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One of your responsibilities as a homeowner is to ensure that your plumbing system is in top shape. Remember, your drinking water comes from your pipes. When they are damaged, or the water is suddenly contaminated, it would be impossible to drink from them. Protecting your plumbing also lets you avoid costly plumbing repairs and replacements.

In this article, we’ll talk about how to better protect your plumbing and ensure you don’t encounter plumbing issues that may cost you a fortune. We have also included the benefits of hiring qualified plumbers for your repairs, installations and maintenance. If you need more help, please contact one of our professionals in Mansfield, TX.

How to Prevent Plumbing Problems

Water damage can jeopardize your home’s foundation, and the bad news is that your homeowners insurance may not always cover it, especially when you don’t perform plumbing maintenance. You must know how to prevent problems so you won’t have to worry about the cost later. Below are our helpful tips:

Check for Leaks

Leaks can skyrocket your utility bills, especially when it’s undetected. If you’re suddenly getting unusually higher bills, the culprit could be leaks in your plumbing. Some leaks can be seen, while others can remain undetected until it’s too late. We recommend that homeowners periodically check their plumbing fixtures and appliances and any signs of hidden leaks, such as damp walls or mold. Call a professional in Mansfield, TX, asap for an inspection. Licensed professionals have tools for knowing the exact location of the leak. They can also help you resolve the leaks and ensure that your plumbing is in excellent shape.

Maintain Your Water Heater

If you have a water heater tank, please flush the sediment buildup at least once a year to ensure that your water heater stays efficient. Failure to flush out the mineral buildup in the water heater can lead to inefficiency problems and a major plumbing emergency. We also suggest that you buy an insulating blanket, especially when you have an old water heater tank. The newer models are already equipped with an insulating blanket, so no need to get one. Just make sure that you maintain the unit to extend its lifespan. If you need further assistance, please reach out to a plumber.

Protect Your Plumbing Pipes

During winter, please don’t forget to protect exposed drain pipes to prevent burst pipes. When the temperature reaches below zero and your pipes are not properly insulated, the water inside them can freeze, and your pipes will burst. You can avoid costly water damage by insulating the pipes in the winter.

Another way to protect pipes is by slightly opening the faucet so that warm water can circulate inside. Make sure to also open the cabinet doors under the sink to let warm air in.

Homeowners must take care of their pipes. They shouldn’t throw anything down the drain. Grease, large food particles, and other dirt shouldn’t be thrown down the drain. Clean your drains regularly, pouring hot water at least once a week. Most importantly, avoid chemical-based drain cleaners like the plague. They can damage your pipes and are not the solution for major clogs. Instead, get professional drain cleaning to ensure that your drain pipes are in top shape.

When you suspect that the pipes are corroded or have other issues, please get in touch with a licensed plumber in Mansfield, TX.

Take Care of the Toilet

If you have children at home, ensure that they know how to properly care for the toilet. Let them know that the only things they need to flush in the toilet are human waste, nothing else. Toys or food shouldn’t be thrown in the toilet as they can cause a major clog.

Also, watch out for toilet leaks as they can waste hundreds of gallons of water. To check for leaks, drop a few food coloring in the toilet tank and then wait for about 15 minutes. Check the toilet bowl to see if the water changes colors. There is a leak in the toilet when the color of the water changes. Contact a plumber so they can help you remedy the problem.

As much as possible, never postpone any repairs to avoid further problems. If you suspect a problem with the toilet or with your plumbing in general, contact a professional immediately for an inspection. Licensed professionals will perform diagnostic tests and provide you with the most cost-effective solutions.

Know the Location of the Shut-off Valves

When there is a leak in the pipes, the first thing you need to do is to stop the water flow. You need to turn off the main water supply to avoid further damage to your home. So you must know exactly where the shut-off valves are in your home. Make sure that everyone knows where it is too, in case you won’t be home. If possible, install several shut-off valves so that you wouldn’t need to run to them every time there is a problem with the plumbing. Install the shut-off valves near your water heater, washing machine, dishwasher and plumbing fixtures. If you need help in installing them, please contact a plumber in Mansfield, TX.

Regulate the Water Pressure

Some homeowners may like having high water pressure, especially when using the shower or the tub. What they don’t know is that high water pressure can severely strain the pipes. If you don’t address the problem, you’ll only end up with leaky pipes. Buy a water pressure regulator at your local hardware store to help you regulate the water pressure. Should you need more help, please contact a professional.

