Considering that most water supply pipes and drain lines are hidden behind walls or beneath cabinets, it can be easy to take our plumbing system for granted. That is, until something goes wrong. Fortunately, with regular attention and maintenance you can reduce the risk of plumbing problems and often costly repairs.
Here are 6 ways you can protect your plumbing system and your home from a plumbing disaster.
- Insulate water supply pipes. As outdoor temps dip, it’s important to insulate both hot and cold water lines to keep the water inside them above freezing. Insulating hot water pipes increases heat retention, reducing the amount of time you have to wait for water to reach a desired temperature. Insulation on cold water pipes helps prevent condensation that can lead to freezing and possibly bursting.
- Install leak detectors. Even a small leak can damage belongings, cause structural damage, and lead to mold and mildew growth. A leak detector can alert you to the presence of water where there shouldn’t be any, like under a sink, around the water heater, or behind the fridge. And the faster you can stop a leak, the less damage you will incur.
- Add an anti-sweat valve. During a steamy shower, the difference between the cold water in the toilet tank and the warm air that surrounds it can cause the tank to “sweat”, leaving puddles on the floor. Installed on a toilet’s water supply line, an anti-sweat valve mixes just enough hot water into the cold water line to deliver a tempered mixture of water into the toilet tank to stop the sweating.
- Install water hammer arrestors. Ever hear knocking or banging in the pipes when you turn off a faucet? It’s called water hammer and it happens when a faucet or valve shuts off causing the water in a pipe to slam into the closed valve. The force of the water sends a shockwave through the pipes, resulting in a banging sound. Not only is it annoying, it can damage pipes and faucet components. A water hammer arrestor absorbs the shock, protecting your pipes and faucets.
- Install a water softener. Hard water – water that contains a high concentration of minerals – can reduce the flow of water through pipes, cause pipe corrosion and damage, shorten the lifespan of water-using appliances, and makes it hard for soaps, shampoos, and detergents to lather. As water passes through a water softener installed on a home’s main water supply line, hard water ions are replaced with sodium ions, resulting in softer water.
- Purify your drinking water. While it may look crystal clear, your tap water can contain impurities, contaminants, bacteria, viruses, and more. A reverse-osmosis system installed under your sink can remove bacteria, viruses, and chemical contaminants such as arsenic, nitrates, and radium. Leaving you with nothing but clear, refreshing, and healthy water for all your drinking and cooking needs.
And who better to assist you with these and other plumbing solutions than Anthony’s. Ongoing preventive maintenance, high-quality repairs, new installations, water filtration – we do it all, and to your complete satisfaction. Contact us today or anytime for service or a new system proposal.
