Essential Plumbing Service Tips That Prevent Costly Emergencies | Mansfield, TX

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When it comes to plumbing, prevention is always better than cure. You won’t have to spend a fortune on repairs if you know how to prevent plumbing disasters at home. Read this article for helpful plumbing tips. If you need help with your plumbing, please get a professional plumbing service for your home in Mansfield, TX.

Protect Your Pipes

Because it’s almost winter, homeowners must start insulating their plumbing pipes so they don’t freeze and burst. When the temperatures start dropping, and your pipes are not well protected, the water inside them can freeze. And if it freezes, the pipes will expand and then burst. The last thing you want in the middle of a freezing winter is flooding in your home. That’s because you won’t only have hefty plumbing bills for that, but it could also jeopardize your home’s foundation. If you need help with insulating your pipes during winter, please get a professional plumbing service in Mansfield, TX, so that one of our experts can check your plumbing.

If you have exposed pipes, go to your local hardware store to get insulation tape. You may even add extra insulation, just to make sure. Please include your outdoor faucets too. Also, slightly open the tap so that warm water can flow through the pipes and prevent freezing. Ensure that you also seal up any cracks and holes so that cool air doesn’t enter your home. We suggest that you always keep the heating on and open the cabinet doors underneath the sink so that warm air can also circulate in that area and prevent pipes from freezing.

You’ll know that the pipes are frozen when you suddenly don’t have water. What you can do is get a plumbing service in Mansfield, TX, the soonest possible time so that a plumber can inspect your pipes and help you thaw them. Don’t worry, our plumbers are highly skilled and experienced in dealing with frozen pipes. We can help you thaw them without harming your entire plumbing. Another reminder: avoid hiring inexperienced plumbers to help you with frozen pipes as they may not have the experience and tools to get the job done. Call us, and we’ll quickly dispatch a licensed plumber to your home or business.

Get a Regular Plumbing Inspection

During a plumbing inspection, a licensed plumber will do a comprehensive check of your entire plumbing system to find out if there might be potential problems that will cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. It’s a must for homeowners to get a plumber and have their plumbing inspected to ensure that it’s in top shape. Otherwise, you may never know that there are hidden leaks in your plumbing. The next thing you know is that your home is already flooding.

If you still didn’t get an inspection this year, we suggest that you get a professional service today so that one of our experts can check your plumbing system. We’ll let you know if everything is good to go and if there might be issues that need to be addressed.

Check the Washing Machine Hoses

If you have a laundry room, please periodically check your washers and the hoses to ensure they are still in good condition. Rubber washing machine hoses are not as durable as stainless steel hoses, so if you still have this kind of hose, we suggest replacing them as an extra precaution. They may cost a little more, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing that they can reduce the chances of a plumbing leak that may result in a hefty bill. For installation, please make sure that you only get professional plumbing service to ensure that the washing machine hoses are properly installed.

Also — besides switching from rubber to stainless steel hoses, please don’t forget to regularly maintain your appliances to extend their lifespan. Washing machines don’t last forever, and they will start to show inefficiency issues when you don’t properly maintain them. Clean them regularly and get a plumbing service if you think there might be issues that need to be resolved immediately.

Get Professional Leak Detection Service

Are you suddenly getting unusually higher water bills, but your plumbing seems okay? There might be a hidden leak that you don’t know of. If your water bills have suddenly skyrocketed, we suggest that you get a plumbing service in Mansfield, TX, at the soonest possible time so a plumber can check for any leaks in your plumbing.

You can also do some tests yourself to know if there are leaks in your plumbing. Call a licensed plumber immediately to help you resolve the leak if there is any. One thing you can do is the water meter test. Turn off all of the faucets and showers and check the water meter. Take note of the numbers you see and check back after an hour. You need to make sure that no one else uses the bathroom or the laundry room during this time. If the readings have changed, there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing. Get a professional plumbing service so an expert can find the exact location of the leak.

Toilet leaks may not be harmful, but they can waste hundreds of gallons of water and result in higher water bills. Drop some food coloring in the tank and check the toilet bowl after 15 minutes to check for water leaks. There is a leak in your plumbing if the water inside the toilet bowl changes. Call a plumber immediately for assistance.

You can also look for some water spots in the ceilings or the walls. If the wallpapers have suddenly bulged, it’s like that there’s a leak underneath the walls. Get help right away so a plumber can inspect it.

