Plumbing problems force some homeowners to live without water and endure other inconveniences for a certain period. Such inconveniences can greatly impact the quality of people’s lives, largely because most people are accustomed to the conveniences plumbing pipes and fixtures provide. Moreover, people rarely pay attention to the condition of their plumbing pipes and fixtures until they start to fail.
According to an article published by HouseLogic, “giving your plumbing a little regular attention can prolong its life, prevent leaks, and avoid costly repairs.” The moment you suspect that there’s something wrong with your plumbing system, “fix problems quickly. Even small leaks can make pipes corrode more quickly, and cause significant water damage or mold.” Also, “never use an exposed pipe as a hanger rod for laundry. Doing so can loosen joints and fasteners,” the article warns.
Proper maintenance, however, should go hand in hand with choosing only high quality plumbing fittings. Indeed, ensuring the integrity of your plumbing system starts with proper material selection. Each component serves a unique and critical purpose; lead-free brass compression fittings, for example, are meant to connect pipes together.
Aside from ensuring the quality of the selected plumbing fittings and equipment, it’s likewise necessary to ensure that the parts are assembled correctly. Relevant skills and technical knowledge are necessary to carry this task out. To cite an example, plumbers who have gained adequate training and experience can better assess if a durable compression fitting best fits the requirements of certain projects, such as repairing hot and cold water faucets or toilet stop valves.
It’s also important to choose the right remediation solutions once your plumbing system has been installed or repaired. Many experts suggest avoiding the use of chemical drain cleaners to clear clogs. The harsh chemicals found in chemical drain cleaners will not only break down hair, grease and soap residue, and other forms of buildup, they will also break down your plumbing pipes.
Homeowners who are dealing with plumbing clogs should contact reputable plumbers to snake the drains. These plumbers will use special tools to rid the pipes of any clogs without damaging the pipes or hastening their deterioration.
(Article Excerpt and Image from Caring for Your Plumbing System; HouseLogic)