, minerals separate and accumulate at the bottom of the water heater. Flushing it out on a seasonal basis will remove the sediment and will prevent any issues with water pressure. If troubleshooting does not fix your water heater problems, then it may need a plumber to remedy the issue. The problem can be as simple as changing a valve or something more involved, like switching out an aged water storage unit.
Common Plumbing Service and Issues
Slow drainage: Soap scum, hair, and other debris can build up in the drains and cause them to drain slowly. It is one of the more typical plumbing problems that most homeowners will face. Thankfully this is largely a job that most homeowners can tackle with success. You can use an auger to clear the pipe and a plunger to displace any debris. If that doesn’t work, do not use harsh chemical drain cleaners. It can damage the pipes permanently. Instead, contact one of our technicians that will alleviate any sort of drainage problems.
No hot water: This tends to be a compound issue with the root being the water heater. Many things can go wrong that will affect its efficiency. As mentioned, sediment can accumulate in the bottom of the tank and prevent the water from properly heating up. There can also be an issue with your thermostat, a faulty thermocouple, or a broken pilot.
A constantly running toilet: The typical reason for this is a flap at the bottom of the tank not sealing properly. If you remove the top of the tank and flush the toilet, you should see your rubber flap moving. If it doesn’t completely close, some of the water that is entering the tank is flowing out.
You don’t have to handle your plumbing inspections and repairs by yourself. Your local plumber is there to assist you in making sure that your system is running smoothly and efficiently. Turn to one of our professional plumbers if you have any questions or concerns about your piping system. We’ll be able to provide insight on how to save water usage and energy costs as well.
About bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of North Dallas
Catering to the Irving, TX area and surrounding neighborhoods, bluefrog Plumbing + Drain has been the go-to plumbing resource for our residential and commercial partners. We offer a free diagnostic with paid repair for our plumbing service. We also have an emergency number that you can contact if you need immediate service. To learn more about how we can provide the right plumbing service at the right price, contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of North Dallas.
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