Install Leak Detection Devices

A professional leak detection service can help you determine if there are leaks in your plumbing. Licensed plumbers can also find the exact location of the leak. In addition to getting a leak detection service, consider installing leak detection devices into your home. These devices can detect leaks and even hidden leaks — and they will alert you and automatically shut off the main water to prevent further damage to your home. We highly suggest installing these and putting them near your washing machine, dishwasher, and water heater. For installation, please make sure that you only get professional plumbing service.

Remember, water damage due to flooding will cost you a fortune in repairs and restorations. But there are ways to avoid costly plumbing emergencies. Contact a plumber today and install leak detection devices.

Maintain Your Water Heater

Do you have a water heater storage tank? Then it’s likely installed in your basement, and you need to be careful with it to avoid leaks and flooding in the basement. It’s crucial to flush out the sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank and do it at least once a year. Failure to remove the mineral buildup can affect the efficiency of your water heater. You may start having problems with it, such as not having enough hot water or the water suddenly turning cold. Please never neglect it, or it might be too late for you to flush out the sediment buildup because water is already leaking from the tank. And remember, you will have no choice but to get a replacement if the leaks are coming from the tank. A replacement means more out-of-pocket costs for you. Please don’t forget to flush out the water heater to avoid this.

If you want to reduce the chances of a leak in the water heater tank, you can also consider installing a tankless water heater. Get a professional plumbing service in Mansfield, TX, so that our plumbers can help you with installation. You won’t need a storage tank for this water heater as you can just mount them on your bathroom wall. You can also save more money with them as it uses energy only when you’re using hot water. And so long as you have the right size, you’ll never run out of hot water ever again. If you’re contemplating getting a tankless water heater, please get a professional plumbing service so that our team can help you make an informed decision on what brand of tankless water heater to purchase for your home.

Get Professional Drain Cleaning

Slow drains usually lead to a major drain clog if you fail to address the problem. And some homeowners ignore them thinking the problem would go away on their own. Please get a professional plumbing service so that a plumber can help you properly clean your drains. You need drain cleaning so that your drains stay in excellent shape and you don’t encounter other issues.

Clogged drains don’t only lead to leaks in your plumbing, but they can also attract unwanted pests to your home. Also, your kitchen will smell unpleasant, and that’s unsanitary. A professional drain cleaning can help you resolve clogs. Get a plumbing service today if you’re having issues with your drains.

As homeowners, it’s also your responsibility to care for your plumbing. One of them is to regularly clean your drains by pouring about a liter of boiling water to get rid of the small food particles stuck in the pipes. Baking soda and vinegar can also help. Please never resort to buying chemical-based drain cleaners as they can only harm your pipes and are not the permanent solutions. Get a plumbing service if you need more help with your drains. Never ignore a slow drain or dirty water that could back, and you’ll have an even bigger problem.

In addition, please install drain covers or strainers to catch food debris, dirt, and hair. Install these in your kitchen sink, laundry, and bathroom. Get a plumbing service if you need assistance from a plumber in Mansfield, TX. Make sure to clean the drain covers at least once a week to prevent smells in your kitchen and bathroom. And never pour grease or oil down the drain as they can solidify and obstruct water flow.

If possible, get a plumbing service for a garbage disposal installation. Having a garbage disposal can help you better manage food waste. Do you need more help? Get a plumbing service today.

Install a Sump Pump

If you have a basement, we highly recommend getting a plumbing service so a plumber can help you install a sump pump. You need the device to prevent flooding in the basement. But first, you’ll need to test it before using it for the first time. Do it when there’s a storm coming — pour some water into the sump pit and check whether the unit will pump the water out. Get a professional plumbing service if it doesn’t so that a plumber can check that for you. We would also suggest you buy a backup pump in case there is a power outage during a storm. Most importantly, please don’t forget to maintain your sump pump so that it stays efficient and won’t suddenly malfunction. Regular maintenance can also extend the lifespan of your sump pump.

Install Several Shut-off Valves

A shut-off valve can stop the flow of water. You need this in case there is a leak in your plumbing. To make it quicker to shut the device off, install them close to your washing machines, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and water heater, just in case. Then, contact a plumber for installation. Also, check the device periodically to ensure that it works. If you have questions, get in touch with a plumber in your area.

Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth

Do you need plumbing service in Mansfield, TX? We’re here to help! We have licensed and highly skilled plumbers who can help with plumbing repairs, maintenance, or installations. Our team is fully equipped, and we work hard to ensure you’ll be delighted with our service. So please reach out to us today for an appointment.