Never Ignore Minor Plumbing Problems

No, plumbing problems never go away on their own. Some of them start small and can turn into a costly plumbing emergency if it’s not addressed. To protect your plumbing, make it a point to always resolve issues. When there is a problem with the faucet or the water heater, get in touch with a plumber in Mansfield, TX, right away for help. Please don’t wait until the problem becomes even more serious and it’s going to cost you a fortune in repairs and restorations.

Change the Washing Machine Hoses

Rubber washing machine hoses don’t last as long as the stainless steel braided hoses. If you want them to last several years, we suggest replacing them with more durable ones. Stainless steel braided hoses are less susceptible to wear and tear and reduce the chances of a leak. Of course, you need to also hire licensed plumbers only to help you install the new hoses. Poor installation can also lead to other problems, but you can avoid it by hiring qualified people to get the job done. Reach out to one of our plumbers and we’ll quickly dispatch a professional right away.

Install a Sump Pump

To avoid flooding in the basement, make sure that you install a sump pump. A pump works by removing the water in the sump pit. You need this, especially when there are storms, as it can prevent water damage to your basement. For installation, please ensure that you only hire qualified professionals for it. It’s also essential to regularly maintain the sump pump so that it works every time. If possible, get a backup pump if there is a power outage or the primary pump doesn’t work.

Why Hire Qualified Plumbers

Protecting your plumbing is one thing; hiring qualified people is another. It’s crucial that you only work with a qualified team to help you with plumbing repairs, installations and maintenance. Below are the benefits of hiring licensed professionals:

Experience

Some homeowners may try to hire handypersons offering their services at a lower price. You may think that you are saving money, but the truth is that it may lead to more costly repairs. In some cases, it may even cost you the manufacturer’s warranty. Licensed plumbers know what they are doing. Tell them that you have a leaky pipe, and professional plumbers can tell you the different causes of why you may have leaky pipes at home and how to remedy each one. Also, his experience working on different plumbing problems has made him an expert plumber. Compared to the experience of a handyperson, licensed plumbers always win. To avoid even more costly repairs, please make sure that you only hire qualified plumbers to get the job done. Even if it’s just a minor repair, please don’t make a mistake in hiring unlicensed plumbers.

Insured

Working with plumbing installations and repairs can be dangerous. To ensure safety, licensed professionals will take all the needed precautions. They also have the tools necessary to ensure that they can safely work and your home is protected. On the other hand, unlicensed handypersons can’t get insurance as they do not have the proper license to practice plumbing. When they get injured while doing repairs in your home, you may need to pay for all their medical expenses. That’s an added cost on your part — you’ll never have to worry about this when you hire qualified plumbers. In case there are accidents, insured professionals will be covered by their insurance company.

Fully Equipped

Professional drain cleaning may require a drain camera and a hydro jetter. Keep in mind that these two pieces of equipment are not cheap. And only licensed professionals are trained to use them. Hiring unqualified people to help with plumbing repairs could mean that the task may not be permanently resolved because they lack the tools needed to do the job properly. With drain cleaning, they can’t check the interior of the pipes and whether or not it’s completely free of debris or buildup. The problem could recur in the near future when the issue isn’t permanently fixed. To avoid these problems in the future, please make sure that you only hire licensed professionals in Mansfield, TX, for assistance.

Multiple Services

When it comes to plumbing, we suggest that you choose an established plumbing company that you can contact anytime for any plumbing service. Unlicensed handypersons may only have a skill or two, and they may even lack the experience for that. You know that licensed professionals are well trained and highly skilled to perform any plumbing repairs or major installations.

Established plumbing companies offer a wide range of plumbing services. They may even have plumbing products to sell, such as water filtration systems. Choose a plumber that offers multiple services so you wouldn’t have to contact another plumbing company.

Expertise

Because of their years of experience, licensed professionals can find plumbing problems that are not obvious. They have the skills to properly diagnose a plumbing problem and then resolve it promptly. A regular handyperson may be able to provide you with a solution but a long-lasting or permanent solution to a plumbing problem.

Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth

Do you need a plumber in Mansfield, TX, today? You’ve come to the right place! We are an established plumbing company committed to providing exceptional plumbing services in the area. Our plumbers are licensed and highly skilled to perform any plumbing repairs or installations. If you need help with your water heater or plumbing pipes, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are more than happy to assist! We also offer 24/7 emergency services — we’ll always be there even if you call us in the wee hours. At Benjamin Franklin, we prioritize your safety and satisfaction. Rest assured, you’ll be completely delighted with our service. Get in touch with us today for an appointment.