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You can avoid plumbing repairs that may cost you a fortune so long as you know how plumbing works and how to maintain your appliances properly. Below are helpful tips to help you save money on your plumbing. Contact a professional plumber in Mansfield, TX, if you need further assistance.
1. Know Where the Shut-off Valves Are
During a plumbing emergency, the first thing a homeowner must do is turn off the shut-off valves to prevent further damage to the property. Water can cost you a fortune in repairs or replacements, but you may be able to avoid this by turning off the shut-off valves in time to prevent water damage.
One thing to keep in mind: shut-off valves must be easily accessible. You may even consider installing several shut-off valves, especially when you have a bigger home. Contact a plumbing company if you intend to have shut-off valves at different locations, and make sure that your family members also know where they are located, in case you aren’t home during the emergency. If you don’t know where your shut-off valves are, you can ask your plumber to show them to you during the inspection.
2. Install Leak Detection Systems
Another effective way to avoid costly plumbing repairs due to plumbing leaks is to install leak detection devices. Contact a professional in Mansfield, TX, to help you install these systems in your home. As much as possible, avoid calling unlicensed handypersons to prevent issues with poor installation.
Leak detection devices are lifesavers as they can alert you when there is a plumbing leak, preventing further water damage and saving you money in repairs and replacements. Advanced leak detection systems can also alert you when there are temperature fluctuations in your plumbing and the exact location of the plumbing leak. Put these devices near your sump pump, dishwasher, water heater and washing machine.
3. Schedule Regular Plumbing Maintenance
Most homeowners would only call a plumber when there’s already a problem, such as a clogged drain or pipes bursting. It will be already too late — and it’s going to cost you even more. Remember, it’s much more expensive to call for an emergency repair than a routine inspection. To save money and avoid the hassles or stress caused by a plumbing problem, ensure that you contact a professional for regular plumbing maintenance.
During the service call, we will inspect all the components of your system, and we’ll let you know if there are any issues. We can also address the problem on the same day so that you won’t have to schedule another appointment. Our plumbers are fully equipped to ensure that we can resolve the problem on the same day. You can avoid costly repairs with an inspection because a problem (if there are any) is detected and resolved ahead of time.
When scheduling a routine check-up, make sure it’s only with a licensed professional. Avoid hiring unqualified and unlicensed plumbers as they may not be fully equipped and not have enough experience to carry out the inspection properly. Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth because all of our plumbers are licensed and highly experienced. We work incredibly hard to ensure all of our customers are delighted with our service.
4. Keep a Checklist of Your Entire Plumbing
For homeowners, it’s essential to keep track of what needs to be looked at or repaired at home. A rule of thumb: never ignore a minor problem as that might turn into a costly plumbing emergency. If you suspect something might be wrong, contact a professional right away for assistance.
It would be better if you have a checklist of all your plumbing fixtures and appliances and note any unusual thing you find. Check off appliances or fixtures you have already checked.
You may want to check these:
- Toilets
- Pipes
- Bathroom, laundry, kitchen sinks
- Sewer lines
- Sump pumps
- Shut off valves
- Outdoor plumbing
- Water meters
- Washing machines
- Dishwashers
- Garbage disposals
- Tubs and showers
5. Avoid DIY Plumbing
You may be able to do some minor plumbing repairs by yourself. However, please only work with licensed professionals for major installations, drain cleaning, and other repairs. Remember, manufacturers also require homeowners to get professional installation of their appliances. Otherwise, your warranty may be void.
DIY plumbing may cost you more as you might need to purchase more plumbing materials and tools. If your goal is to save money and avoid problems due to improper repairs or installations, then it’s best to contact a plumber. Don’t hesitate to contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth if you need help with any plumbing repairs, installations or maintenance.
6. Maintain Your Water Heater
Do you have a conventional water heater tank installed in your basement? Then ensure that it gets properly maintained. Once a year, you need to flush out the sediment buildup at the bottom of the water tank. Otherwise, your water heater will work harder, consuming more energy. Failure to flush out the sediment buildup can also lead to leaks eventually. If you don’t want to come home to a flooded basement, regularly maintain your water heater.
If you have an old water heater installed, consider buying an insulating blanket to save more energy. You may also want to switch to tankless water heaters to prevent flooding in the basement. With the tankless versions, you get to avoid costly plumbing repairs and save money on energy every month. For installation, ensure that you only hire a licensed professional in the area.
7. Fix Water Leaks Right Away
As soon as a problem materializes, please get help immediately. Don’t wait until an issue becomes a costly plumbing emergency. For example, when there is a minor faucet leak, ensure that you call a plumber in Mansfield, TX, right away to help you fix it. Otherwise, you will be wasting hundreds of gallons of water. To maximize savings, consider investing in water-efficient plumbing fixtures such as low-flow faucets and showers. Then, contact a licensed professional for installation.
