Are your pipes giving you cause for concern? Or maybe you just want to make sure your home plumbing system stays in tip-top shape.

Whatever the reason, plumbing maintenance is the answer. You can prevent serious plumbing issues with regular maintenance of your pipes and fittings. How do you do it? Keep reading to find out more.

Prevention is Better than Cure

We’ve heard the old adage, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In other words, watch how you treat your plumbing system to avoid issues down the line.

Kitchen

Don’t pour grease down your drain – that’s an order! And avoid washing food particles down it, too. Grease and old food tend to clog drains and could result in unpleasant smells, sinks with poor drainage, and even a fatberg.

Bathroom

Use a trap over your bath or shower drain to catch stray hair, debris, and toys (if your kids have been in there) before it goes down the drain and causes mayhem.

And when it comes to your toilet, toilet paper and natural waste only, please. Things like nappies and sanitary pads are a serious no-no, and even toilet wipes and tampons can clog a toilet system, so flush them with caution.

Check Faucets, Metal Nuts, Valves and Fastenings

Each week, make it a habit to check the fittings and fixtures on your home plumbing inspection list. These should include your faucets – do they leak water when they’re turned off, or from places they shouldn’t?

Loose metal nuts, valves, and fastenings can cause leaks, so tighten them up. But you’ll also need to look out for rust and mineralization. If you notice a problem fitting, get your plumber in to see if it needs to be replaced.

Look Out for Leaks

It may be that your home plumbing system has developed a problem, and the best way to fix it is to find it! Check for drips beneath sinks, look for damp patches, and watch out for mold. Then call your plumber so they can nip it in the bud.

Routinely Clear Sink and Bath/Shower Drains

As a precaution, regularly unclog your sink, bath and shower drains as part of your plumbing maintenance.

You don’t need expensive chemicals to do this – half a cup of salt, followed by a boiling water chaser will often do the trick. Or a drain blaster works wonders, using just water to do the job.

Lag (Wrap) Your Pipes to Avoid Freezing

Wrapping your pipes in insulation will help stop your pipes from being exposed to winter temperatures, and freezing as a result.

Another tip to avoid coming home to frozen pipes after a winter vacation is to turn off the water.

Simply shut off your water supply, and then open all your faucets to drain the remaining water from them. You’ll also want to flush any toilets. Then when you come home, reverse the process for warm pipes and a hot shower.

Plumbing Maintenance Will Save Your Pipes

It’s true that a household plumbing system is an intricate beast. Still, regular plumbing maintenance will help you keep it in check and prevent serious issues from developing.

Have you dawdled on getting your home ready for the winter? Then check out the ultimate maintenance list you need to tackle right now.