Most people are focused on improving something about themselves at the start of the New Year, but what about improving your home? This year, direct some of that positive change towards regular plumbing maintenance. Your house is a big investment, and it needs some TLC just like you do. With our 5 New Year’s plumbing resolutions, you can make sure that your house will be in top shape all year long.
Save Water by Fixing Leaky Faucets
You’re lying in bed waiting to fall asleep, and you hear the dreaded drip, drip, drip, drip. A leaky faucet is more than just an annoyance. It is wasteful as well, costing you more money on your water bill. That small drip might not seem like a big deal, but this calculator shows how much water it will waste over time. Often all that’s needed to fix a leaky faucet is a simple washer that can be purchased from a local hardware store. For more information on tackling this home improvement project, check out our faucet repair and installation post.
Check the Caulk in Your Bathtubs and Showers
Caulk is the white silicone material around the base of your tub and at the base of the tile on your shower wall. When caulk gets old, it can get brittle and start to break away, allowing water into the gaps that it was sealing. You can recaulk your bathroom for less than 10 dollars between buying the caulk and a simple caulking gun from a home improvement store. Considering that recaulking your tub or shower is your first line of defense against mold or water damage, this one should be high on your to-do list.
Prevent Toilet Clogs Before they Happen
We’ve all felt the panic of flushing a toilet and watching the water back up into the bowl. This year, save yourself that stress by watching what you flush. A safe bet is that if it isn’t human waste or toilet paper, it doesn’t belong in the toilet. I don’t believe any wipes labeled “flushable” either. They can still clog your pipes. If you’re wondering whether what you’re about to flush is safe, check out our what not to flush post.
Have Your Sump Pump Inspected
Your home’s sump pump is your number one defender against flood damage. Water damage can be costly to fix, which is why it’s always a good idea to make sure that your sump pump is operating correctly year-round. The cost of having your sump pump inspected or repaired is a worthwhile investment in your home and will put your mind at ease for years to come.
Fix that Running Toilet
Most running toilets are an easy fix with parts that you can buy from your local hardware store. The most common causes of a running toilet are a faulty stop valve or a floater switch. Both of these can be fixed in under an hour and will save you money on your water bill in the long run. Stop the “jiggle the handle” ritual after each flush and fix the problem’s root cause.
In Over Your Head? Call a Professional
Whether you’re halfway through a repair and realize that you can’t finish the job or if you’re concerned about starting one in the first place, our professional plumbers here at Public Service Plumbers can help. We are a full-service plumbing company, and we’re confident that no matter what your plumbing issue is, we can fix it. Give us a call today at (214) 753-4633, and we’ll have one of our plumbers out to your property as soon as possible.
