Plumbing problems can be such a dilemma for homeowners. Some of the most common issues include leaks, clogs, and sewer or septic issues. Not only can these problems cause considerable damage to your home and ruin your day, but they can also take a bite out of your budget.

Learning some preventive maintenance and keeping your plumbing in good condition can save you money on your utility bill and can save you from unnecessary costs from damages. We have listed our top 10 tips below to get you on the right track towards an optimized plumbing system:

Lower Water Temperature on Water Heater

Lowering the temperature of your water heater 10 degrees can save you around 5 percent on your energy bill. By default, most water heaters are set to 140 degrees, and by lowering it up to 120 degrees you can expect to save up to 10 percent on energy costs.

Moreover, setting up your water heater into “vacation mode” while you’re not in your home can also help you save on energy costs since you will conserve on wasted heating.

Finally, draining your water heater can also be an effective way to keep your plumbing flowing freely. Your water heater accumulates sediment over time, especially if you have hard water. By draining it, your water will be easier to heat and will have more pure water inside.

Avoid using chemicals and Liquid Drain Cleaners

Pouring chemicals down your drains could create some plumbing nightmares. These chemicals tend to lubricate the clog instead of removing it, making it more difficult to clear in the long run.

Also, liquid drains cleaners generate heat, which is due to the fact that it functions by creating chemical reactions within the drain pipe. This heat can cause some nasty damage to the pipe. The chemicals will rest on the clogged area, creating the potential to weaken or even melt the pipe.

Repair a Leaky Toilet

A leaky toilet may seem like a minor annoyance, but it can lead to an unexpectedly high water bill or damage the fixture further over time, leading to a replacement being necessary. A toilet that continually drips or refills every 20 minutes can waste up to 7,000 gallons a month. It can take as little as $3 to fix a bad flapper and can save you up to $840 in a year. If you replace that toilet altogether with a low flow model, the savings can be well over $1000 in a single year.

Clean your drains

Don’t allow any food debris, hair, greases, and other things to go down to your drains as it may start to build up a clog. A clog which causes backups and will lead to pipe breakage.

Check your drains frequently to find any problems. If your drain hasn’t been working right, give Caccia Plumbing a call!

Don’t Flush Foreign Objects to Your Toilet Paper

Your toilet is only made to handle waste matter and toilet paper. Everything else should go into the garbage disposal. Objects such as hair, feminine products, cigarettes, or even wipes labeled as “flushable” can cause a clogged toilet and expensive plumbing repairs. Furthermore, it will end up being expensive, as professional plumbers are required to unclog any clogged toilets.

Use the Auto Shutoff on Your Washing Machine

The drain hose in your washing machine often displaces from the drainage pipe, which causes a large flood almost instantly inside your laundry machine. Want to avoid this problem? Use your washing machine’s flood detector auto shut off. This device monitors washing machine floods and will automatically shut off the water if it determines that your unit has too much water on it.

Moreover, this prevents the overuse of water, which results in damages to your washing machine. If your current model is not equipped with an auto shut off, you may want to consider investing in a new model.

Look for Drips

Pools of water on your basement floor is a visible sign of a plumbing leakage. But, in many cases, a loose valve or broken pipe may cause condensation to build up in a specific area. Furthermore, odor-causing bacteria and mold can begin to form in these places.

Sump pump testing

Make sure your sump pump will be in working order during springtime and thunderstorms. With already saturated soil, stormwater will be finding ways into your home, and having a working sump pump can save you thousands in water damage and restoration.

Keep Pipes from Freezing

Frozen pipes can crack and burst, leaving you with a mess and an expensive plumbing repair. Prevent this problem by insulating exposed pipes. When it’s cold out, leave cabinets under sinks open to allow warm air to circulate and let cold water drip from faucets.

Everything Else

Here are a few final tips to try out. Look at your garden hose for any signs of cracks or leaks, especially if you haven’t used it yet this season. Make sure the sump pump works, be proactive about roots, and then test the water supply valves to double check that it won’t stick.