As another year comes to a close, many of us start thinking about what we want to change in the coming new year. For some, their goal might be to reduce their carbon footprint, prioritize their health, or learn a new hobby. While all of these goals are excellent to reach for, there are also improvements you can make that will benefit your home.
It’s no secret that your plumbing system is large and complex. There are many fixtures, appliances, and systems that you need to think about. Fortunately, we’ve made a list of easy-to-follow New Year’s resolutions for your plumbing system. Let’s go over them in more detail below!
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Problems Homeowners Encounter?
Before discussing some of the New Year’s resolutions you should consider for your plumbing system, it’s important to know what kinds of problems homeowners are most likely to encounter. Watch out for these five common plumbing issues:
What New Year’s Plumbing Resolutions Should You Make?
It’s an undeniable fact that plumbing problems tend to happen out of nowhere. One moment everything seems fine, and the next, you’re dealing with a gushing pipe or a sink that won’t drain.
Although many plumbing issues can happen out of the blue and without warning, there are a few steps you can take to potentially get ahead of these problems before they occur. We’ve compiled a list of New Year’s resolutions for your plumbing system that you can use to maintain a safe, worry-free home for the coming year.
Maintain Your Drains
Whether you’re running low on time or hosting a large get-together, it can be easy to discard old food scraps by dumping them down your kitchen sink drain. You probably think your garbage disposal can handle these leftovers. However, many food items can clog your drains, eventually leading to problems.
These food items can include fibrous vegetables, coffee grounds, potato peels, and grease — among others. When these scraps form a clog in your drain, it can result in water backups, gurgling sounds, foul odors, and more.
When discussing New Year’s resolutions for your plumbing system, it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that we recommend taking care of your drains. Dispose of food scraps in the trash can when possible, and consider scheduling professional drain cleaning services to address small clogs before they worsen.
Are you worried about your toilets? If so, pay attention to what you flush down them. Remember, you should only be placing toilet paper in your toilets; anything else can lead to a blockage.
Address Problems ASAP
If you’re trying to conserve water, you might have started turning off the tap when you brush your teeth. Although this simple step can help you save a great deal of water over time, you might be surprised that a minor faucet leak could cancel out all of your efforts. Why?
Well, believe it or not, even a small leak can waste gallons upon gallons of water over time. For example, a faucet that drips 10 times per minute wastes a gallon of water each day. If you go a whole month without addressing the issue, you essentially pay for 30 gallons of water that never got used!
Our list of plumbing resolutions includes taking care of plumbing problems as soon as possible — no matter how small they might seem. As soon as you spot a leaky faucet, it’s a good idea to contact an experienced plumbing company for help.
Scheduling repairs right away can reduce water waste and help you save money on your water bills. A professional plumbing inspection can also help you address and fix issues early.
Care for Your Crocks
Some parts of your plumbing system may include a crock. For example, sump pumps, laundry pumps, sewage pumps, and lift stations all have a crock, better known as a cavern or basin. You’ll want to ensure that these crocks are well-cared for and as healthy as possible.
Our list of plumbing resolutions includes caring for these crocks because neglecting to do so can lead to debris buildup and other inconvenient issues.
Prioritize Your Water Heater’s Needs
Your water heater has a vital job — especially during the chillier winter months. You count on this critical system to supply your entire family with hot water. However, if you neglect your water heater’s maintenance needs, you can potentially encounter several problems later down the line.
When creating New Year’s resolutions for your plumbing system, don’t overlook the importance of scheduling water heater maintenance. These routine services can ensure your water heater is in the best condition possible and doesn’t have any problems that will worsen over time.
What can you expect during a maintenance service? For starters, your plumber will flush the water heater to remove any sediment that has accumulated in the tank. Removing this sediment can help your water heater operate more efficiently and prevent unwanted cracks from forming. When you keep up with your system’s maintenance, you can avoid the need for water heater repair in Rochester, NY, at a later point in time.
Properly Insulate Your Pipes
When temperatures plummet outside, the pipes inside your home can freeze without the proper insulation. If you live in a colder climate, such as Rochester or Syracuse, NY, your plumbing resolutions should include making sure that your pipes are sufficiently insulated.
Is your pipe insulation severely lacking? You’ll want to start with the pipes that connect to the exterior walls. Also, prioritize the exposed pipes in colder parts of the house, such as those in the basement, garage, and attic. Investing in insulation can certainly help you avoid frozen and burst pipes later down the road.
Read our blog on tips to prevent frozen pipes for more info!
Tackle Your New Year’s Resolutions With AP Plumbing!
As you can see, there are many plumbing resolutions you can try in the new year! If you need to schedule plumbing services with a professional and knowledgeable team, turn to AP Plumbing.
We offer a wide range of services, including everything from plumbing repairs to sewer cleaning in Rochester, NY, and beyond. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