8. Install a Sump Pump
A sump pump is necessary, especially when you have a basement. This device prevents basement flooding by getting rid of the water in the sump pit. When rain or flood water reaches a certain level, the pump automatically turns on and removes the water. You need this if you want to avoid costly basement repairs. If possible, get extra batteries and an extra pump just in case the power goes out. For installation, ensure that you only hire a licensed professional.
9. Take Care of Your Plumbing Appliances
As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to take care of your plumbing and appliances. Periodically check them for any issues or wear & tear, and contact a plumber immediately for assistance. Ensure that they also get serviced regularly to ensure efficiency. An inefficient unit can consume more energy, and that’s a waste of money and resources.
10. Hire a Licensed Plumbers for Installations
Are you planning to install a new water heater or toilet? Work with a licensed plumber only to avoid poor installation issues and problems with your manufacturer. Homeowners are required to only work with licensed professionals, especially when it comes to installing gas-powered appliances. Otherwise, your warranty is void.
Pipe Maintenance That Prevents Costly Repairs
Getting your pipes repaired or replaced is expensive, but you can avoid them with our helpful tips below:
11. Never Use Chemical Based Drain Cleaning Products
Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems, and some homeowners would resort to using heavily advertised chemical-based drain cleaners, thinking it would permanently solve their problem. They don’t know that these types of cleaners are not an effective solution — sometimes they do more harm than good, especially when you have older pipes at home. They can eventually erode your pipes and lead to costly repairs caused by leaks.
Call a plumber in Mansfield, TX, for a drain cleaning service to fix slow drains or major clogs. Our plumbers may snake your drain or do hydro jetting to effectively remove the clog, depending on how serious the problem is. Don’t worry; we will first thoroughly check the interior of your pipes to determine what’s clogging them and then help you permanently resolve the problem. Having your drains professionally cleaned is more effective than having to pay for costly repairs caused by leaks.
12. Lower the Water Pressure
You may like having high water pressure, especially when you’re taking a shower. But do you know that high water pressure may cost you more in plumbing repairs down the road? Too much pressure can strain the pipes and increase the likelihood of a leak. If you want to extend the lifespan of your plumbing pipes and prevent costly plumbing repairs, then call a plumber for an inspection. They can find out if the water pressure is normal or not, and you can purchase a water pressure regulator to remedy the problem.
13. Install a Water Softener
While hard water is safe, it’s not always the best solution when it comes to maintaining your pipes. Too much concentration of dissolved minerals in your water doesn’t only damage appliances and consume more energy, but it can also lead to a mineral buildup in the pipes. Eventually, it might lead to a major leak in your plumbing. Imagine how much it would cost you in repairs when the pipes leak — remember you won’t only be paying for plumbing repairs but also for restoring your home. Leaks can do a lot of damage to your home; they may even jeopardize your home’s foundation.
The most effective way to fix the hard water problem is by installing a water softener. For installation, make sure that you only hire a licensed plumber in Mansfield, TX, to avoid issues down the road.
14. Insulate the Pipes
During winter, your plumbing pipes can freeze especially when they’re exposed and not protected. As much as possible, buy an insulating blanket at your hardware store to protect your pipes when the temperature starts dropping. If you’re not going away, consider slightly opening your faucet to let the warm water flow through the pipes. When the pipes are not protected, the water inside them may freeze, leading to pipes bursting. Water damage is expensive as you will be paying for home and plumbing repairs. To avoid this problem, ensure that you insulate the pipes at least a month before winter. If you have other issues, please get in touch with a plumber.
15. Learn How to Prevent Future Clogs
Slow drains and major clogs can be very stressful. When not properly addressed, they can also lead to other issues such as pest infestation and unpleasant smells in your kitchen. While calling a plumber in Mansfield, TX, for drain repair can help, it’s also best when you know how to avoid the problem.
You can prevent future clogs if you’re mindful of what goes down the drain. First, make sure that you don’t pour grease or oil down the drain. Instead, install strainers to catch food particles and other debris. Next, pour boiling water into the drain to get rid of the little oil that’s stuck in the pipes. Don’t use chemical-based cleaners — instead, use vinegar and baking soda solution. Most importantly, contact a plumber for a drain cleaning service. Professional maintenance of your drains is one of the most effective ways to ensure that all problems are addressed early and any issue is resolved at the soonest possible time.
Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth
To prevent costly plumbing issues, you must hire the right plumber to carry out any plumbing repairs, maintenance, or installations. That’s where Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth comes in. Our plumbers are licensed and highly experienced with any plumbing-related problem. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us — we are available 24/7 to ensure all residents and businesses in Mansfield, TX, contact the emergency services they need. Call us today for an appointment.