Managing an entire home’s plumbing system can be a challenge! There are simply quite a few different components to keep track of and it can get to the point where it feels a little overwhelming, especially if you don’t have any experience in the plumbing industry. Luckily, when it comes to limiting plumbing headaches from popping up and saving money on preventable repairs, some routine maintenance can go a long way!
As we often say, a major purpose behind our blog revolves around providing homeowners with tips for keeping their plumbing system as stress-free as possible. From educational resources on major plumbing brands to tips any homeowner can implement, it’s all covered here on the blog. In this week’s blog post, we’ll be taking a look at a few common plumbing maintenance tasks that every homeowner should look into doing. Keep in mind that the frequency in-between doing each of these tasks may vary. Some could be worth doing once a year, while others should be completed more frequently. With all of that being said, let’s take a look at a few of our favorite maintenance tips.
Flush Your Water Heater
If you follow us on Facebook or Instagram, chances are you’ve seen plenty of water heater content. Tankless, traditional storage tank, gas, electric, power vent, you name it! For obvious reasons, water heaters have become a necessity in our daily lives. While it’s certainly not the end of the world when they start to break down, there’s no denying that it can be annoying.
When it comes to water heater maintenance and getting the maximum years out of your current unit, one of the most effective things you can do is perform an annual flush. The purpose of a water heater flush is fairly straightforward. Over time, sediment can build up at the bottom of your tank. As it starts to accumulate, your water heater has to work harder and harder to do it’s normal duties. And as you could probably guess, this extra workload will not only diminish the efficiency of your heater, but also lead to it breaking down earlier than expected. Luckily, an annual water heater flush can work wonders in clearing up these issues and will help increase the odds of you getting the maximum years out of the unit.
When was the last time you flushed your water heater? If you’re interested in having one of our experienced water heater technicians come out to do it for you, give us a call at (816) 348-3481.
Sewer Line Inspection
Have you ever had a sewer line replaced? Whether it be at your own home or even a commercial facility, it typically ends up being quite the project! Check out our video library on Facebook and you’ll likely come across a handful of sewer line replacements. In any case, before you even consider replacing a sewer line, it’s important to know if it is actually broken in the first place. Simple enough, right? Well, with the help of advanced sewer line inspection cameras, our team is able to look inside your pipes and determine what actually is going on down there. Whether that be tree roots wreaking havoc, a crack in the pipes or anything else, this is truly a valuable resource to have on-hand that will surely save you time and money.
So…how could sewer line inspections be considered a worthwhile maintenance task? To be honest, there are a number of instances in which it makes sense. If you suspect there may be something awry within your sewer line, this could be the perfect fit. If you’re planning on purchasing a house or property, you’ll certainly want to make sure that you won’t be faced with a major plumbing repair in the near future. If you just want the peace of mind that your sewer line is running smoothly, an inspection could make sense there as well!
Is your home or commercial facility in need of a sewer line inspection? Fill out the form HERE and a member of our team will be in touch with a free quote!
Fix the Small Stuff
While each of the items above mentioned a couple of the more expensive plumbing components, it’s never a bad idea to take care of all the small stuff either. We understand it’s easy to ignore these, but if you’re already working on your maintenance to-do list, why not get it all knocked out? In case you’re curious what would fall under this category, here are a few of the more popular ones:
Repair the Small Leaks
Have you ever heard some of the stats in regards to how much water is wasted from small leaks? The EPA has compiled many of these on their website. As stated on the EPA’s Fix a Leak Week page, “the average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year and ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons of more per day.” Even though this may not make a huge difference on one month’s water bill, it’s safe to say that it can definitely add up over time!
Luckily, many of these small leaks can get fixed fairly quickly by an experienced plumber. Plus, even if you have multiple leaks on your to-do list, the plumber should be able to take care of numerous leaks in one trip. A few to keep in mind are running toilets (often fixed by replacing the flapper), leaky faucets or even valves that are slowly dripping.
Slow Drains
Do you have any drains that seem to run much slower than they used to? Maybe the shower drain has accumulated hair, dirt and other gunk over the years and drains much slower than it should? Or it could be a sink drain that has also gradually lost its draining speed? In either case, it’s important to understand that this isn’t happening for no reason at all. In all likelihood, you likely have a blockage at some point in your plumbing system and it will probably get worse before it gets better. Having said that, a terrific maintenance task could be having an experienced plumbing technician out to do some drain cleaning. This is another perfect example of a cost-effective service that will always be beneficial to your plumbing system.
Need a Plumber in the Kansas City Area?
We’ve said it before, but here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, we truly do take pride in being a one-stop shop for all of your plumbing needs. Residential, commercial, new construction, you name it! Particularly for those with little-to-no plumbing experience, it can be a little overwhelming understanding the various components of a complete plumbing system. From knowing which brands you can trust and the maintenance tasks needed to having a plan when an emergency arises, it’s never a bad idea to know a reliable and affordable plumbing company in your area.
If you live in the Kansas City area and have been on the search for a top-notch plumbing company, we would love to have the opportunity to earn your trust. Our experienced technicians have years of experience under their belt, and are equipped with the skills to handle everything from larger re-piping projects to smaller maintenance-related jobs mentioned throughout this blog. To speak with a member of our team, feel free to give us a call at (816) 348-3481. We look forward to hearing from you!