Problems with plumbing are usually avoidable with routine maintenance. Consider the following plumbing tips and tricks to avoid costly repair expenses down the road.

Check all areas of running water, including faucets, hot and cold taps of each faucet, test showers, and toilets. Be sure you don’t miss any outdoor plumbing such as hoses and pools. While testing faucets, be sure to check whether or not you hear a knocking sound in the pipes, as this may be a sign of mis-sized piping or loose framework, which could lead to leaks in the future.

When testing drains, start by filling each sink completely with water. Then let it drain out and observe the speed. If there is a clog, you may want to get it inspected because it may be more than a typical lump in the drain. If you hear noises coming from adjacent drains, there may be a venting problem with the plumbing system. You should get this checked out during inspection.

If you find that you have low water pressure, this may be a result of corroding pipes from inside. Go to the basement, look at the ceiling, and check the status of the pipes. Leaks in the pipes can also cause low water pressure. If you had your water softener checked recently, check that the valve has been reopened. The water softener may also be causing a build-up. High water pressure, on the other hand, can lead to leaks. The pipes cannot handle the pressure and may burst, so fix the problem as soon as possible before it results in more expensive damages.

When walking through the home, check floorboards for signs of rotting as it may mean leaking pipes beneath. Black/green coloring in piping may also be a sign of leaking water. Be alert to smells of mold and mildew as well, as that could be a sign of a leak.

With these tips in mind, you are well on your way to becoming aware of potential plumbing issues in a new home, and fixing them before they turn into disaster. If you need a plumber to take a look, TalkLocal can connect you with a high rated local plumbing service in minutes.

This entry was originally posted on Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012 at 6:00 am and is filed under Plumbers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.