There are many ways to save money on your plumbing and we have compiled a list in this article. Read if you want to conserve energy and water, avoid costly repairs and save money in the long run. If you have questions about our tips, feel free to get in touch with our plumbing team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth. We’ll connect you to a licensed plumber in Dalworthington, TX right away.
Effective Tips that Save Money
Below are tips that help prevent repairs that might cost you a fortune.
1. Locate the Shut-off Valves
When there are leaks in the plumbing, the first thing a homeowner needs to do is to turn off the water to prevent further damage to your home. This is why it’s important to know where the shut-off valves are. You need the shut-off valves to turn off the water. These devices are usually installed in the basement, which isn’t advisable for it might take time to turn them off. In some cases, you might not be able to turn it off especially when the basement starts flooding.
What you can do is call a plumber in your area to install several shut-off valves. Better yet, install them near your plumbing appliances such as the water heater, dishwasher, garbage disposal and sump pump. When there’s a risk of flooding, you’ll be able to turn off the appliances immediately.
How many shut-off valves are installed in your home? If you only have one and it’s in the basement, call a plumber today to help you install more shut-off valves. Additionally, make sure these shut-off valves also work too. Test them first or contact a plumber to ensure your valves work and they are in good working condition.
You need to also be careful when turning them off. When there’s flooding, make sure you turn off the electricity first to avoid accidents. If you can’t control the flooding, it’s better to get in touch with a professional instead. Our plumbing experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth can take care of any leaks. Call us at your earliest convenience and we will quickly dispatch a plumber to your location.
2. Take Care of Your Plumbing
Homeowners must have a plumbing checklist that includes a list of appliances and plumbing fixtures to check on a weekly or monthly basis. Take time to thoroughly inspect your appliances to make sure they are still working and there are no problems with them. If you suspect something may be wrong with the garbage disposal or the sump pump, call a plumber in your area at the soonest possible time. You can save money on your plumbing when you take action right away.
In addition, we suggest you also get a professional plumbing inspection so that the plumber can professionally check everything and address problems that may lead to a costly plumbing emergency. During a routine inspection, a licensed plumber may perform diagnostic tests and inspections to ensure everything is in excellent shape. If he finds an issue with any of the plumbing appliances or the fixtures, he will do everything he can to alleviate the problem. When you choose Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth, rest assured you will never cut corners when it comes to performing inspections because we value you as a customer. We’ll never leave your property unless we’re completely sure everything is in good working condition. You can trust and rely on us for we have been helping homeowners and businesses for several years. Our first priority is to resolve all issues within the same day. We’re also fully equipped to ensure you won’t have to call us again to set another appointment.
3. Never Try DIY Plumbing
One of the most effective things you can do for your plumbing is to do repairs and installations on your own. As much as possible, hire a licensed plumber in your area to take care of major repairs and installations. Plumbing projects are just okay as long as it doesn’t involve complex repairs. You can repair a faucet on your own or install a showerhead but for other plumbing projects, it’s better to get in touch with a licensed professional in the area.
A professional plumber is equipped with the right training and tools to properly carry out the task. He will know what to do to avoid damage to your home. He will make sure your plumbing appliance is working efficiently. When it comes to installations, most manufacturers also require you only to hire a licensed professional for it or you might lose your warranty. And you need a warranty to take care of any repair work. You can save money if you have a good warranty that lasts several years.
For repairs, a professional can perform proper diagnostic tests to give you an accurate diagnosis of the problem along with the most cost-effective plumbing solutions. Most importantly, a plumber can permanently fix the problem. A YouTube video may not be able to effectively get rid of a problem.
In addition, avoid hiring an unlicensed plumber in your area for he may not be familiar with the building codes. An unlicensed plumber also isn’t insured which means if he gets injured on the job, you will have to take care of his medical expenses. And this is the last thing you want to do. Also, he will not be able to provide you with guarantees which means if he makes a mistake, you will have no choice but to contact another plumber to correct the problem.
Do you need help with repairs or installations? We’re just here to help. Our plumbing experts can take care of any plumbing job, big or small. Rest assured, we’ll do everything we can to fix the issue so that you won’t have any more problems with your plumbing. Call us if you need help with your water heater, sump pump or pipes and we will quickly dispatch a professional to your location.
