Your home plumbing systems and fixtures – how easy it is to take them for granted. Of course, bliss can turn into horror when something goes horribly wrong. And sooner or later, it will.
Follow these six proven tips to help safeguard your plumbing and save you money on unnecessary repairs and premature system failure:
Insulate Pipes
As temps drop, insulating water supply pipes helps protect them from freezing and bursting. Insulation on hot water pipes helps retain heat, meaning less time waiting for hot water when you turn on a faucet or showerhead. Pipe insulation can be purchased at any home improvement store and is easy to install.
Install a Water Softener
If you have hard water – water that contains high levels of calcium, magnesium, lime, and other minerals – deposits can build up and result in low water flow and even pipe corrosion and damage. Hard water also reduces the expected life of your appliances and makes it more challenging to get laundry, dishes, and even your hair clean. A water softener removes hard water ions, resulting in water that lathers easily and is gentle on plumbing.
Purify Drinking Water
Did you know that your tap water can contain disease-causing bacteria, high levels of lead, and other contaminants? Your basic water filter may not be able to remove all of them, but a reverse osmosis system can.
Add an Anti-Sweat Valve
Ever notice your toilet tank “sweating” on an especially humid day, or after a hot shower? This is caused by the difference between the cold water in the tank and the warm air surrounding it. An anti-sweat valve mixes hot water into the cold water supply line, raising the water temperature just enough to prevent condensation.
Install Leak Detectors
Install leak detectors under sinks, near a sump pump, washer, and water heater to catch and stop leaks before they can do serious damage. Today’s detectors can send a notification to your smartphone and emit an audible sound when water is where it shouldn’t be so you can act swiftly. Some models also include freeze detection – especially helpful for unheated areas of your home.
Install Water Hammer Arrestors
Water hammer occurs when a valve or faucet shuts off and the water slams into the closed valve, resulting in a “hammer” sound. It’s annoying and can cause pipes and other plumbing components to break. An arrestor absorbs the shock, so your pipes and faucets don’t have to.
Sooner or later, you’re going to face a plumbing problem or two anyway. When you do, Anthony’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning will be here to resolve it quickly and reliably. Contact us today or anytime for service.