Better Plumbing Practices to Use in the New Year

New year’s resolutions: whether you love or loathe them, it’s always good to have one — significantly if it can help improve your home’s plumbing! Whether your resolution is to save more water this year or avoid putting off plumbing repairs the second you notice an issue, a little can go a long way — and prevent a catastrophe from happening down the road.

If you’re still scrambling for the perfect plumbing-based resolution, here are a few that you can consider sticking to in the new year.

Plumbing-Based New Year’s Resolutions for Homeowners

Save Water Around Your Home

One of the best new year’s resolutions is to make a conscious effort to save water around your home. There are many avenues where you can cut back on your H2O consumption from the shower to the washing machine.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average family wastes about 180 gallons of water per week from unrepaired plumbing leaks alone (this number doesn’t account for long showers or letting the water run while brushing your teeth) — and that comes out to about 9,400 gallons per year! To help cut back on your water waste in your home, consider taking some of the following actions:

• Have plumbing leaks repaired right away — no matter how big or small they are.

• Keep your showers under five minutes.

• Don’t let the faucet run when brushing your teeth.

• Use the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads only.

Don’t Misuse Plumbing Drains

One of the biggest plumbing problems faced in many homes across the country are clogged drains. Whether it’s the kitchen sink or the shower in the master bathroom, all drains are susceptible to being clogged one way or the other. However, many times, drain clogs result from misusing the drain or not properly caring for it.

For instance, if you don’t have a garbage disposal in your kitchen and have cooking “scraps” leftover, do you push them down the drain or toss them into the trash? If you do not opt for the latter, you’re cooking up a recipe for disaster in your drain. Before plugging anything out of the ordinary down your drain, here’s what to keep out of it:

• Bones

• Cat Litter

• Eggshells

• Grease/oil

• Cotton swabs

• Coffee grounds, and more

Have Your Water Heater Tuned-Up

Be honest — when was the last time you had your water heater tuned-up? If you cannot recall, it would be best to schedule a maintenance appointment before the following new year! While this might seem like a waste of time to some homeowners, this service is very beneficial — but how so?

When you schedule an appointment, a professional plumber will make sure that every piece of the water heater is in working order — this includes but is not limited to the:

• Burner

• Gas valve

• TP relief valve

• Ventilation pipes, and more

Additionally, your plumber will make sure that no leaks are coming from the tank and no signs of rust. Another perk about a water heater tune-up is that your plumber will give the unit a proper “flush” — removing any sediment collected at the bottom of the tank (which makes it harder for the tank’s burner to operate if not flushed out).

Consider Upgrading Your Plumbing Fixtures

Is there a faucet in your home that has seen better days? You know, the one that shows visible signs of corrosion — or leaks, no matter what you do to stop it? If so, consider upgrading that fixture to a new and improved model.

Doing so will not only provide the sink with a fresh new look, but it will also help prevent a potential plumbing problem when you least expect it down the road.

Professional Plumbers in Renton, WA

For the best plumbing services in Renton and the surrounding areas, turn to The Plumbing Joint Inc.! We will get right to work on fixing any problems that have arisen with your home’s plumbing!

Call us today at (425) 228-3204 to schedule your service!