Like getting an oil change or having your car inspected, regular plumbing preventative maintenance can save you money in the long run. However, many plumbing disasters seem to happen suddenly and can be very costly.
A toilet is not a trash can, yet people often flush diapers, baby wipes, dental floss, feminine hygiene products and more down the drain. These solid wastes can create clogged lines and sinks.
1. Regular Drain Cleaning
Your plumbing system is an impressive and complex system that does everything from whisking wastewater away to preventing sewer gases from entering your home. But it also can be easily damaged by clogged drains and pipes. This is why regular drain cleaning services are important.
While it is possible to clean your own drains, this is usually a messy and time-consuming job. Instead, look for a plumber near you with a good reputation and listed skill-set that is experienced in drain cleaning services. This will save you money in the long run by keeping your drains clean and functioning properly.
Aside from making your drains work more slowly, clogged drains can lead to expensive disasters like flooding and water damage to your home or property. These problems are often costly to repair and can disrupt your everyday life. Investing in regular drain cleaning services is often much cheaper than the cost of repairing and replacing your drainage system.
In addition, blocked drains can harbor unhealthy microorganisms such as mold, mildew, Coronavirus, and E coli that can affect your health. This is why it’s essential to hire a plumber with the right skills and tools to clean your drains and pipes without causing any damage. A reputable plumber will also be able to spot warning signs such as gurgling sounds or air bubbles, which indicate a partial blockage that needs to be quickly resolved before it worsens.
2. Sewer Line Cleaning
A clogged drain or sewer line is not only a plumbing disaster, but can also be a major health and safety concern for your family. Not to mention the hefty cost of repairing and cleaning up water damage caused by the sewage backup. Luckily, most of these costly plumbing disasters can be avoided by getting regular drain and sewer line cleaning services.
Clogged drains and pipes often occur when solid waste such as grease, food scraps, and plastic wrappers find their way into your home’s drainage system. While there are a lot of preventative measures you can take such as placing mesh screens in your sink drains and only flushing toilet paper, it is essential to have your drains and sewer lines regularly cleaned by a professional plumber.
Regular drain and sewer line cleanings will help remove build-up that causes clogs and extend the life of your drainage system, saving you money on repair bills and replacing your pipes. A plumber will use different methods to clear the blockage such as using a drain snake (long, flexible rod with a hand crank) or a hydro jetting method that involves sending high-pressure water down your pipes.
If you are concerned about your drains or sewer line, call Todd Plumbing Co. for a professional inspection and cleaning today!
3. Sewer Pumping
Sewage pumping services are vital for anyone with a septic system. If sewage isn’t properly pumped out, it can leak into the soil and cause disease if it comes in contact with people or groundwater. If this happens, you will need a professional to clean up the mess and repair any damage. Keeping up with routine sewer pumping can help you avoid this problem and save money in the long run.
A sewage pumping station consists of a large tank, called a wet well, that acts as a receiver for the sewage from a building or group of buildings. As the sewage fills up, a float will move up and engage a motor that will force the sewage out of the wet well and uphill to the sewer line or septic tank. When the float drops back down, the pump will turn off.
There are many different types of sewage pumps, each designed for different needs. The most common type of sewage pump is an effluent pump that is used in small on-site systems. Effluent pumps are able to pump at higher levels and more efficiently than other sewage pumps because they don’t have to handle sewage solids.
Another common type of sewage pump is the sewage ejector pump. This type of sewage pump is used when the cost of groundworks to allow sewage to flow by gravity would be too high. Sewage ejector pumps are made to pump raw sewage, which includes soft solids. They are able to do this because they don’t have to lift a lot of solids, just a few inches.
4. Water Heater Maintenance
Water heaters aren’t built to last forever, but with routine maintenance you can extend the life of your water heater by 10 years or more! Regular services will help you identify potential problems before they become a costly repair or water damage disaster.
The most important water heater maintenance task is to regularly check the pressure-relief valve and make sure it’s functioning correctly. This valve prevents the pressure inside your tank from building up and causing serious issues. It can be tested by putting a bucket under the discharge pipe and lifting the lever. If water isn’t released, the valve needs to be replaced.
Another simple maintenance task is to clean the anode rod on a regular basis. The anode rod attracts rust from the rest of your water heater, protecting it from rust and sediment build-up that can cause issues with your water heater.
Performing these basic maintenance tasks can save you a lot of money, especially when it comes to your energy bill. Remember that for every 10 degrees you lower the temperature dial on your water heater, you can save around 5% on your electricity bill. Also, don’t forget to keep flammable or combustible materials like cleaning chemicals and paint away from your hot water heater. And, if you have a gas-powered water heater be sure to turn off the pilot light and follow proper safety protocols whenever you perform maintenance on it.