4. Get Insulation for Your Pipes
In addition to getting proper installation for your walls to conserve on heating or cooling costs, make sure you also insulate the pipes to avoid a costly repair. All you need to do is get some insulating blanket at a hardware store and cover the pipes with it. The pipes need to be covered or the water inside them can freeze and you will have an even bigger problem.
When the water inside the pipes freezes, the pipe will expand and then break. You can avoid flooding in your home by protecting the pipes. If you have more questions, get in touch with a plumber in your area.
If you have plumbing pipes installed at the bottom of the sink, turn on the heating and open the cabinet net doors underneath the sink. If you’re just at home, try to also slightly open the faucets so that warm water can flow through the pipes. For homeowners still using an old water heater tank, don’t forget to also insulate it to conserve energy in the winter. For other winter tips, feel free to contact a professional in Dalworthington, TX today.
5. Check the Water Pressure
You need to know two things about your home’s water pressure: low water pressure can indicate leaks in your plumbing while high water pressure can do heavy damage to your pipes.
Get a water pressure gauge to determine your home’s water pressure. The water pressure in your home must be between 40-60 PSI. You have low water pressure if it’s less than 40 and high water pressure if it’s more than 60 PSI. If your water pressure isn’t within normal levels, contact a plumber in your area to inspect your plumbing. Our plumbing experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth can help you alleviate the problem.
If you have low water pressure, check your bill first. When it’s unusually higher, we suggest you do a water meter test to determine if there’s a leak in your plumbing. All you need are two separate readings. Do the second reading 20 minutes after doing the first reading and make sure no one is using the faucet or the shower. When the readings are different, this usually indicates a leak in your plumbing. Call a professional in Dalworthington, TX immediately for assistance. Don’t forget to also check all of your plumbing appliances and fixtures to check for leaks. When you see a leak, call a professional immediately.
When you have high water pressure, call a plumber to install a water pressure regulator to help you regular your home’s water pressure. Remember, high water pressure can severely strain the pipes. If you don’t address the problem, your pipes can break and you will end up with a flooded home. To avoid costly repairs and major plumbing emergencies, always protect the pipes during winter.
6. Buy Leak Detection Devices
You will not be able to watch your home 24/7. There may be times when the pipes can break and you’re not at home. You can prevent further damage to your plumbing by installing leak-detection devices. These are safety devices that you can install near your water heater, dishwasher, garbage disposal or sump pump. When these devices sense abnormalities in your home’s plumbing or when it detects a leak, your leak detection devices will send you an alert so that you are aware of what’s happening in your plumbing. Leak detection devices can also automatically shut off your water supply to prevent further damage to your home. For installation, hire a licensed professional in Dalworthington, TX.
7. Don’t Use Chemical-Based Drain Cleaners
When unclogging a drain, call a plumber in Dalworthington, TX for professional drain cleaning services. Never use chemical-based drain cleaners for they can damage the pipes eventually. You can also use a drain snake to get rid of what’s restricting water flow. For regularly cleaning the drains, use vinegar and baking soda solution. You can also pour boiling water into the drains to get rid of food particles stuck in the pipe walls.
As much as possible, don’t ignore a slow drain for this can usually progress to a major drain clog. Remember, clogs are also associated with other problems including water damage and pest infestation. You can avoid all these with a professional drain cleaning service.
8. Maintain the Water Heater
Do you still have a standard water heater tank installed? You need to flush the water at least once a year to get rid of the sediment building up in the tank. When this sediment accumulates, your water heater will only work harder and you’ll end up paying for a costly water heater repair. For homeowners with hard water in their plumbing or with low water pressure at home, you may have to flush the water heater more than once a year. If you fail to do this, you will end up completely replacing your water heater. If you have other concerns with your water heater, contact a professional in Dalworthington, TX.
Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth Today
Do you need help from a plumber in Dalworthington, TX? We’re just a call away! Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth is a plumbing company that serves homeowners and businesses in the area. When it comes to plumbing repairs, trust that we can resolve them on the same day. We can resolve any plumbing problem, big or small. Our plumbing experts also operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So if you need emergency plumbing assistance in the middle of the night, you can call us anytime. We’re always available to help and our team will make sure everything is in top shape.
Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth today for an appointment.
See our previous blog post here!