Homeowners all want to save money on their plumbing and the only way to do this is by preventing costly plumbing repairs and buying expensive replacements. In this article, we’ll talk about helpful tips on helping homeowners avoid expensive repairs and save money on their plumbing. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our plumbers in Mansfield, TX.
Tips to prevent repairs:
Periodically Inspect the Laundry Area
Some homeowners make the mistake of converting a room on the second floor of their home to a laundry room. This is really not recommended, for safety purposes. Because if you’re not careful, leaks can happen and imagine how much it would cost you when the water damages the first-floor area too.
You can avoid a catastrophic plumbing emergency by investing in high-quality appliances and ensuring you only hire a licensed plumber to install your new washing machine. As much as possible, invest in stainless steel washing machine hoses instead of rubber ones. The former is less susceptible to damage and also lasts longer.
Also, as a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to regularly check your plumbing including the laundry room. And don’t just stop with the washing machine. Check the drains too and ensure it’s in top shape. Install strainers to catch dirt and debris. Get regular plumbing inspection to help you identify plumbing issues that may potentially lead to a costly plumbing emergency. Most importantly, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth for any plumbing-related issues. Our plumbers will make sure all problems are permanently resolved.
Maintain Your Water Heater
Flush the sediment buildup in the water heater tank at least once or twice a year. You will need to do it more than once when there is a high concentration of hard water in your plumbing. If you don’t remove the mineral buildup, your water heater will start to lose its efficiency, resulting in higher energy bills every month. This can also lead to the storage tank leaking water — and when this happens, you will have no choice but to completely replace the water heater tank.
You may also call a plumber in Mansfield, TX, to install a water softener for your home, or if you need assistance with your water heater.
If your water heater is more than 10 years old and is no longer that efficient, we recommend getting a new replacement. You can save more money by getting an energy-efficient water heater. Better yet, get a tankless water heater so that you won’t have to worry about water leaks anymore.
Tankless water heaters last longer and have no standby heat loss. Because you’re only using energy as soon as you turn on the tap or shower, it means you get to save money. For installation, though, please make sure to only work with a licensed plumber in the area. Installing a water heater can be complex and you need the services of a licensed plumber for this.
Purchase Leak Detection Devices
If you’re worried about leaks, we suggest installing leak detection devices for your home. Place these devices near your washing machine, water heater or dishwasher. Leak detection devices will automatically shut off the water supply when it detects a leak. It will also notify you immediately so that you can call a plumber in Mansfield, TX for an inspection.
Several types of leak detection devices are available in the market. To help you make an informed decision on which type of leak detection device to purchase for your home, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our plumbers. We are more than happy to help you choose the leak detection device suitable for your home.
Cover Exposed Pipes
Do you have unexposed pipes or outdoor plumbing? You need to protect these pipes to avoid pipes expanding and bursting. When the temperature reaches below zero, the water inside unprotected pipes can freeze and that can eventually lead to pipes leaking.
A catastrophic pipe leak can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements. You’re lucky if it doesn’t damage your home’s foundation as that will even cost you more. Not to mention the mold problem when you don’t properly dry the area.
Go to your local hardware store to get an insulating tape to cover the pipes. You may even add extra insulation to ensure they are well protected. Make sure to also protect outdoor faucets or showers, if there are any. Contact a plumber in Mansfield, TX, if you have questions about insulating the pipes.
Another way to avoid burst pipes is to slightly open the faucet so that warm water can flow through the pipes. Open the cabinet doors underneath the sink too so that warm air can circulate in that area. If you think the pipes are already frozen, contact a plumber right away to help you thaw the pipes. Avoid fixing the problem on your own especially when you don’t know what you’re doing.
When the pipes have already burst, shut off the water supply